Date: May 19 – 25th
Operator/PH :Arub Safaris / Malan Lambrechts
Booking Agent Mark H Young of Adam Clements Safari Trackers
Area Hunted A 10,000 hectare, low fenced, working cattle farm in the rolling hilled,
acacia treed savannah of the Khomas Hochlands in Namibia.
Species Targetted Kudu,Gemsbok,Springbok
Other Species Seen: Warthog, Wildebeest (Blue & Black), Hartebeest, Blesbok, Mtn.Zebra, Klipspringer, Baboon, Jackal

After years of reading about African hunting (Ruark, O’Connor, Page, Capstick, et al) I decided to get started with a modest plains game hunt. Initially I planned to do this hunt in 2009 in RSA but after finding out about high fences, “canned” hunts and “put and take” hunting, I felt I would be very disappointed with this kind of hunting experience after the fantastic 45 years of unguided DIY hunts that I was fortunate to undertake in British Columbia. The bug persisted, however, and through the AR Forum I determined that perhaps I would get closer to my idea of hunting by selecting Namibia instead. A further call to Mark explaining my needs had him set up my hunt with Arub.

The country


My wife and I started our African adventure with a 15 day tour of RSA and Zambia organized through Southern Eagle Tours (highly recommend the tour and the company). I then flew on to Windhoek and to began my hunt. On the drive to the ranch, Malan and I had a good discussion of what I ideally wanted out of the hunt (older past prime animals, character to the horn – thickness over score/inches, and a good walking stalk to get the shot).
I got settled in to my very comfortable accommodations, sighted in the loaner Schultz & Larsen 7 X 64 loaner rifle and experienced my first (of many) extremely delicious game meat dinners cooked up by Malan’s wife, Barista and her staff.



The first few days of the hunt we concentrated on Kudu as this was the one I wanted the most. We spent the first day and a half just looking at a variety of bulls so I could get a sense of what I might want. The Kudu rut was just beginning and any group of 4 or more cows had 1 or 2 bulls with them. After a day and a half I decided that I’d seen enough and it was time to put the moves on some! Unfortunately, this coincided with some days of really strong winds and with any unease the animals spooked very badly and follow-up was difficult as they sped out of the country.

On the third day we spotted a herd of six cows and a bull that I liked the looks of. A short stalk got me onto the sticks but acacia covered most of the target area. The herd then spooked and a lengthy stalk ensued. As I got on the sticks a second time, Malan admonished me not to shoot the wrong bull as a second had shown itself. My target took a run at the second bull, then backed up and charged headlong into a tree. As he stepped slowly out from the trees, a shot presented at what turned out to be 280 paces. He staggered forward at the shot, and was spined by the next shot. On examining him back at the farm abbetoir, it was evident that he’d had a very bad day as 4 of his ribs were cleanly and recently broken probably by a fight that morning. This was the sixth bull that I had attempted to stalk, and while not the biggest (at least 2 others were significantly bigger) I was very pleased with what I had taken.



The next day was my worst day hunting – ever. After going 45 years without wounding an animal, my Springbok hunt was a disaster! A miss on an old ram that was part of a bachelor group of 5, followed by a high shoulder hit on the same ram, 2 more raking shots, a 3km. jog after Rigby the hound and then 2 more shots by Malan before my Springbok expired. What a day!



It was now down to the Gemsbok. I had tried on a couple of occasions to get close to some old Gemsbok bulls but a good shot never presented itself. We started the day trying to stalk two awesome horned older bulls that were part of a herd of 15 about 2 kms away. After a lengthy stalk, we felt good about our postioning but after a few minutes noticed the herd had slipped over the neighbours fence and were lined up watching us! A half hour later found us stalking an older, lone bull and a single shot from 80m. put him down.



To conclude, I was very pleased with all aspects of my first African hunting adventure. Well matched and organized by Mark; excellent accomodations, food, and hospitality by Barista and Malan; and a set of trophies and memories that are special to me.

Don't sweat the flub up on the springbok. You hunt long enough and sometimes things don't go as planned. Sounds like you made up for it on the oryx though.

Congrats to joining most of us with the dreaded African hunting disease!!

Congrats on a nice hunt!!!

Good for you! I hunted the Khomas Hochlands in 2008 and it got me addicted to Africa.

Nicely done report Harvey. Glad to see a report on Arub finally hit the forum. I called a lot of references before I booked with them for this September and I know some of the references are posters on here.

Malan's property produced some massive Leopards as well before the change to the regulations and use of dogs.

I will be sure to pass on your hello to Malan and Barista when I head over.

Very nice, welcome to Africa. We have a saying here, there are only two types of hunters, those whom have wounded and those who are about to wound.
Just be glad you guys managed to find the Springbok.

What a perfect way to start your African addiction.

You can find hunts like that in RSA, you just have to look a bit harder.

