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The very best kudu
11 December 2008, 17:34
2th docThe very best kudu
I'm in search of a PG hunt with very good kudu as the primary animal for both my son and myself in Namibia or RSA.
11 December 2008, 18:51
new_guyReally big Kudu are where you find them, but a large, healthy population (with good genes) will increase your odds of connecting with a monster.
With those criteria, the Save Conservancy has to be one of the very best places for big kudu. There are several operators there and none bad. I've personally hunted with and can reccomend
http://www.shangaanhunters.com .
11 December 2008, 19:47
JPKNew Guy offers good advice. I've hunted with Roger Whittall Safaris there on Roger's Humani Ranch which is part of the Conservancy. Makore Safaris' Makore Ranch is also within and part of the Conservancy. Makore = the Duckworth family. I think Johnny Hulme also hunts there.
JPK
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11 December 2008, 22:32
375 fanaticBurgersfort,Burgersfort ................................................................................................................................where the monster Kudu's roam
"Buy land they have stopped making it"- Mark Twain
11 December 2008, 22:51
TNJohnWe took 5 Kudu in a week in the concession bordering Hulme's in the SAVE. The largest was 59.5 with 14.2 inch Bases. Smallest was very old and measured at 49. The other three were 57.75, 55 and 52. This was in late May when they were rutting.
11 December 2008, 23:32
thebrewcrew
I took this 58.5 (137 5/8 total) with Johnny Hulme in 2006.
"He who goes unarmed in paradise
had better be sure that is where he is." -- James Thurber
11 December 2008, 23:35
Jorge400You might want to contact Hannes DuPlessis. He alway seems to get 55+ inch kudu. I know Hannes quite well even though I've never hunted with him. A few friends of mine hunted with him a couple of years ago and all three of them came home with kudu over 55 inches.
"...Africa. I love it, and there is no reason for me to explore why. She affects some people that way, and those who feel as I do need no explanation." from The Last Safari
11 December 2008, 23:43
Karamojo BillMy buddy took a 60 1/4 " kudu with Steyn Caracal safaris in RSA last year!
Karamojo Bill
At then end of my time here, I want to come skidding through the Pearly Gates & hear God say, "Whoa Boy, that was a hell of a ride!"
11 December 2008, 23:55
Mike_DettorreYou should also remember that inch measurments of kudu can be deceptive because of the curls.
I am sure I will hear some dissent here but any Kudu at 54 inches or more will make an outstanding trophy. The 52-53 ers are nothing to sneeze at either. Quite frankly anything over 50 is a representative mature bull in my view.
for example take a guess at what these measured? and no there are no angle tricks being played...
MikeLegistine actu quod scripsi?
Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.
What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
12 December 2008, 00:18
Aspen Hill AdventuresMike, that is a beauty and I think (at least for me) it is the outward tips that make an outstanding kudu more so than the actual score. That said, even big scoring bulls can have inside turned tips, they really vary.
Big kudu occur where there is good food available to them, where they can acheive some age and genetics may also play a part.
I have good hunting options available in Namibia and RSA that are family friendly with excellent trophy quality and comfortable accommodations. My largest kudu shown here is a Limpopo Valley Bull:
I doubt I will ever top him.
One property in Limpopo that I know and have hunted has openings for 2009 and has some screamer kudu running around in good numbers.
~Ann
12 December 2008, 00:34
TerryRThere are very good Kudu on Clive Eaton's ranch in Botswana. The price for ranch hunts there is comparable to the that in Namibia or RSA.
I believe that Wendell Reich books for Clive.
I passed on a 56 inch Kudu when I was there (I was focused on Zebra) and I regret it to this day.
12 December 2008, 05:02
Mad DogMike, Spot On! Anything over 50" is a great Kudu.
Mad Dog
12 December 2008, 06:45
JPKI'd say anything over 52 or so would be a nice trophy. But some smaller diameter spiral, but wide horned kudu look very nice.
Here is a 58.5" bull taken in the Save Conservancy at Humani Ranch. Saw three together that made this one small, all 60" or better according to the PH, but I passed on the shot as too long for me.
This one is 48", taken for bait in Makuti, but still a nice looking kudu. Saw better kudu in Makuti, but we were baiting for leopard, not hunting kudu and the big ones can take a lot of time.
JPK
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12 December 2008, 06:49
SaeedI think one should not judge how good a trophy is by just size.
Og course, if one is inclined to join the SCI "Inner Circle" size does matter.
