Namibia: 12 day Plains Game Safari

Hunted: 6/9-6/20

PH: Boet Nel www.namibiansafari.com

Rifle: Winchester Model 70 .338

Ammo: 225gr. Swift A-Frames over 76gr of N560


Left Greensboro on a 6am flight to Atlanta rented a DVD player with about 10 movies really helped out on the flight. Caught the SA210 flight to J-berg then on to Windhoek. I had no problems with guns anywhere on the trip. Arrived Windhoek around 2:30 pm went through passport control and onto baggage claim. Went to the police office picked out my Tuffpak opened it up and the officer filled out the import license. Went out front and Boet was standing there ready to go. It was about an hour and half drive at 120kmph to Boet’s place. He has 250,000 acres right around his lodge to hunt on. Met the whole crew and got settled in. A great dinner was waiting talked with Boet over dinner and explained what I wanted from the experience.

Friday morning we were off, my first African animal was the jackal. We stopped at a gate and Boet called and in a few minutes this guy popped out at about 60yds. One shot with the .223 and lights out.



Cruised around seeing a lot of game just not any first day wonders. Went back for lunch and rested some at about 2:30 headed back out. We again saw so many animals it was incredible. Right at dark we came upon a herd of 8-10 Gemsboks picked out the best one and shot the animal I most wanted to take on the trip. The shot was at about 120yds I concentrated on making the low shot. At the shot she kinda curled up took one step and fell over. I was stunned at this because of all my reading that these animals usually just soak up the lead. The hole in the picture is the exit wound.




Saturday morning was unbelievable we saw between 200 and 300 head of game. Boet and tracker climbed up a windmill to look around. They saw a small group of Red Hartebeast bulls moving through so we headed off to get in front of them. At 50 yards and the big bull in the back the wind changed and they were off. Next we headed out to a large pan after Gemsbok. There were 40-50 animals in this herd with one female going way over 40†and one bull over 40â€. Problem was they were out in the open with no cover for 400 yards. Sent on one of the trackers around to get on the other side and let them wind him. Hoping they would move in our direction but that would be too easy and of course they did not move our way. We backed out of the area and went in a new direction. Soon we spotted Blue Wildebeast a pair. We set off trailing them, they were walking and we were almost running in the sparse cover to keep up. Finally after over an hour of this duck walking a shot presented itself. At 200 yards off the sticks my shot went high. We tracked him for a ½ mile before finding some blood; it was a few small drops. We then tracked him for anther 4-5 miles, by tracks only, never again finding any blood. We lost his track when he ran through an area with a lot of other game and his tracks became all tangled in with the others. This was a real downer for me and I felt horrible for wounding this animal. After a late lunch we went back out and came up empty for the day. This was the low point of the trip for me.


Sunday morning we headed back out to the same area and looked for any signs of the Wildebeast, no vultures were flying. I hope he made it.
Again called for some jackal and few came in killed one and then we headed off for other game. Came across a small herd of Red Hartebeast and took off after them. We caught up to the six or seven of them and realized they were part of a much bigger herd. We then circled way around to get in front of them. We finally found the front of the herd and took up a position just as the herd bull was moving through. He was about to step into the open with me braced on a tree ready for the shot. For whatever reason he turned and went back the other way. We took off after them getting to within 50 yards of him in very thick bush. Boet setup the sticks and I positioned myself to shoot and the bull stepped into the bush. We looked over and over for him very slowly finally spotting him bedded down at 35 yards. Quickly setting up the sticks all I could see were the hooks of his horns above the bush. Boet started grunting and finally before this bull stood up was almost hollering, the bull stood up and started to look around when I shot. We congratulated ourselves this stalk took over two and half hours since we left the truck. We moved the 35 yards up to where the Hartebeast had been standing and nothing but pushed up red sand. A very small drop of blood, I immediately started doubting my shot after the bad day before. Boet and the tracker move off finding nothing, they jumped a Steenbok and determine the Hartebeast had not come this way. As I am moving up to join them I notice blood in the red sand. Boet’s dogs are quickly called and they find him in about 30 seconds. The shot was a little high on the shoulder he had gone about 100yards. The bullet did not exit; this animal absorbed a tremendous amount of energy and still covered 100yards. My respect for the African animal’s toughness grows, you read about it but until you experience it, it is hard to fathom. This animal was my least favorite going into this trip and was only to be a horn mount for me. After this unbelievable stalking job it will be a full shoulder mount. This hunt for me was unreal.




