I saw that Japsie Blaauw of Dzombo Safaris (Namibia) just took a 71" plus Kudu. They're just waiting for the 60 day drying out period to make it official.

That appears to be a very large Kudu.

Now where was it hiding the past few years?

Going to their web site they have a few more pictures to look at.

I would take a wide 50 incher over that every day

There is a taxidermist in Namibia who has a 74" kudu shoulder mount. However the skull and horns were found in the bush so it wasn't hunted. He used a cape from another Kudu to make the mount. I don't know it that counts or not as a world record.

quote:

Originally posted by GunsCore:
There is a taxidermist in Namibia who has a 74" kudu shoulder mount. However the skull and horns were found in the bush so it wasn't hunted. He used a cape from another Kudu to make the mount. I don't know it that counts or not as a world record.

Carlo Caldesi’s 71+ X 72+ Kudu is in Rowland wards and was a pick up.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
I would take a wide 50 incher over that every day

It is interesting how little the score really says about a trophy. Also interesting how preference for one type or another varies so much from hunter to hunter.

Personally, I prefer kudu that fall right in the middle: Pleasing V, deep curls, tips just beginning to point outward.

A number does not make a trophy.

quote:

Originally posted by JBrown:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
I would take a wide 50 incher over that every day

It is interesting how little the score really says about a trophy. Also interesting how preference for one type or another varies so much from hunter to hunter.

Personally, I prefer kudu that fall right in the middle: Pleasing V, deep curls, tips just beginning to point outward.

A number does not make a trophy.

Agree. Three turns with ivory tips out on an old bull is a thing of beauty. Tape measure not needed.

I think there is a Texas bull that is close to 70 if not 70plus. I don't have a link as I deleted facebook a few weeks ago.

.


A beautiful set of horns whatever they measure!


Still, I am with Andrew, a wide pair of horns does more for me than straight up.


.

quote:

Originally posted by Big Wonderful Wyoming:
I think there is a Texas bull that is close to 70 if not 70plus. I don't have a link as I deleted facebook a few weeks ago.

I thought the big one take 10-15 years back in the Texas Hill Country was 72, but it was quite a few years back as I recall.

Thanks Billy

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:

quote:

Originally posted by JBrown:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
I would take a wide 50 incher over that every day

It is interesting how little the score really says about a trophy. Also interesting how preference for one type or another varies so much from hunter to hunter.

Personally, I prefer kudu that fall right in the middle: Pleasing V, deep curls, tips just beginning to point outward.

A number does not make a trophy.

Agree. Three turns with ivory tips out on an old bull is a thing of beauty. Tape measure not needed.

Same here.

quote:

and horns were found in the bush

I have pictures in my archive.
A great one.

But:
As I konw, there are found in the trash-place.
(Outside the City, open, some animals there.)
Nobody knows, if he died there or if somebody was bringing....

I have always appreciated the variation of kudu (and other antelope species) horns. Congrats to the hunter!

Jaapsie found me 47” buffalo in Waterberg. The horns are swept back and Jaapsie had it measured as having among the longest from Namibia. Doesn’t matter to me the total length, just super hunt. Nothing like buffaloes running full tilt past you and running shots with a .577. Great guy and experience! Worked hard for us and super to my son. He has the best elephant area in Namibia.

quote:

Originally posted by JBrown:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
I would take a wide 50 incher over that every day

It is interesting how little the score really says about a trophy. Also interesting how preference for one type or another varies so much from hunter to hunter.

Personally, I prefer kudu that fall right in the middle: Pleasing V, deep curls, tips just beginning to point outward.

A number does not make a trophy.

I had long phone chats with Harry before he sadly passed away.

A true gentlemen, and a real professional.

Talking about trophies once I mentioned that we don't measure animals.

He laughed and said "you and Roy are hunters. Not trophy hunters"

It is great to know and read about special specimens like this one.

I find it interesting reading about old hunters talking about shooting an exceptional animal.

