Your most valued African trophy

[INGOZI]

My 2 1/4" Blue Duiker

 

[Scott Slough]

It has to be my next African animal ... doesn't matter how big, doesn't matter what species, doesn't matter what rifle/caliber ... it only matters that I figured out how to get back for a second fix for the addiction. Becuase the best thing about getting a second fix is planning for the third!!!!!

 

[graybird]

Hi Graybird,

Not being a tape measure guy, I sometimes don't know what is an exceptional set of horns.

However, I have glassed a number of Vaal Rehbok rams, while trout fishing with a PH who, is particularly interested in them and the education was priceless.

Yours is a very fine / above average ram.

Congatulations old bean,
Velo Dog

Velo,

I'm not a tape measure kind of guy either. But, I do know this.

The guys went up the hill to retrieve the vallie. While waiting we all sat around nervously waiting for them to return. There was the usual, "man, I need to take a leak" conversation, etc. while waiting from those of us not making the trek. I just sat on the ground looking around soaking it all in.

When the guys were about 100 yards away, my PH starting speaking to the lead tracker as he was holding the head. Andrew, my PH, said Sutu was jacking with him. What? Was my reply. Andrew answered, look how he has the head hidden. That's when I noticed Sutu had the horns tucked behind his jacket. Obviously he knew he was a great trophy, too.

Anyway, after it was all done. We were talking on the ride back off the mountain. Andrew mention again about how exceptional the trophy was. I asked him how long, and he said over 9" and pushing 9 1/2". That was enough for me as we were looking for something in the 8" range, and we passed on several in the 7" range. I can say this, there was no discussion about this ram when we saw him.

 

[Velo Dog]

Velo,

I'm not a tape measure kind of guy either. But, I do know this.

The guys went up the hill to retrieve the vallie. While waiting we all sat around nervously waiting for them to return. There was the usual, "man, I need to take a leak" conversation, etc. while waiting from those of us not making the trek. I just sat on the ground looking around soaking it all in.

When the guys were about 100 yards away, my PH starting speaking to the lead tracker as he was holding the head. Andrew, my PH, said Sutu was jacking with him. What? Was my reply. Andrew answered, look how he has the head hidden. That's when I noticed Sutu had the horns tucked behind his jacket. Obviously he knew he was a great trophy, too.

Anyway, after it was all done. We were talking on the ride back off the mountain. Andrew mention again about how exceptional the trophy was. I asked him how long, and he said over 9" and pushing 9 1/2". That was enough for me as we were looking for something in the 8" range, and we passed on several in the 7" range. I can say this, there was no discussion about this ram when we saw him.

Excellent.

 

[JTEX]

This

or

 

[spoonieduck]

This

or

I thought it might be interesting for some to name their most important and valued trophy based primarily on desire, cost, and difficulty. Where and when did you hunt it? Can one still hunt it there? Can it be hunted anywhere in Africa now? I will start.

The trophy I hold in highest esteem is the Zambezi sitatunga I took in the Okavango of Botswana in 1990 with Vira Safaris and the late Willie Englebrecht as my PH. Two weeks in the delta hunting from a dry camp and a wet camp. Hunting from native dugout canoes called a makoro. Out on the water for several days, just me and two polers. Saw only a few sitatunga and only one shooter, the one I got. It was a fairly difficult hunt, part of the reason I rate it so high. Fantastic hunt I will never likely repeat especially in Botswana as it closed sitatunga hunting not long after I got mine, and of course recently stopped all but private land hunting at least for now, in favor of eco-tourism. Sitatunga can be hunted in other countries, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, western sitatunga in some parts of West Africa, and no doubt other places as well.
It was a costly hunt at the time as it was also a lion, and buffalo hunt. By todays standards it was cheap! You can read a more comprehensive story about this hunt in my articles on my profile I believe. Looking forward to hearing from others.

Walking through tall grass in the dark to finish a roaring, unhappy lion; shooting a magnificent 3 curl kudu on the fly at 150 yards; shooting a leopard out of a tree then, afterwards, sitting alone in the night on the banks of the Zambesi having a beer and listening to the hyenas whooping on the far side of the river.

 

[Velo Dog]

This

or

Beauties !

 

[BRICKBURN]

I thought it might be interesting for some to name their most important and valued trophy based primarily on desire, cost, and difficulty. Where and when did you hunt it? Can one still hunt it there? Can it be hunted anywhere in Africa now? ………....

It pained me not to be able to respond to this thread right away. Awesome topic Ses.

When I first saw the identification pictures of these critters I did not think they would be of much interest to me. They are very very rarely on a first timers list. I then encountered Marius' trophy picture and started to think about it a little more. Then Diamond hitch went and took one and that was it. Now I knew where they lived and that turned the tide. I had to hunt these little guys.