Sunday afternoon was uneventful.

Monday morning we headed off again for Kudu spotted many bulls in the 50†range holding out for more. Lunch time came and we set up a blind beside a waterhole hoping for Warthog. We saw one very nice but were unable to attempt a shot. Had lunch in the field this day, about 2:30 we left the blind and headed out again. Rounding a corner about dark we spotted four Blue Wildebeast standing in the farm road. We headed towards them through the bush at 100 yards we crawled out to the edge to look and they were still there. We covered another 20 yards or so and then belly crawled out into the road to setup for the shot. From this perspective you really realize how many thorns are in Africa and you feel like all of them are sticking in you. After getting setup the best bull is being covered by the others, we lay in the road for almost 30 minutes with thorns sticking us and bugs having their way. Finally the bull comes clear we want, I take the shot low on the shoulder and boom they scatter. Walking down to the spot we find some green matter, now the bull was quartering to me but I am certain of the shot. Again no blood I again have this sunk feeling as it is getting dark and thinking I am Wildebeast cursed. About 40 yards out they find him dead as hammer. The green matter was cud he was chewing. I go from low to high in one second and we prepare him for the photos.






Tuesday we head for the mountains to try for Mtn. Zebra and Leopard. The farmer had found a fresh warthog kill and hopes were high for Mr. Spots. It is a four hour drive plus we stopped in Windhoek for supplies. We arrive around 2 pm we quickly unload the Landcruiser, and gear up for the afternoon hunt. Almost dark we spot two Zebra and the word is given take the one on the right,






Wednesday morning is brutally cold it must be almost 0 degrees Fahrenheit. There was a very hard frost and ice stayed around in the waterholes to almost 11. We went and checked baits and looked for Kudu, almost dark again and heading towards camp we spotted a Leopard running up the side of the mountain. We all hollered CAT!! CAT!! Boet quickly stopped the truck and the Leopard stopped beside a bush and was quickly trying to blend in. Moving slowly through the bush the cat was doing her best to escape but I finally got an eyeball and more importantly the crosshairs on her back. She was stopped facing directly away from me at about 160 yards. All I could see was half her back and tail as the rest of her was in the bush. I fired, she fell over, my great Leopard hunt was way too easy I know. It was about 30 seconds from sighting to shooting but I was relived not to sit in the blind all night as I did not have the clothing for this kind of cold weather.
She is 99lbs.







Thursday morning we head out in search of Kudu, after taking many photos of the Leopard, having no luck the farmer wants a couple Gemsbok for a friend so we take those and get them back to camp. We load our gear up while the Gemsboks are being cleaned. At 3pm we head back to main camp, we arrive around 7 pm. At 8 pm we are having a big feast to celebrate the Leopard, everyone in camp is excited and spirits are very high on account of the Leopard kill.

Friday again we head out for Kudu; I am beginning to feel a Kudu voodoo curse. Again no nice bulls are seen at lunch we head to the waterhole were on Monday we spotted the large Warthog. Setting up the blind around 10:30 we wait there are many smaller hogs running around and two junior hogs decide to battle. They were quite serious about it, finally one is run off and the other comes back bleeding form a small wound on his side. He begins chasing the female around making such a racket I do not know to describe. A large warty comes in and standing behind a bush I am unable to get a shot. The wind was bad for us and he leaves. We then have a nice lunch in the blind and soon after eating the wind shifts and the hog comes back. He is facing me directly drinking water; I hold the scope on him for over a minute watching him. Finally he turns to leave and I take him.




