03 September 2011, 01:42
bobgrowROAN WITH INTREPID SAFARIS
Outfitter: Intrepid Safaris, Phillip DuPlessis, info@intrepidsafaris.co.zaPH: Harry Fourie
Rifles: 330 Dakota with 250gr Swift Aframes; 450 Dakota with 500gr Swift Aframes...both Dakota M76 rifles
Game: PG and Buff
Hunt dates: Aug 19-26, 2011
Locale: Six properties, all in the NW corner of Limpopo along the Botswana border (Limpopo River) all fenced from 4000 to 65,000 acres…yes,65,000 fenced acres.
I have reported in the past on the hunts I've had with Intrepid, all very successful. This trip was a repeat performance with a few interesting twists. In the past I've asked Phillip to let me know when he has found new concessions that have been lightly hunted.
This year he had gained access to two ranches of huge size and potential, both of major scale...40,000 and 65,000 acres. Both properties have Ele, Buff, Rhino, Leopard, AND LION. Plus some really great Kudu, Gemsbok, AND Roan.
The Roan was highest of priority for this hunt, so it became the first order of business. We hunted in the usual ranch method, traveling the roads looking for tracks or sightings. Both of these large parcels had overgrown trails indicating their lack of use, so it was slow going with a lot of ground to possibly cover. Fortunately at this time of year the vegetation was thinned out, so visibility was good in this primary mopane and thorn bush, rolling terrain.
Just lots of Leopard track, plus the track of Lion were interesting highlights...all in the little sand washes that the trails cut.
It was the fourth day and after spotting two separate bulls and stalking up for a good look at their horns, we moved on each time, looking for a little better bull.
We literally stumbled on my bull as we rounded a sharp cut, driving well past him as it looked like we hadn't spooked him. Harry, my PH, and I bailed out about 200 yds further while the truck continued on the trail. We moved off the trail and got the wind right, stalking back to the bull. He had risen from a bedded position and was on alert looking towards the trail. We were at about 75yds as he started to turn
into an opening in the bush, Using the sticks, I got the shot into the lower chest as he turned away from us. We both heard the bullet whop as he ran into the bush. He traveled about 50 yds but left a clear blood trail.
What a great old bull!! Well scarred on his front quarters, white hairs all over his face and muzzle, horn tips somewhat broomed, horn curves well rubbed...I was really excited after a multi year quest, and to have this grand old bull down with one shot…..
My buff hunt was classical, we were out on the trails at dawn looking for tracks near the water holes on Phillip’s buffalo property…8000 acres of dense thorn along the Brak River, south of Alldays. Two teams were out scouting the known water impoundments. Our alternate team found fresh tracks first, so we found our way to their location. Harry and I got underway with Derek and Billy, our black trackers. We had gone about 500 yds at a slow pace when Harry signaled a sighting, a black shadow through the bush. The shadow became a good bull as he moved parallel to our course. I finally got on the sticks as the bull emerged and faced us at about 20yds…the shot was in the chest and the bull almost backflipped absorbing the 500 gr bullet from the 450 Dakota. Another shot from me and two from Harry’s 416 Rigby put the bull down.
Another very nice, mature, hard bossed bull at 38”….
Every hunt has multiple highlights and lasting memories, so rather than bore you with all the little details of my remaining days with the Intrepid folks, I’ll just note the pictures with a few comments on the other segments of my safari.
I was very lucky taking a big 55” Kudu, along with a 37” Gemsbok bull, plus a nice Waterbuck and Impala….but the Roan was the really big highlight of this safari.
Again, I cannot note too highly the stay with the intrepid team…Phillip DuPlessis and his wife Anske, and my PH, Harry Fourie, who has been my primary PH on several hunts. The accommodations and food are top class, and the ranch staff are always smiling and “on task”, supporting the hunter….a really world class outfit.
Good hunting!!
