Savage Shooters Group Safari 2005
Outfitter: MAA Safaris
PH: Known as H&HMag on this forum

Making the choice:

I was looking for a big game hunt for quite sometime, considering either Moose or Elk somewhere in the States or Canada. I stumbled across a posting by Rob Martin on the Savage shooters website where he was preparing to leave for his hunting trip last year in October. I jokingly posted that I was jealous and wished him luck. Rob replied and said “Hey man, don’t be jealous; Come along with usâ€. I thought, yeah right, as if that will happen. That’s when Rob told me he was planning a group hunt for 2005 that will be more than affordable, and to start saving my pennies. Well, I have to admit my curiosities were starting to get the better of me.

Upon Robs return from Africa, he spoke of the hunt he had held with his client Lyle in October and announced his intentions for the 2005 group hunt. It appeared to be too good to be true. Rob posted a link to an article written by Lyle so I looked at the article and emailed Lyle to ask a few questions about his trip. Between his article and his reply to my message, I was convinced that Rob’s group “MAA Safaris†was legitimate and experienced in this type of hunting adventure.

I wrote to Rob and expressed my interest in joining him on the group hunt. After speaking with him on the phone a few times, I felt like we were old friends and I was prepared to go along. Of course, I had a few concerns about traveling overseas these days but I was not going to let that stop me from what looked to be the hunting opportunity of a lifetime.

Well, after my wife and I discussed it and she reluctantly agreed that I should go I decided to sign up. Rob was very flexible about payment scheduling and even told me he would accept my final 1/3rd at the airport if I had any concerns. Well I felt that was a great idea but not necessary, so I booked the trip and made my payments in three installments. Rob had offered monthly terms that would have been easy to meet, but I decided to make larger payments just so I would not miss one.

Getting Ready:
Rob was in constant contact with me throughout the long wait. We spoke on the phone or via email whenever I had any questions in regards to gear, clothing, paperwork and other miscellaneous items we would need. I always got prompt replies to my emails if not a phone call the same evening. Rob helped make it easy for me to prepare and to get my paperwork in order so I would not have any problems getting there. We spoke at great length about rifles and ammunition requirements. We discussed bullet construction, weights and type, manufacturer etc. Through our conversation and by process of elimination I decided on the Swift Scirocco 180 grain bullet for my Savage 300 WSM Model 10. I could not have made a better choice.


Load Development:

Load development took quite some time with the Scirocco’s but they were showing good progress. After some 16 loads, 6 powders and 2 bullet styles (180 grain Nosler Accubonds and Swift Scirocco) I was able to narrow it down to one load and began fine-tuning. Eventually I was able to work up a load that would shoot three shot groups at 3/8†at 100 yards, with speed in excess of 3150 FPS per my Millennium Chronograph at 10 feet.

This is the load that I ended up choosing:
Case: Winchester new or once fired
Case Trim Length: 2.095 inches
Bullet: Swift Scirocco 180 grain
Ballistic Coefficient: 0.521
Powder: Reloader #19
Charge: 68.7 grains
Primer: CCI 200
Overall length: 2.885 inches
Average Velocity 10 shots: 3,135 FPS
Highest Velocity: 3,155 FPS

Primary Rifle:
Savage Model 10 300 WSM
Trigger: Timney
Scope: Leupold VX3 long range 4.5-14 x 40, medium duplex, 30 mm tube and adjustable side focus objective
Base: One piece Leupold
Rings: Burris with standard inserts
Bipod: Caldwell sitting model

Backup Rifle:
Savage Model 16 Weather Warrior 7MM WSM
Trigger: factory, owner adjusted pre Acutrigger model.
Scope: Leupold silver 3x9x40 VX2
Mounts: Leupold silver one piece base and standard rings.
Ammo: 140 grain Nosler Accubond @ 3270 FPS.

Side Note:
With the extremely high winds and the long-range shooting we encountered, the Swift’s high BC, the Savages great accuracy and the Leupold’s clarity really paid off.
Travel Time:

Philadelphia Airport check-in was as smooth as silk! My rifle’s and case were inspected and on the way to the plane in a matter of minutes. I was in the air and on my way to Atlanta without a hitch.

