LOCATION: Sebra Safaris near Kamanjab, Namibia

BOOKING AGENT: DYI

PH: Jan du Plessis

DATES: April 27 to May 5, 2013

TRAVEL AGENT: Lori Ginn, Travel Express (OUTSTANDING)

RIFLES: Winchester Model 70 Stainless in .300 WSM

AMMO: Winchester Supreme Ballistic Silvertip .300 WSM in 150 grains

ANIMALS HUNTED: Gemsbok, baboon, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, springbok, steenbok, jackal

ANIMALS TAKEN: Gemsbok (3), baboon (2), black wildebeest, red hartebeest, springbok, steenbuck, jackal (2)

This is my second safari in as many years with Sebra, and my second Hunting Report. I learned several lessons from my first report: 1) Do not attempt humorous remarks involving mass murderers; 2) Do not use the "W" word (waterhole); Do not use the LRF phrase (Laser Range Finder). I'll do my best to avoid these AR faux pas.

Took Delta Flight from ORD to ATL to Frankfort. Switched over to Air Namibia for final leg to Windhoek. Was able to check bags from ORD straight through to Windhoek and vice versa on trip back. Arrived at 5:30AM in Windhoek, and my PH Jan was waiting for me right at baggage claim. Stopped in downtown Windhoek for licenses and permits, picked up groceries and ran errands for Jan's neighbors. Next stop was Okahandja to pick up Jan's 12 year old son Lourie, who was out of school for their 1 month break. Got a peck on the cheek from Jan's beautiful daughter Yandi, and met his brother-in-law Johnny, who is a professional rugby player on the National Team. Next stop was Otjiwarongo to inspect my last year's trophies and pay off my outstanding balance. Final stop was the town of Outjo for more errands, and delicious pasteries at the "Backerie". Arrived at Jan's ranch around 4:00PM, unloaded bags and reconfirmed zeroes on my Model 70. A delicious meal at 6:00PM cooked by Jan's beautiful wife Mariesje. Early to bed after 52 straight hours without sleep.

DAY 1 HUNT, Saturday April 27:

Hunted on Jan's neighbor Danie's ranch for black wildebeest and springbok. Shot at jackal at 9:00AM, missing cleanly with first shot, but the jackal had a death wish and was dropped by the .300 WSM with the second shot. Here's a photo showing what he looked like.




At 10:00AM, parked truck and walked 1/2 mile to area frequented by wildebeest. Spotted a herd of 40 wildebeest, and stalked the last 200 yards on hands and knees. The skin on my knees is still left on the tiny pebbles of Danie's ranch. Got to within 160 yards of the herd and ran out of cover. Jan put down the shooting sticks, and it took us 15 minutes before the herd bull was clear, but facing right at us, head-on. Jan asked if I could make the shot, and I assured him I could. At the shot, the bull's left shoulder was pulverized, but he still ran 400 yards with the herd. Finally got a clear 120 yard shot, and dropped him at 10:45AM. A magnificent trophy to start the hunt: Here's what he looked like:



Dropped the bull off at Danie's skinning shed, and we were off for springbok. A little after noon, spotted a herd of springbok, and just as I was easing my safety off for a shot, the wind shifted and the whole herd spooked. Jan suggested we drive a few miles and try and find another herd of springbok, which we did about 15 minutes later. After a long stalk, we got within 150 yards of the herd, and they filed single file past us. When the herd buck finally cleared, I shot him at 120 yards, and he dropped instantly. A gorgeous trophy springbok- see pictures below, the first one with flared hairs right after he expired:





Jan walked the 1/2 mile back to the truck, while I fired up one of Fidel Castro's highly effective mopane bee repellent sticks (Montecristo). Cigar smoke really does keep the mopane bees away. Brought the springbok back to the skinning shed, and the skinners took off his skull and horns for a European Mount, having already finished my black Wildebeest. We loaded up our trophies and were back at Jan's ranch by 2:00PM for a late lunch of garlic marinated gemsbok tenderloins, with pasteries from the Backerie for dessert. Since our next target was nighttime hyena by moonlight, a siesta was in order until 4:00PM. Went to the rifle range to confirm Jan's zero on his .375 Ruger. Lourie zeroed his .22 for varmints as well. Had a late gourmet dinner at 7:15PM, and headed out for hyena. Lourie shot a genet cat a with single head shot with his .22. Once at the blind, we saw 18 zebra, 10 gemsbok and one feisty aardvark, but no spotted hyenas. Headed back at midnight, ending a great first day of hunting.