That died a quick death for me since SCI made hunting a competition, and only inches mattered.

The silliest, most stupid, selfish bunch of idiots were created then.

quote:

Originally posted by JBrown:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
I would take a wide 50 incher over that every day

It is interesting how little the score really says about a trophy. Also interesting how preference for one type or another varies so much from hunter to hunter.

Personally, I prefer kudu that fall right in the middle: Pleasing V, deep curls, tips just beginning to point outward.

A number does not make a trophy.

Sorry my Brother(s) but my BS meter is on the rev limiter. Anyone of us would bust our ass to get a shot at a Kudu Bull such as that.

Further, we would also be pretty dang excited to put a tape to it. I know I would. I also do not believe that makes me or anyone else a tape measure hunter.

It simply means we understand we just killed an exceptional trophy and want to know just how exceptional it really is. The tape is the tool for that.

I was fortunate enough to kill a 49" Buffalo in Tanzania last year. Once down, both Wayne Grant and I were standing there in amazement at what we just killed.

We were nearly out of light and had a long walk back to the cruiser and knew we were going to leave the bull overnight. So, without a tape, Wayne cut a stick.

We got back to camp, had dinner and afterwards measures the stick. The largest Buffalo I've killed and tied for the largest of Wayne's over 30 years hunting professionally.

A tape measure hunter is one who would ask before a shot or a stalk how big and judge his effort or desire to go after it based on size.

Big is good, really big is better and a 71 inch Kudu gets put on my wall every chance.

It is very nice to see, or have, an exceptional trophy.

Making it the holly grail of hunting is not.

I have read many stories of how some of the higher ups in SCI managed to get their trophies.

According to them, they spent years chasing that dream all over the world.

Apparently, reality was different.

If I remember, some actually broke the laws in they countries they hunts, so they can have their name in some silly book where they can join the ME ME ME crowd!

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by JBrown:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
I would take a wide 50 incher over that every day

It is interesting how little the score really says about a trophy. Also interesting how preference for one type or another varies so much from hunter to hunter.

Personally, I prefer kudu that fall right in the middle: Pleasing V, deep curls, tips just beginning to point outward.

A number does not make a trophy.

Sorry my Brother(s) but my BS meter is on the rev limiter. Anyone of us would bust our ass to get a shot at a Kudu Bull such as that.

Further, we would also be pretty dang excited to put a tape to it. I know I would. I also do not believe that makes me or anyone else a tape measure hunter.

It simply means we understand we just killed an exceptional trophy and want to know just how exceptional it really is. The tape is the tool for that.

I was fortunate enough to kill a 49" Buffalo in Tanzania last year. Once down, both Wayne Grant and I were standing there in amazement at what we just killed.

We were nearly out of light and had a long walk back to the cruiser and knew we were going to leave the bull overnight. So, without a tape, Wayne cut a stick.

We got back to camp, had dinner and afterwards measures the stick. The largest Buffalo I've killed and tied for the largest of Wayne's over 30 years hunting professionally.

A tape measure hunter is one who would ask before a shot or a stalk how big and judge his effort or desire to go after it based on size.

Big is good, really big is better and a 71 inch Kudu gets put on my wall every chance.

Would have to disagree. I would rather shoot a bull that’s got that third curl pointing out and the pursuit is damn near everything for me. Or something unique about how the hunt went down. Let’s try and get in really close with an open sighted double on a good mature animal is my fun. But, I don’t mount hardly anything and I know from your posts that’s against your values and or opinion. My trips are about the hunt and the pictures and something unique. Don’t know the width for sure of any of my Buffalo. Ya they measured them in camp but did not care enough about that detail to remember what they are. I do know my very favorite Buffalo hunt was the smallest I’ve shot by far.

