27 August 2010, 22:26
Firstcoueswas80Introduction/My First Safari
Hello everyone, I have been a lurker here for a little bit, but after my first safari and inevitably being bit by the Africa bug I had to join.Myself and a few pals joined Andrew Renton and his crew of wonderful PH's, staff, skinners and his wonerful wife for 8 days of plains game hunting, which we were all very succesful.
My first African animal, take the first evening. Andrew and I were figuring out where to shoot a nice mountain Reedbok when he says "Monster bushbuck.. Lay down and shoot him!"
Andrew was very picky about which shot he let me take, knowing how these guys can be when wounded.
One 200 yard shot from my Kimber 300 WSM with 168 TTSX and bushbuck was down where he stood!
Next up was a cull/broken horn impala. Andrew told me we needed to take this ram out of the herd so he wouldn't kill other rams during breeding season. I responded telling him I would gladly ease this gentlemans pains.
One shot at 180 yards and a 40 yard death sprint and he as down.
Later on that same day, after having lunch we were driving the Cruiser in search of a trophy impala, when this guy ran across the road in front of us. I could tell this was the one to shoot as Sutu, the tracker's taps on the roof were quite a bit more exagerated than normal.
This impala offered me a close shot, at about 80 yards but at a very hard angle, facing a few degrees off of straight away. I tucked it behind the shoulder and with one of the loudest cracks of bullet hitting bone I have ever heard, he was down where he stood.
I am very happy with this impala as he has a little character.
Sutu positioning him for proper pictures.
The next day, we drove a few hours in pursuit of Black Wildebeest and Red Cape Hartebeest.
Finding the BW was no problem...
Nor was finding the herd of bulls...
Andrew and I worked our way into that herd of bulls, but found ourselves pinned on the wrong side of a dam. Due to the coutour of the land we managed to get out of the view of the bulls and get on top of the dam where Andrew picked out the mature bull, and at 126 yards he was a dead bull walking. One shot, and 100 yard death spring later a fine BW was on the ground.
Next was the Red Cape Hartebeest. We found one great mature bull all by himself, but while making the stock, we came across the herd. Andrew spent about 45 minutes picking out the big, old mature bull. At 340 yards, with a strong cross wind that I didnt hold enough for, I hit this bull poorly. He went about 10 yards and I hit him agian, this time much better knocking him off of his feet, but still alive. I immediately grabbed my gun and went down the hill to 225 yards. The bull was facing straight away, so I put one behind his last rib and as soon as it hit, his head went down and he was dead.
The next day put us out bright and early headed to a friend of Andrews in pursuit of a Cape Kudu. Through out the day, we looked at many many bulls, but none were of age or size. Late in the day, we got on foot up into the hills and it started paying off. Within 10 minutes, we had spotted about 10 bulls, one of which Andrew and Steve agreed.. "We must clap that bull."
At 343 yards, I lined up the crosshairs and squeezed one off. The bull jumped, holding his onside shoulder, and before I could put anouther round in he was down.
This was a old bull, with a cape similar to a old man... Balding, and thin. Still, a regal and beautiful animal that took my breath away.
The rainbow made for a pretty sight as well
The morning of the next day found us out and about in search of a Mountain Reedbok with no shooters. While driving a mountain road, Andrew suddenly stopped the truck and said "Get your gun." I knew that meant baboon! Andrew gets me lined up on where they are, and I am following the last one. As soon as it stops, Andrew ranges him. 374 yards. I line up the shot, squeeze the trigger and the bid old male rolls. I am pumped because this was, for me a very difficult shot because of not knowing the size of my target.
After seeing a Mountain Reedbok another member of the hunting party took, we knew one of the ones we passed on was a shooter.
This one was shot near the Kubisi River. This old gentleman took a shot to the heart at 250 yards and still managed to run 100 yards before falling!
Again, Andrew and I set out a few hours before sunrise to get my last animal of the safari, the black springbok.
The first place we hunted we found the herd easily, but there were no shooters in the herd.
We then went to another ranch and found a great ram on the way in.
About 45 minutes later, he is standing 183 yards away facing me, not knowing we are there. I line up on his front shoulder and he collapses at the shot.
My .257 wby also made the trip (Scottyboy used it) and I expressed to Andrew how I would like to shoot something with it.
Of course, that day was windy, rainy and just all around nasty weather. Andrew did manage to glass up a big old single male baboon. We snuck to 350 yards and he asked me if I could make this shot.. I gave him a sarcastic look as my .257 has turrets and I am as comfortable as could be. On the shot, the baboon didnt even move, just rolled down the rock bluff he was sitting on.
All of us with our trophies
It was an amazing safari, and I would like to thank Andrew of Kei River Safaris, and Wade Derby of Cross Hair Consulting for making the trip a joy and as easy as possible. I will be going back to Africa for sure!