DAY 2 HUNT, APRIL 28, 2013

Breakfast at 7:00AM after late hunt on Day 1. Jan spots a huge male baboon at waterhole right in front of his ranch house. I make a 278 yards shot off the sticks, and he drops like a stone. He is so old, his fangs are all worn to nubs, so I guess I did him a favor. Hunted from a kopje from 9:00AM to noon, and spotted 2 gemsbok, 6 warthogs and a distant troop of baboons. Lunch at noon, followed by a brief nap. Hunted a different part of Jan's ranch, and spooked a nice steenbuck who boogied out of Dodge. 200 yards further, I spotted another steenbok, we stopped the truck, and I got within 60 yards of him. He dropped at the shot- here's what he looked like:


Here's a closeup:


Took the steenbuck back to the skinning shed, and had a fabulous dinner of beef stroganoff and peas, served with a delicious sauce.

DAY 3, APRIL 29, 2013:

Breakfast at 6:00AM, and head straight out to Jan's father's ranch for kudu, with our able gate opener and eagle-eyed junior PH Lourie. At 7:15AM, we spot a herd of 5 or 6 kudu cows and calves, followed 10 seconds later by a clone of the huge 55" kudu bull I shot last year. We drove 1/2 mile trying to head the herd off, but to no avail. Drove to a nearby kopje, which Jan and Lourie scampered up, with me following at a 65+ year old pace. Jan and Lourie spot a 52"+ kudu bull, but he is gone by the time I reach the summit. I managed to leave a chunk of my left ear on a thorn bush, which greatly slowed my ascent. We glassed for 15-20 minutes, but no targets were spotted. Walked back to the truck, and started looking for more kudu. As we neared a small kopje, Jan stopped the truck and said.. "I smell a dead animal, we must investigate". We found a mummified 50"+ kudu bull with his rack wedged into a cluster of small trees. It appears he broke his neck attempting to extricate himself. Here's a picture of his remains as we found them:



Driving further, we spotted countless gemsbok, a couple of herds of zebra, and 3 young kudu bulls running together in a bachelor herd. Also found two additional dead kudu bulls, both immature. Back to the ranch for a lunch of chicken and mushroom caserole with lemon cake for dessert. After lunch, hunted kudu until 6:00PM with no mature bulls spotted. Had a delicious dinner of breaded pork loin with cauliflower and cheese sauce. Back on the road at 7:30PM for another go at a hyena. Jan dropped me off at a blind where we had seen hyena tracks earlier in the day, and drove off 500+ yards to hide the truck. I watched his headlights go out, and about 2 minutes later I hear the roar of his .375 Ruger. It turns out a super aggressive male hyena followed his truck the last 200 yards, and snuck within 6 yards before Jan heard him preparing to attack. Jan switched on his flashlight and shot him at less than 15 yards. Talk about close calls!!!

Jan walked back to the blind to pick me up and show me the hyena's tracks in his tire tracks, and his tracks only 6 yards from the parked truck. We loaded him up after taking a few flash pictures and Jan worked late into the night to prepare him for the taxidermist. Here's a picture of Jan with his hyena:


DAY 4, APRIL 30, 2013:

Breakfast at 7:00AM, followed by 30 minute north drive toward Kamanjab to hunt "Farm Beulah" for a ration hunt and possible kudu or red hartebeest. At 9:00AM, spot a herd of 20+ springbok, but no shooters. At 9:20AM, a herd of 15 zebra are spotted, but they're not a target animal for me this trip. At 9:45AM, walk to the top of a sandy hill overlooking a 400 yard circular sandy plain, with a grove of mopane trees about 150 yards out. We glass the grove, and there's a herd of 8 red hartebeest bedded there, including a giant bull. After a few minutes, the bull got up and walked straight at us. I got on the sticks, and when he turned broadside at 80 yards, I unleashed the .300 WSM. He dropped instantly at the shot. Jan said it's the second largest red hartebeest any of his hunters have ever shot. Here's a picture of the big guy:

Three local skinners met us some distance from the kill site of the bull, and they took him to the skinning shed at 10:50AM. By 11:00AM, we were back hunting and spotted 18 eland cows and calves, 11 kudu cows and calves, then 13 smallish warthogs. At 2:40PM, a very large male baboon committed a major mistake, and was dropped with a single shot at 60 yards. Here he is:


Left at 3:00PM for our ration hunt to feed the local native workers. A very old gemsbok bull was shot at 3:15PM and loaded on the truck without a winch. Here he is:




A large leopard print, found a little later:


DAY 5, MAY 1ST:

Up at 7:00AM, plan is to hunt a cull gemsbok for Jan's church group. At 11:45 AM, a herd of 7 gemsbok comes in, and I drop a nice cull buck with a single shot. Here's a picture of him:


Back to the skinning shed and lunch, then a brief siesta. Sat on a kopje until dark and a 40" gemsbok tempts me, but I've already got his twin at the taxidermists waiting to fly home with me. Jan cooks a delicious gemsbok stirfry, washed down with cold Tafels.

DAY 6 HUNT MAY 2, 2013:

Sat on another kopje, spotting lots of small kudu and assorted warthogs. Pass on a 50" kudu bull and after a string of 8 straight one shot kills, miss a head shot at a cull gemsbok. Dinner at 6:15PM consisting of my favorite dish of gemsbok fillets, squash and mashed potatoes. Head out after dark for another try at hyenas, but none spotted and we head back at 2:00AM. On the way down the kopje in the dark, my sling breaks and the scope crashes on the rocky slope.

