SOUTH AFRICA: Well We Are Here At Hartzview Hunting Safaris

[PLM]

Be careful what you wish for Royal, once my wife starts telling her stories it could be a long night.lol

 

[PLM]

Before I go on, I have to go back to our first morning hunt. Everyone always says if the PH says" that's a real good one" you should shoot it. Well on the first morning we snuck into a water hole to see if anything was there. About 40 yards away there stands broadside a huge Eland. Ruan says that is a big, big Eland. Well Eland wasn't on my shopping list and I'm not that crazy about them so I passed. I could tell Ruan was a little disappointed, and as we walked away I was thinking I was going to regret not taking it. I was right, so, lesson learned.

 

[PLM]

Okay, after the Gemsbok, it's my turn to shoot again so off we go. We climbed another one of those big rock hills (note to self, get in better shape before the next trip) to look around. There are hartebeest, zebra, kudu cows and just in front of us at 200 yards, some impala. There is one good ram but he is behind a bush. I get on the sticks and wait for him to walk out. Finally he steps out and I take the shot, He goes about 15 yds. and is down.

 

[Dr Ray]

Here are some of our pictures! My wife shot the Springbok and the Red Hartebeeste and I shot the Zebra and the Blesbok. View attachment 196958 View attachment 196955 View attachment 196956 View attachment 196957

I particularly like the hartebeest and blesbok. Very nice trophies. Congratulations.

 

[PLM]

Thank you Dr Ray. More to come.....

 

[PLM]

Went to see the grandkids this weekend. They were excited to see the pictures and hear the stories. Of course they had a million questions. It was fun.
Back to the report. Next morning after the Impala, we are back out looking for suicidal animals. We stopped the bakkie short of the crest of a hill and get out to walk to the top for a look. A little over a hundred yards away, there is a big, old blue wildebeest all by himself grazing under a tree. Esok gets Tammy set up on the sticks as the bull starts walking to the left. When he stopped and put his head down to eat, she shot. He jumped and starts bucking and staggering around. I am expecting him to fall over any second. Tammy is trying to get another shot in him when he suddenly straightens up and starts trotting off like nothing is wrong. Now we are saying uh oh, how far will he run? As it turned out, he only went about 50 yards and piled up, done.

 

[cpr0312]

Nice Blue WB!

 

[PLM]

Thank you reedy 0312. They said he was an old bull, Tammy was very proud of her one shot kill with her .308.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Went to see the grandkids this weekend. They were excited to see the pictures and hear the stories. Of course they had a million questions. It was fun.
Back to the report. Next morning after the Impala, we are back out looking for suicidal animals. We stopped the bakkie short of the crest of a hill and get out to walk to the top for a look. A little over a hundred yards away, there is a big, old blue wildebeest all by himself grazing under a tree. Esok gets Tammy set up on the sticks as the bull starts walking to the left. When he stopped and put his head down to eat, she shot. He jumped and starts bucking and staggering around. I am expecting him to fall over any second. Tammy is trying to get another shot in him when he suddenly straightens up and starts trotting off like nothing is wrong. Now we are saying uh oh, how far will he run? As it turned out, he only went about 50 yards and piled up, done.View attachment 198602

Very nice blue and a proper M70 FW!

 

[PLM]

Now we have just one thing left on our list, Kudu. Throughout the trip we have seen a lot of kudu with a lot of them being nice bulls. We just never could get in just the right place for a shot. We have two and a half days left to focus on getting it done. Off we go in search of the ghost. No luck this afternoon. Next morning, we drive to a spot and climb another big hill, (small mountain? felt like it). We are glassing when Ruan motions me over by him. He pointed out a kudu cow and behind her we could see the sun shining on the horns of a BIG kudu bull standing in the bush. 248 yards. I get on the sticks and start watching through the scope waiting for him to step out. After what seems like forever, he started walking to the left into a opening. Ruan says "you got him" I say yes so Ruan gives a whistle and he stops, perfect broadside. I'm thinking this is too easy and squeeze the trigger, bam, and dirt kicks up just above his back and he trots away and out of my trophy room. I was disgusted with myself to say the least. I don't think I was the only one that was disappointed. Okay, we'll find another one, right?
We go eat lunch, rest a bit and go back out. I don't want to be under pressure on our last day, so I told Ruan if we see a nice waterbuck, nyala or something else really good I will take it in place of the kudu and then we can relax on Friday and just look around. If we happen on a chance for a good kudu, we will take it, otherwise, I'll just have to come back again.

 

[PLM]

Thanks Phil. That was her birthday present this year, she loves it.

 

[PLM]

Okay, now it's getting late in the afternoon and Ruan gets a call. The guys over a ways have seen two big kudu bulls so we are taking off to see if we can get to them and get a shot before it gets too dark. We're going down the road and look over to the left and Ruan says "if you want a waterbuck, you need to shoot that one". No hesitation, stop the truck. We ease back down the road and can't believe he's still there. One shot on the shoulder, He goes 10 or 12 yards and is done. When we walk up and I realize how big he is I am beside myself. He is beautiful.

 

[cpr0312]

Great waterbuck!!! Sorry about the kudu.... we all know that feeling you felt. But way to stay positive and you got rewarded!

 

[PLM]

Last day: When we first booked this hunt, we told them that Tammy wanted to get something with her 500 Smith & Wesson. She carried that heavy beast around the whole 8 days we have been hunting with no close chances to use it. When we first got to the ranch and Ruan saw her shoot it, He told her he would get her on something with her pistol before we left. So, Friday morning that is our goal for the day. We stopped a ways from a waterhole and got off the bakkie and sneak up behind the dam to see what is there. I didn't go up to look for fear of too many heads showing. There were quite a few animals there but nothing just right. Finally, some young impala started coming in from the left. Ruan says the next one coming out of the bush is a good ram, take him, 46 yards. She shoots and everything takes off. They are both sure of a good shot so we go to look and sure enough, blood trail. They bring in the dog and after a sprint, the ram stops. Before we catch up, he takes off again but doesn't go far. By the time we got up to where the dog had him bayed, he is about done. No second shot needed. I am very proud of my wife's shooting. Forty six yards, open sights, off hand, one shot, dead impala.

 

[cagkt3]

Good looking waterbuck!

 

[PLM]

Now we are officially done hunting, time to celebrate. We can't say enough about how well Ruan and his whole staff took care of us while we were at Hartzview. This was the best fun and relaxing vacation we have ever taken. Absolutely no stress at any time during our stay. The food, accommodations, and people were outstanding. We will be back. Philip and Tammy

 

[cpr0312]

I am very proud of my wife's shooting. Forty six yards, open sights, off hand, one shot, dead impala.

Wow thats impressive!! Off hand....!!!!

 

[PLM]

Good looking waterbuck!

Thank you, sir!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Very nice waterbuck! So glad things finally worked out for you two to make this happen.

 

[PLM]

Yes Phil, It was a long wait, but very worth it.