12 December 2008, 07:10
thebrewcrewI love the deep curls on Ann's kudu! What a beauty
"He who goes unarmed in paradise
had better be sure that is where he is." -- James Thurber
12 December 2008, 07:52
JPKquote:
Originally posted by thebrewcrew:
I love the deep curls on Ann's kudu! What a beauty
It really is. I wish I'd have gotten a photo of my larger kudu similar to the photo of Ann's. But I don't think mine is as lovely as Ann's, though a real nice bull and the product of an interesting hunt.
JPK
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12 December 2008, 08:59
infinitoquote:
Originally posted by 2th doc:
I'm in search of a PG hunt with very good kudu as the primary animal for both my son and myself in Namibia or RSA.
Sir,
PM send.
Regards,
Charl van Rooyen
Owner
Infinito Travel Group
www.infinito-safaris.comcharl@infinito-safaris.com
Cell: +27 78 444 7661
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12 December 2008, 10:09
MCA manI can also recommend bushafricasafaris in the Elisras region of the Limpopo. I took the 56.5 Kudu in the photo there in 2004. Schalk van Heerden keeps a sharp eye out for big Kudu, as in 55+ and 60+ inch horns, and is extremely picky about the animals he will allow you to shoot on his lands. We've hunted with Schalk twice and had fine times, and very successful Kudu hunts, with the "little guys" coming in as 54s. His is another ranch to watch. Schalk also arranges hunts via ARU in Namibia, which also has a good stock of kudu in their concessions, although none of us took a Namibian kudu, since our menus were already filled in RSA.
LLS
12 December 2008, 10:13
RikkieBeing a little hung up on Kudu, I'll bacl what 375 Fanatic and Anne said.
The Lydenburg / Burgersfort / Steelpoort Valley area has always had outstanding Kudu, some of which still have me waking in a sweat in the dead of night. If only I had some spare cash in those days........
The Limpopo valley (I can talk about the Messina area, upstream to Stockpoort / Ellisras, because that's where I do my Kudu hunting lately) has a whole lot of absolute whoppers.
There are certainly great Kudu in Namibia (Karl S posted a bunch of stunning pics recently), but as far as RSA goes, one can safely go sneak around either of the areas mentioned above. Don't shoot the first big one you see, because a 50" bull appearing from nowhere is one damn impressive sight
12 December 2008, 15:41
John Luytquote:
Originally posted by 2th doc:
I'm in search of a PG hunt with very good kudu as the primary animal for both my son and myself in Namibia or RSA.
PM Sent.
Regards,
John
12 December 2008, 17:18
2th docI agree with Saeed and would be happy with any mature bull over 50" with heavy bases.
What I'm looking for is a ranch hunt where we'll see plenty of kudu with eland as well on the slate.
12 December 2008, 17:28
Bill 52482th doc, I have hunted the Limpopo Province for big kudu. Up near the Botswana border they grow big. I have had a very good experience with Stephen Barber at Xomaqua Lodge, e-Mail: xomaqua@mweb.co.za
That which is not impossible is compulsory
12 December 2008, 20:43
ChrisTroskiequote:
Originally posted by 2th doc:
I agree with Saeed and would be happy with any mature bull over 50" with heavy bases.
What I'm looking for is a ranch hunt where we'll see plenty of kudu with eland as well on the slate.
I can't guarantee you a 60 inch Kudu (although perfectly possible)... But here are some examples of the two species on your wish list...
54.5" Kudu hunted May this year
Eland also hunted in May this year
Regards,
12 December 2008, 23:06
PhoenixdawgI also want that 60" kudu but was very happy with this guy, guess what he scores
13 December 2008, 02:26
P DurkinHere's a 52 inch I took hunting by myself with a bow outside of Ghanzi, Botswana. He was with three others, all about the same size. He was the biggest and had the widest spread which I like. He also was the first to turn broadside to me, a fatal mistake.
Peter Durkin
African Excursions13 December 2008, 03:41
jetdrvrquote:
Originally posted by 2th doc:
I agree with Saeed and would be happy with any mature bull over 50" with heavy bases.
What I'm looking for is a ranch hunt where we'll see plenty of kudu with eland as well on the slate.
Check with Tienie Bamberger at warthogsafaris.co.za. He has both. I got a 57" kudu in 2005 with him. Plus, his wife is one fantastic cook. He's near Ellisras in Limpopo.
13 December 2008, 03:41
shootawayAlan,my PH,said the Kudu was given the name "grey ghost". He sure lived up to that name when I was hunting him last August.I thought nothing for kudu before and he was not on my list but things changed. I had three close chances at getting a 56 inch bull.I remember that big black shadow that lay down to rest fifty or so yards ahead of us and how we waited for him to get up so I could take a shot.
