SOUTH AFRICA: TANZANIA: Safari 2023 Spiral Slam, Black Death, & Mr. Spots

[gillettehunter]

Good shooting! I really enjoy hunting Vaalies. Nice thick horns on that Lechwe.
Bruce

 

[Hunting Hitman]

Next up was the Eland. I have to admit that while I have shot a couple of Eland to date, both of them were broken horned and taken for camp meat, I have never shot a big one. This animal has proven to be smarter an more elusive than many other quarry that I have pursued.
This morning we were hunting the Asante Sana Game Reserve in the East Cape. It was a cool and crisp morning as we came upon a small rise in the The Valley were we would have a nice vantage point to look things over. We observed a large and spread out Eland herd(numbering around 80) approximately 1500 yards away. After looking them over we saw 3 bulls that were clear shooters and began to develop a game plan on how to close the distance and verify size.
We proceeded to stalk in closer while maintains as much elevation as possible to maintain an eye on the eland group. The vegetation height was about 8 feet on the valley floor so this was important. We got into a position that we felt the eland would pass below us as they made their way up the valley to their mid-morning resting place. We waited and watched but no shooter bulls were coming by so we figured they must have gone up one of the many drainages that would have kept them out of sight.

We decided to back up and move further up the valley to see if we could get a look at them again. After another 30 minutes of moving up while trying not to be seen and remain as quiet as possible, our tracker Michael spotted a huge bull. When I saw him for the first time it was clear that it was that bull or nothing for me. We spent another 20 minutes trying to ease in and wait for the right moment to take the shot.

The eland bull was focusing on a some cows as the breeding season is just about to kick off in the area. This allowed us to get to within 220 yards of them. I got on the sticks and waited for my shot as they were all mingling about and constantly either in front or behind my target bull. Finally my shooting lane opened up and I squeezed the trigger. I hit him hard but he just took a few steps and just stood there as everything around him started to bolt. I racked another round and waited again for a clear shot as it presented itself I fired. The eland bucked and then flopped to the ground as everything in the valley was now moving up the hill to our left. The herd we thought was around 80 was clearly over 120 and eland bulls we hadn’t seen materialized and then disappeared in the blink of an eye.
As we approached this magnificent eland bull the realization of just how big he was began to hit me. Having hunted Africa for over 20 years this was the largest bull I had ever seen. Both my PH Victor and our tracker Michael say it’s their biggest taken. While I’m sure their are bigger bulls this one is all mine.

40 1/2 inch Eland Bull

HH

 

[Scott CWO]

Next up was the Eland. I have to admit that while I have shot a couple of Eland to date, both of them were broken horned and taken for camp meat, I have never shot a big one. This animal has proven to be smarter an more elusive than many other quarry that I have pursued.
This morning we were hunting the Asante Sana Game Reserve in the East Cape. It was a cool and crisp morning as we came upon a small rise in the The Valley were we would have a nice vantage point to look things over. We observed a large and spread out Eland herd(numbering around 80) approximately 1500 yards away. After looking them over we saw 3 bulls that were clear shooters and began to develop a game plan on how to close the distance and verify size.
We proceeded to stalk in closer while maintains as much elevation as possible to maintain an eye on the eland group. The vegetation height was about 8 feet on the valley floor so this was important. We got into a position that we felt the eland would pass below us as they made their way up the valley to their mid-morning resting place. We waited and watched but no shooter bulls were coming by so we figured they must have gone up one of the many drainages that would have kept them out of sight.

We decided to back up and move further up the valley to see if we could get a look at them again. After another 30 minutes of moving up while trying not to be seen and remain as quiet as possible, our tracker Michael spotted a huge bull. When I saw him for the first time it was clear that it was that bull or nothing for me. We spent another 20 minutes trying to ease in and wait for the right moment to take the shot.

The eland bull was focusing on a some cows as the breeding season is just about to kick off in the area. This allowed us to get to within 220 yards of them. I got on the sticks and waited for my shot as they were all mingling about and constantly either in front or behind my target bull. Finally my shooting lane opened up and I squeezed the trigger. I hit him hard but he just took a few steps and just stood there as everything around him started to bolt. I racked another round and waited again for a clear shot as it presented itself I fired. The eland bucked and then flopped to the ground as everything in the valley was now moving up the hill to our left. The herd we thought was around 80 was clearly over 120 and eland bulls we hadn’t seen materialized and then disappeared in the blink of an eye.
As we approached this magnificent eland bull the realization of just how big he was began to hit me. Having hunted Africa for over 20 years this was the largest bull I had ever seen. Both my PH Victor and our tracker Michael say it’s their biggest taken. While I’m sure their are bigger bulls this one is all mine.
View attachment 548415
View attachment 548416
40 1/2 inch Eland Bull

HH

Wow, congrats on your success so far and hoping it continues! An eland like that makes your troubles with BA just melt away.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

Wow, congrats on your success so far and hoping it continues! An eland like that makes your troubles with BA just melt away.

Thanks Scott, slowly moving on from the BA memories and replacing them with excellent ones with Karoo Wild Safaris. Now on to the Selous Safari.

HH

 

[WAB]

Wow, that’s a stunning eland!

 

[Green Chile]

Wow he looks great and he has that blue tinge we are all looking for. Congrats on a fine bull
and good shooting.

 

[AZDAVE]

That is a very large eland! Congratz and nice shooting.