I was in Atlanta ahead of schedule and began hunting around for Rob and Jody. I got in way ahead of both of them so I had a breakfast sandwich while I waited. Rob finally got in and told me he had missed his flight and had to take the next one. Jody came in about 30 minutes after Rob and we were soon on our way to the SAA terminal. I felt right at home with both Rob and Jody, as if we were old friends. It was going to be a great trip!

The SAA flight left on time and we were on our way. Thank Goodness the plane wasn’t full, as we really needed the empty seats around us in an attempt to get comfortable. Free beverages were provided for the duration of the flight and were much welcomed. The food was not the greatest, typical airline food. I highly recommend a large quantity of snack foods and perhaps a good healthy sandwich or two if you are sensitive to such gourmet foods as were offered on the plane. I was unable to sleep at all because I was just too wound up. After landing in Jo-burg, we got through customs in a little over an hour and we were on our way to meet Karel, (“Carlâ€) Rob’s South African partner. I took an instant liking to Karel as he was friendly and funny. After a short drive from the airport, we were at Karel’s home and met his lovely wife Cairn and their adorable 18 month old daughter. We quickly loaded up the rest of Karel’s gear and we were on our way to the concession. Along the way, we were able to see a little bit of the “way of the life†for the native people and there were several interesting buildings and factories for our viewing pleasure.

Day Two: the real hunting begins!

My Black Wildebeest hunt

Karel and I head out with Joseph (Joseph is a Zulu who works on the concession as a tracker/skinner) in search of a nice Black Wildebeest. We drove around for a little while looking for a herd or two. After we get to within a 1/2 mile or so of a few herds, we proceed on foot. The wind is howling at 35 to 40 mph steady and from the same direction all day long. The sun is shining and the weather is warm. The terrain is quite rolling with 50 to 100 foot hills several hundred yards apart. There is not much natural cover as the spring season is just beginning and the grass is low in most of the area (only 10 to 12 inches or so and completely dry). Trees are few and far between so we are forced to use the hills for cover. I soon realize that I am overdressed, roll up my shirtsleeves, and undo a couple of buttons. The elevation is approximately 5,000 feet above sea level and it is certainly making my breathing a bit labored.

We come up on a herd of Black’s about 400 yards away and Karel spots a couple of bulls in the group. He says lets go in for a closer look. We begin to creep in for a closer look and get to within maybe 200 yards of where Karel says he sees a good bull. We try to get within 150 yards or so in order to get a good shot with the strong winds we are experiencing. We are just about where we wanted to be when one of the Black’s spots us. They quickly run off about 200 yards or so and settle down atop of the next hill. We try to creep over the hillside and set up for another chance at a shot. Karel spots a good bull and tries to get me lined up on him. By the time I get my crosshairs on him we are made again and the herd moves on. Karel says hey, sometimes you get lucky; sometimes you have to work a little harder. We move on. There was the herd over to our left a few hundred yards away so we circle to the right and head out after them again. As we are walking straight ahead with a hill to our left to cover our advance we almost trip over a herd of Blesbok running with a herd of Black’s right in front of us and just down the far side of a 15 foot hill. They run to our left breaking up the herd we were after. Oh well, try try again.

We head off to the left with that wind blowing from left to right. As we begin to crest the hill, Karel motions for me to get down. There is a small group of the Black’s right in front of us with a nice bull about 200 yards ahead, we move in a little closer to maybe 175 yards. He is standing with his chest straight to me and Karel said he is a taker. I line up the shot for the crease of the neck and move about 4†to the left to compensate for the wind and tap the trigger. I heard a whack and saw him jump, I expected to see him drop within a few yards but he stayed on his feet and made his way back to the herd. Karel was sure I hit him and so was I, but we were not too sure how well. Karel managed to find him in the bino’s and confirmed that he was hit and carrying a hind leg. We thought maybe the bullet had passed through him and took out his hind leg in the process. Karel advised that we wait him out a bit and see what happens. After a while he said we need to go get him and finish him off. We summon Joseph and he comes pick us up with the truck. We finally get within about 400 yards of the black and I put a shot through his spine, pretty much anchoring him at that point. As we approach him, he struggles to get up and manages to get to his feet with some effort. Karel told me to finish him so I put another round into his heart area from about 100 yards. This one finally finished him off. Let me tell you, this is on tough animal! In addition, this one is a dandy! Karel said it would easily make the books. The horns are nicely dipped and with good height and big bosses. He will make an excellent mount, and a terrific hide for perhaps the foot of my bed. I am quite satisfied with the hunt and very impressed with Karel’s ability and knowledge of the game.

