First let me say I am not a writer so bear with me. After flights, delays, connections, etc., we arrived in Kimberley. Ruan met us and off to the ranch we go. We made the usual introductions, got checked in and shot all the guns. The guys liked Tammy's Smith & Wesson 500. Ruan told her that he would get her on an animal with it before we were through. So, now we load up on the bakkie for our first hunt in the African bush. We were very excited to finally be hunting in Africa after the long wait.
After riding for a while, some zebra and blesbok were spotted. Ruan asked which one I wanted to try, so I said, let's go for blesbok.
Off we go on the stalk. We got close to some blesbok and started glassing for a good ram. While we are waiting for them to raise their heads from the tall brown grass so we can see their horns, we hear a slight rustling in the bush to our left.
As we all stand very still, the rustling gets louder and closer and we start to hear running hoofbeats. We stand frozen waiting to see what the heck is coming our way, when suddenly, not 12 or 14 yards away a herd of blesbok burst out of the bushes and run right past as we stand and watch, amazed. After the stampede, we all laughed and said ok that was funny and exciting. We start back and some of the blesbok are about 200 yards away. After looking them over, Ruan and Esok say there is a good ram. I get on the sticks and wait for him to clear and boom, I miss him clean. Chalk it up to nerves and excitement on getting my first African animal in my crosshairs.