We load the Warthog up after the picture session and go back after Kudu. Again almost dark we spot a Kudu bull standing, he moves out and Boet says he is 55-56â€. I get ready for the shot, the bull is 300yards. I place the crosshairs high on the shoulder, knowing my round should be 9†low at that distance. At the moment I pull the trigger I am bumped on the leg sending the shot between the bull’s legs. I am major leagued bummed out and the Kudu Voodoo is real. We go and search the area and find no signs of hit, we did find a Puff Adder which was quickly dispatched with a stick. Two of Boet’s dogs were bitten and died before I arrived by Adder’s and he was in foul mood towards them. We head towards camp with the Warthog. I have now been here 8 days and only have taken 6 animals I start to feel some pressure as there are many animals left to try for and Boet only likes to hunt them where they naturally occur so that means some more travel days. The sand is running out of the hourglass. I am a little down over the miss at the Kudu that was a make able shot for me.


Saturday morning, after Kudu again. Boet, I guess senses my Kudu anxiousness and asks if a 51 or 52†will work for me. I say sure so off we go after a couple never did catch up with them. Upon returning to the truck we spot 4 or 5 feeding about 500 yards away. We start a stalk and are soon about 150 yards from the small herd. Well here comes a very young and short bull looking us over. We have good wind, but he has seen us, and not sure what to do. He comes within 35 yards and gives us a good look over turning to run he trots off about 15 yards and turns back around. While he trotted off we relaxed our positions we had been holding for over 5 minutes and moved over behind some bush. Boet peered out behind the other side of this bush and saw the bull and a cow feeding. He said shoot the bull on the right his head is down feeding as he set up the sticks. I got into position and about 150 yards away I saw them, well I saw the cow and a set of Kudu horns growing straight up out of the ground. I did not know which side of the horns to shoot into to. His body had blended into the bush so well finally he lifted his head and I moved the crosshairs into position and fired. We heard the bullet hit and he was off, we quickly moved up to where he was and again no blood. Then we heard Boet’s dogs and the bull going at it. We ran up to them a distance of 200yds and the bull was down and dying but I put another round into him to lessen the suffering. The first shot was a little to far forward. The Kudu Voodoo was broken and we celebrated with a small gas can of some obnoxious liquid Boet kept behind the seat of the Landcruiser.




We loaded the Kudu and then went after Springbok spotted a small herd and they ran. We surmised they had been hunted or shot at from a vehicle recently. Boet said he had not hunted then so we suspected the farmers son. We stalked them several times but they were too spooky. Went back to camp for lunch.

After lunch went back to the same area for springbok they were not to be found saw and small herd of Blue Wildebeast one bull was simply huge should have shot him I guess. We rounded the bend and there stood a very fine and wide Kudu bull. Boet said he would go 55â€. He was standing on top of a hill and was simply magnificent. Boet urged me to take him, I said on the condition I do not have to drink from the gas can again. We put a short stalk on and I shot him from atop a fence post as he turned to run back into the bush. He went only 30 feet before piling up and was quite dead when we reached him. He was huge in the body estimated at 800lbs and about 12 yrs old and amazing animal. So now the Kudu Voodoo was defiantly broken and this was the first day I had managed to take two animals in the same day, so we broke two curses today.
We loaded him up as the sun went down and headed back to camp happy.



Sunday we awoke and started after those Springbok, we drove to the field they liked to feed in and only found a few small ones hanging around. We quickly spotted the heard about half a mile away. The plan was to have the driver go around the other side of the heard and spook them to our direction. Well the plan did not work as well in reality, they spooked but the other way. Well we just stood under a small tree for a while and small group started to feed through. It had one decent buck in it and has it cleared some bush I shot it, it went down instantly. While standing there re-grouping suddenly two Springbok came running over the hill one was decent buck. He charged in to where the first one was laying dead. He then paraded around like he was the king of the group; the other young males had not run off but just stood there wondering what happened. We loaded those up after the pictures were done and headed to camp it was 10:30.




