I have previously shot both the black and white coloration in the Eastern Cape with Arthur Rudman and Dion Van Niekirk, but these Kalahari Springbok are sensational............................

Shot on Mike Kibble's Kalahari concession......



17.5 inches.....................what a freak.




Nearly 16" ram taken after only 20 minutes of stalking

Excellent Ram Blair, congrats. I love hunting Springbok. They remind me of our American Pronghorn Antelope, both in flavor of their meat and hunting techniques. The only thing I haven't tried is calling Springbok (not sure it's legal in RSA or Namibia) or using a decoy. I will bet both would be extremely effective as it is on Pronghorn. Good hunting, LDK

L. David.

Thanks, for the congrats mate.

Now that is an interesting idea with regard to using a decoy/calling.

I'm not sure if it is legal either.

And your point regarding the similarity to Pronghorn hunting is very true. Hunted those guys way back in 1986. Nice ram on my wall.........

Blair, would you happen to know if Mike is Pete Kibble's son?

That top springbok is a M O N S T E R!!!!

Pronghorns are easy to call as long as they don't wind you. If you are stationary and you see a buck first, it doesn't matter if he can see you. Sit still and challenge call him. He'll come in on a string. I usually take the shot when I get them within 150 yards. I pick up my gun and set up the bipod with the buck looking at my movement. They act confused but usually start to turn away within a few minutes. One short call when their broadside will stop them, giving me a good clean shot. I have called mature bucks within 30 yards, but as always I would be tagged out or hunting Deer and not be in my Antelope area. They are always the 15-17 inch bucks. Murphy's law. I've yet to hear a Springbok ram use a challenge call, but I bet they have one. Maybe my next trip coming up will yield that experience. Good hunting, David

quote:

Originally posted by Fulldraw Outdoor Media:
Blair, would you happen to know if Mike is Pete Kibble's son?

That top springbok is a M O N S T E R!!!!

Tyge,

Unfortunately for Pete, Mike IS his son

I never got to meet Pete, but the stories both Mike and his wife Sonja told about him were great.

What a fantastic family.

I shot a 58' Kudu, a 40+ Oryx Bull, that beautiful Springbok ram and a 44" Oyrx cow...all on one hunt.

Pete taught his son WELL

David,

When you do try that, let me know how it went.

I love to hunt Springbok, almost as much as Kudu!

Best regards,

Thanks, I thought that might be the Mike I met at the Dallas Safari Club this year. He is a swell guy, a chip of the old block.

Pete, Kevin and Brian stayed in my home for a few days after the show before heading out to Reno. I've never met a more friendly, interesting and loving family as the Kibble clan.

I haven't met Kevin, he is the real tiger fishing nut of the 3 of them, though they are all evidently mad for them!

Have you hunted many times with Pete?

I'm hoping to be able to hunt Livingstone Eland, Waterbuck and the Kalahari with Mike again, next year. He's a great bloke.

Regards,

David, my part of the country is teeming with springbok and we have hunted them for generations. I have never heard of anyone calling them or using a decoy.
I doubt that it would work, but am interested to know how you would do it. Perhaps it will.[URL=www.graaffreinetsafaris.co.za]

Karoo, Having hunted our Pronghorn Antelope for many years, I have had the opportunity to study them very closely. They, like our Deer, Elk and Moose have a vocabulary. Pronghorns are creatures of habit and so are the Springbok. Meaning, they can be patterned as far as daily movement. If I can find trophy Pronghorn rams, I can call them, decoy them and take my pick. I would be willing to bet money that a mature "herd" ram Springbok would come charging after a young ram decoy. He would perceive it as an interloper, and as I'm positive you know: he won't stand for another ram on his turf. I have seen this myself: Herd dominance. It is what enabled me to take my first African animal in the Eastern Cape: a fine Springbok ram. He was so busy chasing other rams away from the herd of females he didn't notice my camo'd form sitting in the shade of an Acacia bush. If you were to watch American TV (Hunting Shows) on decoying Pronghorn, you'd see the similarities and my point. The second phase of this query is calling. Pronghorns "caw" similar to Crows. "Caw....caw, caw, caw, caw" is the challenge call of a buck or ram Pronghorn. They also have an alarm snort/wheeze similar to our Whitetail Deer but a higher pitch. Springbok have vocalizations. What they are I do not know..yet. I have heard them utter low "huff's" when chasing each other, but at this point the meaning is unknown to me. But I will make it a point to find out. It may take me several trips back to RSA but let's just say I enjoy the research I'm not sure if it's legal to call or decoy PG in RSA. Laws seem to change faster than the weather. But I am looking into it. If it's legal, I will try it this June and post the results. Thanks for your post. Good hunting, David

With the new laws coming into effect 1 June 2007.

quote:

Luring - No use of sounds, smells or any other induced luring method - only for management of damage causing animals.

So unfortunately your research will be cut short to the 1st of June

Thought so.....................

Thanks for the update Safari-Hunt