Hunter: Donald L. Roxby
Traveling companion: My wife Denise, Son-in-Law Robert Smith and Step Son Levi Hulsey
Dates: August 4 through August 18, 2012

Outfitter: Shona Hunting Adventures
Po Box 407, Hentiesbaai, Namibia
Tel: +264 81 128 3105
Fax: +264 64 500 839
Email: hunting@shona-adventures.com
Web Site: www.shona-adventures.com

PH: Johann Veldsman
PH in Training: Willie Ilse
Master Hunting Guide: Tjokkie Tsiveze
Tracker and Skinner: Jonas Horaëb

Hunting Consultant/Booking Coordinator: Rick Wilks’ Hunting Adventures, 9269 Whitetail Way, King George, VA 22485, web site: http://www.wilks-hunting-adv.com, email: rbwilks@crosslink.net, Tel. 540-775-4625

Travel Agency: travel arranged by Doug Gray of Gracy Travel International, Inc., 6865 Camp Bullis Road, Suite B, San Antonio, TX 78256, web site: http://www.gracytravel.com, email: doug@gracytravel.com, Tel.: +1 (800) 299-8558

Rifle: Remington 700; 300 Ultra Mag.; Bullet: Remington Premier, Power Level III, Extreme Range 200 GR A-Frame

Animals harvested by group: Kudu, Blue Wildebeest, Black Wildebeest, 2 Gemsbok bulls and Warthog.

Taxidermist: Otjiwarongo Taxidermy, 2nd Avenue, P.O. Box 1020, Otjiwarongo, Namibia, Tel.: +264 67 302692, Fax: +264 67 302483, Mobile: +27 81 124 1484
Email: otjtaxi@iafrica.com.na

Report: We travelled via Delta Airlines from Huntsville, Alabama to Atlanta, Georgia where we picked up a connection to the O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 4, 2012. We arrived there on August 5, 2012 and spent the night at the Africa Sky Guest House http://www.africasky.co.za/. The following morning we flew South African Airways to Windhoek, Namibia.

We arrived at the Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, at 10:45am on August 6, 2012 where we were met by Willie Ilse who is an apprentice PH with Shona Hunting Adventures. After loading up, we traveled to Shona’s Tualuka Safari Lodge. This beautiful, five star lodge is located in the north western part of Namibia. It consists of 16,500 acres of privately owned land situated on the banks of the non-perennial Huab River. The area located in Kaokoland, in the Kunene Region and is part of the Loxodonta Africana Conservancy area.

Prior to arriving, our PH (Johann Veldsmen) wrote me to say that he had a large male leopard on one of his baits. When we arrived we discussed taking him. I was game, but we were not able to get a permit in time to make it a viable hunt. So we agreed that we would set it up for a future time.





Leopard On Bait




Leopard Track – Shell Is 3-Inches In Length)

With the Leopard hunt postponed, we sighted in our rifles and split up into two hunting parties. Robert hunted with Tjokkie Tsiveze and Willie Ilse, Levi and I hunted with Johann Veldsmen and Jonas. Since it was Levi’s first trip to Africa, we agreed that we would start the hunt by focusing on getting him 3 animals on his wish list, starting with Warthog. We hunted an adjoining farm where the land owner reported that there was a huge warthog he called the Banana Pig. Our first attempt to find him was successful, but he broke and ran before Levi could get a shot. We hunted other parts of the farm to see what was available and came back to try for the Banana Pig again that afternoon. This time we spotted him on the opposite side of the road and he broke and ran again. We noted that each time he bolted he ran past a small koppie. It was agreed that we should leave him for a few days before we tried again. The next morning we traveled to a property that bordered the Etosha National Park. At this area we located a bachelor herd of Blue Wildebeest bulls and Levi and Johann made a long stalk across an open plain where Levi managed to down a beautiful gold metal bull.




Blue Wildebeest Bull

Taking turns, the next morning we focused on finding me an Impala. We located a group with a large ram from a high vantage point and we decided to try for him. As we stalked in, we spotted 3 young Kudu bulls lying on the hill side above the Impala. As we tried to move within range of the ram, the Kudu spotted us and broke, taking the Impala with them.

That afternoon we decided to try for Cape Eland. We did not have any problem locating Eland by glassing from the top of the Koppies, but had a terrible time approaching within range, even using a spotter who directed our approach from the spotting location. The problem was that the Eland would move into the thick Mopani/Thorn scrub during the day where the visibility was usually less than 40 yards. As we would get close the swirling winds would give us away and they would spook. After 3 or 4 unsuccessful stalks we managed to get within 40 yards of a very good bull that was in standing in the brush and apparently sleeping. His heart was covered by a large limb and I was forced to snake a shot though the Mopane limbs to make a high shoulder shot. From where I was positioned I could not get in a second shot and Johann threw a round into him as he staggered off. As it turned out the insurance shot was not needed. The gold metal bull dropped within 40 yards.






