After years of dreaming about it, my first (I hope) safari has come to pass. I met Scott Van Zyl (SS Pro Safaris) about 10 years ago with a friend of mine who hunted with him a couple of times. He supported a DU event I did for a few years. I figured the least I could do is hunt with him. Glad I did, he put a package together for me and another guy 10 days including an Impala, Blue Wilde beast, Zebra, Wart Hog and Steinebok (how ever it's spelled) for $3500. Sounded good. Put it together and flew over. Course I also wanted a couple of other things but I wasn't real good at the names of some of the animals, probably one of the most ignorant safari hunters you guys have ever met. For those who it's important to I used a Winchester Model 70, 338WM, with a VX-3 2.5-8 X 36 and 210 NP's. I prefer 250s but couldn't find them in either Sportsmans Warehouse or the cabelas where I live.

I got in late July 20th things went pretty well getting my stuff and my firearms license. It was a 3-1/2 hour trip to the "ranch" were we were going to hunt. We got in pretty late but they held supper for us, it was good.


Got around the next morning and sighted in. Not really knowing what the hunting conditions were like I had sighted in 3" high at 100 yards so about 230 yards dead on. I resighted dead on at 100 yards. Probably took one shot over 100 yards.

Then we went hunting. One of the things I wanted was a Kudu so when we saw one I took a shot. There was nothing between me and the kudu (he was looking out at us between bushes) but I couldn't see the angle of the body. I don't like frontal shots but figured what could go wrong... Anyway we heard him come down the hill but he turned off and in the process of tracking a heard of wildebeast had come through and messed up the tracks. We spent the rest of the day looking and came back the next day and even called in a helicopter. No luck. Not a great start $2300 bill for an animal I didn't get plus $500 helicopter bill and two days into the hunt.

The next two days were uneventful, I was leary to take anything but the best shots and you don't get a lot of those.

Day 5 and things changed. We found some Blesbok that didn't know we were there and my partner got one. A little later than morning I got one.

We took them in to the skinning shed had lunch and went back out. We were on a roll, I ended up getting a nice Gemsbok. I think they are cool animals and when we came across them I couldn't pass.

Then we started hunting for Zebra (which was in the package)we saw some but never got a shot, until the next day. In Alaska we never hunted "hot" round in the chamber safety on. In Africa it's common place apparently. We saw several zebras and my safety was on then off then on and when I got a chance, something was wrong I looked at my rifle and it was on safety, I took the safety off and the zebra was gone. A few minutes later I got another shot. This time through brush but the Zebra was close to the brush so I figured I had a descent shot. I shot and the zebra was gone. Not even any blood. We went back to the ranch and got the owner and his dogs and came back. Withing minutes the dogs were on the zebra track and were worrying the zebra he never even realized we were coming up to finish it. We loaded up the zebra and took him to the locker so we could continue to hunt.

We headed out and after a little bit saw some Blue Wildebeasts, we started stalking and I kept seeing the PH glassing, pretty soon he said "I don't see the bull." But we kept sneaking and they were getting pretty nervous but for once the wind was in our favor. Finally he found the bull and I snuck up to a tree. Another frontal shot. He told me to shoot right for the breast bone. As I started to sight he said, "you see the nose, shoot right under it". I did and he fell right over. He said, "I hate telling people to do that cause if you are off sometimes you don't get the animal." Glad he didn't tell me that BEFORE I shot. Nice bull, and a good day.
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/fightcom44/P1050193.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/fightcom44/P1050192.jpg[/img]

By now I'm getting concerned (a little) about getting all the animals I want. But things kept moving along and the next day I got a nice impala
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/fightcom44/IMG_0363.jpg[/img]
We were getting down to the wire and I'd seen warthogs but they are some pretty nervous critters. Finally I got my chance and took a shot. He took off like crazy and I'm thinking how could this be happening??? But he only went about 30 yards and fell over.
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/fightcom44/IMG_0375.jpg[/img]
continued...

Thanks for the write up Jack!

It goes without saying, we demand photographs when you get a chance.

