Just getting back and thought I'd share my journal entry and a few pics from the hunt. I'll be completing a hunt report over the next couple days, but suffice it to say we had a great time. Brad
_________________________________________

Wednesday, June 2

�Be flexible.� �Expect the unexpected.� �Adapt to persevere.� All these phrases have meaning and application in daily life, but in Africa, it is probably even more important. Today was a perfect example.

We started off at 7:30 AM, having checked the rifle sights in pursuit of nyala and kudu. Less than an hour later, we were looking at a monster of a sable, 40� class. Dad debated shooting it, but eventually passed as he really wanted to hunt buffalo. I, who had planned to hunt nyala, waterbuck, reedbuck and others now faced a decision �pass up an opportunity to hunt all these animals in order to hunt sable.

I�ve long dreamed of sable, but the cost and belief they would be ~36� made me consider them out of reach. That changed today. I realized that sable like this one didn�t come around often. Like 30� mule deer in the states or 30� nyala in Africa, a 40� sable was its own holy grail. I decided I could always come to Africa again to hunt the animals I was going to pass on, but I might never have a better opportunity than today for a sable of this size. Therefore, Eon and I set off to find him again a couple hours later.

Our first loop through the property yielded nothing. We then widened our search by going back further into the bush. This time our efforts spooked him from ~75 yards and he ran down and away from us through the brush. The others had been watching the jeep trail and saw him pass across further and deeper into the brush. We followed in pursuit and caught a glimpse of him again, moving to our right. We moved in a parallel path to get in front of him. Then we caught sight of him standing in some trees ~70 yards away. His body, obstructed by branches, presented no shot. Waiting and watching him through the scope, he now moved a few steps to our right, stepping into a clearing and giving me the chance I was waiting for.

The .375 H&H boomed and I saw the sable go down where he had been standing, the bullet passing thru both front shoulders. As we moved closer, he turned to face us and struggled to get up on his front knees. The second bullet entered on the same shoulder, inches from the first angling lengthwise throughout his body and exiting his left rear leg. Excitement, joy, sorrow and relief were all felt in the next minutes.

After pictures and loading the sable, we set off for the skinning shed. We had gone a ways and stopped, which was when dad offered us his tape measure, but it was only 24�. I told him there was a longer one in my pack, but it little mattered now in the event he was smaller than we thought, because I was pleased to have taken such a beauty. Eon took the tape and ran it along the left horn, the longer of the two, and did not stop until the tape read greater than 44�!! This was �Holy Grail Plus�, the true sultan of sable.



We lounged in the afternoon and about 3:00 PM set out to find a kudu for JD. We saw many animals, but only one immature kudu. Then gemsbok caught JD�s eye. A group of 7 animals contained two nice bulls, and a plan was developed for JD to try and maneuver into pistol range. Unfortunately, that didn�t happen. However, being flexible, JD turned to his .338 and eventually sorted out which bull he wanted, making a nice shot just before dark for his first African animal. Hurried pictures ended under a full moon, clear skies, and a perfect view of the Southern Cross.

During the ride back to the lodge, we came upon a rhino. �Walter� the rhino had a broken front horn and a bad disposition, which he proceeded to show us at close range. The charge ended about 15 feet from the truck and he eventually wandered off.

As I sat around the laupa staring at the embers within, I recollected on the days events and shook my head. It had been the perfect day � great weather, hunting with family and friends, and two beautiful trophies to show for it. All thanks to being flexible. Now I must turn in, for we go after kudu again tomorrow.

Brad,
Welcome home. Glad you had a great trip. Congratulations on a very fine sable! Can't wait to hear more.

Well done Brad, very nice Sable.

Congratulations!

Which country did you hunt? PM me with location, days, price etc. regarding sable. That would be terrific.

Cheers,
CL

You made a good choice to go for the sable, excellent trophy and those other animals will be available in many other places.

CFA

Very wise choice...a Sable of that size within sight is worth all those other animals mentioned combined. You will enjoy reliving that hunt many times...as you glance at your trophy head...

WOW, great story and picture of the sable. Thanks for sharing. Sable is my "dream" animal and 44", well, that is a real dream. Congrats on such a fine animal.

Don

Lefty - The hunt was in RSA in the Vaalwater region. I have filed a hunt report here which lists costs, days, etc:
http://www.accuratereloading.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=691259&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=31&fpart=1#Post692269

If you have any questions after reading, feel free to email or PM me.

Brad