Day 6
Well, I woke at 5:40 for a nature call but went back to bed. Finally up at 9:45 a bit foggy to say the least! After a wonderful night by the fire, sipping whiskey and smoking a cigar until the wee hours the extra sleep was needed.
We had a full breakfast and made a plan to go out and look for an East African Bushbuck. I had taken one in Masailand back in '14 but never miss an opportunity to hunt Bushbuck. I told Paul that 16" was my minimum and with the density of the population here being so high it is not unrealistic. He reminded me that should we see an exceptional Nile Bushbuck I can take a second one.
We got out of camp about 11 and it was overcast and cool, relatively speaking. The morning was very relaxed after the climax of taking the Sitatunga the evening before. We went to an area of the concession that doesn't get hunted much. Another PH in the camp Augustine suggested to Paul we try this area. It was much thicker bush subsequently we saw very few Bushbuck.
A couple hours into the drive, a very exceptional Bushbuck was spotted about 150 yards off the road. Upon closer inspection Paul said "he won't make 16 but it is the biggest Nile I have ever seen here". We took off and of course the ram wasn't having any part of that and he bolted. We carried on and saw a female and younger male. Melcom spotted the big male off in the distance and Paul confirmed it was him. We moved forward as he was in a slow walk, heading away from us.
He stopped when we got to about 120 yards and turned. Paul set the sticks and I shot, he was down. As we approached there was another ram close by, all puffed up and strutting. Obviously the two had been sparring and he had no idea we were there. Also a fine ram but overall not as big as the one I had just shot. The female we saw must've been in heat, thus the 3 rams in the vicinity.
When we got up to him I was ecstatic, he was a massive old ram with battle scars and shredded ears from fighting. He had exceptional length and mass and ultimately measured 15 1/2" with 6" bases! Paul said "this is the biggest Nile Bushbuck I have ever taken with a client".
Back to camp for another great meal and we made plans to change areas tomorrow. This evening we will sit for Bushpig. I have shot a few over the years but you can find red Bushpig here and that is what I am looking for.