We were down to the last day and I still wanted a Kudu. Last day, last hour I got him. Let me tell you when I shot and he took off I almost had a heart attack. 30 yards later we found him.


And to make matters better, I got an email last week and they found the my 1st Kudu. Hide was no good but antlers are still good. 8 animals in 10 days. Looking to go back in 2016 but if it doesn't happen I had a great time.

Some more photos from the watering hole





Did I say I had a great time, and a wonderful experience? We saw a LOT of animals. I've been back a while but posting photos aren't my thing. I had to wait till I made it back to Alaska and get my son's help on this. He through in extra pictures that don't tell the story but hopefully add to the experience.

Nice write up, Marlin. Congrats!! You had a great trip and found a nice variety of game! Africa gets in your blood, doesn't it?!

What caliber were you shooting the NPs with... a 338?

Your Kudu pic is great, you should have one of our photo experts here post process to get a little more light into the Kudu to see the full glory!

I'm also glad to hear you found the first Kudu!

Eric

Very nice Marlin! I was wondering how your trip went. Congrats on your successes.

Congratulations on a great safari. Thanks for the report. Sounds like you had a great time. Were you hunting Limpopo area?

Great pictures sounds like a good hunt.

Good deal, glad you had fun.

Sorry, yes I was using a 338 WM and it was the Limpopo area.

Congratulations sir! Very successful trip. Thanks for sharing your great experience with us.

Congratulations on your first Africa hunt. You took some very nice trophies. Your pictures make me want to be there now!

Outstanding! Congrats on a great hunt!

Marlin-
I showed my wife this 'lightened' pic and she wanted to know what was the animal with the "really long horns" . I asked her if she recognized 'the man' in the pic and she hesitated only briefly before saying "Spenard......where is he? That is so cool."

Tell her I said HI

Awesome!!!

To many of us Africa is spelled K U D U !!

Thanks for sharing.

Awesome write up. Thanks for the photographs

Congratulations, sir!

Thanks for taking the time to post those great pictures and write up the story of your safari.

I had a great time and enjoyed being able to share my experience. One of the things I enjoyed about using SS Pro Safaris is they put together a package that almost any one can afford. Granted the flight is not cheap but the hunt itself is less expensive than many hunts in the US.

Marlin ... Sounds like it was a good adventure! Thanks for sharing, makes me wish I coulda scratched together the coin to join you. Now how long until the trophys are done?? Will they reside in Boise or Anchorage ??

Best
gjh

I will keep them in Boise. It's quite a bit more expensive to have them done in Anchorage. I spent more than I had intended (easy to do). So I will probably have one or two done at a time. Have no idea how long it takes to get them here, my impression is close to 6 months but someone on here may know better.

Cariboujack, great story and report. I hunted the Eastern Cape last April. Expect to wait about 6 months on the short end to 1 years on the long, for your trophies to arrive. Once Africa gets in your blood, it's there to stay. Congratulations on some beautiful animals! Kevin

Daughter is getting older (2 1/2 now) it would be cool for her to see some of that stuff.

I think it will be quite a while before I get them up but love to have you stop by and check them out when you come over. I would be deeply offended if you came over and not called.

Marlin,

What a great write-up, pictures, and hunt. Thanks so much for sharing it with us! I'm glad that second Kudu showed up!

My brother who went with my but didn't hunt took over 1000 pictures. I hope to share them when I get a copy.

You can get CD's or discs, not sure what they are called at Costco's pretty cheap. I had 10 made when I was in Alaska a week ago and I couldn't believe how cheap it was. Good way for folks to see them.

Well done and an excellent safari! Congrats!!!

Congrats Caribou, fine trophies and great write-up. Do you have their web site, and could you please send it to me. My wife wants to go back for her 50th b-day, so we are in the planning stages....only three years away.

pm sent.

Marlin, I enjoyed seeing the posted photos of your African hunt and narrative. Sorry I didn't get to see them at the gun show last weekend.

Glad you had a fine time and got the animals you wanted.

L.W.