Have some tusks from a really good bull I shot with Buzz in the valley. Pretty sure he measured the larger tusk over 70 lbs but I never weighed them when I got home. But I do admire them and think of wanting to hunt trophy bulls again. Never been a measure guy or really cared much about bringing home all my “trophies”. Have left quite a few big elk skulls nailed on fences and gates at a buddies cattle ranch where we hunt every year.

quote:

Sorry my Brother(s) but my BS meter is on the rev limiter. Anyone of us would bust our ass to get a shot at a Kudu Bull such as that.

Yes, Steve I understand and now and again exceptional animals come into the crosshairs. However, I would be equally happy with much less and a heavy classic V shape.

Nice to see records broken of free-range animals in this day and age and congrats to the hunter.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:


Sorry my Brother(s) but my BS meter is on the rev limiter. Anyone of us would bust our ass to get a shot at a Kudu Bull such as that.

Further, we would also be pretty dang excited to put a tape to it. I know I would. I also do not believe that makes me or anyone else a tape measure hunter.

It simply means we understand we just killed an exceptional trophy and want to know just how exceptional it really is. The tape is the tool for that.

I respect your opinion Steve, but I guess we all place value on animals differently. The tape is one way, but to me aesthetics are more important, especially on a kudu.

The bull in question has lacks symmetry, with its left horn tip still turning in, while the right tips out nicely. For me that kind of ruins the trophy. But to each his own.

To state it another way: you measure a trophy once, but you get to admire it on your wall for the rest of your life. And for me the number of inches doesn't add much to my enjoyment.

I hunted this particular bull on a couple of occasions and then Lions took him down. I kept the skull and horns as a reminder of hunting him and because he had everything that I was looking for in a Kudu.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
I would take a wide 50 incher over that every day

Andrew,

Would have to disagree.

That tall narrow kudu is the most beautiful of them all, because thay are so RARE.

quote:

Originally posted by Blair 338RUM:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
I would take a wide 50 incher over that every day

Andrew,

Would have to disagree.

That tall narrow kudu is the most beautiful of them all, because thay are so RARE.

Haha and each to their own.

Gents, I think you're misinterpreting my post. You (we) can be regular Joes, out hunting for the experience, when along comes a giant Buffalo, a 400" Elk or a world record Kafue Lechwe.

Can any one of you honestly say that you would not put a tape to it? Andrew, can you tell me you didn't put a tape to Brads Giant Lechwe? But you weren't "looking" with tape measure in mind.

Were humans. Exceptional occurs and we react when it does. Again, that does not make you a tape measure guy. When I saw that 49" Buffalo, I, of course wanted to know. I've killed many buffalo of average size and I agree Buffalo hunting is all about the hunt itself, but when exceptional occurs...

Mac, you read "The Elands" over on RDP, correct? When it came time to shoot the LDE bull I did, I had two to choose from; an old broomed off, mud covered bull or a younger bull that was much longer in horn but much less in character. I chose old, broomed and muddy.

On this particular Kudu Bull Jason, I agree with your initial assessment. I prefer what you do and most of the Kudus I've killed are just that.

quote:

Originally posted by McKay:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by JBrown:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
I would take a wide 50 incher over that every day

It is interesting how little the score really says about a trophy. Also interesting how preference for one type or another varies so much from hunter to hunter.

Personally, I prefer kudu that fall right in the middle: Pleasing V, deep curls, tips just beginning to point outward.

A number does not make a trophy.

Sorry my Brother(s) but my BS meter is on the rev limiter. Anyone of us would bust our ass to get a shot at a Kudu Bull such as that.

Further, we would also be pretty dang excited to put a tape to it. I know I would. I also do not believe that makes me or anyone else a tape measure hunter.

It simply means we understand we just killed an exceptional trophy and want to know just how exceptional it really is. The tape is the tool for that.

I was fortunate enough to kill a 49" Buffalo in Tanzania last year. Once down, both Wayne Grant and I were standing there in amazement at what we just killed.

We were nearly out of light and had a long walk back to the cruiser and knew we were going to leave the bull overnight. So, without a tape, Wayne cut a stick.

