24 April 2014, 03:59
mejA HUNT DONATED BY CHRIS TROSKIE SAFARIS - STU TAYLOR BENEFIT PICS IN ORDER
OUTFITTER CHRIS TROSKIE SAFARISPH 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
A nice hunt for an even better reason !
