09 August 2007, 02:19
axlemy trip to the gras
Last year I posted a couple of questions on hunting in Namibia. I recieved lots of great advice and offers from AR members,I thank you all. I accepted an offer from Kudubull to join a group he was taking to the Gras June 29, once I committed and paid my deopsit my nerves kicked in Flying thousands of miles to hunt with a group of guys I wouldn't meet until I was in Namibia, I'm sure I drove Ray nuts with my never ending stream of questions, all of which he answered patiently . I arrived in Windhoek as scheduled and so did my luggage, not a bad start so far,after clearing customs I was greeted by my Ph's Errol and Jannie who explained we had about 5 hrs until the rest of the party arrived so let's go get a kudu. We drove to a ranch just outside of Windhoek a quick stop to unpack my rifle and check it's zero , time to go hunting. I was prepared to see several different species but nothing prepared me for the shear numbers I encountered, it was staggering my first trip to Africa and I'm already addicted. We saw several herds of zebra, wildebest, springbok, even Klipspringers and wharthogs. We saw several kudu's that were a little on the small side but stunning none the less. we crested a small hill and saw three more bulls again just on the small side, when a fourth came walking out I asked Errol about him He said sure if I wanted, it would be around 50 inches, I knew there were bigger Kudu in africa but I had to have him. One shot later
http://shttp://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z156/axle375/rifle_sub/?So, tally sor far, safe uneventful flight, luggage arrived, rifle still zeroed, and a one shot kill on a fine kudu, Pretty good for my first 4 hours in Namibia, Time to meet the boys. even better the first time I get to shake Ray's hand, mine has blood on it. I also had the pleasure of meeting Ray's dad John, his brother John ,and their friends Mark and Floyd Fine gentleman I looked forward to hunting with. The next day after a beautiful sunrise and great breakfast I was able to connect on a Springbok.
http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z156/axle375/rifle_s.../axle375/rifle_sub/? July 1, Canada day probably the best I'll ever have. shortly after noon I took the animal that represents Namibia to me Gemsbok
http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z156/axle375/rifle_s...=gemsbuck.jpgfinnish the day off this blue wildebeast
http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z156/axle375/rifle_s...e375/rifle_sub/?June 2 finds me with a red Hartebesthttp
http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z156/axle375/rifle_s...current=HPIM0757.jpg June 3 brings Blesbok
http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z156/axle375/rifle_s...current=HPIM0806.jpgand Impala
http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z156/axle375/rifle_s...current=HPIM0803.jpg we then travelled east to another ranch by Gobabis in search of Eland three days of hunting later after a fantastic stalk
http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z156/axle375/rifle_s...current=HPIM0867.jpgFor those interested I useda Win mod 70 classic stainless in 300 win mag with 200 gr swift A-frames for all trophies. All in all I couldn't be happier I could not have picked a better place for my first safari, Errol,Jannie and their staff work tirelessly and know their business inside and out. I also could not have picked a better group of guys to go with than Ray, John sr, John jr, Mark and Floyd who all took fine trophies as well but that is their story to tell. I am just honored to have met and been able to hunt with them, Thanks again guys. Also I would like to thank all the AR members for putting up with a rookies questions, your patient answers and information truly helped make this dream hunt come true.
Ax
If the pics don't work sorry, it took me a month to get this far
09 August 2007, 04:12
gooseblitz22if you email me the pics I'll add to my photobucket account and slide show them fo ryou so all you do is click and see them all.
chris.thompson71@t-mobile.com
09 August 2007, 05:23
martinbnsNice animals, huge bases on that gemsbuck.
09 August 2007, 07:59
John FrazerYou should be able to make the pics work by putting [img] before and [/img] after each link.
09 August 2007, 09:03
nubeI can't get into the pictures.
09 August 2007, 18:45
Wendell ReichPlease accept my condolences for having to spend a week with Kudubull. I had the same misfortune in 2001, although completely by accident.
My sides ached for at least a week afterward.
Congrats on a good hunt. Errol and Jani are great guys.
09 August 2007, 19:23
hikerbumGras is a great place for a first African hunt. Great people.
Jannie must like that hat style, but when I was there in 2005, he had a purple one just like that.
10 August 2007, 01:29
TerryRCongratulations on a great hunt
Good luck on planning your next
TerryR
13 August 2007, 23:50
Use Enough GunSome nice trophies. Congratulations on your hunt.
22 August 2007, 07:21
axleThank you all for the kind comments, and for the help posting the pictures,
ax
22 August 2007, 08:10
Lucky1Great pictures! What model and caliber of rifle did you use?
John
22 August 2007, 18:14
martinbnsThat is a great springbok, how big was the gemsbok?
22 August 2007, 18:24
axleLucky1 I used a winchester model 70 classic stainless in 300 win mag
martinbns the gemsbok was 38 inches
24 August 2007, 09:33
CanuckWTG ax!! Congrats on your hunt! Deer hunting will never be the same again, eh?
I'll be in the valley for at least some of the bow season. Will give you a call.
Cheers bud,
Canuck