Rhino Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 I'm back and pretty worn out. 10 days of bowhunting from daylight to dark not to mention how tiring it is traveling to and from there. Overall it was a GREAT hunt but I'll admit...there was a time when I thought a black cloud was hanging over my head. BTW...due to the lack of Nyala on the ranch I adjust my shoulder mount hit list to substitute a Waterbuck for it. The first 2 days I saw a lot of animals but those that were in range were either too small or not on my hit lists (shoulder mounts, european mounts & zebra rug). The 3rd day an exceptional Gemsbuck comes in passing just inside a bush I ranged at 33 yards. He stops broadside but in a postion where, while sitting, I had to lean forward in somewhat of a contorted position to take the shot out of the only shooting hole in the blind. My string catches my sleeve slowing my arrow flight down and my arrow hits him near the top of his leg bone. DANG!!! Non-lethal but we tracked him anyway to attempt another shot but no dice. Got within site of him confirming his leg bone wasn't broken. The 4th through 7th days were basically a repeat of the first 2 days except I opted to pass on a few animals on my european mount hit list. I also passed a few more Gemsbuck that weren't as big as the one I clipped. The 8th morning my PH & I go to a popup blind that was set & brushed the prior day by Dries & ranch workers. Unlike other blinds this one was set in a bedding area. More scat covered the ground there than you could possibly imagine. About 7:30 a Black Wildebeest comes trotting in and stops at 44 yards. I decide to try to take him when he gets a little closer. He begins his 1st sequence of LOUD growling (not sure what the technical term is) for some 10 minutes or so. Here comes a Black Wildebeest cow with her calf. Over the next 1 1/2 hours they bed down 3 times and each time the bull stood he'd growl on & off a lot. Finally he gets to 40 yards broadside. I turn the arrow loose & it looks perfect...except he either heard or saw it coming. By the time the arrow arrived he had ducked ~20" and moved forward ~12" beginning his charge out of there. A review in slow motion of the video footage confirmed his movement. DANG!!! Another non-lethal hit. We searched for him in vain before moving to another blind. About 2:00 we get in a blind where I had, on 2 prior hunts seen a lot of Gemsbuck and passed some that I now began to regret. I tell my PH...the 1st nice Gemsbuck that comes in is going to get hurt. Around 4:30 here he comes. Man, they are wary...the Gemsbuck hangs up facing the blind at 35 yards for ~20 minutes. Finally he eases in for a drink offering a broadside shot at 20 yards. My arrow hits home and he takes off. My PH review the video and agrees...good shot. We start what we thought would be a short traking job. After 500 yards it's too dark for us to see and blood is getting sparse. My PH radios for help and another PH with native trackers, and Gene Wensel show up. I was in awe of the native trackers ability to track in the dark without a flashlight. They must have night vision! Gene smiles & says "it makes you wonder what they are seeing eh?" Another 400 yards or so they recover my Gemsbuck. The 9th day begins slow with a few Springbuck and a family of stripped mongoose passing through. BTW...a snake has no chance if a family of these mongoose find him. At ~1:30 my PH catches the movement of a very nice Waterbuck moving toward our left ~250 yards out. He decides to bed down in the shade ~300 yards away though. About 20 minutes later a Waterbuck cow & calf start coming in for a drink. That did the trick...here comes the bull. A warthog beats them to the water but when he leaves here comes the bull. At 14 yards I turn my arrow loose centering his heart. He still ran ~125 yards before falling out of sight. Thank goodness a nice easy tracking job. Dries & my PH now ask "what next on your list?" Well Kudu has been #1 from the beginning. Dries tells me we're going to use the open air truck to spot...then stalk them. Alright!!! I like this plan! The first 2 attempts result in getting busted by changing wind (1st one) and getting picked off. It's now getting late in the day when the 3rd chance comes but it was the charm! We ease in and I draw & whisper to my PH "range". He whispers back "34 yards". I turn my arrow loose and pick it up in flight at ~15 yards. It seemed to float in slow motion toward my kudu that never moved hitting him right through the heart. He bolts, runs ~75 yards, pauses, turns to his left and we watch him fall over. ALRIGHT!!! AWESOME!!! The blood trail was like pouring 2 lines of red paint on the ground. Here's 2 pics of my 50" Kudu, the 2nd with me and my guide congradulating each other. The final day I decided it was Zebra or nothing. Saw some but nothing within 100 yards. Saw a lot of animals that day though. Right before we left we took this group photo. From left to right...John from Iowa, his PH Jon, Dries