Gentlemen:
My first stop this year was South Africa and it began my month in Africa with a wonderful week of hunting at Basie Kuhn's Haakdoorn Safaris ranch. This year Mark Sullivan's schedule did not match my trip so it was Basie and Johann Biewenga who were my PHs (maybe they shared the job as I'm a difficult client[?]). Both are licensed in SA for plains and dangerous game. Rifle used was a Harrison and Hussey .450-400 box lock ejector dated to 1920 and owned the the famous cricket player, Douglas Jardine. Open sights were used on the buffalo and a Swarovski 1-4x scope used on the plains game.

The hunt was 100%. Absolutely no negative instances: perfect flights, all on time, no lost bags, great food, hot showers with a good flow, comfortable and clean accommodations, great animals, and I am happy with my shooting. Here's a rundown:

First animal down was my buffalo. 39" with a good boss. 40 yards with a quick left and right and his head dropped so I knew he was hit hard. He only moved at a slow run for 10 yards and he was still. I could have waited but a second pair dropped him.



Second to fall was a non tropjy impala for camp meat. 101 yards and a single shot thorugh the shoulder.



A civit cat joined us each evening for the table scraps we left for him (or her).



This magnificent kudu was seen but not on my list. Damn!



I HATE snakes! I come to Africa in their winter so not to see them. Then I saw this spoor one morning...



A fair bushbuck was taken at last light in the thick and dragged quickly to an open area for a photo. Only 40 yards away and he fell where he stood with a single shot.



An better than average warthog fell at 40 yards.



I also took a female pig as she had excellent tusks and no children. Both hogs used only one Woodleigh soft nose each.



The best for last. This red hartebeest fell at a ranged 219 yards. He was quartering away at a slow walk and I took a seated rest. This is why I recommend sighting in only one barrel when using a scope so as not to change the regulation when using open sights. A bit behind the shoulder and he fell, stood and wobled for a minute, and fell for good.



Thanks for looking, gents and ladies, and now to part two and eight days in Botswana. For a buffalo and plains game Basie's ranch comes with my 100% recommendation. At 25 square miles it not put-and-take shooting and you can walk you tail off if you wish to do so.

As a post script. Next year I'm thinking of another buffalo with Basie and Johann and then to Zimbabwe for a tuskless or two. I want to use my newly acquired 4-bore Rodda. If any of you gents want to join me in South Africa and shoot your buffalo with my big 4 we can "make a plan."

Well shot

Thanks Cal for the report. Looks like you had a good time.

Well done Cal. I’m sure Saeed is disappointed that MS didn’t join you this year. That’s usually good for 2-3 pages of comments from our host.

quote:

Originally posted by Bud Meadows:
Well done Cal. I’m sure Saeed is disappointed that MS didn’t join you this year. That’s usually good for 2-3 pages of comments from our host.

Thanks, Bud.

Could be Mark was hunting with Saeed and could not make my schedule!
Cal

Good shooting. Thanks for the report.

Great Cal, looks like fun!

Well done Cal!

Congratulations on your hunt, both parts I & II. Some nice photos in there too. I especially liked the kudu looking back over his shoulder.

AS always from Cal. Good reports from Africa with a vintage doublerifle. 5 stars from here.

I know many hunters who look down on RSA, but when you look at the quality of the trophies, and relative ease and cost of travel, it can be a real bargain.

Thanks for sharing your story and those pictures of really great trophies.

Well done!

BH63

Looks like you had a great time. Nice looking buff. Good pig too. I gotta ask about the Kudu. No quota or just self imposed not on your list? Looks to be over 55 inches to my uneducated eyes...
Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by Gillettehunter:
Looks like you had a great time. Nice looking buff. Good pig too. I gotta ask about the Kudu. No quota or just self imposed not on your list? Looks to be over 55 inches to my uneducated eyes...
Bruce

Kudu is estimated at 58+.
No quota here and I could have taken him but the pic was on the last day and I had kudu on my list in Botswana. Looking back, however, I should have taken him.

Cal, Great report, top notch animals, and great shooting....as usual. But I must ask, on the snake track pic, was that additional "spoor" already there, or something you left behind???

Andy#3

Cal--I'm with you, I don't like snakes either! Nice animals, congrats.