We loaded up Boet’s guns and went to the range for some shooting before lunch. He had some new loads to try so off we went. When he was done I got to shoot his 458Lott. WOW that thing is a handful, I shot it twice at 50 yards open sighted and hit with in 6 inches both times of aiming point. This was my first time shooting a large caliber rifle. The apprentice to be PH shot it once and blooded his nose. Back to camp for lunch and then we headed off to find a Gemsbok bull. Passed on many then finally saw a small group as the sun was fast going down. Jumped out of the truck on a dead run after them closed to within about 150 yards. The tracker climbed a tree and spotted them just ahead we eased forward with him in the tree. We soon saw the cows but not the bull as it was practically dark we figured nothing to lose so we just kept pressing forward until the cow ran and took the bull with her. He did not see us and soon stopped just in time for my quick shot to take him. He ran about 80 yards before toppling over.




Monday, we arose at 4:30 and hit the road for about an hour and half drive to a place that had some Eland. We stalked all over through some very thick bush only to see cows, calves and young bulls. The big bulls were defiantly not there today, we surmised that a neighboring ranch must have some cows in heat and pulled the bulls off this land. All in all it was still a nice day, good hunt and got to see some different countryside, told Boet I enjoyed the 5 plus mile hike.

Tuesday, last day of the hunt it is hard to believe I have been here 13 days and that it was time to go. We again arose at 4:30 and headed south for two hours to another place that held both Eland and Impala. The ranch manager instructed us to where the Eland bull had been hanging around and after awhile we found him and immediately shot him. The first shot took him right off his feet and as we went around to him he tried to get up. I put another round into him. His front leg/shoulder was broken and upon cleaning him the first shot had gone straight through his shoulder and entered his chest cavity right behind his second rib, exited behind his second rib and was somewhere in the off shoulder. This is one big animal.



Then we headed off for Impala got after one herd that had two nice rams in it about the time we were trying to line up the shot Boet spotted a larger ram off to one side. We quickly went after this one and took it. This was my last animal for this trip and it was about 12:30. .



We went back to the skinning area and while the trackers skinned I found a tangerine tree and eat myself silly. I love tangerines and this was the first time I had seen a tree full of them. We then headed back to main camp, stopping about halfway back for the real lunch or as Boet called it the Bush Backside Buffet.




It was a great trip




I do not know how my first African safari could have been any better. I now have a very high bench mark for any future trips. I would like to thank Mr. Boet Nel for his hard work and well run camp. Again, I would like to thank all members of AR for helping me be so prepared for this trip.

Great report Looks like you really enjoyed your self. Good looking eland. And double congrads
on the leopard

Nice photos and good report. Nice kudus

Great report, thanks.

WOW that was awsome

I cant wait till Im in Namibia next year.

That was a great report and some fine animals! I talked to Boet at the Reno show and if I hadn't already booked a Buff hunt in the Selous for 07 I would have booked with him for 06! Too damn many choices!

Boet Nel has some awesome deals.

His 10 animal deal is a solid value.

I wonder what ranch he uses for the Khomas mountains?

He might see some of my money in 2008.

Boet is almost booked solid for 07, I am trying to find a slot myself to go back. 2008 was filling up fast also. I saw is schedule book before I left not much room left. He has a few openings for this year due to cancellations.

Wayne

I hunted with Boet last year. He does indeed run a fine organization.

The important question was - did you get to kiss the springbok's azz after missing the wildebeest?

Was Brian the PH still there?

Jeff

Congrats on a great looking mix of trophys.. Looks like a good time was had.
I really like the looks of your wide Kudu.. I am hoping to see one just like that when I am putting the stalk on them next week in RSA!!

Nice report!

