SOUTH AFRICA: Wheels Up From Denver To KZN

[Ironhorse375]

Well, that is a memory that won't soon be forgotten. Glad everything turned out ok.

Thank you sir.
Members on this site and the knowledge they have shared is invaluable.
A good friend of mine who has hunted buffalo many times
Told me no matter what “ stand your ground”

 

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

That is quite a hunt! Glad everyone is OK. I am envious of the experience. Post a photo when you can.

 

[Hogpatrol]

DAMN! #1. Glad to hear all are OK. That sounds like it could have been real UGLY. Did anyone get any pics of you guys all piled up. That would make for a spellbinding tale at any venue.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

WOW! Glad everyone is ok. Congrats on the Buff

 

[johnnyblues]

What a story?! Man I’m glad everyone is ok, that could have been really ugly. Not to nit pick but I wonder if the Barnes ammo was the right choice? Listen I love Barnes ammo, but when I hunted my buffalo I used Swift A Frames the results were devestating. Just a thought as it appears your shots were good. Pictures please!

 

[Ridgewalker]

Yikes!!! I almost need an undershort change just from reading that! Dont know how you could practice for that! So glad you all came out good!

 

[BWH]

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[JakeH]

WOW! Way to face the ultimate “pucker factor” and stand your ground!

 

[gillettehunter]

That story had me "puckering up". Can't imagine how it was on your end. Congrats. Looking forward to some pics of your buf. We all have 20/20 hindsight. Do you think waiting say an hour would have had the buf die without a close range charge? I know your the hunter and not the PH that makes that call...
Bruce

 

[Ridgewalker]

Steve emailed me he was having cell phone issues downloading to the sight and asked if I would post some pics, so first is his reinactment of how it ended:

Second is a pic of the fine buffalo:

And then two of the 375 H&H 300gr Barnes TSX:

In his brief email to me he said “two more animals in the salt today...zebra and Nyala...both one shot kills.” He said he credited the single shots to a lucky 5.11 boonie hat I gave him. I don’t think so. He’s obviously an exceptional shot under pressure.

 

[cagkt3]

WOW! Congrats on the bull

 

[CAustin]

Very nice buff!

 

[Beretta391]

Holy cow!!! What a hunt!! Talk about memories!!!

 

[Edge]

Wow...I have to check my own undies after reading this encounter! Great Buff!

 

[Jay Bucher]

Awesome hunt!! I need two whiskeys after reading about it!

Jay

 

[BWH]

Old bastard for sure...... and the Dagga Boy too.....

Just kidding.... very nice buff sir!

 

[Ironhorse375]

That story had me "puckering up". Can't imagine how it was on your end. Congrats. Looking forward to some pics of your buf. We all have 20/20 hindsight. Do you think waiting say an hour would have had the buf die without a close range charge? I know your the hunter and not the PH that makes that call...
Bruce

Bruce
I hear what your saying.
After reading the blood trail and seeing his dogs were holding still and not barking he beloved the animal was dead. That being said no one could see or hear anything. the animal that took off in front of us to the left was a bushpig.
Have to say my story timeline was a bit condensed.
But I never expected not wanted a charging beast. I will tell you now no bravado intended, that there was no felt fear durring the black hurricane charge.
Just react and shoot. That being said after the buffalo was winched out and loaded and back to camp it sunk in.
I didn't sleep worth a crap past couple nights.
I wouldn't wish that on anyone for sure.
Glad to be Alive and not use my global rescue plan.
Will post more soon
internet capabilities here are limited.
buetiful zebra and Nyala taken also.
Warthog tomorrow maybe.
Will elaborate more with pics asap.
Stay tuned for that plus the big 5 minus one

 

[Dinsdale]

Terrific Buffalo, and that is some story!

 

[kudukid]

What a hunt. Being charged by a huge buff that wants to sqush you will really test your mettle. Well done to face your foe and have the compsure to shoot. No-one knows how they will react to a life threatening charge until it happens. I once had a guide up in the N.T. in Australia freeze when a wounded water buffalo charged us. Luckily I dropped the buff at his feet. Not trying to sound like a hero but it just happened without thinking. The adrenalin surge is un-paralleled by any other life experience. You know that feeling Ironhorse 375.

 

[Ironhorse375]

Time to update.
I'm quite a bit behind but every day is jam packed.
My wife of 32 years is on this adventure
she isn't a hunter but loves taking pictures, fishing, sitting around the fire with a good glass of wine after dinner
Now time to look for zebra. The land we are hunting is awesome. Game rich, green, thick in many places but areas open enough for a bit of glassing
Pine the young PH along with No who is manning the sticks and William coordinating the show.
A bit of a chill this morning with a stiff breeze. Drive a bit glass a bit.
The wind picks up and animals are skittish.
A Nyala busts from the brush 40 yards to the right. Pine whispers nice bull.
then herd of impala moving out quickly also. Wind or lion I'm asking.
Maybe both is the reply.
Now out of bakkie thru the brush, ouch those damn pointy spikes on the trees stick into my arm. Just then black and white blurred animals bust in front 80 yards.
Willam plots a route to attempt a quiet intercept.
Soon he stops and motions me forward.
Sticks up. Do you see them? Shoot the one next to the big bush on the right.
I'm straining to pick him out.
No I can't see him.
then a ear moves, got him now .
On the sticks crosshairs on shoulder. Then the PH turns the sticks a bit goid thing. Almost shoot wrong animal .
Safety off squeeze boom wack.
Animals running everywhere.
Soon there is a noise I've never heard. PH says it's another zebra in the herd calling.
" Your animal is down"
Dogs find him about 100 yards away.
Frothy blood coming out a hole just on the shoulder. Hi fives A nice stallion is just breath taking.
Head looks great and hide is all intact no bite marks at all.
Willam says these steaks are going to be very tasty.
My wife takes a bunch of pics, and says her work friends won't like pics of the zebra. But she understands how hunting works and is key to conservation.
Nothing will go to waste on this animal.
We go back to lodge and as usual Amanda has an amazing brunch ready to go.
Each meal is preceeded by a prayer from Willam. Great food .
1600 time for a game drive. No rifle just cameras binos and a cooler full of water pop and munchies.
Warthog Nyala wildebeest, all types of birds. Just my wife and I along with our driver Pine.
beautiful Sunset, just awesome.
On the way back to camp appear 2 male lions one on each side of the 2 track.
It's dark now and we are at a standstill.
We are going to wait 15 minutes but they are not moving. I'm certainly not wanting to be " meals on wheels" for 2 hungry lions.
Soon one roars. So cool, then the older one roars, he has a more guttural deep roar. The light is on them and we get awesome video.
This is not seen very often at all Pine tells us.
Soon the younger lion stands, stretching his entire body and opens his mouth wide.
Those teeth mean business, but not for us today.