Cape Eland Bull

After we returned to Tualuka, we found that Robert had taken a very nice Gemsbok bull and had begun his search for a good Kudu bull.






Roberts Gemsbok Bull

With my Eland in the salt, we headed back to try for the Banana Pig again. Johann thought that we should camp out at the Koppie that the pig ran past on our first 2 attempts to see if he would come by it later in the day. We got there and glassed, but did not see him. After 15 minutes of glassing, a large sow, who was lying on the back side of the Koppie, could not take it anymore and broke from her hiding place at a run The Banana Pig, knowing that the jig was up, took off behind her. Levi busted him on the fly at about 70 yards. We were all really excited. The Warthog sported 14-inch tusks and was the largest pig taken in the area in recent memory.






Magnificent Warthog Boar (The Banana Pig)

The next morning we traveled a farm south of Tualuka Safari Lodge to hunt for Black Wildebeest. We started by glassing from a koppie. Johann and Levi climbed to the top and I waited below because my knee, which I had injured a few years before, began to bother me. I felt a little guilty and decided to climb a saddle between the double koppies, which looked easier to climb. As I set there glassing I began to hear a strange half growl, half cough that went on for several minutes. It came from just below me and around the edge of a large boulder. As the guys came down I joined them and asked the PH if he heard the sound. He had and told me that it was a leopard calling for a mate. It was within 60 yards of me.

Having not seen any wildebeest from the first glassing location we moved to a second Koppie and spotted a mixed herd of Zebra, Kudu, Springbok and Black Wildebeest. It was a beautiful sight. As we watched the Wildebeest began to move to the right and we set out to cut them off. From our hiding place in the grass we watched them walk by in single file at 40 yards. The bull that we had seen from the koppie had broken off from the herd and moved across further out. We waited until they bedded down and tried to move in to find him but were eventually busted when the wind changed direction.

Undeterred we drove on and located another group and stalked in. We located a large bull that had picked up on our movement and had begun to growl a warning. I was able to get off a shot before he ran. He was standing head on when I shot and he bolted after being hit squarely in the center of the chest. As he ran I was able to put a second shot into his side which passed to the opposite shoulder putting him down for the count.






Black Wildebeest Bull

Back at Tualuka, Levi set out to find a good Gemsbok bull, which did not take long. The property is overrun with Gemsbok. The Gold metal bull he took took a lot of lead, but finally fell.



Levi's Gemsbok Bull
At this point, Robert had still not found a mature Kudu bull and the entire group set out to spot for him. After the sixth day of his search, two nice bulls were spotted and the chase was on. The bulls spooked and after a half mile foot chase, Robert got a shot into the larger of the two bulls which dropped on the spot. He was a very happy camper.





Robert’s Last Day Gold Metal Kudu Bull

While Robert was chasing Kudu, We talked Denise into trying her hand at hunting. After a little persuasion, she agreed to hunt for Dassie and in quick order took one. We were all proud of her especially since she said she would hunt Gemsbok on our next trip over.




Denise Takes Her First Trophy

Levi and Willie had so much fun helping Denise get started on her hunting career; they decided to hunt small game. They had a blast sniping Dassies which were given to the staff for food.





The Boys Hit The Dassies Hard

After they wore out the Dassies they switched to banging Guinea Fowl for the cooking pot. It was a challenge because camp rules required that they be shot in the head. Levi was using his 17 caliber rifle to do the job.




Guinea Fowl For The Pot

Side Trips: We took a couple of side trips during our stay with Shona Hunting Adventures. We visited a Himbia village and then moved up to Etosha National Park. Both of these sites are within easy driving distance from Kamanjab. We enjoyed both and would recommend that anyone hunting in northern Namibia to take some time out to enjoy these places. We also took an extra day to shop for gifts in Windhoek.

Accommodations and Service: My wife and I had hunted with Shona before and were sure that the Robert and Levi would enjoy the trip. The accommodations and services provided by Shona are top notch and every one had a great time. Shona is a family oriented camp and the accommodations are luxurious, the staff is very friendly and catered to each individual. Every need is met and no detail is missed.