DAY 7 HUNT, MAY 3, 2013

After a quick breakfast, out to the rifle range, where zero is dead on despite bad fall on the rocks the night before. A good testament to Leupold's quality.Hunt a kopje in the AM, and almost took a shot at a third cull gemsbok, but no ethical head shot is offered. Numerous herds of gemsbok and zebra are spotted while riding around.

DAY 8 HUNT, MAY 4:

Hunt Jan's father's ranch again. Saw same kudu herd as on Day#3, but big 55"+ bull is AWOL. Later in morning spot the same narrow racked bull from Day#3, but pass on him. See very fine duiker, and while discussing the trophy fee with Jan, the duiker decides he doesn't wish to become my trophy and runs off. At last light, am tempted by a 39"+ gemsbok bull, but I pass him up. See a second duiker buck, but one of his horns is deformed and I elect to pass. Dinner is a delicious klipspringer stew served with rice.

DAY 9 HUNT, MAY 5, 2013:

Up at 6:00AM, drive by 50-60 gemsbok on the way to the blind where I shot my first gemsbok the previous year. A herd of 15-20 gemsbok are grazing at our 2:00 position at 400 yards. At 8:45AM, Jan checks our 6:00 position, and 3 gemsbok are less than 100 yards away. The last gemsbok is a perfect meat bull, and I drop him with a single head shot. Pictures are taken, and back to the skinning shed and lunch. Spend the afternoon measuring all my trophies for a report that Jan must submit to the Namibian government, and which both of us must sign.

DAY 10, MAY 6, 2013:

Say my goodbyes to my wonderful hostess Mariesje du Plessis, and a manly handshake with her son Lourie. We drive to Outjo for gas and pastries, then stop in Otjowarango to pick up last year's trophies.Run errands in Windhoek, then Jan allows me to treat him to steaks at Joe's Beer House. Jan drops me off at Onganga Lodge at 7:00PM, for a 4:00AM wakeup for my 7:15AM flight to Frankfort. Able to check bags and boxed trophies directly through Frankfort to Detroit Metro Airport, where I go through customs then US Fish and Wildlife inspection. Thanks to Mike M from here on AR, I have all my permits in order and fly through inspections with no problems.

Congratulations!

Congrats on the hunt!!

How did Air Namibia perform. I'm flying to Namibia in August. For a time earlier in the year, I was hearing of bad performance by Air Namibia.

quote:

Originally posted by Texas Blue Devil:
Congrats on the hunt!!

How did Air Namibia perform. I'm flying to Namibia in August. For a time earlier in the year, I was hearing of bad performance by Air Namibia.

Air Namibia was light years better than last year: more agents at the counter in Frankfort vs just one last year. Service was good in flight, and even served free Tafel lager!!

That is really great to hear. We had problems last year. The move our 9PM flight up to 6AM. It screwed up our travel. Normally we have no overnights when returning home. However last year we had to overnight in Windhoek for the 6AM flight. And we landed in Frankfurt around 5PM, so we had to overnight in Frankfurt.

Air Namibia's performance on our previous 3 trips to Namibia was great.

Very nice variety of animals. Thanks for the report.

Well done and some cracking trophies.

Great hunt. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Mariesje's cooking is the better than any Tanzania tented safari I have been on.

I hunted with Jan on my one and only safari in 2007, and got a tremendous gemsbok. Lourie would have only been about 5 or so at the time. I'd love to go back and hunt with Jan again, but other interests are using my funds.

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. Hunting with Jan du Plessis is like hunting with one of my sons- he's the same age as my youngest son. And eating Mariesje's cooking is like being back in Paris eating gourmet food, only with the ambiance of a beautiful Namibian sky.

Bud,

Fantastic photos and the reads were great.
One can read from your writing a fine time, good hunting, and fond memories for you.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by retreever:
Bud,

Fantastic photos and the reads were great.
One can read from your writing a fine time, good hunting, and fond memories for you.

Mike

Thanks, Mike. You're right about the fond memories. One of the best memories was giving small gifts to Jan and Mariesje's kids. I gave Lourie a video game and a DVD and I gave Yandi a cover for her Kindle Fire. Got a nice e-note from Yandi- here's her picture. She's a clone of her beautiful mother.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akam...692_1640852066_n.jpg

quote:

Originally posted by retreever:
Bud,

Fantastic photos and the reads were great.
One can read from your writing a fine time, good hunting, and fond memories for you.

Mike

+1

Excellent trophies and great story! Congrads

Bud. Thank you for an entertaining and fine hunt report and some great pictures. Your red hartebeest is a prize winner. A couple of years ago, I had a hard time connecting with same, and ended up calling it red (hard-to-get) beest. Congratulations.
Kind regards
Jytte