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Danny is an Irishman, and also now a good friend, after hunting 10 days together. Typical of a deer stalker in Europe, Danny was very sceptical of hunting in Africa for the first time. After reading an article of mine about hunting the "Grey Ghost", in a British hunting magazine, Danny decided to give me a ring. Our conversation ended in him booking a hunt with us. To cut a long story short. This might sound familiar to some of the people that hunted Kudu on foot in SA before. We did not see a Kudu bull for the first three days. There was a lot of talk about the three second shot scenario (old time boer hunters used to say you only have three seconds to shoot a big Kudu bull) and that is how it ended. After crossing over a ridge on top of a mountain, I picked up the ear flick of a Kudu on the other side of the "kloof". A quick glance through my Binos confirmed my gut feeling, and I said to Danny:" That is your bull, take him now" The result was a quick snap shot with his 30-06 Sako, and the 180gr Hornady Interbond smashed the big Bull's heart to pieces. The area was so in- accesible that we had cut him up, and carry him out piece by piece. This is Danny's 54" (wet measured) Kudu Bull.  The week after Danny left it was my turn. I was after a 60" Kudu bull that two AR members also tried to shoot. A third client, John, missed him one morning with his .375 H&H at 200 yards. The only time he missed in 7 days, and it was THAT animal..... After about two hours into the hunt, I managed to sneak up to a very big Kudu Bull. This was not the 60" incher, as he had very different horns than the big boy. I quickly realised that this was also a monster, and more so, he was very old, and would probably not see the end of this winter. He stumbled twice as he was walking down the mountain side. I decided that he would be the one to hunt, as he was on his last legs..... We stalked down the mountain, and waited for him to cross the road, which he did, about 15 min. after we got into position. My .375 H&H Pre-64 Winchester did his part, and I did mine. The 300gr. Nosler accubond did his bit as well, and I had my trophy. That 60" boy is still out there, but he will be for someone else, as I had my share of Big Kudu bulls for the next couple of years....... Wet measure 58" (note poor condition of old animal)  Hopefully this is proof of the big bulls that roam these mountains from Lydenburg to Marble Hall. Well, on second thoughts, top three in Rowland Ward, one being the nr.1, must surely speak for itself...... Charl van Rooyen Owner Infinito Travel Group www.infinito-safaris.com charl@infinito-safaris.com Cell: +27 78 444 7661 Tel: +27 13 262 4077 Fax:+27 13 262 3845 Hereford Street 28A Groblersdal 0470 Limpopo R.S.A. "For the Infinite adventure" Plains Game Dangerous Game Bucket List Specialists Wing-Shooting In House Taxidermy Studio In House Dip and Pack Facility In House Shipping Service Non-Hunting Tours and Safaris Flight bookings "I promise every hunter visiting us our personal attention from the moment we meet you, until your trophies hang on your wall. Our all inclusive service chain means you work with one person (me) taking responsibility during the whole process. Affordable and reputable Hunting Safaris is our game! With a our all inclusive door to door service, who else do you want to have fun with?" South Africa Tanzania Uganda | ||
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2 BEAUTIFUL bulls!!  _______________________________________________________ Hunt Report - South Africa 2022 Wade Abadie - Wild Shot Photography Website | Facebook | Instagram | |||
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I didn't realyse they could get that long! 60 inches is quite the maximum isn't it? | |||
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Friedrich, the record bull was a pick up and I believe was 73 inches or so. But these days a 60 inch bull is the holy grail, as it were. infinito, nice bulls, and bravo to you for taking your bony old bull when you did, and for leaving his bigger but younger cousin for the days ahead. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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Both are excellent kudu, lots of character in the older bull! ~Ann   | |||
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Congrats on getting that bull Charl! Maybe next year we will find the 60 incher. I have an Accubond with his name on it  Good hunting, DavidGray Ghost Hunting Safaris http://grayghostsafaris.com Phone: 615-860-4333 Email: hunts@grayghostsafaris.com NRA Benefactor DSC Professional Member SCI Member RMEF Life Member NWTF Guardian Life Sponsor NAHC Life Member Rowland Ward - SCI Scorer Took the wife the Eastern Cape for her first hunt: http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6881000262 Hunting in the Stormberg, Winterberg and Hankey Mountains of the Eastern Cape 2018 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4801073142 Hunting the Eastern Cape, RSA May 22nd - June 15th 2007 http://forums.accuratereloadin...=810104007#810104007 16 Days in Zimbabwe: Leopard, plains game, fowl and more: http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409 Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6341092311 Recent hunt in the Eastern Cape, August 2010: Pics added http://forums.accuratereloadin...261039941#9261039941 10 days in the Stormberg Mountains http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7781081322 Back in the Stormberg Mountains with friends: May-June 2017 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6001078232 "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running...... "If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you." | |||