In closing:
The first round was blown off course the width of the Black’s chest by the extreme crosswind approximately 12 to 16 inches striking the Black in his left rear leg just above the knee. I will try a little more lead if this wind continues. This wind is making things tough but it will be calm tomorrow, were sure of it.


Day Two, afternoon: the hunting continues

My Blesbok hunt: A well-executed plan!
After a nice brunch at the lodge, we moved our gear into the chalet and relaxed for a bit. Around mid afternoon Karl, Joseph and I went out in search of a nice blesbok. We didn’t have to search too long as we found one laying in the veldt (open grazing area in South Africa). I decided to pass on him, as one horn was slightly shorter than the other was, even though he was a nice buck I did not want to take him. We moved on about a mile or so and Karel spotted a herd in a bowl shaped depression maybe a mile away from a dam wall (in South Africa a dam is a lake or pond). From cover of the dam wall we make our way to a natural funnel shaped area maybe 300 yards wide from the far edge of the dam wall to the next hill. Karel is pretty sure that the blesbok herd will make a run for this area if we send Joseph around behind the herd and push them towards us, I agreed with Karel that this was a good plan and we set out to execute it. We dipped down below the wall, hiked maybe a hundred yards or so, and waited. Karel was watching the herd for a good buck and said he saw one. They began to come our way just as planned but started going a bit wide to our right. Instead of following the funnel, they were running nearly at the top of the ridge. We had to move fast to cut the distance if we were going to get a shot. We quickly covered the distance and setup about 1/3rd of the way up the ridge giving me about a 250 yard shot if they continued in their current direction. Well as luck would have it, they continued on their way towards us and miraculously stopped right were we wanted them. Now blesbok are like the alarm clock of the veldt and extremely observant of their surroundings as Rob had cautioned me prior to the hunt. They don’t miss much. We were down in the grass and I was preparing to shoot. Karl picked out a nice buck and was counting off from a white buck “one, two, three, six from the white, do you see him?†Yes, I see him. “Take the shot when he is openâ€. I settle the crosshairs on his shoulder and weight for the buck to separate from the others so as not to hit two of them. I’m ready to pull the trigger, they are just getting ready to bolt as we were busted he is quartering away slightly. He never takes the step that he began to spring into as he goes down in a heap, never took a step not a twitch nothing, the blesbok was down in an instant. As Karel picked him up in his bino’s he slapped me on the back and shouted great shot! The 180 grain Sirocco took him right off his feet with about a 200 yard shot through both shoulders. There was not a drop of blood on him as he went down so fast there was no time for him to pump any blood at all.


In closing:
Karel had an excellent plan that almost worked exactly as he had hoped. With the Blesbok coming along just below the ridge we were protected a little bit form that relentless wind. The 300 WSM and the Sirocco bullet performed like magic on the blesbok with a pencil-sized hole going in and the same going out. Very little damage to the pelt and no meat loss. Karel said that this guy would easily make the books as well. He will look great on my wall as a full shoulder mount. His rack is absolutely flawless and there is not a single blemish on his ears, face or coat. If you look closely, you can see the tiny exit wound midway up towards the front of the left shoulder. Tomorrow I will hunt Springbok; I am glad that the wind will die down overnight because we are looking at long shots out in the open with these little guys.



