Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Today is the day. Finally.

Wednesday the 19th.

We go back to that property. Nothing much is happening. Nothing shootable. Back to Salty Creek for lunch.

We head out at 2PM. By 230PM we are in the shade glassing as the thermometer reaches its predicted high of 37Celcius.

Bushbuck and duiker spotted. Something is scaring them back into the bush. Finally a good duiker is spotted. We stock in and I finally get one.

*This report is edited for brevity and to protect those who struggle to hit and kill a duiker in one shot.^

Thanks for the updates. Looking forward to the next instalment

Thursday April 20th

We transferred to Hotfire today. Arrived late afternoon, just in time for the 1700-2100 load shedding. What a giant PITA!

It's good to be back and see the changes to the camp. The main house layout is completely changed for greater efficiency.

Friday, April 21

I've been a little evasive about what my "target" list is with people, especially non-hunters. I have had a list, but I've also been prepared to take what the bush provides. So far I shot an awesome warthog, and today a beautiful Eastern Cape kudu that is pushing 50".

We drove up a ridge towards the cell repeater. The PH went over to the edge and was signaling kudu before I even left the side of the truck. Through the spotter, it was a beautifully shaped bull. It wasn't hard to justify shooting it. It was as if God willed it.

I had a quartering to shot from the ridge. At the shot, he collapsed and only moved his head a bit. It took 8 men to bring it down off the mountain. An old bull in prime health.

Looking forward to pictures when you’re able to post

Thanks for the updates

Saturday, April 22

We headed out for a conservancy renowned for fallow deer. We saw a hind and a fawn on our way in, but that was it, likely due to a high of 12C with low scudding clouds, high wind and scattered showers.

The tracker pushed a thicket of wattle and five fallow, including 2 3-4yr old stags, ran by. The stags were not mature and were unimpressive. The PH advised not to shoot.

The late afternoon was much nicer, but no fallow came out.

A frustrating day.

Sunday, April 23

A bright, blue sky day. Animals everywhere on Hotfire. Zebra, impala, warthog, kudu, blesbok, blue wildebeest.

Located a superb impala, found a way to get set for a 316yd downhill shot. The impala dropped at the shot (high shoulder).

A real beauty. .

Monday, April 24

27C today. Went to the property where they had a sweet deal on Buffalo and free range Sable.

Condition on the Buffalo, they had to be ON the property. They have been breaking the fence and coming and going freely. Neighboring property doesn't want them and the owner is tired of fence repair. They are aggressive and routinely chase staff.

This very rough terrain with dense bush on the slopes. The tops are clear and resemble countries further north.

We searched all day, no Buffalo. Owner confirmed they were off the property.

We found Sable, just not the bull we were allowed to shoot. He lives alone on the densely forested slopes.

Disappointing day in that the targeted species were not found, but that is hunting.

I did dust a very old blesbuck with a 300yd shot on the plains. His coat was Grey and he has very thick, broomed horns.

Tuesday, April 25

Looked around Hotfire for a hartebeest bull this morning with no luck.

Headed over to a different property for Cape mountain zebra and Sable.

Shot a nice stallion. Absolutely beautiful! Beautiful scenery.

No Sable found.

Wednesday, April 26

Long drive to a conservancy reputed to host tons of common reedbuck.

The morning yielded next to no sightings of reedbuck or Steenbuck.

Moved to another section in the afternoon. Almost too many sightings.

Chose the one I wanted and managed to get it when it looked like no chance. Over 15.5". Very nice.

Thursday, April 27

Last day of hunting, last chance to get a Sable. Went to the property where we got the mountain zebra.

We managed to find four bulls. Two were immature, the wide one was off limits, so that left the second mature bull. I was happy to get the 38.5" bull.

The end of the safari.

Why no pictures? I forgot a card reader or a cable to mate the camera with the tablet. Also, between long hunting days and load shedding (scheduled power outages), there is almost no opportunity to post photos.

Thanks for the updates !

Looking to forward to pictures when you’re back home.

Friday, Saturday April 28 - 29

Ever see the movie “ Dirty Dancing “? We spent the last 2 days of our trip at a resort called Trennary’s Hotel and Camping on the “Wild Coast” in the Trans Kei (think a poor western Indian Reserve). That’s the best I can describe the Trans Kei.

Trennarys’ has a clean aged vibe, with nightly fire dancing (very good), trivia hours etc.. it just reminds me of the resort from Dirty Dancing. It’s right on the coast, with decent breaking waves. However, it took 20 minutes for hot water to reach our cabin. On Sunday, April 30 (our 29th anniversary), the day we were heading home, I was up at five and turned the hot water and we had hot water at 520. I went back to bed for more sleep. The wife was up at 6 and there was no hot water and no pressure. She was pissed! She threw on some clothes and protested at the office. We showered in a trickle of cold water. Hey, Africa, even South Africa, is an adventure. Wi-Fi, but no Internet, no phones. TIA.

Our journey home began at 8AM. First, we had to drive to East London. Fly to Johannesburg for a 2pm arrival. Our KLM flight to Amsterdam left at 1115PM. We had time to pick up some nice souvenirs from stores in the Johannesburg airport. A final lime milkshake. Couldn’t sleep on the flight which seemed hot. Drank over 3L. Leg bothered me some.

Amsterdam and home to Calgary May 1.

Welcome back!