|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819 |
Well I just got home from my first trip to Africa. I hunted with Eugene Erasmus at Intaba Safaris In the Eastern Cape. Let me just say that Eugene and his crew went WAY above what I expected in all areas of the hunt. Bring the east cape some of the concessions were of course high fence but huge areas. We hunted quite a few free range/low fence sheep/cattle operations as well for kudu and a few other animals. The mountain hunting was just incredible. Steep rocky cliffs and thick river bottoms and valleys. We hunted near Fort Beaufort/Adelaide area. I had 5 animals on my list that I really wanted but a few more that it given the opportunity at a trophy I’d consider taking. My original 5 I wanted were kudu, waterbuck, gemsbok, Nyala and zebra. If the opportunity arose I wanted an eland, bushbuck, warthog and an Impala. I also was gonna do a night hunt to try my hand at a jackal, porcupine and whatever else we seen. I’m gonna do a day by day hunt and try to post pics as I go. Gonna be long and new to posting pics so bear with me. 1st day. We got up early and after a wonderful breakfast we headed to a high vantage point where we could see a big valley for about a mile. After about 30 min we spotted a group of 3 bull Eland. Eugene said there was a good bull but to be patient as we wanted to see what moved out of the bottoms to feed into the warming sun. This ended to be how we started every morning. The animals would just appear into to sunny spots to warm themselves after the cold nights. Amazing how they would just show up out of nowhere especially after u glassed an area time and time again. Well back to the story. I told Eugene I wanted a bull with a big red mop, black face and a big dulap. Horns meant nothing to me. Well soon as the sun came up 2 more big eland bulls came out onto the flat and started feeding. Both were very big but one had just an incredible mop that went half way down its face. I said let’s go! After about a 3/4 mile stock we got into the bottom where they came out of and sneaked up over the ridge. They were all feeding at 130 yards. There was no question which was the bull. His body was much bigger and more blue than the rest. He was lightly quartering to me. I put the Sako 375 H&H where his shoulder met his neck 1/3 up and squeezed. He reared straight up and almost went down. He regained he’s footing and went over the next little ride about 40 yards behind him. We slowly sneaked over the hill expecting him to be lying there but he was standing at the back of the group swaying a little. Eugene said put another one in him. So at 274 yards I dropped him with one well placed quartering shot. Man the feeling when we got up to him and seeing the sheer size of this animal was insane. He was everything I wanted and more!!! First bullet went in perfect and exited about 3” behind the off shoulder. Second bullet hit him in behind the last rib and the bullet was dug out of infront of his off shoulder. Bullet went right through the heart so almost 40” of penetration. I was shooting the 275 gr Hammer Shockhammers at 2640 under 73gr of RL15. Scope was a Leupold vari-X 111 2.5-8x36. Gun is a lefty Sako custom deluxe I bought off a guy here on the fire. Will continue !
Last edited by RTSJ; 05/05/23.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819 |
After a photo session and watching how they load these big animals(which is amazing) we decided to get back up to the high point and glass some more. We got up top and within minutes spotted 1 lone gemsbok on the next ridge around a mile away. He believed it was a bull through the spotting scope so if we went. We drove around till we got above him and started the stalk. A few hundred yards later we peeked over the top and he was feeding in some brush just over 100 yards. Put the crosshairs of the 375 on his shoulder 1/3 up and squeezed. 10 yard death run and he crashed and rolled about 30 yards down the hill. Second trophy was down and in the salt. He was a gorgeous bull. Bullet smashed through the front leg bone, through the heart and out the other leg. What a gorgeous animal!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,585
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,585 |
Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most. - Mark Twain.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819 |
Last edited by RTSJ; 05/05/23.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 780
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 780 |
That is gettin' it done right there. Pretty animals and guns. Did you eat any of them, and how do they taste?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 893
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 893 |
Terrific trip and lots of great memories. Congratulations all around.
Bad news........ you've been permanently infected and only proper course of treatment are return trips!!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 3,027
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 3,027 |
Congrats on some very Nice trophy's and a great hunt. Thanks for posting. I enjoyed reading your write up. Great pic's too.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819 |
Last edited by RTSJ; 05/05/23.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819 |
Last edited by RTSJ; 05/05/23.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819 |
Day 6…..