 

[Fatback]

Great start to this hunting report. Congrats on some awesome animals. That eland is very impressive. Looking forward to the rest of the report.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Hell of a warm up!
Congratulations.

 

[Rare Breed]

Next up was the Eland. I have to admit that while I have shot a couple of Eland to date, both of them were broken horned and taken for camp meat, I have never shot a big one. This animal has proven to be smarter an more elusive than many other quarry that I have pursued.
This morning we were hunting the Asante Sana Game Reserve in the East Cape. It was a cool and crisp morning as we came upon a small rise in the The Valley were we would have a nice vantage point to look things over. We observed a large and spread out Eland herd(numbering around 80) approximately 1500 yards away. After looking them over we saw 3 bulls that were clear shooters and began to develop a game plan on how to close the distance and verify size.
We proceeded to stalk in closer while maintains as much elevation as possible to maintain an eye on the eland group. The vegetation height was about 8 feet on the valley floor so this was important. We got into a position that we felt the eland would pass below us as they made their way up the valley to their mid-morning resting place. We waited and watched but no shooter bulls were coming by so we figured they must have gone up one of the many drainages that would have kept them out of sight.

We decided to back up and move further up the valley to see if we could get a look at them again. After another 30 minutes of moving up while trying not to be seen and remain as quiet as possible, our tracker Michael spotted a huge bull. When I saw him for the first time it was clear that it was that bull or nothing for me. We spent another 20 minutes trying to ease in and wait for the right moment to take the shot.

The eland bull was focusing on a some cows as the breeding season is just about to kick off in the area. This allowed us to get to within 220 yards of them. I got on the sticks and waited for my shot as they were all mingling about and constantly either in front or behind my target bull. Finally my shooting lane opened up and I squeezed the trigger. I hit him hard but he just took a few steps and just stood there as everything around him started to bolt. I racked another round and waited again for a clear shot as it presented itself I fired. The eland bucked and then flopped to the ground as everything in the valley was now moving up the hill to our left. The herd we thought was around 80 was clearly over 120 and eland bulls we hadn’t seen materialized and then disappeared in the blink of an eye.
As we approached this magnificent eland bull the realization of just how big he was began to hit me. Having hunted Africa for over 20 years this was the largest bull I had ever seen. Both my PH Victor and our tracker Michael say it’s their biggest taken. While I’m sure their are bigger bulls this one is all mine.
View attachment 548415
View attachment 548416
40 1/2 inch Eland Bull

HH

Magnificent!!!!

 

[gillettehunter]

Love that eland bull. Exceptional.
Bruce

 

[steve white]

40 1/2 inches! How big does the Lord Derby usually get, by comparison?

 

[Scott CWO]

40 1/2 inches! How big does the Lord Derby usually get, by comparison?

LDE can get a bit over 50”

 

[jacques smith]

Amazing eland—- congrats

 

[Hunting Hitman]

Officially back from my African Safari and before I tell the tales of Tanzania, I forgot to mention my final animal with Karoo Wild Safaris.
Victor was very helpful in helping me acquire a few more species of the tiny ten and the last one with him was the Cape Grysbok. He has a tremendous network of landowners that he maintains excellent relationships with so when he inquired of a special place and availability the land owner was more than eager to help out.
We arrived just after dark to the citrus plantation and began slowly driving the edges of some fallow fields the owner told us held some Grysbok. It wasn’t 5 minutes until we found a nice male that Victor estimated was just over 2 inches. Victor told me that while no guarantees he thought we could do better. After another hour had passed and no other males but around 6 females had been spotted, we came around a slight bend and just saw the back of one heading into deeper cover. Victor told me to be ready because he had a feeling it was a male. As we waited the Grysbok slowly made its way left and away from us through the cover. He came into view about 70 yards way feeding slowly but unaware of our presence.
Victor took a look at the horns and told me shoot when I had a good sight picture. I had this tiny Grysbok in the reticle and when the vitals were clear squeezed the trigger. The Grysbok dropped like a rock and we walked up to him to find a real hammer of a Grysbok.

3.25 on the long side and 3.1 on the other.

As I wrapped up my Safari with KWS I can say that it was top notch and would recommend without hesitation. Our group collectively shot 24 animals and most were gold medal if that matters to you.
Victor Watson is dialed in and can help you achieve whatever your looking for in the East Cape!

HH

 

[Tucketed]

Super hunt. Your eland is a real bruzzer. Can’t wait to hear your Tanzania stories. Congratulations

 

[Nyati]

Congrats on a great hunt, and thanks for sharing !

 

[TERMINATOR]

I am just about to start my Safari Season in Africa within a few days and just wanted to give everyone a preview of the hunts that are about to come. My wife and I will be starting in the East Cape for 10 days and then to the Selous area of Tanzania for 14 days. Joining us on this adventure are a father/son combo who are good friends and first timers to Africa. For this hunt we will be taking 2 Blaser R8's in 458 Lott, 375 H&H, and 300 Win Mag.
All the fun Starts with our British Airways flight on Sunday night so wish us luck and we will bring you along for the ride with plenty of Photos.
Cheers!

HH

I am SUPER jealous Congrats!

 

[AZDAVE]

Tanzania part of the story?

 

[KAROO WILD Safaris]

Thanks again for hunting with us. I struggle even to get my buddies in line for a 4 ball of golf at the local course so have real admiration for you for putting this hunt together. Loved your report and look forward to the Tanzania part. That eland was something wasn’t it! That bush was thick and you seized the only shot opportunity we could possibly get.