How did your wife enjoy it ? Congratulations and like they said, don't sweat the springbok. It's a bad feeling but you got him.

Modest my butt! Congratulations on a dream hunt!

Brett

Well done Harvey.
It's just over 2 months before a mate and myself head to Namibia on our first hunt in Africa. Like yours it will be modest, we don't have a 'shopping list' and the primary and most important thing for both of us being the African hunt experience.
I haven't started a countdown yet but I'm getting pretty revved up.

Very nicely done Harvey...thanks for the report. Lovely pics and great trophies. Now you have stories to tell about your springbok And these memories is what hunting is all about. Congratulations !!!

Way to go Harvey!
thanks for the report

Well done! This will not, I believe, be your last African hunt.

Harvey,

Nice report. It was a pleasure to assist you.

Mark

Harvey, Nice job. Now....can you say "CAPE BUFFALO" ???????

Well done sir and I agree with Brett, there is not a "modest" African hunt. They are each a singular adventure! Bravo on your first...

Congratulations, it is an excelent beginning.

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:
Well done sir and I agree with Brett, there is not a "modest" African hunt. They are each a singular adventure! Bravo on your first...

I'll second that - no modesty - You - Africa - Hunting...perfect

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Harvey, Nice job. Now....can you say "CAPE BUFFALO" ???????

Can I ever!!! To walk up on a daggga boy would be the ultimate hunt IMO. I'd also like a Nyala and Impala then I would consider my African wish list complete.

Thanks to all of you for your supportive comments. Makes the trip even that much better.

Congratulations on your safari, Harvey.

I have felt your pain in connection with wounding one's quarry. Nothing is worse - except losing the wounded animal - and may that never happen to any of us.

Yet, as to wounding, one can only do his best, which, with enough practice, is generally more than good enough. As it was in your case.

Knock wood that it may be for all of us.

Again, congratulations, and be advised that there is no antidote, and you are doomed.

Nice kudu.

Don't need to worry about being modest. Don't know whether modest means body count or bucks, but if bucks for all the money some of these guys around here have there are always guys with ten times as much money, the main ingredient for safaris.

You had fun and shot some decent critters. That's all that counts.

Well done sir.

congratulations on a great hunt Harvey

quote:

Originally posted by harvey stern:

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Harvey, Nice job. Now....can you say "CAPE BUFFALO" ???????

Can I ever!!! To walk up on a daggga boy would be the ultimate hunt IMO. I'd also like a Nyala and Impala then I would consider my African wish list complete.

Can you say Mozambique!

Brett

Good job, sir. Congratulations! Thanks for sharing!

quote:

Originally posted by harvey stern:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Biebs:
Harvey, Nice job. Now....can you say "CAPE BUFFALO" ???????

Can I ever!!! To walk up on a daggga boy would be the ultimate hunt IMO. I'd also like a Nyala and Impala then I would consider my African wish list complete.

Oh Harvey, if you only knew it has just begun.

Congrats...

Nice kudu!!

Congratulations. Nice report . Welcome to the addiction that is Africa.

Very good report. Thanks for posting.

WELL DONE and a Hearty Congrats!

Do not sweat the Springbuck, savor the experience.

I lost an Impala after high fives from not one but two PH's...........

Do not sweep the dust from your boots.....

Well done sir. I plan to be in your shoes in a couple years!

African game is tough!

I shot my Gemsbok, and he dropped like a rock. As the PH and I were exchanging high fives he got up and ran like a deer. I had fired as he took a half-step backwards and the bullet hit him in the neck. It chipped the spine, which caused him to drop. It took us the best part of a day to catch up to him and get the second shot in, which killed him.

Nice mature trophies, we share the same philosophy there.

Rich
two trips, and planning a third for 2011

quote:

Originally posted by Will:
Nice kudu.

for all the money some of these guys around here have there are always guys with ten times as much money, the main ingredient for safaris.

Very True Will.

My first hunt was in Namibia, and it remains one of my best hunts ever. I have shot most African game, but the kudu and gemsbok are two of the cooler mounts you can have. No red hartebeeste? The hartebeeste is quintessential Africa!

Congrats on a fine hunt.

I feel the same way about Malan and Arub I was there last July and had a awesome time cant wait to get back. They become family. I was the lucky guy who killed that monster Leopard last year. Congrats on all your trophys. That was the room I stayed in!

Great hunt! Congratulations.

quote:

Originally posted by Leland Reinier:
I feel the same way about Malan and Arub I was there last July and had a awesome time cant wait to get back. They become family. I was the lucky guy who killed that monster Leopard last year. Congrats on all your trophys. That was the room I stayed in!

Any word on your article being published? How about a delayed report here. I really would love reading about how you got that monster.

I'll say hi to Malan & Barista for both you guys in another 63 days!!