My Second African Game Trophy, the Blesbok

September 24, 2005
Day Three, I hunt the Springbok
We begin our morning with coffee and toast as we prepare for our hunt. Today I will be hunting with Karel’s “Crazy Cousin†Phillip (affectionately known as Flip). Flip and I along with Flip’s friend Peter and “Piatris†(pee-ate-tris), another of the Zulu skinners go out in search of a Springbok herd. Flip suggest we hide in an old concrete water receptacle on a high point overlooking the herd. He sends Piatris around to try to push the herd our way. The wind is still howling like mad and the Springbok are very skittish. They (the springbok) do not seem to understand our plan and simply will not cooperate. We wait for nearly two hours as Piatris continues to attempt driving the herd our way. The herd is still about 1,000 yards away or more and just wont move. Flip decides a change of plan is in order. We jump in the truck and head for the herd. We finally locate them and wait a bit for them to settle down. Well again they didn’t understand the plan and continue running all about. There is zero cover in the area that they are congregating in and no chance for a stalk. Flip asks me if I am ok with taking a shot from the truck. I say yeah, what the heck, why not. We set up and get ready, as Flip is trying to pick out a good buck I am trying in vain to keep the crosshairs on the one he is describing. The wind is blowing so hard the little Toyota is rocking around like a rowboat. And as usual the little springbok’s decide to move again. We turn the truck slightly to keep the herd in site and now we are in a full crosswind blowing from left to right. Flip picks up the buck again and counts off, I quickly pick up the buck in my scope and flip asks if I can make the shot. I can make the shot I exclaim; I put the crosshair just in front of the little bucks chest as he stands broadside to me and tap the trigger. Flip says great shot; you got him! That was easily 340 to 350 meters he exclaims and with this wind, wow! Peter shouts Nice Shot as he slaps me on the back. I’m at this point feeling pretty good about things when the little guy gets up and starts trying to run. I ask Flip if I should hit him again and he says no, he is not going anywhere. We wait a bit and go to retrieve him after he drops again for good.

In Closing:
Flip had a good plan but the little Springbok’s just didn’t get the hint. I am not overly excited about hunting off the truck but this was not as easy as it sounds. The wind was screaming from the left at an easy 35 to 40 mph and gusting even higher at times. My shot was blown a little further back than I had expected and hit him clean through the liver. A fatal shot nonetheless. Everyone said that this wind was extremely unusual and none of the guys could believe that it had hung around for so long, but don’t worry, tomorrow it will be nice and calm. This little guy has a gorgeous symmetrical rack and will make a terrific shoulder mount for our living room next to the blesbok.

My Third Africa Trophy, The Sprinbok



Day Three: I tag along with Jody and Karel
Jody hunts for a Blue

As I am done hunting for the day, I decide to tag along with Jody and Karel for Jody’s Blue Wildebeest hunt. We drive to the Blue herds and Karel spots a nice bull. We drop them off so they can go in on foot to set up an ambush. Joseph and I circle around and try to get the herd moving towards them. Joseph is successful in getting the big Blue’s to move in the right direction so we get out of sight and wait for a call on the radio. As Joseph and I are sitting on the back of the truck talking we here a bullet whizzing overhead followed by a loud report, we both duck and run for the cab of the truck. As we climb into the truck we hear a second shot followed by a loud thump as Jody connects with the Blue. We wait for the call on the radio to come in as expected and within a couple minutes, we hear from Karel to move in. I am sitting on the back of the truck watching for them to come into view. As we get close enough to see what is going on the big Blue gets up and faces off with the guys and acts like he may charge. Karel Gets behind Jody as Jody raises his rifle for another shot. The Blue has second thoughts on charging and turns to run away. I hear Karel tell Jody to shoot and I watch as Jody puts one right in the Blues left hindquarter about two inches from his tail. This shot puts him down for what looks like the final time, don’t you know that bad boy gets up again? Jody put the finishing shot through his vitals from maybe 50 yards away. Jody was using his model 110 338 win mag with I believe 250 grain Swift A-Frames. It was after this hunt that I decided to add a Blue to my trophy list.


Day Four: My Blue Wildebeest

As my three trophies have already been taken and I have two full days left Karel and I discuss the options on taking a Blue Wildebeest, Karel comes up with a very fair offer to add the blue to my hunt. I have the cash on me so I say lets do it! A decision I will not regret.