Memorial Events: Aside from the highs and lows of great fair chase hunting, there are many other happy experiences burnt into my mind. The most memorable of these are the many little things that made us laugh … like Denise screaming when she though that her dead Dassie moved, drinking shooters at the bar, seven year old Zoe’s first PH job in which she earned 20 US dollars by leading Levi to his first trophy Dassie, the pick-the-girl card game, Levi forgetting his rifle on the hunt, introducing the guys to the democratic bird that kept squawking Barack, Barack, the elephant that chased us off, Vera’s Guinea Fowl hat, the plant with the invisible thorns that kept ripping at us that I had previously named the Son-of-a-Bitch bush, and the joking that went on continuously. I miss it all.

Trophy Processing: Shona took great pains to quickly process our trophies and delivered the skulls, cape and hides to Otjiwarongo Taxidermy (http://www.namibia-taxidermy.com) within a few days after our departure. I elected to use Otjiwarongo Taxidermy to prepare the skulls and do the hide tanning work for me. Because I have very little space left in my home for trophies, I asked the taxidermist to prepare European Mounts for my Wildebeest and to prepare the Eland skull and cape for shipment to my taxidermist for mounting. I’m thinking about a pedestal mount to put in the corner of the living room.

Summary: This was the perfect hunt with every one taking the game that they wanted. All the trophies were gold metal and of exceptional quality. Each of us have already started to save for our return trips.

Wildlife Photographs:
I have included a few of the hundreds of photographs that we took.




The Bull That Ran Us Off In Etosha






Giraffe Feeding In The Mopane Forrest





Zebra At Watering Hole

Great report. I hunted right down the road from Shona with Jan du Plessis of Sebra Safaris. Fantastic area loaded with trophy plainsgame, and wonderful, warm people. Well done.

Sounds and looks like ya'll had a GREAT time! Great report and better pictures. I am just too jealous....8.5 months for me....thanks for letting us share your adventure.

Very nice. Beutiful wildebeest, gemsboks and a heck of a wartie!

Fantastic report and phenomenal trophies! My wife and I did our honeymoon with Johann and Vera earlier this year and can't wait for the opportunity to go back. They truly run a first class operation in all regards.

Mr. Roxby,

Super report, thank you for sharing. Namibia is a great country and wonderful people. Just wondering, did you recover any bullets and how did you felt they performed overall?

Paul

Nice photos of wonderful trophies. Looks like a spectacular trip!

Well done, great report. I recognize the Etosha waterhole.

Nice report. Fantastic hog!

Congratulations Don!

Looks like a great trip... welcome home.
Thanks for sharing a report with us.

Thank you for the great report and photos. Congratulations on the great animals taken, esp. the wartie.

Congratulations Donald.
You and your Family took some outstanding trophies!

That Leopard in the photo is a Stud!

Great report and hunt. Namibia is a great place to visit. Love that Eland and warthog, they are my 2 favorites.

I can't wait to go back to Namibia.

Thanks for a fantastic report!

quote:

Originally posted by Paul Reed:
Mr. Roxby,

Super report, thank you for sharing. Namibia is a great country and wonderful people. Just wondering, did you recover any bullets and how did you felt they performed overall?

Paul

I recovered all the bullets and they performed very well.

Congrats to you all, nice report.

quote:

Originally posted by dlroxby:
Hunter: Donald L. Roxby
Traveling companion: My wife Denise, Son-in-Law Robert Smith and Step Son Levi Hulsey
Dates: August 4 through August 18, 2012

Outfitter: Shona Hunting Adventures
Po Box 407, Hentiesbaai, Namibia
Tel: +264 81 128 3105
Fax: +264 64 500 839
Email: hunting@shona-adventures.com
Web Site: www.shona-adventures.com

PH: Johann Veldsman
PH in Training: Willie Ilse
Master Hunting Guide: Tjokkie Tsiveze
Tracker and Skinner: Jonas

Hunting Consultant/Booking Coordinator: Rick Wilks’ Hunting Adventures, 9269 Whitetail Way, King George, VA 22485, web site: http://www.wilks-hunting-adv.com, email: rbwilks@crosslink.net, Tel. 540-775-4625

Travel Agency: travel arranged by Doug Gray of Gracy Travel International, Inc., 6865 Camp Bullis Road, Suite B, San Antonio, TX 78256, web site: http://www.gracytravel.com, email: doug@gracytravel.com, Tel.: +1 (800) 299-8558

Rifle: Remington 700; 300 Ultra Mag.; Bullet: Remington Premier, Power Level III, Extreme Range 200 GR A-Frame

Animals harvested by group: Kudu, Blue Wildebeest, Black Wildebeest, 2 Gemsbok bulls and Warthog.

