I took this Photo of a 53" bull from a couple weeks ago. I have a new set of photos on my website with the article about trophy Kudu types and knowing what you want ahead of time. Also what to talk to your PH about so you will be looking for the same thing.

A Mature Kudu bull with deep curls can see the tip of his horns for very accurate placement of the tip.

Note Eye lid!

Great photo and good reminder to all of us.

Good article Jim. The pic's are very telling.

I don't know if you recall or was even aware of it, but when I was at Landelani last year I told Henk (my PH for the trip, for others reading this) that I wanted a bull with "tips-out". I wasn't too concerned about length, other than hoping it would go over 50". I had gotten a nice wide 50"er on my previous trip.

Anyway, Henk almost killed me when I turned down opportunities at about five or so 53" to 55+" bulls over the course of 6 hunting days because they were not "tips-out". He spent a number of evenings showing me lots of pictures of big bulls with "tips-in" and explaining the rarity of bulls with horns tipping out, etc. I felt for him though...I wasn't making his job easy! But, our perserverence was finally rewarded with this 54+" bull....





So, from my perspective, I agree that setting an objective and sticking to it does enhance the experience. I think that Kudu is a beaut, and can't wait to get the mount back from the taxidermist.

Cheers,
Canuck

Canuck,

BEAUTIFUL Kudu! My family and I are going to Namibia next year and my primary goal is Kudu. I am thinking of trying for 2 bulls. I really want one that looks a lot like yours, with "tips out" and another one that is just really wide. I figure, why not try for 2, they are only $600 ea. and Dirk (operator of Okanduka Seibe) says they have lots in the 55" range.

Chris,

I remember those conversations very well! I also recall Henk and Jim going on about the horn formation on impala and what was a good one and which were still immature...

Regards,

Pete

Henk still works with us and with some luck will again next year. He's a good PH and a good guy in and around the camp. He's always a lot of fun to be around.

A bit off topic, but still funy for those that know us. I was hunting another property with my guys and my tire was flat in the morning when I was going to leave. I swapped out the tire and told Henk that was taking his becuase of the distance I was going. He could then have mine fixed and use it that afternoon.

Well he decides to hunt way in the back corner of the consession and wouldent you know it he gets a flat like 10 miles from the lodge.

I have his spare!

So he and his hunter will be walking for thier hunting now back to the lodge. Fortunately the hunter was fit and functional and was already on extras as the majority of his hunting was behind him.

The next day we are back in business with spare tires. However that morning I left before he did and when he got to his truck he had two flat tires with only one spare since I had already left. I never checked his tire condition before I pulled away, so I did not notice it.

I think Henk had set a record for flat tires in that week. 3 is a lot of flats although I'm sure I average one every hunt period. However he had 5 flat tires in 8 days during that hunt. I think we need to carry a second spare between us now! The thorns are really bad in that new area that had no roads before this year. Or maybe I'll just not drive in there anymore.

Jim,

Whats the situation with tyres over there?

I understand that they are available with extra thickness/plys to help with the thorns...I am sure I have heard of 10 or 12 ply tyres being used???

You might well get similar tyres in the States, but I can't say I have ever come across them here in the UK..

Regards,

Pete

We have tried everything and they all go flat. The advantage to the tires we use now is the split rim tubes can be fixed by the boys in short order with a simple compressor to fill them. Tubless tires are a bit more complicated to reseat the beads and fix as easily.

I'm not a tire guy, but after having both kinds, the effort to keep tires aired up, and getting punctures fixed seems easier with the tube versions.

We are using agricultural tires made by Michilin. They look like the old military jeep tires with the staggered bar tread pattern. Aside form Henks flat frenzy they have worked well.

One of the PH's that used BFG AT's had a couple flats in two weeks but filled his tires with "fix a flat" foam. They sealed up and worked fine again. I'm not sure that is a good plan for being balanced at highway speeds though!

I have BFG AT's on my truck here in the states as well and they are nice tires. However no place I have ever been punctures tires like the northern Province of RSA.

Jim,

I bet some those tubes get to be more patches than original rubber as the time passes!

I've not seen a split rim for years over here..I think a combination of infrequent flats and our wet weather meant they were a bugger to split when you did get flat, although i can see how they make sense over there...

Regards,

Pete

You're absolutely right about concerns about the "fix a flat" foam and subsequent driving at highway speeds.

quote:

Henk still works with us and with some luck will again next year. He's a good PH and a good guy in and around the camp. He's always a lot of fun to be around.

Henk was absolutely great to hunt and hang around with, and he hunted hard. We had a great time...hope I didn't give an impression to the contrary!

He was great to put together with a forester too. Man that guy knew his trees. First PH that could answer every one of my millions of flora and fauna questions.

Cheers,
Canuck

Fred Burchell, my Namibian PH instructed me from the get-go that "tips out" meant a mature specimen. This one taped 55" but I liked the wide spread.

quote:

my Namibian PH instructed me from the get-go that "tips out" meant a mature specimen.

I'm no expert but my understanding is that a bull with "tips out" is 99.9% sure to be a mature bull. It just takes that long to grow them that way.

However, that is not to say that all mature bulls have "tips out". I am under the impression that many bulls will die of old age before they every get to "tips out". They just don't have the genetics to curl around again.

Anyway, that just the way I understand it. Any real experts can correct me if I am wrong.

Cheers,
Canuck

quote:

However, that is not to say that all mature bulls have "tips out". I am under the impression that many bulls will die of old age before they every get to "tips out". They just don't have the genetics to curl around again.

...I am not an expert on the matter neither - tho here is a pic of my kudu - when we spotted him my PH went ballistic - tips are barely straight - but according to teeth, he would never made it...so I guess you have a point there...