We got back to camp, had dinner and afterwards measures the stick. The largest Buffalo I've killed and tied for the largest of Wayne's over 30 years hunting professionally.

A tape measure hunter is one who would ask before a shot or a stalk how big and judge his effort or desire to go after it based on size.

Big is good, really big is better and a 71 inch Kudu gets put on my wall every chance.

Would have to disagree. I would rather shoot a bull that’s got that third curl pointing out and the pursuit is damn near everything for me. Or something unique about how the hunt went down. Let’s try and get in really close with an open sighted double on a good mature animal is my fun. But, I don’t mount hardly anything and I know from your posts that’s against your values and or opinion. My trips are about the hunt and the pictures and something unique. Don’t know the width for sure of any of my Buffalo. Ya they measured them in camp but did not care enough about that detail to remember what they are. I do know my very favorite Buffalo hunt was the smallest I’ve shot by far.

Have some tusks from a really good bull I shot with Buzz in the valley. Pretty sure he measured the larger tusk over 70 lbs but I never weighed them when I got home. But I do admire them and think of wanting to hunt trophy bulls again. Never been a measure guy or really cared much about bringing home all my “trophies”. Have left quite a few big elk skulls nailed on fences and gates at a buddies cattle ranch where we hunt every year.

We can discuss while dangling our feet in the lake side-tied someday.

Though I have never entered anything in any book, I can't help but agree with Steve on this. If after a long stalk I got a shot at this bull and afterward, the PH says "that's one cracking bull, mind if I measure him?". When I saw he was 71"s I would have to do a very subtle happy dance so as not to show too much enthusiasm. But I admit I would be pleased with the rare accomplishment.

Just being honest...

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
Gents, I think you're misinterpreting my post. You (we) can be regular Joes, out hunting for the experience, when along comes a giant Buffalo, a 400" Elk or a world record Kafue Lechwe.

Can any one of you honestly say that you would not put a tape to it? Andrew, can you tell me you didn't put a tape to Brads Giant Lechwe? But you weren't "looking" with tape measure in mind.

Were humans. Exceptional occurs and we react when it does. Again, that does not make you a tape measure guy. When I saw that 49" Buffalo, I, of course wanted to know. I've killed many buffalo of average size and I agree Buffalo hunting is all about the hunt itself, but when exceptional occurs...

Mac, you read "The Elands" over on RDP, correct? When it came time to shoot the LDE bull I did, I had two to choose from; an old broomed off, mud covered bull or a younger bull that was much longer in horn but much less in character. I chose old, broomed and muddy.

On this particular Kudu Bull Jason, I agree with your initial assessment. I prefer what you do and most of the Kudus I've killed are just that.

I’ll dig it up! Would have done same!

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:
Though I have never entered anything in any book, I can't help but agree with Steve on this. If after a long stalk I got a shot at this bull and afterward, the PH says "that's one cracking bull, mind if I measure him?". When I saw he was 71"s I would have to do a very subtle happy dance so as not to show too much enthusiasm. But I admit I would be pleased with the rare accomplishment.

Just being honest...

I had this exact scenario play out on an 18" bushbuck I shot. Actually, we had hunted them for several days and not even seen one. We were changing camps, truck was loaded to the top, we were crammed on top and my daughter sees a bushbuck. We stop, look, and the PH ( Dean Kendall) says - "get your gun!". A 50 yard stalk and down it goes. Dean says, "I don't think I have ever taken one this big, can I measure?" I said "sure". He was excited as it was truly a big one. I had no frame of reference as this was my first bushbuck ever. We took a lot of pics and he asked for pics of him and the bushbuck alone.
I was blown away as he is a pro and knows his stuff.
Anyway, I would measure anything that was obviously extraordinary. We that on a Red Hartebeest as well on a different hunt. It was a top 100 in Rowland and Ward.
Anyway, to each his own. I have been with folks that measure everything and others like me that are not too into that.

