Dates: April 10 - 23, 2018
Outfitter: Huntershill's multiple Ranches and more
PH: Jason Oliver
Rifles: CZ 550 in .416 Rigby: Ruger M-77 in .280 Rem. Borrowed: .22 Magnum; .270 Win & .22-250
Ammo: CEB 400 gr solid, 370 gr Raptors/160 gr
Gray Ghost Safaris, agent
Over night in Jo'burg: Afton Safari Lodge (nice upgrade!)
Gun permits: Mr X Africa Solutions
Airfare: Teena at Direct Travel (Brentwood, TN)

My recent hunt in the Eastern Cape of South Africa yielded some of my best hunts ever. The drought had ended and everything was green and thick. We started the hunt for Cape Buffalo in Ukhuthula, where I had taken a beast of a Black Wildebeest and Gemsbok last year. The thick thorn and bush flora had provided the Buffalo with the thick cover and food they relish. Once we got into a position to scout the buff, we found a great looking bull and began the stalk. My rifle was my CZ-550 in .416 Rigby loaded with CEB 400 grain solids & 370 grain Raptors. However, the eyes were upon us and the wind was fickle so we failed most of the day to get into a position where I could take a proper shot at the bull. We tried multiple stalks but the buffalo stayed in the thick thorn bush. Finally we found a large boulder which I climbed. Once I gained a height advantage, I took the sticks and set them up. As the buffalo came rumbling past, the lead cow started to head up the mountain but suddenly realized it would expose the head, so she turned down, back towards the thick bush. As they filed past in a small opening, I found the bull in my sights and fired. The solid struck it’s mark but the buff stayed on his feet. It would be a 500 yard tracking job to find him dead. Just the kind of bull I was hoping for, and what a solid boss! My hunt continued over the next 13 days and ended with some great plains game hunting. All in all, it was a great trip with many exciting hunts. Going to the new ranch was a real experience, not only the hunting but the very upscale accommodations and fine dining. The Sable I shot has outstanding mass, with bases measuring 11.5" and he carries his mass to his tips. Can’t wait until next year, Cheers!



This Sable; what can I say. The moment I laid eyes on him that early April morning, I knew he had mass like no other Sable I had ever seen, and I've seen a few. My mind was made up to go after this bull instantly, so without hesitation, I steadied my .280 and settled the crosshairs on his right shoulder. He lunged at the shot and ran about 75 yards before stopping. I watched him for maybe 10 seconds before slamming another round into his boiler room. That put him down for good. Getting my hands on this bull of a lifetime were a memory that will last forever. You don't see mass like this and his color is spectacular. Some suggest a Zambia strain, some think Matetsi; I have no idea other than he's a fine specimen of a Sable.


Common Springbuck that was in the wrong place at the wrong time. 22-250 took this ram out. Perfect cape and nice shape to his horns. One of my favorite plains animals; they taste outstanding on the table and remind me of hunting our western Pronghorn Antelope.




This is the wallow the Warthog had been rolling in not long before we stumbled upon him. He was about 30 feet from it when I shot him.

Masked Blesbuck
Uncommon variation of the common Blesbuck. The face and head has more white than the usual blaze on their forehead which extends into the jaw, ear butts and upper neck. The body can have this white dusting over the shoulders as well.







Black Impala; melanistic color phase. I hunted this ram for two days before connecting. This ram had a very successful game plan; disappear into the thick thorn bush and stand still. In the shadows he was most difficult to see and on the first day I missed a shot at him. The second day he chose to blend in with 40 or so common Impala and time after time all those eyes busted our stalk. Finally he tried his disappearing act but I saw him go into the thorn bush and I made a perfect shot, dropping him in his tracks.