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dammm these r really big,where is this place would love to go in persuit of an 60 incher,,,congratulation,regards ur 3 greatest hunts r ur first ur last and ur next | |||
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Thanks guys! They are great looking animals. There is a lot of places in South Africa that have very good Kudu Bulls, but no area that gives 50+" class bulls as consistant as this area........ Here is another couple that will make you happy........    www.infinito-safaris.com Charl van Rooyen Owner Infinito Travel Group www.infinito-safaris.com charl@infinito-safaris.com Cell: +27 78 444 7661 Tel: +27 13 262 4077 Fax:+27 13 262 3845 Hereford Street 28A Groblersdal 0470 Limpopo R.S.A. "For the Infinite adventure" Plains Game Dangerous Game Bucket List Specialists Wing-Shooting In House Taxidermy Studio In House Dip and Pack Facility In House Shipping Service Non-Hunting Tours and Safaris Flight bookings "I promise every hunter visiting us our personal attention from the moment we meet you, until your trophies hang on your wall. Our all inclusive service chain means you work with one person (me) taking responsibility during the whole process. Affordable and reputable Hunting Safaris is our game! With a our all inclusive door to door service, who else do you want to have fun with?" South Africa Tanzania Uganda | |||
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Congratulations Charl. We have communicated before when I was booking my 2007 hunt. Are you at the Midland Game Fair, at Weston Park. If so, let me have your stand number. If you are not showing but will attend, come and see me on the BASC stand, Firearms Section. David. | |||
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From the looks of the older animal in poor condition, I'm wondering if the animal's health history has something to do with the way its horns spread. I notice that it has relatively "straighter up" horns, whereas the healthier animal has a wider spread. This is the same pattern with the kudus my son and I took in Namibia in June. Here's my son's kudu, which was in poor condition and had very "tight", though long and curly horns:  Now, here's the one I took less than a mile away which was in great condition and had very wide horns:  Despite appearances, our host the farm owner (a 60 year-old veteran farmer and guide who was obviously very well informed and experienced with game) judged both the kudus to be very old, but the healthier one he judged to be two years older than the poorer one. Two examples do not a rule make, but I'm wondering if anyone else has observed some apparent correlation between a kudu's health and its horn shape/spread? | |||
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Very nice Kudu, all. | |||
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Having worked with these animals and hunting them for 20 years, I can honestly say that the horn spread has got nothing to do with their health. It is purely a genetic thing.The old people believed that mountain Kudu have "tight" horns and Kudu on the Flat's have "wide" horns. This is not true..... The time of the year has a lot to do with health condition, and of course age..... August in South Africa is when all the leaves are down from the trees. Kudu, being browers, take a bit of a beating then. My Big Bull was in poor condition because he was old. Danny's wasn't to bad, but he was thin. They put on a lot of weight in the "rut" which is in June ussually. Stonecreek, which area did you hunt.....? David, You have a PM Charl van Rooyen Owner Infinito Travel Group www.infinito-safaris.com charl@infinito-safaris.com Cell: +27 78 444 7661 Tel: +27 13 262 4077 Fax:+27 13 262 3845 Hereford Street 28A Groblersdal 0470 Limpopo R.S.A. "For the Infinite adventure" Plains Game Dangerous Game Bucket List Specialists Wing-Shooting In House Taxidermy Studio In House Dip and Pack Facility In House Shipping Service Non-Hunting Tours and Safaris Flight bookings "I promise every hunter visiting us our personal attention from the moment we meet you, until your trophies hang on your wall. Our all inclusive service chain means you work with one person (me) taking responsibility during the whole process. Affordable and reputable Hunting Safaris is our game! With a our all inclusive door to door service, who else do you want to have fun with?" South Africa Tanzania Uganda | |||
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South central Namibia, between Reheboth and Maltahohe. Our hosts said that their area, being extremely dry, is not known for large kudu. The larger of the two went "Gold" (337cm, 132 5/8 in), which is unusual in that area. Two native bulls being killed along the same creek bed, one would think that they would be genetically related. However, I have killed whitetails here in Texas on the same 40 acres that were as different in night and day in the shape of their antlers. | |||
