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free range nyala in Natal
06 August 2011, 21:05
Mariofree range nyala in Natal
Guys,
I’m just returned from a Nyala hunt in Natal booked trough John Harris
http://www.southernafricansafaris.co.za/ (500 nitro in the forum)
The hunting area was the Montezuma ranch about one and a half hours from Durban. Is a beautiful unfenced property of about 4000 hectares characterized by an almost endless series of rolling hills, shady valleys and meadows where you can enjoy a varied and interesting semi- tropical vegetation dominated by a large amount of scented euphorbia.
Is not a game ranch and the number of the game is not the same you can find in a fenced area but I knew this before as I ‘ve asked expressly to hunt in an unfenced area.Although hunting is harder even because there's a bit 'of poaching, I have had the opportunity to meet various species of game such as kudu, giraffe, impala, warthog, waterbuck, blesbok, etc.
There are also many bushbuck and several nyala, the game typical of Natal.
I stayed in an old farmhouse, located on the top of the highest hill from which one could admire the magnificent panorama of the farm.
I’ve ever hunted with John and with Siegfried Kühn. Both not only excellent PH but also a very pleasant company for the entire safari.
Unfortunately the first days of the hunt the wheather was really bad, with lot of rain, wind and cold.
Was almost impossibile cross the small rivers around the area.
Was under a storm that I’ve killed the first Nyala.
Before I’ve taken a nice Zebra stallion.
For this animal I used a John Winchester 30/06; for the others I’had the pleasure to use the beautiful custom mauser action cal 300 H&H.
In the following days we looked something special and I’ve had the opportunity of taken this very old Nyala bull with a massive trophy.
Last, we need 3 days of hunt for finally killed this very good common duiker.
Was my return in South Africa after 12 years and I can tell that in this country ther’ are still areas like the Montezuma where the game is really wild and where if you hunt hard you can obtain good results and great emotions.
Thanks John and Siggi.
mario
06 August 2011, 21:11
FjoldBeautiful old Nyala and a toad of a duiker! Well done Mario.
Frank
"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money."
- Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953
NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite
06 August 2011, 21:41
A.DahlgrenWell done Mario !
06 August 2011, 21:49
500nitroMario,
it was a real pleasure hunting with you.
Right now we have more of the same weather that greeted you when you arrived. Cold, wet, windy.
And we still cannot cross the mPambanyoni
until next time,
Ciao,
06 August 2011, 22:30
chuckmaxmanThat second Nyala bull is a toad! I wonder how long the horns would have been if they were not worn?
Thanks for the report!!!
06 August 2011, 22:48
jjbullExcellent, Mario
Thanks for sharing.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Give me the simple life; an AK-47, a good guard dog and a nymphomaniac who owns a liquor store.
06 August 2011, 23:58
505 gibbsMario,
Congratulations, this is one of the few RSA hunt reports that truly interests me. Beautiful country and the mass on that second nyala is beautiful, a true trophy.
07 August 2011, 03:23
MarioYes I'm very proud of the second Nyala. The trophy is really massive. When we saw him under the shade we were in doubt if a Nyala or a young kudu.
mario
07 August 2011, 03:34
dla69What a beautiful nyala.
07 August 2011, 03:48
OrvarBeautiful animals! Congratulations
07 August 2011, 04:08
HasherCongratulations on an outstanding hunt.
Gorgeous Nyala.
DRSS
Kreighoff 470 NE
Valmet 412 30/06 & 9.3x74R
07 August 2011, 07:01
LorenzoMario,
Thanks for sharing your hunt with us. As always a great report and beatiful pictures. Congrats for those wonderrul trophies.
L
mario
07 August 2011, 16:26
Jorge400Congratulations Mario. Fine trophies. John is a great guy to hunt with. I would love to get back to Montezuma. I would have guessed that some of those pictures were mine until I saw the pictures of the river.
"...Africa. I love it, and there is no reason for me to explore why. She affects some people that way, and those who feel as I do need no explanation." from The Last Safari
07 August 2011, 18:09
Aspen Hill AdventuresCongrats, very nice trophies!
~Ann
08 August 2011, 20:05
hornGreat experience and incredible Nyala bull, congratulation!
08 August 2011, 21:55
Eland SlayerI don't think I've ever seen mass like that on an Nyala!! BEAUTIFUL!!
08 August 2011, 23:43
matt uMario,
Very nice
09 August 2011, 02:36
HarrisBeautiful place! Nyala is the favorite plainsgame of mine. A magnificent bull like yours gives me goosebumps.
The price of knowledge is great but the price of ignorance is even greater.
09 August 2011, 05:31
Cazador humildeGreat report Mario. Congratulations on the excellent trophies.
09 August 2011, 23:21
AlloutHey...I know those guys...I know the place as well...All top shelf...
Excellent Report Mario. Congratulations.
Cheers,
Brian
"If you can't go all out, don't go..."
09 August 2011, 23:22
Use Enough GunWell done and congratulations on a successful safari!
10 August 2011, 13:11
Mariothanks guys
mario
10 August 2011, 14:10
Ali HakimThanks for sharing this wonderful report and the brilliant photographs; what a beautiful Nyala !
Ali Hakim
17 August 2011, 20:52
AmmoloaderNow that's a Nyala Trophy. Good work fellows!
Cliff
NRA Life Member
CMP Distinguished Rifleman
NRA Master, Short and Long Range
17 August 2011, 20:58
leopards valley safarisWell Done Mario thats a great 2nd Nyala
04 September 2011, 15:24
CaracalExcellent Mario. Thx for sharing!
04 September 2011, 20:31
1/2 slamCongratulations. Love the Nyala.
Hunting is not a matter of life or death....It's much more important
04 September 2011, 21:53
MartyNice trophies. Thank you for sharing your trip.