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One of Us |
This is about all I'll have time to post this weekend but I wanted to show something of my trip. I have, like most of us, pursued and looked for great kudu everywhere I have gone in Africa. I have seen many and gotten close to few. I was looking for an archery kudu and I chose the Limpopo Valley area because I knew the genetics were good and a bull meeting what I was looking for could be found here. This bull was taken on the third say of a five day hunt at an archery only concession I have booked for over the last 5 years. This photo represents exactly how he was found. It looked like he just sunk down to the ground. Can you guess his length? His longest horn is his right one. You can see the exit wound just behind his arm. OK, here are the details.... This is an old bull who had been seen a few times over the past year. Now we all know they don't get this big by being dumb. So I knew I was in for a tough hunt. Myself and the landowner, Chris Brand, battled with rough winds and lightly built grass thatch hides. So it was day three at 1125 in the morning that I finally slipped an arrow through the side of this monarch. The bull came in to water with several others. He took my breath away and I feared I would not be able to draw my bow. He had a large tree branch stuck in his right horn when he came in. As he came in another smaller bull approached and my targeted bull attacked him. This distraction allowed me to draw and pick a spot. He was just 20 yards when I let the arrow go, I had a wonderful pass through and the whole thing on video. I knew I made a mortal wound on him the moment I let the arrow go. That's one of those "visuals" you never forget. The bull took off and went out of sight within a few seconds. The remaining bulls stood around wondering what happened. We waited about 5 minutes and I said enough, let's go fetch him! Chris went to get his bluetick, Puma, to track the bull. He uses the hound on all game to keep her sharp in case a real tracking job is ever needed. The dog is amazing and worth her weight in gold. Chris had Puma on a lead and we showed her my bloody arrow. Her eyes lit up and nose went to work. She took us 92 yards through the thick bushveld directly to the downed bull. Puma admiring the bull! My equipment is an older Parker bow that's seen a lot of action over the years. It's a piece of equipment that becomes a part of me when I pick it up, always reliable. Anyway, it's only set at 59 pounds right now due to a bad shoulder injury I suffered last fall, I popped the joint that holds your clavicle (collar bone) to your shoulder blade. I normally hunt at 65 pounds. I use a Whisker Biscuit for an arrow rest and Steel Force brooadheads (100 grain) and carbon arrows. I always get good results with this set up. I will have a hard time finding a better kudu bull! He was taken on my birthday and oh what a gift he was! Many thanks to Chris for not letting some other clients shoot this bull before I had a chance! If you are an archery hunter and want this type of kudu, let me know, the property has his bloodlines all over it! One of the others in the bunch will be every bit as good as this guy next year. Rifle hunters don't fret, I got you covered too, drop me a line. Later on I will be posting several photos of kudu showing a variety of horn shape and measurements. I am off to do some farm work, my pasture needs brush hoggin and I will post more about my hunting exploits in the next few days! Don't forget to guess the measurement on this bull. ~Ann | ||
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Very nice Kudu! Congratulations. | |||
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<mikeh416Rigby> |
What a magnificient Kudu! Heavy horned, deep spirals, tips turned out! Looks like an honest 60 incher, but whatever the length, I'm jelous. | ||
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"Many thanks to Chris for not letting some other clients shoot this bull before I had a chance!" I'm not sure what to make of the statement but I hope it's just a poor choice of words and that it doesn't mean other clients were steered away from the bull in deference to someone who books hunts for them. DB Bill aka Bill George | |||
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Ann That just might be the perfect kudu! My guess as to length: 58". Jason Jason "You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core." _______________________ Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt. Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure. -Jason Brown | |||
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A beautiful, beautiful bull. Who cares how long it is. I love those super deep curls. Congrats Anne! 465H&H | |||
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Anne- Very nice! How about 58.5? | |||
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DB Bill: Knowing Ann and having hunted with her, I can tell you that she exhibits the finest of hunting ethics, and that she would not be a part of any "scheme" to "hide" a trophy from a customer. It's just not in her. I've seen her offer to give up a good bear bait to someone who was having a tough time seeing bears... and that was when she was paying full fare. Anyone would be delighted to have her in camp. She pulls her own weight, too. Cleaning, putting boats in the water... not expecting a darn thing because she books hunts or is from the distaff side. I think that she was "tongue in cheek"... particulary since she prefaced the remarks with comments that tend to show that the bull was wiley having successfully evaded hunters in the past. In any event... What a great kudu, my lady! JudgeG ... just counting time 'til I am again finding balm in Gilead chilled out somewhere in the Selous. | |||
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Anne, thanks for sharing!!! Sorry, I am of the camp that says who cares how long, it looks great!!! Now, how long??? Sacred cows make the best burgers. Good Shooting! | |||
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Wow, that is a beautiful kudu!! ____________________________________________ "Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life." Terry Pratchett. | |||
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Moderator |
Ann, 49" or 69", that is one of the nicest looking kudu ever!! Congratulations! More proof that good things can happen to good people. Cheers, Canuck ps: I'll guess 59". | |||