Lots of animals seen but no killing for me! Of course 2 more big kudu bulls spotted. Still no bushbuck. Really wanted the spiral slam. We did spot a big fallow and told Eugene that may be a back up if we can’t find a bushbuck. I big fallow in the mountains would be awesome as well.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819 |
Last edited by RTSJ; 05/05/23.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819 |
Last edited by RTSJ; 05/05/23.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,235
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,235 |
Wow, what a hunt! Fantastic animals, and great shooting! Congrats.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819 |
Last edited by RTSJ; 05/05/23.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819 |
That is gettin' it done right there. Pretty animals and guns. Did you eat any of them, and how do they taste? We got to try all of it! I really liked most. Some more than others. I’m a straight throw a chunk of meat on the fire kind of guy. They made it a multitude of ways. Nothing I didn’t like but some just different. Spices I’ve not tried and such. Like I said very good but different. Most was fantastic though. Man I loved the eland and the kudu tenderloins on the fire. Also the vegetables and soups they made(butternut squash and mushroom soup) was amazing. The bread was on a whole different league! Best bread I’ve eaten in my whole life.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,840
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,840 |
Awesome animals sir, good job.....really like that gemsbok, waterbuck, and nyala......they will make fantastic mounts.
Don't have a waterbuck or nyala myself yet, need to go back sometime.....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 3,999
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 3,999 |
Beautiful trophies. Well done!
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300
Campfire Oracle
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300 |
You got some really excellent trophies, and it looks like there was some good shooting going on. Congrats!
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,799
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,799 |
Looks like you had an exceptional 1st African hunt. May your future ones be just as good.
SAVE 200 ELK, KILL A WOLF
NRA Endowment Life Member
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 5,523
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 5,523 |
Heck of a trip, it will be hard to top this one! Congrats!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 9,324
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 9,324 |
Congratulations.
I enjoyed reading that.
Looking forward to my hunt next year.
Thanks for posting.
"You cannot invade mainland America. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass" ~Admiral Yamamoto~
When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. ~Thomas Jefferson~
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 4,020
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 4,020 |
What A great hunt, thanks for sharing your story and pics!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,168
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,168 |
Great trip. This definitely gets the ideas flowing.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 1,797
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 1,797 |
Congrats rt. I wish I was there with you. What a Trip!!!!
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 25,507
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 25,507 |
Great write up, great pictures, great animals and great memories….. I think that’s about as good as it gets!
Thanks for taking us along.
�Politicians are the lowest form of life on earth. Liberal Democrats are the lowest form of politician.� �General George S. Patton, Jr.
--------------------------------------------------------- ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,628
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,628 |
Thanks for sharing your adventure.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 8,279
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 8,279 |
very nice pictures ! great to read about your hunt to , very nice animals . thanks for posting,Pete53
LIFE NRA , we vote Red up here, Norseman
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,575
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,575 |
Man that's lovely country and a great hunt supported by excellent shooting! Well played!
I do not entertain hypotheticals. The world itself is vexing enough. -- Col. Stonehill
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 457
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 457 |
The East Cape is a dramatic landscape.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 15,648
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 15,648 |
Awesome account of your hunt and excellent pics of the animals. You got some really beautiful animals and they should make some nice mounts. Thanks for sharing with us. 😁
NRA Life,Endowment,Patron or Benefactor since '72.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,923
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,923 |
Congratulations, Africa is a wonderful experience.
Arcus Venator
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,677
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,677 |
We have hunted RSA three times with Niihan Engelbrecht, Hunters Game Safaris. Took 18 plains game animals on these trips. My only regret is that I did not go for a Sable. Your pictures stir up the desire in me to return. Great pics. Great hunt. BTW, your first trip is merely a tune up for your successive trips to the “Dark Continent”. MTG
Last edited by MTGunner; 05/06/23.
Vena dura, ocyus occide, excusas non offer!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 17,170
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 17,170 |
Congratulations on your great hunt. Made memories to last a lifetime.
Randy NRA Patriot Life Benefactor
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,411
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,411 |
Great read.
Heck of an adventure.
Thank you for posting.
SCI Life Member DAV Life Member NRA Life Member North American Hunt Club Life Member
Your true character shows in your conduct
You cannot solve a problem at the same level of awareness that created it - Einstein
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,923
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,923 |
I agree with 100% on the challenge of hunting zebra. I will take that opportunity every chance I get.
Arcus Venator
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,108
Campfire Savant
|
Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,108 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 282
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 282 |
Thank you for posting. Great animals & great pics. Now, you’re hooked. Welcome to the club!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,328
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,328 |
Doesn’t matter how many safaris you make to Africa- you’ll never forget or top the first. Congratulations on a great time and nice trophies!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,406
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,406 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,728
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,728 |
Congrats on a Great Safari!