Yes, Jeff I am member of the asshole club now.

Brian was not there as I was the only hunter in camp. But Boet still uses him, as we talked about him being a PH for my father next year.

Wayne

Montana,

Awesome report! My father and I hunted with Boet last summer and had an awesome trip!!!!!! We are booked again for late July of 07. Boet and his crew were awesome to say the least. My dad had Brian for his PH and they hit it off great!! I can't wait to get back to Africa. Alaskan animals will have to keep me busy until next summer! Thanks for the report! Did you hunt the zebra at "Fockers" ranch??? If so, it is an awesome place. I wanted to spend more time there.

Montana.
Splendid report and great animals and trophies.
Seems like you had a heck of a time.
Especially that cat must be the frosting on the cake

Montana,

Great report and nice trophies.
Thanks for sharing.


Hamdeni

Congratulations on some fine trophies...especially the leopard. You are one of the few successful leopard hunters I have seen coming out of Namibia!

I wanted to ask you some questions about Boet's place.

Here:

Did you only hunt on Boet's place or did you have to drive more than a few miles to hunt?

How many animals did you see everyday?

What time did you start hunting everyday?

What time did you quit hunting everday?

What was the food like, honestly?

What did you do for lunch, what about breakfast and dinner?

How far did you feel most shots should have been?

Did you see more trophy animals than the ones you shot? Especially a concern with Kudu?

You had fabulous luck on Leopard. I am glad you had such a great safari. I am going to need another trip in 2008.

Not sure who or what, but it's going to come fast.

quote:

Originally posted by Montana:
I have now been here 8 days and only have taken 6 animals I start to feel some pressure

And one of the 6 was a leopard! Boy you must have had some high expectations

Great report & photos!!

Congrats on a great hunt!!

Your 2 Kudu were very different for one another - both horns are great - 1 wide & 1 tall - you won't mix them up.

Road hunting leopard - that's a new one.
Seriously - some guys have all the luck - maybe karma for losing the wildebeest.

quote:

Originally posted by D99:
I wanted to ask you some questions about Boet's place.

Here:

Did you only hunt on Boet's place or did you have to drive more than a few miles to hunt?

Boet's main place is 220,000 acres, he has other farms within 15 minutes of the main place. We took three trips, first was the trip to the mountains for Leopard and Zebra this took half a day to get there we left at 6am. First afternoon there shot the Zebra, Second day out after Kudu or Gemsbok bull and got lucky on the Leopard. I guess it still has not sunk in yet about the Leopard. Also I guess I know it was just luck in the manner in which I shot it and do not feel that it was earned. Anyway left the next day at lunch after a morning hunt. Went after Eland it was about a two hour drive no luck, probaly saw 80 eland but all cows, calves or young bulls got within 35 yards of the herd very exciting. Then another 2 hour drive another day to try for Eland and Impala, both mornings we left at 4:30 and were hunting around 7-7:30.

How many animals did you see everyday?

Most days over 100 some days 200-300 or more. After the first day there was no point keeping count. I also hunted during the full moon and the first few days were slower than the last. It was very noticeable.

What time did you start hunting everyday?

Most mornings we left at 7 am straight to the field , and back for lunch around 11-12, it varied depending on our luck that morning. Boet likes to hunt and be in the field. avg hunt time was 7am till 11:30 then lunch and break until 2:30 then hunt until dark.

What time did you quit hunting everday?dark

What was the food like, honestly?

I asked for game animals to be served which is mainly what they serve anyway. I got hooked on the Gemsbok came back home and threw rocks at the cows. Food was great and plenty of it. After the first day I asked the cook for specific things and it was no problem. But out of the 13 days I spent there I eat Gemsbok about 6 loved it. Three nights we grilled outside. You will not go hungry I think I gained weight.

