17 June 2013, 18:52
leopards valley safarisCanadians amongst Elephants ~ Leopards Valley Hunt (PICS)
This hunt started in planning March 2012 at the Ontario SCI banquet,when good friends Mark and Bruce were attending.Seeing as they are not AR members I have taken it upon myself to tell their tale.They really wanted to do an Africa Safari, but as is usually the case they didnt know where to go or with whom? After a few bevies and good company the auction started and this hunt came up for 2. All inclusive hunt to the eastern cape of South Africa? The hunt started and Bruce thought it be a good time to start raisin his hand, and get this African Safari finalized. Much to Marks dismay as he had never heard of Leopards Valley ( ME
) or the Eastern Cape ? One of the officials working the show came over to Bruce and wispered good things about the outfit ( 
Thank you) and that the hunt was a great deal. With this added encouragement Bruce set his sights on winning this safari.When all was said and Done i got an e-mail from Mark saying his friend had "won" this hunt at Auction and then the emailing began.AFTER numerous referances and referals and telephone calls , and the fact that i was a long standing member of SCI and PHASA .It was confirmed that 5 Canadians and 2 non hunting Observers would travel to the Eastern Cape of South Africa to start their long awaited " Hunt Of A life time"
We Collected Bruce, Mark and friends from the Port Elizabeth airport. they had used Henry Durheim of rifle imports to get their 300WSM through customs and ready to go. So started the 2-3hr drive to camp. Situated in Camdeboo the heart of the semi-arid area called the Karoo ,by ancient Khoi San hunters, meaning "The dry Place". This is very similar to New mexico, Wyoming and the Texas hill country in apperance ( roughly ) Rainfall and general seasonal temperatures.
This area was tamed by "Boers" farmers in the 1700`s when they built earthen dams and sunk wells that later got windmills on to sustain this beautiful country.
My Ranch is situated on the lower side of the Great South African escarpment, great plains and mountains that God made in Anger all in one area.The resulting Bio-diversitry is overwhelming as more than 30 huntable species abound in short day trips from home.
Its no wonder this is officially becoming South Africas fastest growing Hunting Destination.
On arriving we had the fires blazing got the Beers out and soon nrealized that we had "Undercaterd" and that a grocerry run would have to be arranged to the nearest town 1hrs Drive away.
Got Some Marinated Kudu Steaks out and some Homemade Kudu/sheep and warthog sausages for the fire
Its a tough Job working the Grill with a scotch on hand keeping a watchfull eye on those Kudu Backstraps
My Wife Nikki is amazing after I have brought in the steaks she has a mushroom or pepper sauce waiting. On this occasion and I can highly recommend this for ANY steak she put thin slivers of Avo onto the steak covered it with sour cream and topped it with biltong shreds.
Finally the hunting started.Bruce and Mark were very concerned that we wouldnt be able to get 5 good Kudu in 10 days hunting with all the other animals on the package namely 5 kudu,5 Impala,5 Blesbuck, 5 Warthog.We sent out trucks to all four corners of the 190 000 acres we have available for hunting around the lodge and these are SOME the photos we got back. Enjoy.
