My son of 19 and I spent July 2 to the 8th on a plains animal hunt in the Rep of South Africa.We hunted in the area of the freestate and eastern cape.We hunted with McClearn safaries and PH Andrew McClearn.The hunt was fair chase only and Andrew put us in shootable distance from a wide range of animals. We harvested Blackwilderbeast,springbok,harteebeast, mt reedbok,and besbok. All were nice representative animals that we are proud to have taken.We had beatiful weather though a little cold in the mornings, afternoons were perfect.Andrew's wife provided the cooking and logistical support with fine local foods and answers to our every need.My wife came along and while not a hunter had a great time. Accomodation was in keeping with an african hunt and the locations were terrific.All in all we enjoyed a real freestate plains hunt that exceeded our expectations at a true value for money experience.Andrew was professional in every sense,worked hard to assure our enjoyment and sucess in the hunting. Looking for a good experience at a very fair price, I recomend including McClearn safaries in you considerations

Now comes the questions from all of us who cannot go about photographs, rifles used, calibers, equipment, etc. We really do want to know.

We want pictures.

quote:

Originally posted by David Culpepper:
We want pictures.

Yuppers!!!!!!

RSA has a great hunt for plains game for the guy that has never been to Africa and I dearly loved mine and will go again.....but need a side trip for old curved horns!!

C'mon now....photos are in order!

Since I am not able to goto Africa this year, I have to live thru others and pictures bring to story to life.

First, let me apologize for the late posting of the photos. I promised Jim that I will look after that aspect, but was on the lookout for a posting under his own name. Only very recently saw this Hunt Report.

As the Hunting Outfitter and Professional Hunter I hope members don’t mind if I fill in a bit?

Jim, Joan and Jimmy were in South Africa on a touring and hunting vacation. They therefore requested that Andrew McLaren Safaris provide firearms and ammo for the Plains Game Hunt.

Day 1. Jimmy was first to go after Black Wildebeest. A lone territorial bull, and one with decent horns, was spotted and I recommended Jimmy try for it. Jimmy and I were dropped off by vehicle not very far from his ‘grandstand†and we were hidden from his view. A not too long wait and he returned to his area, but for a very longtime presented only the poorest of shooting opportunities. Even though Jimmy had a good rest, it was simply too far to attempt a shot on the first day of his safari. My plan was to crawl to one side, let him glimpse me in the long grass, and hope he would turn to watch me, and so give Jimmy a good broadside shot. Plan worked!



After lunch Jim was also unloaded near a territorial bull’s arena. After a short wait the bull came back to investigate why there was no shot fired from the vehicle, which was by then very far away and quite out of the picture. Jim’s shot at about 180 yards with a 150 grain Frontier Spartan bullet from my .308 win was a sure killing double lung shot. But as these critters are notoriously tough he ran off a bit, turned and was given another, quite unnecessary, killing shot to drop him on the spot.



Day 2. Frustration upon frustration! Stalk after stalk, and wait after wait to get within shooting range on a decent blesbok failed. Just before sundown Jimmy made a very nice shot, not too far and he had a decent rock as rest, on a nice lone blesbok. Unfortunately I have no photo of him, but I’m sure that Jimmy’s shout of joy when he saw it dead in the long grass would make a lovely sound clip to add to this posting.

Day 3. We moved some 180 miles to Ribbokrant in the Eastern Cape. The late afternoon hunt presented only shots that I considered too difficult.

Day 4. This day certainly belonged to Jim and his PH Gerhard Groenewald. They took, without any apparent effort, or should I say with luck and skill (?) a very nice and more than just representative Mountain Reedbuck.! A one-shot kill with a very accurate .22 250 loaded with 55 grain Sierra Game Kings.



Despite young Jimmy walking his butt off, and dutifully obeying all my instructions, even crawling on all fours for a long, long way, we simply could not get within range of some animals that we stalked.

Day 5. This day initially belonged to Jim and his PH Gerhard Groenewald. Again, by luck and skill a very nice springbok fell to Jim’s good shooting.



By late afternoon on this last day of hunting I was getting desperate to get Jimmy another worthy trophy. He had most certainly earned one. Just at sundown our luck changed and Jimmy got this Red Hartebeest after taking a long, but obviously not too long, shot that dropped him on the spot.



What can I add to Jim’s Hunt report? I guided Jim for a first hunt in South Africa in 1985, and again in 1986, and 1987 and 1888? All of these hunts were in the then Transvaal bushveld. I would like to tell Jim that it was a real pleasure guiding here in the Free State grassveld. I would like to rename him “one-shot-killer-Smithâ€. What can I say about a young hunter like Jimmy? He who, as a very young boy, first dispatched a caracal with my .22LR way back in 1988? On this hunt he literally walked his butt off, obeyed each and every instruction, and worked very hard to get his trophies. Jimmy, you earned each one of your trophies. I know that your blesbok was special. It was is just a pleasure to act as a guide for a young hunter with such safe rifle handling habits! Congratulations to you on hard work for the trophies and, congratulations also to your father for teaching you such good firearms manners!

I look forward to the pleasure of guiding any or both of you again one day in the not too distant future.


In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

Looks like a great safari. Thanks for adding the photos Andrew.

Very nice animals and good shooting...

Mike

Ah, pictures. Looks like a good trip had by all.