My thirteen year old son, Jackson and I just returned from 9 days in South Africa 4/16-4/24 we were hunting with Africa Maximum Safaris in the North-West Provence. We worked with Shaun Keeney as our PH. It was my third trip with them and the second time I had the pleasure of working with Shaun. The weather was just terrible it was like January or February; rain every day, thunderstorms, muddy roads and bedded game made things tough to get around but we were able to take everything we wanted and then some. The trophy quality of the game was just excellent and with Caracal, Reed buck and some other opportunity animals it was another amazing trip.

The bow hunters in camp had it tough and I was glad on this trip I decided to bring our rifles and a shotgun it was a good choice as bow hunting was very tough as I watched some great guys from Alaska have a really tough week. I brought my Browning 300WSM my son brought his 270W and I also brought a 12 gauge over under.
The first day was a rain out and the second day we started and headed out to find a Nyala the animal I wanted the most on this trip and with the bush high, thick and green it was going to be a challenge.

After about a half day of seeing few Nyala and travel slow, I glassed an animal I had not seen in my previous hunts it was a Common Reed Buck it was about 200 yards and chasing a ewe in our direction it was going to be a challenge as all that you could see most of the time was the top of his head and his horns moving through the grass. With some creative shooting stick work and the fact he stopped in some open brush. A single shot to the point of his shoulder landed a great representation of the species.



Another day of looking for Nyala saw more today but not any shooters a lot of bushbuck but as I took a great one last time it was fun just looking.

The next day was time to get my son going and he started off the morning with a Blesbok a good shot and a follow up landed a great mature ram 16+ and great bases.



I have wanted a mature Cape Eland for my last few visits and just had not seen what I wanted. I wanted and old bull, worn and large. I was not interested in horns I wanted age, mass, a nice brush and a blue dewlap swinging through the brush. I had passed on several on other trips but today I found my bull, the one I wanted,his horns were worn and broken but he had a massive body and the color I had so long wanted. My first shot hit true and he took off with his cows another quick shot and he bedded down. Soon we walked in and delivered an anchor shot and before me was the bull I had so long wanted. An old bull he was 14+ years and was almost toothless with only his outside teeth on his lower jaw. A great time to remove a great bull before this amazing animal faded or declined.



Now it was time to find Jackson the Black Wildebeest he so wanted. I had promised he could take one if he kept his grades up in school and the day before we left his report card was all A’s and one B with an 89. So the deal was made and now it was time to deliver. Taking one of the clowns of the Kalahari would prove to be interesting. Fortunately it was not to long before we wereabout200 yards from the heard and a nice bull stood solo allowing a nice shot.



While we were in that area we decided to let Jackson take a springbok, little did we know he would shoot a true monster for that province. We were able to stalk up on a loan pair and Jackson made a good shot and landed a Springbok that would later measure 14 ¾ and be the second largest they had ever taken at Africa Maximum. Land owners, PH’S and all who heard came to see this magnificent animal.





The next day it was off to see my taxidermist and Moredou and check in on my trophies from last year and talk about the ones soon to be there.

So now it was back to the Nyala a new piece of property and the third day of pursuit paid off. The Nyala that I had wanted so bad was feeding just 100 yards away the wind was perfect and silently we were able to get in position, he never expected a thing. When my shot hit its target he fell were he stood and I walked up on one of nature’s true beauties and animal I had admired for many years was now before me. His color was fantastic and I soon checked out every line and spot...his mane, his feathering and his beautiful ivory tipped 28 ½ horns. I actually knelt before him in aww as I could not believe such an animal. My heart pounded, my hands trembled and I thanked our maker for such a magnificent animal.





The next day the call I was waiting for the hounds-man had a Caracal. The rain had prevented hunting them but know the track was fresh and the jack russels were in pursuit. With a quick 40 minute ride and off through the farm we finally caught up to the dogs in time for them to tree a beautiful Caracal he was large and massive. Sure to be a great Tom as I watched him in the tree top I took aim with my 12 gauge. A single shot connected and he stayed in the branches above. Soon my Ph was in the tree and lowering down a magnificent cat. Larger than I expected, another beautiful animal.



While leaving the area where I took the Caracal we saw an impressive Impala and Jackson had yet to take one. So we were able to get within 200 yards of this great ram. A single shot and you could hear the bullet hit. The impala surprisingly crashed through the brush after following the blood trail and our PH delivering a far anchoring shot. Jackson had an Impala anyone would be proud of. 24 ½ of impala and Jackson’s fourth amazing animal in a week’s time.



Some baboon hunting..a porcupine and a few other items along the way left us with our last day.
I had the opportunity to shot a Black Springbok and was able to find a very old ram. Horns almost as thick as he was tall but a nice color phase animal.



The best part was spending time with my son. Some time away in the best place on earth to see the land and experience all of its true beauty.

Wonderfull trophies!! That Impala WOW!
and that Caracal is outstanding Congratulations.

Outstanding, great pics, and animals...and best of all, you took your son...Good on you, Dad

Wow! Great hunt. I couldn't agree more with what you said about your eland. The old ones are truly magnificent, aren't they?

Nice going. Caracals are cool.

Brilliant stuff. I just love the caracal and the big Sprinbok. Congratulations to your boy on his good grades!!

Beautiful animals, you've provided your son with memories that he will cherish for a lifetime.

Bearcountry and son,

Nothing like hunting with your son. I did the same with my son keep up the grades and rewards are sweet.
My hats off to you and your slammer eland, great nyala, what ivories.
Jackson keep up the good and keep up that great shooting.

Mike

Always great to see a father taking his kids hunting! Congrats...

Really cool pics! Atta boy for using a handi rifle/Ultra hunter. My son used a single shot handi rifle, for our 1st safari to RSA, in 2008. He killed 7 head of plains game with it- all one shot kills. He and I are both going back to Zim, this summer, for a DG hunt, and we are both taking Ruger no. 1s.


Mad Dog

Dear Jackson
Great hunt.

Next your dad owe's you a Cape Buff.

Well done

Mark

Sweet River you are correct the old ones are amazing and are really the trophy.
Thanks for all the comments about and too my son I am glad I could do my part as my father had done with me.

Cameronaussie if your treating a waterbuffalo would be fine with him...

Excellent report and pictures. Thank you!

Your Eland is magnificent.

Thank you, he was amazing to see

Couple more of the grand old boy..

Beautiful bull. Thanks for posting more pics.

Some very nice trophies there. Good to see you gave those baboons a good hiding.

That is LIVING!!! Out hunting Africa with your child...

WOW!!! What an Impala!!! Congrats on some Fine Trophies.

Looks like a fantastic father-son trip with some truly outstanding animals taken.

Wish I would have started hunting Africa when I was your sons age!

Kudos to you for spending some quality time with your son.

Thank you for the great report , Sir.
I am really pleased to see that there are still folks out there doing the father-son hunts.

Best Regards
Marius Goosen