Visser (owner), Gene Wensel, yours truly, my best bud Ernie from Louisiana, and his PH and ranch manager Ingo. I took a lot of still shots from blinds while hunting too. A nice variety of game too. When I have more time I'll post some of my favorites in the photography & video roome. I haven't had time to review or downlaoded any of my video footage yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Good deal! Looks like you'll have to figure out how to go back for a zebra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 That's awesome Al! Looks like you had a great time, and sounds like those African animals are tuff, thank God for the natives huh? Look forward to checking out all those pics, congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Congratulations Al. Looks like some fine African animals there to me, good pics too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 I've been waiting for this thread. Nicely done Al! Hope some of the advice I gave you paid off. Nambia is known for having the most Gemsbok. They are also notorious for being tough to get with a bow. Congrats on yours. You got some nice animals. I bet you also have an itch to return! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 AWESOME stuff AL!! Congrats on some great animals and thanks for sharing the stories with us! Can't wait to see the photos and videos..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Congrats!!!!!! Thanks for the write up and story Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clrj3514 Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 AWESOME stuff AL!! Congrats on some great animals and thanks for sharing the stories with us! Can't wait to see the photos and videos..... Well geez, I was gonna say that Congrats bud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhine16 Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Awesome Al! Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Congrats, Al! Those are some very nice animals. I enjoyed your detailed account of your hunt. I am looking forward to the rest of the story and seeing the pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted August 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Nicely done Al! Hope some of the advice I gave you paid off. Nambia is known for having the most Gemsbok. They are also notorious for being tough to get with a bow. Congrats on yours. You got some nice animals. I bet you also have an itch to return! Yep...some of your advice sure paid off. These critters are a LOT more wary than whitetail. When you think about everything that hunts them for food it makes sense. The warriest survive & the others are meals for predators. Ya know...they're more like our turkeys but can catch your scent. That was the biggest surprise but you warned me my hit list was big. I'm sure happy with what I bagged! Your right...there's more Gemsbuck there than anything else (except maybe warthogs) but the amazing thing was I didn't see the 1st one until the 3rd day. After that I saw multiple Gemsbuck every day. They are cool animals but extremely wary! Blue & Black Wildebeast are crazy critters...more often than not they run from one spot to another, usually in herds. Another thing I learned is...their wild game meat is AWESOME!!! We ate Gemsbuck, Zebra, Eland, Wildebeest, Kudu, Springbuck, and Duiker. It was all outstanding. Eland was a little on the tuff side. Who would have thought something that resembled a stripped horse would taste so good! If whitetail tasted good as any of that I'd have extra freezers & eat it all the time. I do have an itch to return but I sure wish Scotty could just beam me over there. I would never do it again flying Economy...Business class is the only way I'd consider it again. That's a LONG trip and going through customs in foreign countries at times is a joke too. Took us over 2 hours to clear customs in Namibia. The return trip was straight through. From the time we left the ranch, it took a little over 30 hours before I pulled into my garage. I briefly thought about throwing away that set of cloths rather than wash them. BTW...my buddy pulled a hat trick the 1st day killing a Gemsbuck, Black Wildebeest, and a Warthog. He killed a 2nd (bigger Warthog) the next day. He bagged a Zebra the 4th day. Then he went 0 for 2 shots on Kudu (clean misses) and no shots at any other animals the rest of the hunt. Gene hit a Gemsbuck in the shoulder blade (no penetration) then killed a nice one 2 days later. He missed another animal but I can't remember what it was. Gene stayed behind to hunt for another 10 days. Thanks everyone for the congrats...I truly loved the experience of hunting over there. Enjoyed their winter weather too! One more thing...Pics are deceiving when it comes to the size of many African animals. I asked my PH how much my Gemsbuck & Waterbuck weighed. He said 300 kilos & 250 kilos respectively. At ~2.2lbs/kilo...you do the math. Took a crew to load them and the Kudu into the truck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Yep! Living in an environment where these animals are hunted by many other things besides humans sure makes those animals wary. A couple other factors that make it tough are these animals typically stay in herds. So you rarely have only two eyes and one nose to worry about. Most of the trophy sized antelope species there have been alive for twice as many years as a trophy sized whitetail. That's a long time for an animal to learn how to survive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 now this is what i needed today. congrats, al. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointing_dogs_rule Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Great story, great hunt & great photos. My Africa fund is growing year by year. good luck to all the dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colorado bob Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Conglads------That's a dandy kudu. I need to go back. I loved it over there------you are treated like Royalty. I want a blue wildebeest, next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbeck Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 I love the fact you guys can do this and allow me to live some of it with you. Great story and I love the pics in the photography room. Well done Al, also you Leo I remember living a hunt thanks to you too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Way to go Al, great stories and pics. Congrats on some fine animals.:cool2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 I am officially jealous. Someday, I too will make that trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted August 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 I am officially jealous. Someday, I too will make that trip. Every hunter, especially bowhunters need to do that at least once! Thanks everyone...it was truly a trip of a lifetime! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 What an awesome hunt and story. Thanks for posting the experience and congrats on the great hunt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan Givan Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Wow sounds like an awesome trip. Congrats on those animals! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Every hunter, especially bowhunters need to do that at least once! Thanks everyone...it was truly a trip of a lifetime! Now you can truly understand why I say southern africa is the best bowhunting in the world. And Texan, if you are really serious. Get your passport and immunizations knocked out right now. It's a real good idea to get that expense and series of shots over with. Ideally you want to be done at least six months in advance. Lot's of times insurance or your employer will pay for that but not always! The full series of hep shots takes six months to complete. Many folks go with just the first series of shots before they are completely immunized. Even if you win the lottery, you still aren't going until your immunizations are at least started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted August 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 (edited) Now you can truly understand why I say southern africa is the best bowhunting in the world. Yep...a variety of trophies to choose from and you never know what will show up on any given day. There were other animals I saw that I didn't get pics of too...senior moments. For example an Aardvark (supposed to be nocturnal), an Aardwolf (looks similar to a Stripped Hyena), and their Porcupines are 4 times the size of ours. There's some beautiful colored birds too. Make a hit list before you go and take the ones on your list when the opportunity is offered. Don't expect to get them all and don't put a priority on 1 or 2 holding out for them before you start wacking other trophies on your hit list. Oh...you can go without the immunizations...but you don't want to. The typhoid shot must be a limited supply item too...it's good for 2 years. It may not be availble when you want it. You need to be on top of it when it's available and get it when you can. Hep shots are always available. BTW...maybe it was just me but that typhoid shot didn't hurt going in but an hour later it felt like someone hit me in the shoulder with a 10# sledge hammer. It was like that for a couple of days. No issues for me with the hep shots. Fortunately I was in a malaria free area so I didn't have to go through taking those pills. Didn't see or hear any skeeters while I was there either. It had been over 15 years since I had a tetanus shot so I had to get one of those too. Good for another 15 years now. Edited August 17, 2011 by Rhino Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 What a great trip and awesome animals. Those pics on the other room are just stunning. Make I have an itch to go on a hunt like that. Congrats again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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