Thanks for taking us along!!
"Camping places fix themselves in your mind as if you had spent long periods of your life in them. You will remember a curve of your wagon track in the grass of the plain like the features of a friend." Isak Dinesen
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,923
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,923 |
Doesn’t matter how many safaris you make to Africa- you’ll never forget or top the first. Congratulations on a great time and nice trophies! I agree that you will never forget your first, but my second trip blew away my first.
Arcus Venator
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24,638
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24,638 |
Out-freaking-standing! Happy to hear that you had a great adventure.
WWP53D
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,669
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,669 |
Nice----Africa is calling me. Bob
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,819
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,819 |
great pics and write up, Congrats
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300
Campfire Oracle
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300 |
Nice----Africa is calling me. Bob Bob, if you havent been...you owe it to yourself.
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,267
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,267 |
Thanks for the detailed write up especially with Scenar results. Great pics! Congrats!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,923
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,923 |
Nice----Africa is calling me. Bob Bob, if you havent been...you owe it to yourself. Yes, do it. You will have a great experience.
Arcus Venator
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,235
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,235 |
Nice----Africa is calling me. Bob Bob, if you havent been...you owe it to yourself. Bob, you better keep an eye on this ingwe fella........He told me to go to Namibia and he made me go like 5 times.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819 |
Trip #2 is planned for 2025 if anyone is interested. Taking the wife and kids this time.
Roy
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 452
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 452 |
It may be impolite to ask but approximately how much does a trip like this cost?
PS, I understand if you'd rather not say..
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819 |
It may be impolite to ask but approximately how much does a trip like this cost?
PS, I understand if you'd rather not say.. Pm sent Roy
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,860
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,860 |
Nice pictures, congratulations.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300
Campfire Oracle
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300 |
Nice----Africa is calling me. Bob Bob, if you havent been...you owe it to yourself. Bob, you better keep an eye on this ingwe fella........He told me to go to Namibia and he made me go like 5 times. You're welcome.....
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 241
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 241 |
Great pictures and write-up! Thanks for sharing your adventure. The Dark Continent is definitely on my bucket list.
If ifs and buts were like candy and nuts, it would be Christmas every day.
“The .30-06 is never a mistake.” - Col. Townsend Whelan
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 475
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 475 |
Did you have any issues importing or exporting the suppressor? Could you elaborate any extra steps you took on this process? Congratulations on a great trip. My next trip id like to bring one and have heard conflicting information on it. From no worries to you're going to jail.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 26
Campfire Greenhorn
|
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 26 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819 |
We stayed at Afton house and used Mr X for gun permits. Super easy!!! As far as the suppressor I got a 4457 form and took all my paperwork(trust and receipts). Made sure I flew out of Atlanta and had zero issues. I even asked them to be safe and they didn’t care at all. Didn’t want to see anything but the 4457’s Roy Did you have any issues importing or exporting the suppressor? Could you elaborate any extra steps you took on this process? Congratulations on a great trip. My next trip id like to bring one and have heard conflicting information on it. From no worries to you're going to jail.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 138
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 138 |
I went into customs right after Roy and there were no issues with suppressors in fact the agent commented on how great it was to see all our paperwork in such good order, in fact Roy was hooked within the first 30 minutes after we left PE. might have to try to talk him into an Elephant hunt
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 18,005
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 18,005 |
Looks like a great hunt! That eland is special.
"I'm gonna have to science the schit out of this." Mark Watney, Sol 59, Mars
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 32,070
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 32,070 |
Congratulations on a great hunt & writeup, tho your misuse of "seen" bugged me a bit. The auto-corrects/typos didn't so I guess that's on me! Some really fine critters there. I'll never hunt Africa, tho we did a 11 day/4 park photo safari a couple years back. A few days ago, I was working out in the yard, bright sunny day, when I kept thinking I should hear zebras calling...in Alaska... I have a suspicion that may mean something. Our guide warned us!
The only true cost of having a dog is its death.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 138
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 138 |
once you hunt Africa you will be back, I was with Roy on his recent first trip my second and my wife said when are you going again and I just smiled. Africa is calling me again, she never gives up
|
|
|
|
499 members (280fan, 22kHornet, 222Sako, 10gaugemag, 160user, 10Glocks, 38 invisible),
2,611
guests, and
1,064
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,191,286
Posts18,467,868
Members73,928
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|