I killed a really big elk a few years back on a private ranch. The guide asked if I wanted to measure and I said no, not needed. He said it would go 350" plus. Again, not needed and I really do not need anything to stoke my fragile male ego anyway....

Interesting, but I don't believe their is a "3 curl" Kudu in existence, Several in the 70 plus, but no 3 curl Kudus, unless you call the flip out a curl...????????

It is strange what one likes over the other.
I don't get excited over the real wide kudu horns either. I like heavy and medium width.

Always wondered what this Luangwa bull would have gone?

quote:

Can any one of you honestly say that you would not put a tape to it? Andrew, can you tell me you didn't put a tape to Brads Giant Lechwe? But you weren't "looking" with tape measure in mind.

I do as I am told, mate. But agree that everyone gets excited at an exceptional animal. There is a move afoot to shoot old Buffalo and everyone gets just as excited about the age and physical condition nowadays.

Nice Kudu! Regardless of our prefered style of horns, I bet there arn't many here witout an exceptional kudu on their wall that would pass that one up

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Interesting, but I don't believe their is a "3 curl" Kudu in existence, Several in the 70 plus, but no 3 curl Kudus, unless you call the flip out a curl...????????

Yes. It’s a curl. The pic rhat Andrew posted has (the way I regard them) a 3-curl tips-out and a 2-curl tips-out.

I agree with Andrew on preferring width. I just think that they look more impressive to me. The first big elk that I ever killed - I took it to the taxidermist who gushed over it and wanted to measure it. I told him to go ahead but he must never tell me what it scored.

It was my greatest elk. Let us say it scored 350 ... if someone killed a 370 elk does that make me feel bad that my elk was smaller? That it was somehow a lesser animal?

Now that I think about it .. my first animal ever shot in Africa was a kudu bull. It was standing facing us about a hundred yards away. I asked the very very experienced PH what it might measure. He looked with his binos and finally said, '50".. I had always heard that 50 inches was golden way back than so I quickly whacked the kudu.

It was measured at only 44 inches... Talk about disappointment to a young guy on his first safari. Maybe that is also why I do not measure stuff any more or even since ...

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Always wondered what this Luangwa bull would have gone?

Home with me is where he would have gone.

I’m not an “inches” kind of hunter, but in Namibia where I’ve hunted five times, you must complete and sign your “Trophy Hunting Permit” along with your PH. Included on the form are measurements of your trophies, to include horn length and circumference of the bases. Without this completed form, you can’t legally export your trophies back to your home country. I thought my 2019 Kudu was around 53” or 54”, but was delighted when we completed the measurements for the form and he turned out to be 55 1/2”. Same with my Waterbuck- I guessed 28” but he measured 30”.

Here's what my Kudu looked like:
https://imgur.com/a/fBKYMqi

I am not saying I wouldn't shoot it if I had the opportunity.

It would indeed be hard to resist.

But the two greater kudu I have on my walls already, one southern from Namibia, and the other an East African from Tanzania, are both more beautiful and better bulls, IMHO.

I did not measure them at the time, but was told both kudu were over 50 inches. In one case, my proud PH told me, and in the other, I was told by my taxidermist.

I have no need or desire for another one.

The heavy horned animals should be taken, if the other body characteristics designate it as post prime adult male.

Some common eland for example, sprout unusually long horns, but lack bushy tufts, and full manes. You can tell they're young dudes. PASS

I've seen hunters take Gemsbok cows bcuz they're horn length is longer.

We've all faced that decision. YES shoot. NO let it walk.

If you're a trophy hunter, make it a COMPLETE trophy, not just something with outstanding head gear. I salute the fella above with this big kudu. By the looks of it, it is a COMPLETE trophy.

That sure is a Big bugger & nice to see Namibia so green in the back ground, Thank you for posting !

Fairgame both of your pic's show awesome Kudu Bulls & I think I got one of them, looks very similar ?

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Always wondered what this Luangwa bull would have gone?