The Story


First let me start with the set up. This is my second trip to South Africa with Africa Maximum Safari Jacques Senekal PH. But this time I was taking the family; my wife, my fourteen year old daughter and twelve year old son.
I had taken a good amount of trophies with the bow on my first trip and I am not interested in duplicating regardless of size I want to continue to get a good representation of different species little did I know this would prove to be interesting.
As stated by others the weather was not typical for mid April it rained the entire week before I got there and continued to rain on and off for my two weeks. So what does this mean water holes have no draw and feeding is still not needed or routine coming out of summer and the bush was so green and thick it was going to be an interesting hunt.
I love to be hunting, I enjoy hunting just about anything and I like to shoot my bow of course, my rifle, upland and water fowl and try to do a little bit of everything on most trips. Give me an opportunity to see and experience game and I am happy.

Day 1

My first of many long days in a blind, I chose to go out mid-day as we had arrived late the evening before. I was in a great elevated blind over a large water hole, surrounded by thorn bush with limited access and entrance. In about 5 hours I saw lots and lots of birds, waterfowl more than I had ever seen before. But no mammals only on the way in and out of the concession from the vehicle. On the way out we saw a jackal in the field I had wanted one the trip before but they are an opportunity animal, so knowing I had no time for the bow and distance was not possible I opted for my PH’s rifle and dropped her in her tracks. A very large female with a white head very unique and a nice trophy.


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Day 2

We started out at a concession I and my friend Bob were very successful at out last trip where we had taken Kudu, Zebra, Impala, Blesbuck, Gemsbuck, and Blue Wildebeest all with the bow. This time the first hide was quiet with some very nice Impalas, three which were shooters and a Giraffe that visited a while.
After mid-day a quick drive around and then a new hide, Blesbuck when we arrived and about two hours later a large herd of Impala ewes and lambs they stayed for about an hour.


While sitting in the hide I could tell I was going to have a major cough coming on so I asked Shaun Keeny my PH to close the window, we had opened because it was pushing 90 degrees. When he went to open it again he turned with a look I will never forget. He said get your bow…get your bow…Waterbuck a good one and he is staring at the hide about 25 yards. I picked up the bow and stood waiting to see him for the first time, we were in a pit hide so I saw his legs pass by the right hand windows and soon I saw him standing broad side about 30 yards and slowly walking right to left to the front of the hide. He was cautious and concerned and at one point looked like he was out of there. As soon as he presented a broad side I was ready it was slightly quartering to me but I knew I could hit that shoulder. I paused for a moment and delivered the arrow I watched as 18 inches of my Eaton Axis full metal jacket, topped with a Slick Trick 125 mag disappeared into his shoulder and came to a stop. As he spun and ran Shaun said good hit I think it’s a heart shot. I then asked the question how big? He said not sure but it was all of 28”, I had seen a mount in the lodge and 28” was my reference. We gave it about 25 minutes and then picked up the blood trail surprising on a water buck there was a good blood trail almost from impact. After about 50 yards we recovered my arrow in-tact and coated for a good 18”. We walked about 10 more yards a large crash in front of us, on checking it out there was a blood pool about the size of a man-hole cover but no waterbuck we had pushed him. We waited another bit of time it seemed like forever and started trailing him again. After about 150 yards I saw him lying on the side of a deep ravine and could only see his back and horns. We stalked up and found he was dead and then I got my first good look at the horns, they were amazing the sweep the girth the bases, what an animal… mature and beautiful. It was only then that Shaun said this was the biggest Waterbuck he had ever killed with a client but was unwilling to commit to the holy grail of 30”. We called for help with removal from the ravine, 5 guys and a while later he was ready for the pictures and the ride to the lodge. Upon arrival and his green measurements were ten inch bases and length over 32”. The Water buck of a lifetime.


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Day 3

I must mention that on day two with the excitement of the Waterbuck my 12 year old son was with me the entire time. He saw it all the shot, the recovery and the excitement of such a wonderful animal. It made it so special to have him there on this great day he had never been with me on a really successful bow hunt.


The plan for the day was the entire family on the Safari truck and an opportunity for the kids to take there first big game animals. They have been going to the range with me for a solid month and were shooting about 99% on a four inch target at 125 yards...rifle of course. I told them to shoot in South Africa they needed to be 100% at 100 yards. My daughter has never shot anything living and my son has turkey hunted with me, pheasant hunted and bear hunted with me but had never taken a big game animal.



I had not taken a Spring Buck on the first trip and after evaluating the chance of getting one with the bow given the conditions, I took it with me every day but spring buck were not going to have any part of it.

In the morning after some failed bow walk and stalk I then decided to use the rifle we were able to find a nice buck and I made the shot with my 300wsm about 160 yards and was able to drop him in his tracks.

Now the kids my son would be first and he wanted a Blesbuck Ram actually he wanted many things but settled for a Bles Buck as I had taken a nice ewe with the bow last time.
We looked over many as the heard on this property was three groups of about 300 so trying to find a good one and separate it from the heard proved to be a long process after many attempts four had broken away giving my son the opportunity we were waiting for with some great advice from the PH (Dad just shut-up and let him do the instruction). He told him pick the spot the V on the shoulder Jackson agreed and slowly fires the shot a nice hit and 10 yards later we see it pile up he had just taken a 220 yard shot witha 270 and his first big game animal. When we got to the animal Jacksons face was what I could have only dreamed of his excitement and confidence was amazing. He had delivered the perfect shot the center of the V and if I had stuck an orange 1 inch dot he would have hit it. It was the best shot of the week and the entire family Mom and sister there to celebrate his accomplishment. A green scored gold medal ram with 14’ horns and nice bases.

