The 2016 Expedition 1880 Era Black Powder Hunt At Weltevreden Farm In Limpopo South Africa

[kgesch]

This is a fantastic story - especially for a history teacher. Keep it coming.

 

[rinehart0050]

@Gert Odendaal Thanks for sharing ~ keep it coming! With each new post, I'm impressed with the authenticity your group managed in every aspect of the expedition. Great work!

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Forging made out a great deal in the camp this year. Jaap and Greg kept the forge going , Jaap worked on a knife and Greg assisted. Herman and Hansie forged a type of survival ax/knife from piece of truck leaf spring. Herman Nel forged a Bowie knife and taught Ruan the basics of forging a knife blade.
When they ran out of charcoal/coke while forging they turned to Lead wood and Kameeldoring wood, it burned hotter than the charcoal and coke..

Jaap and Greg:

Testing for magnetism:

Herman Nel teaching Ruan the basics of knife blade forging.

The forge keep going through out the week:

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Hansie and Herman worked on a heavy duty survival knife-ax...

A few interesting things I observed:
It is possible to hunt for cell phone signal as well:
Johan Greyling five meters above the ground, try to spot some Impala while finding a cellphone signal:

Herman Nel and I found some pieces of flint, it works great with the Tonteldoos and will work in the flint locks as well...

 

[Gert Odendaal]

The Hunting:
David shot the first animal, a warthog:

Johan Greyling shot an Impala:

MC Heunis shot a nice Impala ram, it happen late in the afternoon and we did not take a nice photo:

Erik shot the biggest, heaviest and most incredible Impala ram on the farm, Willie Barnard said this was the biggest ram he ever saw on the farm.Erik carried this big ram for about one point two kilometers.

More photos:

 

[Gert Odendaal]

More photos:

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

These last images by the wagon are priceless!

 

[Gert Odendaal]

He, he, he, Jerome, and you thought we only baked bread?????

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Processing the meat has some spin offs of it`s own.

I had the time to test the newly build antique sausage stuffing machine. I took the intestines of the impala that was shot and made some venison sausages.
Mincing the meat:

 

[BRICKBURN]

Incredible effort guys to go back in time.
Appreciate the story.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Some more photos:

This photo shows where MC Heunis is dressing the impala he shot by using a one hundred and twenty year old Herneuter knife. Like the Bowie of America had a status symbol the Herneuter knife had a similar status among the Boer hunter . MC Heunis will write an article for Magnum regarding the two distinctive items of a Boer hunter , the velskoen and the Herneuter knife.

Wearing velskoene:

Photos:

To all the members who followed this thread, it is much appreciated. We are currently preparing for next year`s event ...

 

[Ragman]

Amazing! That would be such an incredible experience!

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Ragman, thank you kindly for the positive reply, it is much appreciated.

 

[Wheels]

Gert. This is one of my favorite threads of the year. Very educational. Thanks for posting.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Thank you kindly Wheels, yes I myself enjoyed this hunt a lot. Every year I learn more and more new things from the participants . Here is one interesting remark around the fire while two leopards circled our camp and walked on our spoor while hunting in broad daylight: To distinguish between a male and a female leopard when they call, the male leopard will not "saw/grunt " more than seven times , while the female will call/saw/grunt more than seven times.
I really want to get this verified by the professional hunters if they please?

 

[Gert Odendaal]

A few more good photos:
Something not seen everyday:
A Boer and an British citizen having tea and some snacks while discussing who won the Anglo Boer war....

Even on a hunting trip hygiene is an important aspect, especially if you want to keep your hunting friends in a good mood...

Erik show us how to carry a big heavy impala to the camp:

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/t...4457bb56e0.jpg
Pietie shows which biltong should be looked after when doing guard duty since the leopard and hyena are making rounds at the camp:

Preparing to defend what is ours..

An extra guard from a higher perspective and vantage point on guard:

Last farewell:

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Good day to you Jerome.
I will ask Swannie about his piece of Springbok horn he uses for measuring his load. I will get back to you.
Gert

 

[Nyati]

This is incredible, you guys are really enjoying it

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Nyati, yes you are quite correct, it really is a special kind of hunt. The members who participated are all people with excellent knowledge and skills. We learn a lot on this type of hunt. Around the camp fire , various discussions take place regarding the Boer war history, bush craft, old time practices like forging, casting bullets, re-loading for Martini Henry rifle, shooting the flintlock rifles ect. Then what I deemed to be certainly the only hunt where you as hunter walk alone into the bush to hunt, no guides, no day fees , all animals that are shot it`s costs been divided by the group and paid by the group.
Yes, this really is a one of a kind hunt...

 

[TallGrassHunter]

Gert very kind of you to share this, truly an experience of value. The pictures and write up is just wonderful. This is by far my favorite read on the internet. I can read it time after time, and do. While it seems certain you have a fine group of gents, the addition of the youngsters is commendable. An experience that will no doubt be with them for a life time. Thank you Gert. Very much appreciate you taking the time to share.