Passed on two males this size on the first morning. Great hunt from a blind; I'll do it again! Will mix with Caracal & Bushpig. I borrowed a .22 magnum for this hunt and it was the perfect round for the job. I've never wanted to hunt Blue Duiker with dogs. Too hap-hazard of a way to take such a premier game animal. Many times you will miss or even worse, damage the pelt/horns beyond repair. I've seen both happen not to mention shooting very immature males or females. Using the right small caliber and bullet, makes a major difference in the end result. This male has only one tiny entrance hole and it killed the Duiker instantly and humanely. It's a matter of preference but I'll reserve hunting with dogs to hogs and cats unless we're tracking a wounded animal. Hunting Duiker's from a blind gives you the opportunity to observe not only Duiker's but many species of wildlife. There were countless game birds, songbirds and fauna that worked all around the blinds I hunted in. A great way to be selective. Just my humble opinion.

A fellow AR member and friend hunted with us for a second year and took some really nice animals. I'll let him add any details if he wishes.
Nice Black Fallow Stag

Black Wildebeest

Common Blesbuck

Freak Red Hartebeest

Really long horned Gemsbuck

One of the best conditioned Roan's you could ever hope for. Cape is not only beautiful, but big! .300 mag did the job with one well placed shot. The markings on this bull are classic.

Heavy horned Impala

Big Kalahari ram

Really a good story behind this free range Kudu. It involves men tracking, an alfalfa field, a Nyala and lucky ending. This bull had a body on him.

Lechwe that kept fighting with all comers. He had to go!

Something you rarely see mounted; a Mongoose. Lots of them, ground squirrels and Meercats.

Red Hartebeest

Broken horn Waterbuck

Although we hunted 1x1 we had some fun times and stories at the dinner table each night. With many hunting and fishing adventures to tell, I enjoyed the time we shared in South Africa. Looking forward to the next adventure!

What a great time.
The broken horns and the freak hartebeest are very special. I treasure my few broken horn mounts.
Congratulations.
Cal

When you are targeting the broken horn guys at the end of a hunt it can be quite rewarding to find then

You hit the jackpot on that Hartebeest, now that's a conversation piece

Some good trophies there and especially the buff. Great mass.

Well done.

Looks like you guys really cleaned up. Very nice trophies! Congratulation, beautiful photos and good report.

Best regards, D. Nelson

Thank you both, I appreciate the kind words.

Hi David

A great report.

It was good seeing you at hunters hill, I met your friend at Afton house on his way in
.

I am glad you both had great hunts.

The pictures do not do your buffalo justice...he was a beast.

All the best

Louden

Thank you my friend, it was a pleasure to meet you finally and hang out some. You had quite the hunt yourself Wishing you best regards and have a great Summer in beautiful BC!

David, that is a heckuva bunch of trophies. Congratulations. What is that critter that looks like a black impala?

Hi Steve, thank you; it is in fact a black Impala. I saw one last year for the first time but they were a bit pricey. This year upon my return, they had dropped considerably so I put the stalk on one. It took 2 separate days to finally connect. This ram had learned to disappear in the dark shadows of thick thorn bush. I struggled to see him clearly on my first day and missed the shot, although he was standing in the clear back in the shadows. They truly disappear in there. The second day he kept running with a large herd but finally pulled his disappearing act...it didn't work this time. They are really fun to hunt.

Good stuff David.

Thank you Russell

Great photographs from what must have been a great time. Thanks for posting.

Thank you Karoo, we had a great time, on and off the field

I overlooked one of my trophies while posting the original report. I'm always looking for certain animals, especially Bushbuck and Blesbuck. We found this lone ram walking along a trail near the base of one of the many mountain ridges in the Waterberg's. Upon glassing him it was instantly realized he had really good length so I chambered a round in my .280 and took a shot. He immediately headed for the top of the mountain at great speed, but follow up shots were of no consequence. It was nearing sunset and the thought of tracking him in the dark wasn't going to be appealing but fortunately my tracker Hendry immediately took the task. We headed to fetch the truck in order to circle around the point and hopefully find a way to observe and cut off the ram if possible. Luck had a better plan as Hendry called when he reached the top and report the ram was dead. He went over 18 inches with blond horns, which in low lighter the camera didn't capture.

We came in for lunch one day and were served some delicious game burgers. I only wish we could get these at home. If I remember, this was Springbuck & Eland burgers.

Great report and photos. Broken horns are awesome trophies.

Thanks Tim