What did you do for lunch, what about breakfast and dinner? Lunch was often gemsbok burgers, pizza one day, don;t really recall but it was good. Three days lunch was taken in the field consisted of gemsbok sauges or other lunch meat. Breakfast was eggs and bacon toast jelly. I can tell your Italian, not a slam,I worked for Italians for about 12 years loved the women and the food in that order.

How far did you feel most shots should have been?
Not sure what you mean by this, my average shot I think was 150 yards, closet was 35 yards, furthest was 350 yards. I felt comfortable taking all my shots. There was no pressure to take crazy shots and the couple shots that I muffed were no problem, not even the slightest bit of anything from Boet. I put more pressure on myself than he did because there was none from him. Couple jokes about missing a jackal running straight in at 175yds. Boet just loves to be out there always smiling and happy.

Did you see more trophy animals than the ones you shot? Especially a concern with Kudu?

About the second or third day, close to dark we saw a 58" run out. We decided to go after him, he would not stand still long enough to get the sticks up and me in place to shoot. We saw 50" Kudu everyday most afternoons we saw 4-6 that would go 50". He had a client last year that had taken his Kudu, when they run into a 62" that the client refused to shoot. Boet says he has never seen him again.Also saw a monster blue wildebeast right before I shot the wide Kudu it was almost pick which one to shoot, either would have been an extra animal. They were within 150 yards of each other

You had fabulous luck on Leopard. I am glad you had such a great safari. I am going to need another trip in 2008.

Not sure who or what, but it's going to come fast.

I hate to write such good things because this will make it very difficult for me to find a hole in Boet's schedule but he is a great guy, and again I do not have a clue how this trip could have been any better, unless somebody else paid for it!!!!!!!!!!

By the way I had 8 gold medals, 3 silver medals, the female Leopard went bronze and according to Boet that is fantastic. I am happy with all my animals no matter the score. But there is one female Gemsbok we looked over that was way over 40" I would guess 45" she was just huge she was in a herd of about 40-45 animals and she towered over everything else except one bull that was an easy 41" or 42" . She would put her head down to feed and her horns were way over her back. I would love to have had her but then, there is my reason to go back.

Riodot

"Road hunting leopard - that's a new one."

It's a Southern thing!!

and thank you, but it was the easiest animal of the trip. I am proud of her but the Red Hartbeast and the Blue Wildebeast were harder won trophys. I still have thorn wounds from the Wildebeast. Laying prone about 30 minutes waiting on the shot about 75 yds out with who knows what sticking me and bugs chewing on my ears, Boet laying beside me saying "DO NOT MOVE". I was very relieved at the shot just to get up and brush off.

Montana,

Nope not an Italian. My mother is German and my father is English and Norweigian. I mostly grew up in Wyoming and Montana, I have been in the Navy almost 13 years. I even went to highschool for 2 years in Deer Lodge, Montana and graduated there.

I hunted with Kalahari Hunting Safaris last year. It was their 2nd year in business. We had some problems and I helped to translate for a Spaniard that was there and ended up on the receiving end of a lot of his drama.

We didn't start hunting until 8 or sometimes 9 and breakfast was toast and coffee. Some of the food was good, some was awkward like gemsbok brain sausage.

I also caught tick-fever and had was miserable sick but hunted hard every day.

I did a lot of hunting, and had mostly a good time. I will go back to Africa in 2008, and probably Namibia or South Africa.

Thanks for all the information, maybe you didn't earn a leopard, but it's still your leopard and you should be proud of it. I know lots of people that have put 100 days in a blind and not killed one.

I'd rather be lucky than good sometimes. And in your case I would take luck everytime.

Montana,

I see you had a hell of a trip!

Wish I could of taken a leopard but importing them is prohibited in Australia. Good on you. what a great animal!

Congratulations on a bloody fantastic hunt.

D99

I see the reasons to your questions now. I like to eat too and the cook liked me for eating so much. I always went back for seconds and commended him on his cooking, so I believe he went a little out of his way for me. I learned that a long time ago on paid hunts, pay a little attention to the cook on the first day and it is all good.

