Date: June 2009: Rhino dart and plains game in several South African Provinces.
Myself and my good friend and client Mark hunted with Chris Troskie and took the following game in Natal and Limpopo. We spent two weeks in the different areas and it was worth taking the time to hunt each area. Excellent hunt and I can't think of any better place to take a mature class Nyala trophy in their native land, not to mention a wealth of other game. On my list was a Nile Crocodile hunt. On Mark's, a Rhino dart. We saw a lot more than I would have believed and some were giants. I missed a 12'-13' class dinosaur due to not having a range finder but later I made a long shot (136 yards across a large, open slough) and scored.
The shallow body of water were I took my Crocodile was wide with a lot of dead trees in it. This average size Croc was lying in the water with his upper body exposed, maybe 4 inches above the water level. We ranged the distance at 136 yards, so with a solid rest and a sand bag I squeezed the trigger and made a neck shot using a 160 grain Accubond. Chris got it on video.

Pair of breeding Buffalo on a private reserve. These bulls were not friendly, in fact they charged our bakkie and chased us for 100+ yards. We were doing 35mph. Too bumpy to get a photo of the chase...I was trying.


Some of the Spring Hare's we got while up in Limpopo.


A porker that thought he'd gotten away. I cut him off at the pass...ham and bacon time.


In the shade at Chris and Sabina's home: Sabrisa.


Looking for Rhino tracks; finally we find a set which leads us to finding 3 Rhino's.


Success; Chris and Mark after he darted his Rhino. The last one we darted that year.

Mark and I with Heavy Duty


Mark's White Blesbok. He had a long, long stalk for this ram:


Limpopo Bushbuck I took on the Bushman River. That was a great evening hunt. Saw all kinds of game including Egyptian geese, guinea's, porcupine, Duiker and many Bushbuck. This was the dominant ram. When he entered the field, the other rams stepped away quickly.


My Bushbuck and Nyala horns


Mark's Common Reedbuck


Another pic of my Bushman river Bushbuck. I love hunting Bushbuck, all of them.


My Nyala



Mark's Nyala. What a hunt that was but the retrieval was a work of art.

Like the Kudu, Nyala horns are not black! They are shades of gray and can contain mineral staining.

In Limpopo!
Leopard track in the 2 track. There are big Leopard in Limpopo. Very underrated for trophy toms, and I would highly recommend hunting there. Very little pressure and in some areas..none!

One we had on bait. Client took it a week later.


The area we hunted Nyala sits high above the Tugela river and is home to many trophy class Nyala. Other plains game were present but our focus was getting a quality hunt and mature bull Nyala. We succeeded in doing just that. Chris's wife Sabina did a lot of the cooking for us and man can she cook! We had some awesome meals while we were in Limpopo and Natal. We also spent some time with Franz Troskie (no relation to Chris) at his lodge. He guided me on my most exciting Croc hunt filled with danger and awe. He's a funny guy and loves humor. Telling me about hunting his first Cape Buffalo (shot 3 in one day) and his father paid the bill: equal to about $2.50 USD at that time. They hang in his hunting lodge.

I would recommend this hunt to anyone looking for a trophy class Nyala hunt in their native land. There are Blesbok in the area that will push 18-19 inches and some other good trophies. Some big hills and rough country in places, but you can see forever. Contact me if your interested.
Good hunting,
LDK

Great stuff, keep it coming, David

Hunted emaweni just after you guys, saw your name in the visitors book; there are few views as good as the one in the 1st chalet when the morning sun appears over the horizon in the middle of the window and you dont even have to get out of bed. Did you guys see any bushbuck while you were there?

Nice report. In the count down mode 42 days until off to Northwest and Natal. Will be in the Hluhlue area for the 4th time (same property as last year) it is sort of like going home. Got to get that Suni!

Very nice David..dont leave us hanging.

Wow! Fantastic Nyala.

David,

Emaweni and the Tugela biosphere are absolutely beautiful. Also, a very, very nice nyala! I look forward to the rest of your report!

jpj3

Amazing Nyala. Great report so far and i really enough the scenery pictures. Good job.

Greg

Fantastic report and pics so far David!

The Nyala is outstanding!

Time and time again, I'm seeing Chris Troskie getting it done BIG TIME for his hunters on this forum! Not to take anything away from all our fine PH's in Africa, but IMHO CT is definitely holding the lime-light here on AR Forum this hunting season with MANY great reports from our hunters!

I'm really impressed by his success and hard work to deliver the goods in style!...It must be very satisfying to represent him as his agent!...

Good on him!

Can't wait to hear more about the rest of the trip...

Aloha!

Ro

Congratulations on some excellent nyala bulls! True toads! I hunted the KZN near the Umfolozi River in '01 but didn't have the steep terrain you guys hunted in.

Beautiful country! Fantastic hunting!

Great report David. Look forward to the rest. Been swamped the last few days. We'll catch up later this week.

David Walker

Great pictures and report and the Nyala is outstanding.

WOW, great story and pictures!

Jeepers David!!! The way you're telling this you've got me all excited... and I was there!!! Can't wait for the rest of your report.

Well done boys, well done! Look like y'all had a great time ! AND THOSE ARE VERY GOOD LOOKING NYALA.

Dang, yall took some nice Nyala! Well done.

Congrats, David. Thanks for the report

nice work, mr.keith
really enjoyed the report

David, Great report and fantastic photos! I will have to come along with you and dad on one of the next adventures. Its time for me to get back in the bush. You will have to give me a call one night and fill me in on things. Also, have you made any plans for another fishing trip this fall?

LD you really know how to make a guy feel bad...
My nemisis the nyala eluded me near Ixopo Kwa Zulu Natal in 02... I vowed to get back after him some day...
So how big are those horns??

Mike

Awesome! But what kinda cruel bastard does his trip report in tiny snippets?

Sounds like a helluva trip!

quote:

Air Travel Advisory: At Nashville, United Airlines suddenly and without warning (had said $50) charged each of us $150 for overweight gun cases. Mine was two pounds overweight; Mark's was 6 pounds overweight. Caveat Emptor!

What was the total weight of your case? What was United's weight limit?

A fine report of an excellent hunt. Tha nyala are beauts! I had the opportunity to hunt croc in Mozambique in 2006. I think its the most under rated stalk and shot on the planet.

Scott450;
No, only tracks. The best Bushbuck hunting will be found in nearby areas.

David, well done.

Keith

Outstanding trophies. Congratulations!

Thanks guys

The pictures make me Speechless.

Outstanding David!

Thanks fella's and Mark says thanks as well. We've been into the heavy guns today

Great report and good pictures of your great trophy's.

Waiting on 2014 to return

Amazing rhino.