In the morning, Karel and Joseph are ready to go. I join them in the truck and we head out for the Blue herds. As we are driving to the last known area of the herds I ask Karel if he as ever seen a Blue go down as if a light switch was shut off. He replied that in all of his years in hunting Blues that he had not ever seen one crumble were he stood. I told him that today would be the day, as I have to show Jody that it could be done. Karel kind of snickered a little bit and said something like we’ll see. We spot a herd within a few minutes and start a stalk towards them. Unfortunately, there are no bulls in this herd worth taking. There is another herd about four hundred yards to our left so we move in a bit to get a closer look. Karel spots a good bull and we try to get in position for a shot. I lay down prone with the bipod and put the crosshair on the bulls chest. We are maybe three hundred yards from him and yes, the wind is still howling- possibly even harder than the day before. Karel tells me to give him a good lead of at least a foot. I aim for the lower third as I am looking for a heart shot and swing to the right to give him some lead with my “little†300 WSM (I was concerned that I am slightly under-gunned for these big brutes). I tap the trigger and miss him clean. I don’t know if I shot under him or in front of him but I did not connect at all. Well, these guys scatter and head for the hills, another group joins this herd and they take off for the distant hills.

Karel decides that these guys are now too spooked to go after so we head off in another direction to the hilly terrain to our backs. As we begin our hike into this very hilly section we see a couple herds of in the distance. We spend about an hour hiking around to get a good look at the various herds in our quest for a big bull. After several stalks with no luck in finding a bull a group of five good bulls come along and try to join one of the herds we previously checked out. We begin our stalk on these guys and get within about two hundred and fifty yards of them. We are trying to get set up for a shot when a herd of blesbok come strutting through and join the blues. The blesbok see us and scatter the herd in several directions. We make another stalk on our hands and knees through some high grass and try to get lined up for a shot. Busted again, D&#n it! The blues start to make a dash for a natural funnel about six or seven hundred yards ahead of us. The five bulls are in the group and in the lead. Karel says follow me. He starts a fast pace footrace for a seventy five foot hill that overlooks the funnel by about four hundred yards or so. By this time I am completely out of breath from the three hours hiking in this the hilliest section of the concession. The five thousand plus feet elevation, my forty six years and three years of smoking again after six years smoke free have finally caught up to me. I have to run as fast as I can to keep up with Karel and we finally crest the hill. Karel helps me set up my bipod, as we get ready for the Blues to come through. On the crest of the hill we have successfully cut off the Blues escape route and we wait for maybe thirty seconds for the herd to crash through the thick high grass. They have no idea we are there and stop in the middle of the open veldt to catch there breath as I am still trying to do myself. Karel gets the big bull in his bino’s and directs me to my target. The wind is screaming over the hill but the but the grass down below is not moving all that much I decide to give no lead at all and aim directly for the heart shot. Karel gives me the green light on the bull as I prepare to take the shot. I get what I think is the heart shot on this massive Blue and tap the trigger. Karel says something like “Holy $hit, you dropped him like a rockâ€. Not a step not a leap not even a shudder he just collapsed in a heap right were he stood. He asked me were did I shoot him? in the head? I say no, low in the shoulder looking for the heart shot. Any lead he asked? Nope Right were I aimed it. That was close to a four hundred yard shot Karel exclaimed, I have never seen anything like that in my life! you must have shot him in the head, lets go have a look. As we climb down the hill and approach the big bull we begin to realize that he is indeed a monster. There he lay in a heap with one hole through his shoulder, right through the top of the heart area, just a tiny trickle of blood running from the hole, “Instant Deathâ€. Karel is amazed and so am I! I lay down in the grass next to the bull and thank the great spirit for the most intense and rewarding hunt of my life.

In Closing:
This hunt was by far the most exciting of my life. Karel did a fantastic job of getting us in the right place at the right time. The Swift Scirocco 180 grain bullet did an incredible job of anchoring this massive bull right where he stood. Karel paced off three hundred seventy eight paces after the shot and let me tell you, that man has a stride.

My 4th Africa Trophy, The Blue Wildebeest



Recovered Bullet From The Blue, Retained Weight 145.3 grains




A little bit about Rob (H&HMag):
Rob is a former US Marine. He is a world traveler and an avid hunter. He likes to shoot competitive long range rifle matches and enjoys his hunting dogs and local hog hunting in Florida where he lives. He is quick with a story and a great conversationalist. I feel like Rob is an old friend at this point and I hope that we cross paths again in the future. I would not hesitate to book another hunting trip with Rob and his company "MAA Safaris" should the opportunity ever come my way again.

