12 May 2013, 02:57
Bud MeadowsSecond Safari with Sebra Hunting Safaris
LOCATION: Sebra Safaris near Kamanjab, NamibiaBOOKING 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:
