OUTFITTER CHRIS TROSKIE SAFARIS

PH CHRIS TROSKIE

TRACKERS SAMSON & PETE

AREA LEPHALALE, WATERBERG MTS.SA

RIFLE MARLIN .30-06

AMMO HAND LOADED 168 GR. BARNES TSX

HUNT DATES APRIL 4TH / APRIL 8TH

HUNTED KUDU AND BROWN HYENA

SEEN BUSHBUCK, IMPALA, WARTHOG, KLIPSPRINGER, DUIKER, GIRAFFE, WATERBUCK, NYALA, ZEBRA, BLESBOK, BONTEBOK, BLUE WILDERBEEST, CIVET, BABOON, VERVET, OSTRICH, BOOMSLANG.

In November last year I received the great news from Roland “Late-Bloomer” that I was the lucky recipient, after the draw, of a 5 day hunt with Chris Troskie Safaris in South Africa. A hunt Chris Troskie donated in connection with the Stu Taylor benefit.

At that time I already had a walking safari organized in Botswana for March/April 2014, so when I contacted Chris with regard to dates we luckily were able to find room for this hunt as a continuation of my Botswana adventure.

On April 3rd, Chris picked us up (I had two observers along) just outside the city of Polokwane.

Some three hours later saw us arrive at Chris farm, Sabrisa; the nearest town is Lephalale and deep within the Waterberg Mountains.





New terrain for me, a look at the surrounding mountains took my breath away, awesome, inviting yet intimidating and certainly indicated that the prior five days of walking in the Tuli (somewhat flat) Wilderness in Botswana was a piece of cake compared to what might await.



Climbing mountains in the search for a big kudu! Although it never came to that, it has been a dream for years to successfully hunt a large kudu, so I was more than prepared to climb a bit.





On previous hunts during the past four years, we’ve had a look around while hunting DG for an exceptional kudu. Hunting Makuti in 2011 we heard that a 60 inch+ kudu roamed that pretty rugged terrain and made us hope we’d just bump into it. No such luck and time did not allow for a proper search.

First order of the afternoon was the sighting in of the borrowed .30-06. At some stage during exactly that, I was certain Chris was ready to send me home. The hardest shot of them all, observers looking on, trackers looking on and a new PH looking sideways, hoping his client can handle a rifle and hit the target!

Under my breath I blamed the rifle, the ammo, the shooting bench, the weather and my ear protection. Then Chris took a shot and it was time to get my act together. Which I did, otherwise this hunting report might not have been written! Let the hunt begin.

KUDU HUNT

Which it did the next morning very early.

Lephalale had some weeks before we arrived been declared a disaster area, flooding everywhere and it did hamper us in our quest when we tracked kudu. There were areas we simply could not walk nor drive because of water. The bush was also very green and thus thick because of the amounts of water received.

We came up and close to a lot of kudu, females in particular, but seeing the rut was in the early stages, we were hopeful some males were hot on their trails.

Second day of hunting, after some intensive tracking, face to face with a large group of kudu, standing dead still for a very long time, we finally had to call it quits because the same group took off in terrain we could not walk.

On our way back, not particularly silent, but rather walking purposefully towards the car, a young bull suddenly appears on our left, some 50 meters away. The sticks up, because what if …? And that is exactly what happened. One big kudu bull appeared. There was no need, nor time, to discuss size. I could tell he was big.

Head bent backwards, his massive horns covering most of his back as he came barging through the bush. He stood still for a few seconds too long and that ended the hunt for a large kudu.



He measured in just short of 55 inches and was a beauty.

To say we were thrilled is an understatement. I was happy beyond words because I had finally connected with my dream come true kudu bull.

BROWN HYENA HUNT

Chris had pre-baited and studying the pictures from the trail camera we could see two brown hyenas had frequented the bait. It was time to make a plan for sitting in the blind.

Three nights we then sat, only to discover every next day that the hyenas came in after we left the blind. We sat at different hours during these three nights and frankly felt the hyenas had the upper hand.

The fourth night, which was the last night of hunting, April 8th, we crawled up at around 19.30 hours and kept our eyes glued (again) to the small video screen that revealed movement at the bait site. A civet had a great time and kudu moved around on the ground around us as we sat dead still for several hours.

Close to “giving up” time we suddenly spotted a movement on the small screen and wouldn’t you know it, a hyena was there.

I leaned forward to shoulder the rifle already placed, Chris turned on the infra-red light and there was darkness. Lights off, the hyena shied away but without panic. Once more he came in, lights on, still darkness, a desperate attempt to focus and find the light where the hyena was standing. Lights off again, but a very cool hyena returned to the bait for the third time and this time the rifle was pointed exactly where he was as the light came on again. And so I had my brown hyena.

We realized that loading the rifle upon arrival in the blind had cast off the sight somewhat.