A little bit about Karel:
Karel is a schoolteacher by profession, he teaches mathematics in South Africa to a wide range of different cultures. He speaks eleven languages. His English is quite good and he could easily get by here in the states. Karel is a licensed professional hunter in South Africa and coordinates and guides Safaris in South Africa and other states in Africa during his off periods, vacation time etc. He is full of energy and can easily run most men into the ground when on the hunt. He strives to get you your moneys worth and will do his utmost to see that you get a good shot at a good trophy. I would not hesitate to book another safari with Rob and Karel should the opportunity ever arise again.


A little bit about me:
I am a 46 year old hunting and shooting enthusiast from Buck’s County, Pennsylvania. A former metal fabricator and pipe fitter, I now work as a Project Manager/Estimator for an Industrial Contract Corporation. I have a lovely wife (Rebecca) and three children ranging in age from eleven months to nineteen years in age. .

A little bit about the Concession: From a rookies perspective
As with all South African hunting, this is a concession (game farm) and is run as a business. There is no “wild†hunting in South Africa anymore. However, do not let that fool you into thinking this is a penned in hunt. This place was huge, some nine thousand hectares or well over thirty-four square miles. The terrain is rolling hills several hundred yards apart that peak in the order of fifty to one hundred feet above the wide valleys. There is little vegetative cover so you must use the hills to your advantage. There are some five or six thousand head of wildebeest and something on the same order of springbok and blesbok. The animals run in herds of forty to fifty animals each, however they often join up with other herds and sometimes break up into smaller herds. Now it would be easy to just go out and shoot a wildebeest or blesbok but the trick is to find a male first and a good trophy second. That is were it gets difficult. They all look pretty much the same to me, that’s were Rob and Karl become so important to a successful hunt. Those guys know what they are doing and they know what to look for. If you were to shoot the wrong animal, such as a pregnant female there are penalties to pay (double fee) as well as not having a particularly good trophy. Not something you want to have happen on what may be the only trip of this type you will ever experience.

The accommodations were comfortable and sufficient. Hot showers, a full kitchen adequate seating and table space made for some enjoyable meals and nights of interesting and enjoyable conversation.


A little bit about the food:
We had some terrific meals prepared by Cairn and Karel. Most of what we had were very similar to the Pennsylvania Dutch style cooking I am used too. We enjoyed local beef and pork, lamb, and a variety of the game meats we shot as well as some wonderful game sausages that Karel had brought with him. As Jody and Rob can testify, we enjoyed every meal and there was more than enough to go around. I think my favorite meal was the leg of Springbok grilled with bacon and the sautéed mushrooms. A delightful and flavor filled treat! Cairn prepared delicious stew with a variety of our game meats with some fresh pork and bacon, mushrooms and potatoes in a wonderful brown gravy. I am here to tell you that was a delicious meal and a local favorite. We hunted like Royalty and ate like Kings! For those of you who like a little meat with your meal this is the menu for you!
Some miscellaneous pictures:


In Closing:
I had an incredible experience on this trip and I highly recommend that anyone considering such an adventure to do so. Along with the hunting we saw wildlife that would amaze anyone, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, cape buffalo. red hartebeest, water buck, and many species of smaller African cats, many interesting bird species and a few not so desirable species such as jackals and porcupines.

Rob and Karel put together a first class hunt for us and we were not disappointed in any way. Both Jody and myself agreed to one another that we had an excellent time and that it was worth every penny we spent. The cost of the hunt was extremely reasonable and due to that fact I was able to add the Blue Wildebeest to my hunt, a decision that turned out to be my most enjoyable and memorable part of the safari.

Karel, his lovely wife Cairn and Rob made us feel at home and at ease at every step of the trip. From meals to conversation after the hunt we were comfortable and entertained. If god is with me, I will return to South Africa one day, and I wont hesitate to hunt with Rob and Karl again. Next time we will hunt the Bush veldt.

Great stories and thanks for putting in the rifle and your loading information.

Thanks! My pleasure

Bell,

Welcome to the forum. And thank you for sharing your hunt with us.

If you have any photos you would like to add to your hunt report, you can email them to me and I wll be happy to add them for you.

saeed@emirates.net.ae

Thank you Saeed. I will be happy to send a few pix.

Regards, Ed Bell

Ed- Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Great story telling! Please do add some photos.

John

They are on the way 30ott6, Just sent 4 or 5 to Saeed so he can post them. Glad you liked my little story.