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We have shot Kudu on Alfalfa (spelling???) fields as damage control. I wounded a cow (shot of her right front leg, as the shot was to far for the night, and I should not have taken it!) We could not follow her in the dark. This was about 9PM. WE set of 06h00 the next morning, and I got to see her the first time at 16:00. She stuck with the rest of the herd, and crossed into a military training area, which I had to get permission for entering. This held us up for about 20 min (cellphones are wonderfull things) and I managed to shoot her at last light. Distance travelled? about 10 km's. When speaking to one of the military guys that escorted us of, he mentioned that they have monitored the Kudu in their area, as part of a Nature conservation project. The Kudu apperantly tavelled between 15-20km's EVERY NIGHT to get to the greens when it is dry...... I also know that on our propery, which have an open boundary of about 10 km's, Kudu come and go a lot. You will see the same big bull for weeks, and then he will dissapear for a month or so.....just to pop up at the same water hole. Women, food and drink, that's what keep them going! I send you a PM. Charl van Rooyen Owner Infinito Travel Group www.infinito-safaris.com charl@infinito-safaris.com Cell: +27 78 444 7661 Tel: +27 13 262 4077 Fax:+27 13 262 3845 Hereford Street 28A Groblersdal 0470 Limpopo R.S.A. "For the Infinite adventure" Plains Game Dangerous Game Bucket List Specialists Wing-Shooting In House Taxidermy Studio In House Dip and Pack Facility In House Shipping Service Non-Hunting Tours and Safaris Flight bookings "I promise every hunter visiting us our personal attention from the moment we meet you, until your trophies hang on your wall. Our all inclusive service chain means you work with one person (me) taking responsibility during the whole process. Affordable and reputable Hunting Safaris is our game! With a our all inclusive door to door service, who else do you want to have fun with?" South Africa Tanzania Uganda | |||
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Infinito, Congratulations on taking that old bull on his last legs  He has beautiful shape and it's very satisfying to take one that is in such poor condition.............And sounds like David has his name on the 60 incher All the best, mate. Verbera!, Iugula!, Iugula!!! Blair. | |||
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I wish Blair Too many guys are hunting with Charl before I get back. He's been shot at and missed several times. I hunted him back in late May but he evaded us. A few guys on AR have seen him but they're staying mum. Wonder why  Who ever gets that bull will be smiling for a long, long time. David Gray Ghost Hunting Safaris http://grayghostsafaris.com Phone: 615-860-4333 Email: hunts@grayghostsafaris.com NRA Benefactor DSC Professional Member SCI Member RMEF Life Member NWTF Guardian Life Sponsor NAHC Life Member Rowland Ward - SCI Scorer Took the wife the Eastern Cape for her first hunt: http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6881000262 Hunting in the Stormberg, Winterberg and Hankey Mountains of the Eastern Cape 2018 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4801073142 Hunting the Eastern Cape, RSA May 22nd - June 15th 2007 http://forums.accuratereloadin...=810104007#810104007 16 Days in Zimbabwe: Leopard, plains game, fowl and more: http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409 Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6341092311 Recent hunt in the Eastern Cape, August 2010: Pics added http://forums.accuratereloadin...261039941#9261039941 10 days in the Stormberg Mountains http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7781081322 Back in the Stormberg Mountains with friends: May-June 2017 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6001078232 "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running...... "If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you." | |||
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If Charl has a slot now, I'd slip back before those other scoundrels here at AR get a crack at him  Verbera!, Iugula!, Iugula!!! Blair. | |||
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Super kudus. Looks like a great area and no wonder why the locals are staying quiet.  _______________________________  | |||
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Let met ad some juicy sauce to your discomfort guys..... A local hunter called me on Friday, and asked about big Kudu Bulls. I gave him the price in dollars, as no one would pay less for such a magnificent animal. He agreed and we went of to look for him. It was a bit of a hit and miss affair with the time constraint, but we caught him late afternoon, feeding in a shallow kloof on the side of the mountain. We were at the top looking down. The rangefinder confirmed the distance to be 290 yards, with a steep angle down hill. The guy used a 308Win with 180gr. Hornday's. He had a very steady rest, looked comfy, and when he took my instruction when I said "take him", he did not hesitate.........and shot about 2 inches over that monster. My tracker, Solly, now honestly believes that the Bull is some kind of ghost. He mumbled something about the "tokolozi" and black magic....... I just smiled, and the hunter just sweared.....he could not believe his eyes. Well, if I did not see John miss him in May, after killing everything on the spot, I would have thought other wise..... I must say that it amazes me how they can dissapear. Sometimes I would not see him for three to four weeks, and then again, other times, daily........ Maybe he is "jinxed"............. Anyone who wants to have an oppertunity to hunt these big Kudu Bulls, only two hours from Jo-burg Int. airport, are welcome to give me a ring, or drop me an e-mail. You are also welcome to contact David L. Keith at Gray Ghost hunting Safaris (also AR member) to assist you in booking a hunt with us. Some openings left this year and we start in March next year.........I look forward to chat to you.My number is 0027 78 444 7661. Phone at 09:00am Washington DC time. oh, and before I forget....we got a tag for 1 Leopard, adn the hunt is going on the second week in October......check this space for the report..... www.infinito-safaris.com Charl van Rooyen Owner Infinito Travel Group www.infinito-safaris.com charl@infinito-safaris.com Cell: +27 78 444 7661 Tel: +27 13 262 4077 Fax:+27 13 262 3845 Hereford Street 28A Groblersdal 0470 Limpopo R.S.A. "For the Infinite adventure" Plains Game Dangerous Game Bucket List Specialists Wing-Shooting In House Taxidermy Studio In House Dip and Pack Facility In House Shipping Service Non-Hunting Tours and Safaris Flight bookings "I promise every hunter visiting us our personal attention from the moment we meet you, until your trophies hang on your wall. Our all inclusive service chain means you work with one person (me) taking responsibility during the whole process. Affordable and reputable Hunting Safaris is our game! With a our all inclusive door to door service, who else do you want to have fun with?" South Africa Tanzania Uganda | |||
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In my opinion it was a bad decision to let your client take a shot at that distance - steady rest or not. | |||
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Mike your opion is yours of course. I know the hunter, and knew he could make it, as we hunt together in the Karoo and Kalahari from time to time. If I did not know him, I would not have felt comfortable in telling him to shoot. We take 300m shots on a regular basis, if the rest is good. Ever tried shooting Springbuck in the Karoo where they are heavily hunted? I believe your Pronghorn Antelope is a bit of a long shot as well? Charl van Rooyen Owner Infinito Travel Group www.infinito-safaris.com charl@infinito-safaris.com Cell: +27 78 444 7661 Tel: +27 13 262 4077 Fax:+27 13 262 3845 Hereford Street 28A Groblersdal 0470 Limpopo R.S.A. "For the Infinite adventure" Plains Game Dangerous Game Bucket List Specialists Wing-Shooting In House Taxidermy Studio In House Dip and Pack Facility In House Shipping Service Non-Hunting Tours and Safaris Flight bookings "I promise every hunter visiting us our personal attention from the moment we meet you, until your trophies hang on your wall. Our all inclusive service chain means you work with one person (me) taking responsibility during the whole process. Affordable and reputable Hunting Safaris is our game! With a our all inclusive door to door service, who else do you want to have fun with?" South Africa Tanzania Uganda | |||
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Mike 300WSM, Those South Africans and Namibians can SHOOT.......the decision was perfectly ethical by Charl.  Verbera!, Iugula!, Iugula!!! Blair. | |||
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Thanks Blair. I sometimes think people misses the little word Professional in our profession description. I will never let a guy take a shot if I do not feel sure he can make it. But hey, I would not expect people to just lay abck and lap everything up on says. Everyone has a right to there opinion. Herewith a picture of British hunter, Bernard Robinson, with a Warthog he took at 290 yards with a .308Win and 180gr. bullets. The yardage was taken with my rangefinder. The rifle in this pictue is not the rifle the shot was taken with, but my .22 hornet, as he forgot his rifle in the bakkie. We had to drive around that big lake as there was no short cut to the downed pig.  I have another pictue that Nardus, that works for me, took just after the shot was fired, from the other side of tha lake.  The pig was in poor condition, and dropped like a sack of potatoes. The bottom line is that we hunted in the Karoo(avg. shooting distance 150-350 yards) for 8 days, and in the bushveldt(avg, shooting distance 40-100 yards) 4 days after that. Vastly different terrains of hunting. The fact is that Bernard shot so well in the Karoo, that I KNEW he could shoot that pig at that distance. Bernards Karoo Springbok taken at 280 yards.  Charl van Rooyen Owner Infinito Travel Group www.infinito-safaris.com charl@infinito-safaris.com Cell: +27 78 444 7661 Tel: +27 13 262 4077 Fax:+27 13 262 3845 Hereford Street 28A Groblersdal 0470 Limpopo R.S.A. "For the Infinite adventure" Plains Game Dangerous Game Bucket List Specialists Wing-Shooting In House Taxidermy Studio In House Dip and Pack Facility In House Shipping Service Non-Hunting Tours and Safaris Flight bookings "I promise every hunter visiting us our personal attention from the moment we meet you, until your trophies hang on your wall. Our all inclusive service chain means you work with one person (me) taking responsibility during the whole process. Affordable and reputable Hunting Safaris is our game! With a our all inclusive door to door service, who else do you want to have fun with?" South Africa Tanzania Uganda | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting Hunting Reports - Africa The luck of the Irish, and two nice Kudu Bulls. (a short story)
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