A brown hyena male with a very large head, add the softest fur imaginable and four striped handsome legs. I have a soft spot when it comes to hyena, spotted and brown, this was my first chance and attempt at the brown species, and my very first hyena ever.



There had been no room in the blind for my friends, but they had heard the shot and as we returned to camp, both had donned fleece jackets over their pajamas and happily downed a few very cold beers that Sabina Troskie (also awakened by the shot) brought out to celebrate. As I recall, Chris preferred some brownish stuff in a heavy tumbler!

What a perfect end to a wonderful hunt.

Patience, perseverance and a bit of luck.

I have hunted Africa for 10 years, and have harvested some fine trophies. The chance to hunt the big kudu and a brown hyena attracted me to accepting this fine price, the winning of the hunt donated by Chris Troskie. Perhaps a first timer to Africa should have had the opportunity; I’m still not sure I did right by accepting the prize and not passing it on.

However, I got the chance and I took it - to hunt with Chris Troskie, a consummate PH, the finest host imaginable, a man full of energy, humor, knowhow and empathy. I would hunt with him again anytime.

In the past 4 years, I have only hunted buffalo and elephant in Zimbabwe. Having graduated, so to speak, over the years from hunting PG in South Africa in areas that were fenced (although at the 25.000 ha scale) to areas in Zimbabwe where DG roamed free.

And so did the kudu in the Waterberg area, they climbed mountains if they were so inclined.

This hunt, it brought me back to the fine and exciting art of hunting antelope, not an easy feat for sure.

I am very happy that I had the chance to once more enjoy hunting for the great and grey ghost of Africa.

Sabrisa Farm is so very inviting, a charming boma where we enjoyed our welcome dinner, a nice and large pool, and a grand terrace with comfortable sofas. Outdoor dining area, all very tastefully decorated. Large and well-kept gardens, with horses on the lawn. Very easy on the eye, and we felt right at home. Lodgings roomy and very comfortable with fine beds, a large bathroom, all decorated with style. Chris wife, Sabina, is a first class cook; the food we enjoyed at every meal was outstanding.

















Thank you to Chris and Sabina Troskie for their embracing warmth and kindness during our stay/my hunt with them.

Stu Taylor, should you read this, I wish you the very best.

Jytte

Sorry folks. Pictures not up - I will have it fixed soonest.
Jytte

Congrats Jytte.

Congrats Jytte. Nice report and photoes. Beautiful kudu :-)

Congratulations A nice hunt for an even better reason !

Congrats on a great safari and a beautiful kudu!

Torbjorn

Congrats Mej.

Thanks for the post.

Sounds like you had a great hunt! Thanks for the report.

Well done Mej and a couple of super trophies you took there. Great Kudu and photos.

A big hand must go to Chris for the donation.

Right on Jytte looks like you had a fantastic time with the Troskie's

Beautiful place, property, and trophies

Well done Chris!!!

Wonderful trophies, Jyette. I've hunted for spotted hyena in Namibia and have yet to fire a shot in anger. My PH, Jan du Plessis, had to shoot one in self defense at 6 yards while I was there, but I was 500 yards away in the blind waiting for him. I'll be back in 2015 with a younger version of you- my blond 11 year old granddaughter Maddie.

Grattis Jytte!

Well done!!!! Great report and photos. As another female hunter, big congratulations on two fine trophies!

Best regards, D. Nelson

Congratulations Jytte! It appears that we both had a great time on the donated hunts. Nice kudu.

Looks like fun! Awesome kudu and beautiful country.

Thank you for the happy report!

Thank you everyone, for your kind comments in connection with this hunt report, in respect to the hunt I undertook recently with Chris Troskie, who had donated same hunt with regard to the Stu Taylor benefit.

Chris Troskie deserves a big hand for donating this hunt, perhaps I forgot to emphasize this in my report for which I apologize.

Bud Taylor Your comment made me smile big time. Hopefully you will connect with hyena a some stage, in the meantime enjoy your trip with Maddie, your lovely blond granddaughter.

D. Nelson
Thank you very much. From one woman hunter to another. Means quite a bit to me.

Pago Thank you.
Yes, I too had the finest time on my donated hunt.

Jytte

Super Kudu Jytte stort tillykke. Jeg forventer en mere udførlig mundtlig rapport i nærmeste fremtid.

mvh CF

Dear Jytte,

Thank you so much for your complimentary report. As I mentioned several times - it was an absolute pleasure to host you and your friends. We had a grand time indeed!

As mentioned in my private email to you - we shot another fine kudu a few days ago in the mountains behind the Hyena blind.

Here is a picture:



Took us all of 4 hours to pack the bull out but it was most certainly worth it.

Warm regards,

Chris

A hearty well done on two fine trophies!

I enjoyed the report. Thanks for sharing.

Great photos, especially that buff giving us the beady eye!
Congratulations on a great hunt, and thanks for the report and photos.

Outstanding!