Ed B.

Good report, can not wait for photos.
Gene

Untill Saeed gets the pictures posted, if anyone wants a copy of this article with a little more detail complete with pictures that were not sent in to be posted PM me with your email and I will be happy to forward it. It is about 1 meg and has a bout a dozen pictures.

Thanks for the kind words, Ed B.

Great report - I saw your photos on the savage forum.

Since I have a savage, I checked them out,

I'm glad you mentioned their forum.

Congrats on the hunt.

Thanks Riodot, Soon there will be the full article complete with photos posted on the savage sight in the articles section.

You know, writing the article was almost as much fun as the hunt was. And I am happy to share it.

Sorry it took so long, I figured out how to post pictures here and added some in.

Regards, Ed B.

Here are a few more pictures.
A herd of Black Wildebeest about 700 yards away. Not a great pic of the animals but it shows the open land pretty well.


Some awesome clouds


Karel and Joseph with my Blue


Rob Martin with his Blue taken with his 375 H&H


Jody Calhoun with his Blue taken with his 338 Win Mag.


More cool looking clouds, dont ask why, I'm a little strange I guess.


A painting my Wife did as a gift to Rob for a great job done.

Good storytelling, Ed.

I know exactly how you felt when up against long distance shooting and unrelenting winds. I had some of the same last year in southern Namibia. I aimed one foot in front of a springbok's brisket and hit him in the liver at 300 yards. Swirling, gusty winds really suck! I'm glad we don't have them around our neck of the woods.

quote:

Originally posted by onefunzr2:
Good storytelling, Ed.

I know exactly how you felt when up against long distance shooting and unrelenting winds. I had some of the same last year in southern Namibia. I aimed one foot in front of a springbok's brisket and hit him in the liver at 300 yards. Swirling, gusty winds really suck! I'm glad we don't have them around our neck of the woods.

Hey, your a local! I'm in Quakertown. Thanks for the compliment.

What other animals did you take? do you have a post of your trip on here?

What a day for hunting today. I was in my tree stand for three hours this afternoon and got soaked; saw nothing. there was a fabulous buck in the area yesterday at 2:30 pm. I was hoping he would come back today but no such luck! I guess the deer know when to get out of the rain.

The thread of my hunt got cut into pieces when we changed servers at the end of '04. Here is a pic of my 55" kudu, the bigger of the two I shot. These are 4 of the 6 springbok. Also, a gemsbok, red hartebeest, warthog, zebra, steenbok, cape cobra, hyrax and a couple dozen sand grouse.

I don't shoot whitetailed buck. I leave them for the folks who can eat the antlers; I don't. Doe are more my meat hunter style.

Great report, Thanks for sharing your experience

Looks like you had a great hunt Dave, thanks for the pic's Nice Kudu! I will put that on my list along with Gemsbok and hartebeest if I ever make it back.

BTW, I wont hesitate to take a doe for the freezer either.

Regards, Ed B.

Great report. THanks for sharing. You are now officially hooked on African hunting.

quote:

Originally posted by Vinny:
Great report. THanks for sharing. You are now officially hooked on African hunting.

Thanks Vinny, yes I am hooked! But alas, I am just your average working man. It will take a stroke of good fortune or a long time saving to go back again. If the great spirit is with me I will return.

Cheers, Ed B.

EFBell, do you know the name of the place you hunted on? It looks like Rhino Lodge to me, just curious......

quote:

Originally posted by young_ph:
EFBell, do you know the name of the place you hunted on? It looks like Rhino Lodge to me, just curious......

Yes it was, I take it you have been there. This being my first trip I have nothing to compare it too, but I thought it was a pretty good setup and I enjoyed it a great deal.

Thanks for the great report. Its great that you had such a wonderful experience. Wish I could shoot as well as you. I get the willys just looking at all that open country.

Best,

JPK

quote:

Originally posted by JPK:
Thanks for the great report. Its great that you had such a wonderful experience. Wish I could shoot as well as you. I get the willys just looking at all that open country.

Best,

JPK

Thanks a lot! and may I recommend the following?

Practice,Practice,Practice!!!!!!!

To tell you the truth, I had a fine setup with my Savage, loopy, and the Scirocco's. Took a lot of the guess work out of the ranging.