Taxidermist: Otjiwarongo Taxidermy, 2nd Avenue, P.O. Box 1020, Otjiwarongo, Namibia, Tel.: +264 67 302692, Fax: +264 67 302483, Mobile: +27 81 124 1484
Email: otjtaxi@iafrica.com.na

Report: We travelled via Delta Airlines from Huntsville, Alabama to Atlanta, Georgia where we picked up a connection to the O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 4, 2012. We arrived there on August 5, 2012 and spent the night at the Africa Sky Guest House http://www.africasky.co.za/. The following morning we flew South African Airways to Windhoek, Namibia.

We arrived at the Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, at 10:45am on August 6, 2012 where we were met by Willie Ilse who is an apprentice PH with Shona Hunting Adventures. After loading up, we traveled to Shona’s Tualuka Safari Lodge. This beautiful, five star lodge is located in the north western part of Namibia. It consists of 16,500 acres of privately owned land situated on the banks of the non-perennial Huab River. The area located in Kaokoland, in the Kunene Region and is part of the Loxodonta Africana Conservancy area.

Prior to arriving, our PH (Johann Veldsmen) wrote me to say that he had a large male leopard on one of his baits. When we arrived we discussed taking him. I was game, but we were not able to get a permit in time to make it a viable hunt. So we agreed that we would set it up for a future time.





Leopard On Bait




Leopard Track – Shell Is 3-Inches In Length)

With the Leopard hunt postponed, we sighted in our rifles and split up into two hunting parties. Robert hunted with Tjokkie Tsiveze and Willie Ilse, Levi and I hunted with Johann Veldsmen and Jonas. Since it was Levi’s first trip to Africa, we agreed that we would start the hunt by focusing on getting him 3 animals on his wish list, starting with Warthog. We hunted an adjoining farm where the land owner reported that there was a huge warthog he called the Banana Pig. Our first attempt to find him was successful, but he broke and ran before Levi could get a shot. We hunted other parts of the farm to see what was available and came back to try for the Banana Pig again that afternoon. This time we spotted him on the opposite side of the road and he broke and ran again. We noted that each time he bolted he ran past a small koppie. It was agreed that we should leave him for a few days before we tried again. The next morning we traveled to a property that bordered the Etosha National Park. At this area we located a bachelor herd of Blue Wildebeest bulls and Levi and Johann made a long stalk across an open plain where Levi managed to down a beautiful gold metal bull.




Blue Wildebeest Bull

Taking turns, the next morning we focused on finding me an Impala. We located a group with a large ram from a high vantage point and we decided to try for him. As we stalked in, we spotted 3 young Kudu bulls lying on the hill side above the Impala. As we tried to move within range of the ram, the Kudu spotted us and broke, taking the Impala with them.

That afternoon we decided to try for Cape Eland. We did not have any problem locating Eland by glassing from the top of the Koppies, but had a terrible time approaching within range, even using a spotter who directed our approach from the spotting location. The problem was that the Eland would move into the thick Mopani/Thorn scrub during the day where the visibility was usually less than 40 yards. As we would get close the swirling winds would give us away and they would spook. After 3 or 4 unsuccessful stalks we managed to get within 40 yards of a very good bull that was in standing in the brush and apparently sleeping. His heart was covered by a large limb and I was forced to snake a shot though the Mopane limbs to make a high shoulder shot. From where I was positioned I could not get in a second shot and Johann threw a round into him as he staggered off. As it turned out the insurance shot was not needed. The gold metal bull dropped within 40 yards.






Cape Eland Bull

After we returned to Tualuka, we found that Robert had taken a very nice Gemsbok bull and had begun his search for a good Kudu bull.






Roberts Gemsbok Bull

With my Eland in the salt, we headed back to try for the Banana Pig again. Johann thought that we should camp out at the Koppie that the pig ran past on our first 2 attempts to see if he would come by it later in the day. We got there and glassed, but did not see him. After 15 minutes of glassing, a large sow, who was lying on the back side of the Koppie, could not take it anymore and broke from her hiding place at a run The Banana Pig, knowing that the jig was up, took off behind her. Levi busted him on the fly at about 70 yards. We were all really excited. The Warthog sported 14-inch tusks and was the largest pig taken in the area in recent memory.






Magnificent Warthog Boar (The Banana Pig)

The next morning we traveled a farm south of Tualuka Safari Lodge to hunt for Black Wildebeest. We started by glassing from a koppie. Johann and Levi climbed to the top and I waited below because my knee, which I had injured a few years before, began to bother me. I felt a little guilty and decided to climb a saddle between the double koppies, which looked easier to climb. As I set there glassing I began to hear a strange half growl, half cough that went on for several minutes. It came from just below me and around the edge of a large boulder. As the guys came down I joined them and asked the PH if he heard the sound. He had and told me that it was a leopard calling for a mate. It was within 60 yards of me.