They require lots of climbing in their native territory to hunt them. They are not found in fenced farms nor do they come to water (rarely). They are wild and free. You have to hunt some gorgeous country to get near them, (typically) It is about as close to Big Horn sheep hunting for indigenous game you can get in South Africa.
"Confined to the higher areas of Southern Africa, they typically inhabit grassy, montane habitats - for example, sourveld - usually 1000 metres above sea level."
You can still hunt them and they are not an inexpensive trophy and unfortunately are under some pressure from poaching. Certainly from dogs in Lesotho.

Sure looks like sheep hunting to me.

If you look closely. That little dot to the left of the fence is me heading down after a Mtn Reedbuck.
(Just to be clear I was hunting both Mtn. Reedbuck and Vaal Rhebuck. This picture was an excursion after Mtn Reedbuck)

The very small dot on the right peak on the horizon is where the I took the shot from.

The Indian Ocean is out there somewhere. Honest.

Here he is. A very special trophy. My First Vaal Rhebuck.

 

[revturbo9967]

that looks like an amazing hunt .

 

[JTEX]

Brickburn- Outstanding! Fine trophy.

 

[Diamondhitch]

Way to go Wayne now I want togo back for another one!!! Beautiful country

 

[Velo Dog]

It pained me not to be able to respond to this thread right away. Awesome topic Ses.

When I first saw the identification pictures of these critters I did not think there would be of much interest to me. They are very very rarely on a first timers list. I then encountered Marius' trophy picture and started to think about it a little more. Then Diamond hitch went and took one and that was it. Now I knew where they lived and that turned the tide. I had to hunt these little guys.

They require lots of climbing in their native territory to hunt them. They are not found in fenced farms nor do they come to water (rarely). They are wild and free. You have to hunt some gorgeous country to get near the, (typically) It is about as close to Big Horn sheep hunting for indigenous game you can get in South Africa.
"Confined to the higher areas of Southern Africa, they typically inhabit grassy, montane habitats - for example, sourveld - usually 1000 metres above sea level."
You can still hunt them and they are not an inexpensive trophy and unfortunately are under some pressure from poaching. Certainly from dogs in Lesotho.

Sure looks like sheep hunting to me.

If you look closely. That little dot to the left of the fence is me heading down after a Mtn Reedbuck.

The very small dot on the right peak on the horizon is where the I took the shot from.

The Indian Ocean is out there somewhere. Honest.

Here he is. A very special trophy.

Excellent !

 

[Sable123]

I think everyone should be very proud of their trophies. Looking through all the photos I have seen some incredible animals and heard so much appreciation from many hunters that makes me happy for all those that cherish their trophies!

For me, its every African sunset!!! Looking out and being thankful that I am African and how my children one day will have the opportunity to grow up in such a place.

But if you want to get technical, my wife's White Blesbok is my most valued trophy. I guided her onto it and she put it down with one shot. My proudest moment ever as a hunter.

 

[slad68]

 

[siml]

Of course. Its much more about how it happened, than what it was we took home. The amount of work involved is directly proportional to its value as a trophy. The trophy itself is usually not the real reward, just the symbol of what was hopefully a great experience.

Thats enough to give any hunter goose bumps.

 

[IdaRam]

Anxiously awaiting my first trip to Africa which is just under a year away now. All the experiences posted here are making the wait seem like an eternity! On the flip side, thank you all SO MUCH for sharing your stories! It's the next best thing to being there I wonder what my most meaningful African trophy will turn out to be? The day I find out the answer to that question will be one of the best days of my life And I fully expect to have a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat and not an ounce of shame in my soul. What other reaction could possibly be more appropriate when we live and realize a lifelong dream?

 

[Savage Hunter]

In one way it is this 30.5" waterbuck

But also love this very old bushbuck.


But, my very favorite is in this pic.

the one behind the Zebra!

 

[Wheels]

For me it would have to be the first animal I ever shot........which was the first African animal I ever shot........which when I walked up, turned out to be two.........the only double of my life on mammals was my first shot.

Time dulls memories but it was a pretty special moment. I'm sure my eyes were wet. I doubt I slept that night. Visions of being a "Great White Hunter" like my hero J.A. Hunter flew through my mind.

There have been many days pass since that day. A few more nice animals have been added to the collection. But nothing compares to Dad handing me the gun and saying shoot. Tears are coming to my eyes as I write this. There is only one first time!



I'm absolutely loving all of your stories.

Each in it's own way is unique and special.

We are all blessed!

 

[Buff-Buster]

People wonder just what makes AH so different and so special....Well folks, just read this thread in its entirety. The people on here make me proud to be a hunter/conservationist and proud to be associated with the fine men and women that reside here. What a great group of people!