Boet will take care of you if you decide to go that way.

The reason I chose Namibia was for the simple gun import process.

My hunts are always extremely lucky or unbelievable bad luck, kinda like what you described. My last 2 whitetail hunts in the states Kansas and Illinois were complete disasters and cost as much as this trip. One hunt Illinois was 80 degrees in Dec. the next was Kansas 0 degrees and the "outfitter/guide" was a complete joke we left on day 3 of a 6 day hunt.

I guess you always take a chance when you plunk your money down. I do ask better questions these days though.

Wayne

That's damn sure the truth.

I hunted on 8 or 9 ranches. 1 in the Khomas mountains and 8 in the Kalahari. I think your better off to be the 3rd or 4th one in camp and hunt in June or July.

I was there in August and I think they were pretty burned out by the time I got there. It was their new business, and they weren't accomidating and customer service was pretty low.

Thank you for an informative hunt report Montana. Namibia is certainly a county worth visiting.

Thanks for the report, I know how you feel about the Kudu Voodoo and Wildebeest Witchery.

Did you measure either of the kudu? I've never been much of a tape measure guy, but find myself making an exception for these because there are so many subtleties to the depth of curls and such.

John,

First kudu narrow one went 52"

Wider one was 50" and 38" wide.

I should be receiving the mounted trophies about any day now.

Merry Christmas to me.

Can't wait to get back.

M

I never thought of shooting a leopard out of a truck. I guess the results prove it's effectiveness.

It broke and run up the hillside and then tried to hide under a bush. If it had kept running it would have been ok.

As I posted I am prouder of some of the other animals that we stalked on the ground. On the other hand I got a leopard and have a unique story to go with it.

M

Interesting that this thread came to the top when it did, after over a year....

I did it on purpose to counter 404 but I did not hijack his thread by inserting there.

I consider Boet my friend and he and 404 had a major disagreement. I was in camp when it happened. 404 and I have talked this out and I respect 404's right to post his feeling's. I also want everyone to know I had a great hunt and a grand time.

Is that what you wanted to hear?

Nices pictures, Nice trophys,thanks for sharing.

quote:

I did it on purpose to counter 404 but I did not hijack his thread by inserting there.

I consider Boet my friend and he and 404 had a major disagreement. I was in camp when it happened. 404 and I have talked this out and I respect 404's right to post his feeling's. I also want everyone to know I had a great hunt and a grand time.

Is that what you wanted to hear?

yep! good answer, makes perfect sense, no reason you shouldn't make the "counter point". Great trophies by the way!

Very nice report, thanks for posting.

I understand why you brought it back to the top. I have learned some very tough lessons in life, and quite often the only answer is simply "sh*t happens" sometimes. Do we like it? No. Would we do things differently if we had perfect hindsight? Maybe..... Note I said only maybe......

The best things to do quite often is to just move on, keep a positive attitude for the future, and make the best that you can out of every day you have. Life is too short to live life miserably.

Just MHO.

Thanks for all the compliments, I had a great trip.

Would like to remind everybody there are three sides to every story:

This side, that side and the truth.


I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with many trophy animals in the future.

M

Glad you brought your post back up. YOu had a GREAT hunt! We had a great one the year before you and had a great time this past summer hunting with Boet and then traveling to the coast with Boet, Karen, and Kayli. All I can say to people is to keep an open mind. Yes we all want a "perfect" hunt, but in reality it may not be. I don't know the circumstances to 404 and Boet. We did talk about it a bit, but don't feel I know enough on either side to comment on it. I know that Boet did the job that we paid him to do: He showed us a great time and a GREAT hunt. Hope everyone here had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years! I am off to the garage to cut bait for trapping of marten, wolves, wolverines, lynx, and fox!

Thanks for sharing a great story with nice pics! I hunted with Boet in 2004 and had a good hunt.. A hunt can never be perfect, or maybe they all are..