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The look on the dog's face is priceless! Great stuff, Ann! Congrats! 577NitroExpress Double Rifle Shooters Society Francotte .470 Nitro Express If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming... | |||
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I love Kudu. And such a beauty this one is!!! And with a bow. Magnificent. This fella deserves a shoulder or pedestal mount for sure. Congratulations to you Ann ... Mike -------------- DRSS, Womper's Club, NRA Life Member/Charter Member NRA Golden Eagles ... Knifemaker, http://www.mstarling.com | |||
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Ann, Congrats a super trophy...my guesses are 58.5 inches and 21 + happpy birthday | |||
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Hard to tell with all this angular photos these days, but those curls look deep. Probably over 60. Hope you didn't get all excited after sleeping in the same bed at Buzz's. ------------------------------- Will / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun. --------------------------------------- and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor, GOA, NAGR _________________________ "Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped. “Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped. red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com _________________________ If anything be of note, let it be he was once an elephant hunter, hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go. | |||
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Great Kudu Ann, increditable deep curls! That is one good looking bull, my guess he's over 60 inches. I'll say 63 - 64 "America's Meat - - - SPAM" As always, Good Hunting!!! Widowmaker416 | |||
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Congratulations Ann. That is an especially great trophy considering that it was taken with a bow. My guess is 59". ALLEN W. JOHNSON - DRSS Into my heart on air that kills From yon far country blows: What are those blue remembered hills, What spires, what farms are those? That is the land of lost content, I see it shining plain, The happy highways where I went And cannot come again. A. E. Housman | |||
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Great Kudu Ann Congratulations , about guessing I have left that area since we had a Kudu guess that was far away from the truth as I will tell more about in another post. | |||
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Wow! What a kudu, I'll be hunting that area next August and your pictures are a great excitment builder. My guess is 62.5" Maineguide | |||
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Nice! I don't have a clue but will hedge my bets, between 55" and 59." Lo do they call to me, They bid me take my place among them in the Halls of Valhalla, Where the brave may live forever. | |||
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A true beauty! I'm guessing 59". Don_G ...from Texas, by way of Mason, Ohio and Aurora, Colorado! | |||
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I would guess 58 - 60". DC300 | |||
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57in There is nothing as permanent as a good temporary repair. | |||
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Ann, Fantastic Kudu, I really like the deep curls and not an overly wide spread. As for guessing the lenght, 60.5" R, 59" L. Aslo, a belated Happy 27th B'day. Hope you can make it to DSC. Hog Killer IGNORE YOUR RIGHTS AND THEY'LL GO AWAY!!! ------------------------------------ We Band of Bubbas & STC Hunting Club, The Whomper Club | |||
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Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!! I will never forget my first kudu. They are truly one of the most spectacular creatures on the earth. God must have been feeling especially good when he made that species. Cheers Mac | |||
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Ann: Great Kudu, puts my arrowed Kudu to shame. I would guess 56-57". JD | |||
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Ann, with the tight curl I'd say 56".............Bob | |||
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57.5" on R 55.0 on L Well done! And I took that "saving" comment as tonuge in cheek why would anyone in the booking business make a comment like that another other way? | |||
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Wonderful, congratulations! I look forward to more pictures and stories! Nice pointer-trophy by the way, will he be a rug or a shoulder mount? Regards, Martin ----------------------- A man can never have too much red wine, too many books, or too much ammunition. - R. Kipling | |||
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Great Kudu! I think he goes 59.5! | |||
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Great kudu! I will guess 60" on the button. | |||
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Very nice Kudu Ann. That's the kind of animal you shoot and measure later. I won't hazard a guess but I would be thrilled to take such a specimen with bow or gun for that matter. | |||
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Ann, Man, what a Kudu!!!! Congrats!! I'm going to guess 58" but I wouldn't be surprised if he went 60 or better. -Bob F. | |||
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I would say 57 3/4" Gorgeous kudu. | |||
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Hi Anne, lawndart just tugged me over to the screen to show me your kudu. I am in a state of jaw dropped awe! I've looked it over and over. What a beautiful monarch to fell with a beautiful clean kill. Wow! Lois you can't cure stupid | |||
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Anne, That is a "good one"....!!! Most of us would be happy to take that one with a rifle - let alone a bow - wow! Must of been a real thrill. Congratulations! | |||
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I would estimate 59 3/4". Damn good Kudu in anyone's book, and even more so with the bow! | |||
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OK, here's what he measured (many of you were quite close!) Right horn - 60 3/4" with 10" bases Left horn - 59 3/4" with 9 7/8" bases Traveling with him were several other high 50's bulls with one we thought at least 58". Chris took a lot of heat from neighbors and friends for not shooting this animal himself and letting clients hunt him. A Spaniard tried but could not make the shot prior to my arrival. Anyway, there are more like this bull on the property. ~Ann | |||
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nice bull Ann! | |||
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