My daughter wanted a White Blesbuck and after hours of looking we could not find a single ram many ewes but no rams. She had the option to wait or maybe something else? She decided a Springbuck would be great as long as it was bigger than mine. After a few failed attempts to get close to huge buck it was not to happen. We eventually changed to another nice buck. Once again she listened and fired a shot, down it went not even a step, she folded it, a little higher than her brothers shot taking out the both front scapula and both lungs 160 yards with the 270. Her first shot at a living creature and an amazing 13 inch springbuck.

What a proud day they had done it one shot kills, no tracking and listened to direction... (Whose kids were they?) Score at the end of the day 3 kills...3 shots...3 gold medals. But more important than that a family moment that will last forever and two new hunters for the next generation.
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Day 4

A trip to the lion park for the family to see the baby lions
And afternoon in the blind and some hunting.



Day 5


The Bushbuck hunt: I am fascinated by the Bushbuck its solitary and elusive nature. It’s whitetail like actions in the bush. I did not see one my last trip but this time I was willing to put in the time to not only see one but get the opportunity for a shot.

We started in the morning in an area that was almost jungle or rain forest like. The plan was to walk the ravine with an active stream and watch and hunt the banks. The area was 8 miles long so it gave plenty of chance and was prime Bushbuck habitat. I would carry my bow in case I had the opportunity but also have my rifle. Shortly after we began I could tell a bow shot was going to be tough ...really tough, the grass and brush was waste high and thick with trees almost to the point of a solid mass with one foot shooting lanes here and there.

Shortly after we crossed the water about 100 yards from the starting point the first sighting about 40 yards in front of us from out of the brush a bushbuck doe, all I could see was her head, she looked in our direction and in whitetail like bound her and her almost unseen fawn were gone in a flash. I was so excited, 100 yards and I already saw bushbuck.

The next miles were relatively uneventful, beautiful scenery and tracks of: Bushbuck, Kudu, and Bush pig, Warthog and the occasional Blue Wildebeest or Zebra. After several stops and watching small clearings the first couple of hours had passed and we were now about 3 miles in. Shaun said Bushbuck a good one with that it was like a whitetail a flash of brown a streak of white and about 2 seconds all at about 60 yards. He told me it was a nice buck about 12/13 inches. I realized then my bow chances were slim I handed Shaun my bow and grabbed my rifle as I thought if we jump him again maybe I could get a shot.
We had only walked maybe 10 yards when my daughter and I both heard the twang of a branch about 60 yards away and the slight movement of the brush. I called Shaun over and as he was explaining they are territorial and the chances of a bushbuck this close to another buck was slim, just the it stood up he said take it and whistled, in that split second I brought up the rifle and took a quartering away shot. We were confident I had hit my target. We walked the 60 yards or so and no blood but a few yards from there the first blood, Shaun saw my Bushbuck as they are known to be quiet aggressive when wounded. I put another round into its neck and walked up a truly magnificent animal, a gorgeous bushbuck old and mature, worn bases and 15.5 inches of spiral horn, another great trophy and the most exciting hunt in a long time.

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Day 6


Today was my day to decide what I wanted to hunt, my list still included; Red Hartebeest, Nyala and Eland (old blue bull). I wanted to take the Nyala and the Eland with my bow or I would wait until another trip. As both of those are very possible with the bow.

I decided to go after the last three with the bow and spent the morning in the blind where I got the Waterbuck. I saw some great Kudu a very nice shooter bull, some Blesbuck and that was about it.

We decided mid-day to try another place where Red Hartebeest are sometimes seen near the blind. It was a long very hot 90 degree-day in the blind my son was great but as dark was upon us it was apparent there is always tomorrow.


Day 7

I decided to try a walk and stalk approach as the blinds were tough and it rained again.
We immediately saw a group of Red Hartebeest and there were a couple of good bulls.
As we tried to get closer, they had my number and up the mountain they went, my theory lets go to the top and work down so the plan went into effect. Then we were glassing the valley below and spotted a lone bull he was about a mile away but at least he was in a level area and alone, one set of hartebeest eyes is enough. We drove as far as we could and when we got to were he was, he was nowhere to be found. So the walk was on after a short period of time, about 160 yards in front of us staring us down was this fine bull. I opted for the rifle as the undetected part of the stalk was over. I made a nice shot and he disappeared. When we went to see what had happened he was about 20 yards and down. It was another fine trophy. Once again mature, nice bases and good length.

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Day 8

Most of the day in the hide bow hunting, no Eland...No Nyala, but ya never know.

Day 9

Today back with the family a little walk and stalk planned and a little shooting to keep the kids entertained some hunting.

It was a great morning saw lots of game, all of the favorites. Some birds and then crossing thorough some pasture land. Shaun yells Steenbok a good one. With that I turn and see a Steen buck poking out of the long grass. I had the 22 in my hand without hesitation I swung on it and delivered a 60 yard shot to the neck and it dropped. I had only seen Steen buck as they zip through the fields but was very happy to see this nice little buck. He was a mature buck with 4 inch horns and one of those opportunity animals that I was happy to add to my collection.


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Congratulations on the hunt.

Brett

love that waterbuck

Wonderful trip. That waterbuck is awesome.

Thanks for posting this. you got some beautiful animals and even better, some beautiful memories that your whole family will have for the rest of your lives.

Very nice trophies

Waidmannsheil! Thank you for sharing your trip with us.