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Going to Zulu Natal in 2010, can't wait Nyala high on the list, one question
23 February 2009, 19:32
PhoenixdawgGoing to Zulu Natal in 2010, can't wait Nyala high on the list, one question
I am going to book my flight from the US to Durban, when I get to Joburg will I have to clear my rifles and then recheck them or will I do that paperwork in Durban?
23 February 2009, 19:43
graybirdI flew into Durban in 2004. You will clear your guns etc. in the international terminal as usual. You will then need to go to the domestic terminal and recheck your items again, or at least this is what I remember doing, but I've slept since then, and things might have changed.
It will probably be in your best interest to hire the services of a 'meet and greet' service to make sure things go smoothly. I didn't but luckily I got a baggage handler that spoke very good English and he help me through the process. Needless to say, he got a very nice tip once the whole process was over.
A little piece of advice. Please don't shoot the first nyala you see unless he is over 30". You'll see plenty in a weeks worth of hunting and have plenty of opportunities. Also, be sure and take a red duiker, I didn't and kick myself every day for passing a true trophy on Wednesday because I was going to hold out and not shoot one until Thursday. Well, I never saw another trophy male the rest of my trip.
While in Durban, be sure and go down to the trading area of town. I had a blast while getting my souveniers, just be sure and NOT go alone!
Good luck and have fun!
Graybird
"Make no mistake, it's not revenge he's after ... it's the reckoning."
23 February 2009, 19:55
Phoenixdawgsounds great, I have been given the same advice on Nyala, I hope to score over 30" but if I don't, I understand it is hunting after all.
I have been advised to shoot Reedbuck, Red Duiker, and Bushpig while in Natal. I am lookng very forward to this trip.
Nyala is my "most wanted" antelope.
23 February 2009, 20:00
Safari-Hunt+1 On what Graybird said about the rifle and the airports.
Please don't expect a 30" nayla on a whole trip its like shooting a 60" + kudu you have to be at the right place at the right time. For Natal anything over 28 is extremely good. Good luck
Frederik Cocquyt
I always try to use enough gun but then sometimes a brainshot works just as good.
23 February 2009, 20:28
Die Ou JagterChances are if you hold out for a 30" Nyala you will come empty handed. Bushpigs are normally baited and hunted at night you may get lucky and see one in the day time. Red Duikers call fairly well. They come to a varmit call.
23 February 2009, 20:32
PhoenixdawgDon't get me wrong I am not holding out for a 30" Nyala, I will be happy with a great hunt. It would be great to get lucky and be at the right place right time, but I am not counting on it.
23 February 2009, 21:15
Scott450A true 30 inch Nyala is a trophy of a lifetime, i know a phenomenal hunter who lives in KZN,in his late 30's he is supremely fit and has a passion for the spiral horned antelope, can shoot well out to 400yards and has shot in the region of 15 trophy Nyala in the past few years; he has a number of 28's, 3 beautiful 29+ and still no 30 incher....there is no doubt that some guys luck onto one in just 7 days hunting but that is the exception. 27 inches is the RW minimum, if the area has the genes, you can hunt hard and shoot well then i would try for 27+, anything more is a bonus. Good luck
23 February 2009, 21:29
butchloci saw a 30" once - once
23 February 2009, 22:32
graybirdThere was a small man-made water hole at the location I hunted just below camp. The camp was overlooking a dry river bed with the water hole below so that animals could be observed from camp. THere was a strict no shooting within a certain distance from the camp so the animals would feel safe to come in and water unmolested. Well, one day while having lunch, my PH looked over the railing and said, 'You want to see a 30+ inch nyala, then look at the water hole.' Sure enough a true monster. The PH guessed his length around 31". We hunted for him for the next 3 days and never found him; however, I can say I've seen one. I don't have a picture because the camera was in the land rover and by the time I retrieved it, he was gone. Guess I stood around admiring him longer than I should have!!
Any nyala over 28" is a very nice trophy!!!
Graybird
"Make no mistake, it's not revenge he's after ... it's the reckoning."
23 February 2009, 23:26
HuttyI took one in 2006 that went 29" on the left horn, 29 1/2" on the right horn and had 8 inch bases. Ab absolutely beautiful animal. Enjoy the time, hunt hard, and soak in the beauty of Africa.
The danger of civilization, of course, is that you will piss away your life on nonsense
24 February 2009, 01:50
LJSGraybird: Where do you hunt Nyala? If 30" is a starting point, I want to hunt there asap. I think 27" is regarded as a very good trophy with 30" a once in a lifetime thing. I'm not an expert only shooting two but I looked at a lot of them that were well under 30".
24 February 2009, 03:10
L. David KeithIf your looking for a true chance at a 30" Nyala, Kwa-zulu Natal is a good place to start. Plan at least 7 days dedicated just to hunting Nyala.
LDK
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http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more
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24 February 2009, 04:48
infinitoHey PD, who are you hunting with?
+1 on the meet and greet service. I do not recommend it for my own clients as we have personel that do this when they are in transit, but if your outfitter does not have someone, use air2000 maybe?
Good luck. I'll e-mail you a 30" Nyala that we took last year, so that you can drool a bit...
Good luck!
Charl van Rooyen
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24 February 2009, 06:04
graybirdquote:
Originally posted by LJS:
Graybird: Where do you hunt Nyala? If 30" is a starting point, I want to hunt there asap. I think 27" is regarded as a very good trophy with 30" a once in a lifetime thing. I'm not an expert only shooting two but I looked at a lot of them that were well under 30".
LJS,
I think you might have misread my posts. In my first post, I gave the recommendation to Phoenixdawg to NOT shoot the first nyala he comes across unless it was 30", because he'll see plenty in KZN.
Then in my second post, I mentioned I saw a true 30" while having lunch at the camp one day, which we hunted for the remainder of my safari, but never saw again.
Believe me, if I had a true 'honey hole' for 30" nyala, I wouldn't give it up until I had my own.
However, I do believe a 28" nyala is certainly doable within a typical 7-10 day safari in KZN.
Graybird
"Make no mistake, it's not revenge he's after ... it's the reckoning."
24 February 2009, 18:08
retreeverI flew to Cape Town and then up the coast to Durban.. A very scenic view of RSA make sure you sit on the left side windows...
Mike
Michael Podwika... DRSS bigbores and hunting
www.pvt.co.za " MAKE THE SHOT " 450#2 Famars
25 February 2009, 01:41
ChrisTroskiequote:
Originally posted by Phoenixdawg:
I am going to book my flight from the US to Durban, when I get to Joburg will I have to clear my rifles and then recheck them or will I do that paperwork in Durban?
As other posters have stated - you'll have to clear your rifles at Joburg Airport first and then recheck them for the internal flight down to Durban.
Like Scott450 has said - a 30" Nyala is one of a lifetime so don't hold your breath for one... and if you or your PH sees one on day 1 - definitely take it!!!... as you may not get another chance at one in your lifetime...
Here's a pic of one we took last year in Natal... the left horn measured 28" and the right 28.5... great trophy taken by a GREAT client!
We're going back to Natal for more this year...