Having not seen any wildebeest from the first glassing location we moved to a second Koppie and spotted a mixed herd of Zebra, Kudu, Springbok and Black Wildebeest. It was a beautiful sight. As we watched the Wildebeest began to move to the right and we set out to cut them off. From our hiding place in the grass we watched them walk by in single file at 40 yards. The bull that we had seen from the koppie had broken off from the herd and moved across further out. We waited until they bedded down and tried to move in to find him but were eventually busted when the wind changed direction.

Undeterred we drove on and located another group and stalked in. We located a large bull that had picked up on our movement and had begun to growl a warning. I was able to get off a shot before he ran. He was standing head on when I shot and he bolted after being hit squarely in the center of the chest. As he ran I was able to put a second shot into his side which passed to the opposite shoulder putting him down for the count.






Black Wildebeest Bull

Back at Tualuka, Levi set out to find a good Gemsbok bull, which did not take long. The property is overrun with Gemsbok. The Gold metal bull he took took a lot of lead, but finally fell.



Levi's Gemsbok Bull
At this point, Robert had still not found a mature Kudu bull and the entire group set out to spot for him. After the sixth day of his search, two nice bulls were spotted and the chase was on. The bulls spooked and after a half mile foot chase, Robert got a shot into the larger of the two bulls which dropped on the spot. He was a very happy camper.





Robert’s Last Day Gold Metal Kudu Bull

While Robert was chasing Kudu, We talked Denise into trying her hand at hunting. After a little persuasion, she agreed to hunt for Dassie and in quick order took one. We were all proud of her especially since she said she would hunt Gemsbok on our next trip over.




Denise Takes Her First Trophy

Levi and Willie had so much fun helping Denise get started on her hunting career; they decided to hunt small game. They had a blast sniping Dassies which were given to the staff for food.





The Boys Hit The Dassies Hard

After they wore out the Dassies they switched to banging Guinea Fowl for the cooking pot. It was a challenge because camp rules required that they be shot in the head. Levi was using his 17 caliber rifle to do the job.




Guinea Fowl For The Pot

Side Trips: We took a couple of side trips during our stay with Shona Hunting Adventures. We visited a Himbia village and then moved up to Etosha National Park. Both of these sites are within easy driving distance from Kamanjab. We enjoyed both and would recommend that anyone hunting in northern Namibia to take some time out to enjoy these places. We also took an extra day to shop for gifts in Windhoek.

Accommodations and Service: My wife and I had hunted with Shona before and were sure that the Robert and Levi would enjoy the trip. The accommodations and services provided by Shona are top notch and every one had a great time. Shona is a family oriented camp and the accommodations are luxurious, the staff is very friendly and catered to each individual. Every need is met and no detail is missed.

Memorial Events: Aside from the highs and lows of great fair chase hunting, there are many other happy experiences burnt into my mind. The most memorable of these are the many little things that made us laugh … like Denise screaming when she though that her dead Dassie moved, drinking shooters at the bar, seven year old Zoe’s first PH job in which she earned 20 US dollars by leading Levi to his first trophy Dassie, the pick-the-girl card game, Levi forgetting his rifle on the hunt, introducing the guys to the democratic bird that kept squawking Barack, Barack, the elephant that chased us off, Vera’s Guinea Fowl hat, the plant with the invisible thorns that kept ripping at us that I had previously named the Son-of-a-Bitch bush, and the joking that went on continuously. I miss it all.

Trophy Processing: Shona took great pains to quickly process our trophies and delivered the skulls, cape and hides to Otjiwarongo Taxidermy (http://www.namibia-taxidermy.com) within a few days after our departure. I elected to use Otjiwarongo Taxidermy to prepare the skulls and do the hide tanning work for me. Because I have very little space left in my home for trophies, I asked the taxidermist to prepare European Mounts for my Wildebeest and to prepare the Eland skull and cape for shipment to my taxidermist for mounting. I’m thinking about a pedestal mount to put in the corner of the living room.

Summary: This was the perfect hunt with every one taking the game that they wanted. All the trophies were gold metal and of exceptional quality. Each of us have already started to save for our return trips.

Wildlife Photographs:
I have included a few of the hundreds of photographs that we took.




The Bull That Ran Us Off In Etosha






Giraffe Feeding In The Mopane Forrest





Zebra At Watering Hole

I took virtually the same picture, only minus the springbok:

Looks like a great time.

I'm still trying to get back to hunt with Johann, again.

We Bama boys are tough on African game. Well done and welcome home.

Come see us in Scottsboro.