13 December 2008, 03:57
Blair338/378I think I've shot about 13 Kudu.......including 3 Eastern Cape Kudu. I got a 55" with Peter Harris in the Limpopo, a 56" in Zim and a 55.5" and 58" with Mike Kibble in Namibia in 2006.
I saw a plus 60" incher with Mike Kibble this year but the property owner had a ban on taking any......it was according to Mike the best bull he'd seen in 2 years, as rabies had given them a flogging.
Any bull over 55" is a real trophy, anything in the high 50's is a beauty......
If I was after a big bull now..........I'd try the Save, Limpopo or for the best of all possible chances the area that 375 fanatic recommends..
This is the 58" that I took with Mike Kibble in 2006. 300RUM and 180 TSX handload.
This is a 55.5" bull taken with Mike Kibble in 2006. 264 WM with 140 XLC.
Another lovely bull taken with a 300RUM and the 180TSX handload in 2006 with Mike Kibble. He went a shade over 55" on the long horn..........
Verbera!, Iugula!, Iugula!!!
Blair.
13 December 2008, 05:06
akjeffquote:
Originally posted by John Luyt:
quote:
Originally posted by 2th doc:
I'm in search of a PG hunt with very good kudu as the primary animal for both my son and myself in Namibia or RSA.
PM Sent.
Regards,
John
Hey John, how's it going? Great to have met you at Hannes' place!
How's the leg doing...heard you had busted it up, after we left? Tell Roelof, I said hello!
I'll take the time to make a shameless plug here. John, and his partner Roelof, are great guys, with great areas.
Regards,
Jeff
13 December 2008, 07:27
Wendell Reichquote:
Originally posted by TerryR:
There are very good Kudu on Clive Eaton's ranch in Botswana. The price for ranch hunts there is comparable to the that in Namibia or RSA.
I believe that Wendell Reich books for Clive.
I passed on a 56 inch Kudu when I was there (I was focused on Zebra) and I regret it to this day.
I have never seen so many big Kudu in my life. I passed on Kudu every day that would have been killed in mant areas I have hunted.
I was picky and passed some real toads and wound up with a very good Kudu on the last day. He is just shy of 58".
Frederik Cocquyt
I always try to use enough gun but then sometimes a brainshot works just as good.
13 December 2008, 13:50
Blair338/378Frederik,
Those bulls are a credit to you and Charl
What did the 3rd bull, with Charl in the picture, measure?
I love that narrow shape; unlike the wider Namibian heads. That 62 is a a freak!!!
Verbera!, Iugula!, Iugula!!!
Blair.
Karl Stumpfe
Ndumo Hunting Safaris
www.huntingsafaris.netkarl@huntingsafaris.net
P.O. Box 1667, Katima Mulilo, Namibia
Cell: +264 81 1285 416
Fax: +264 61 254 328
Sat. phone: +88 163 166 9264
13 December 2008, 16:13
Blair338/378Karl,
Those are magnificent bulls; as a client who has hunted Namibia only twice; I'm no bloody expert when it comes to horn shape, but most of the bulls I saw on both trips were of the wider type of horn configuration.......but your photos prove me wrong, happily!!
Verbera!, Iugula!, Iugula!!!
Blair.
13 December 2008, 16:18
Safari-Huntquote:
What did the 3rd bull, with Charl in the picture, measure?
I'm not 100% sure but it is around the 60" mark or above.
Frederik Cocquyt
I always try to use enough gun but then sometimes a brainshot works just as good.
13 December 2008, 16:29
Blair338/378Thanks Frederik.
I though he might be that big. Great bulls.
Verbera!, Iugula!, Iugula!!!
Blair.
13 December 2008, 16:31
Blair338/378And Karl, what about this bull? Looks like a great animal............
Verbera!, Iugula!, Iugula!!!
Blair.
13 December 2008, 17:34
Karl SBlair, if I remember correct, he was just over 58 inches
Karl Stumpfe
Ndumo Hunting Safaris
www.huntingsafaris.netkarl@huntingsafaris.net
P.O. Box 1667, Katima Mulilo, Namibia
Cell: +264 81 1285 416
Fax: +264 61 254 328
Sat. phone: +88 163 166 9264
14 December 2008, 03:05
FjoldMy only kudu measured less than 50" but I chased him up and down three different mountains for about 3 hours and then shot him at a dead run so he's "very good" to me.
Frank
"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money."
- Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953
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14 December 2008, 06:40
Blair338/378quote:
Originally posted by Karl S:
Blair, if I remember correct, he was just over 58 inches
Thanks Karl. He looks terrific in that photo.
Verbera!, Iugula!, Iugula!!!
Blair.
