If you really want to work and sweat for an animal, the Mountain Reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula) is definitely one that can tick all the boxes.
Yes you can find them at the base of hills and small outcrops but you can also climb high up into the mountains for the real experience. They are a medium sized antelope and mainly grey in colour with white underbelly. The rams are bigger with a redder coloured head and neck. Their horns, which are only carried by the male, curve slightly forward and a nice ram will be over six inches in length.
The day started with putting a few pieces of biltong (air dried salted meat) into my daypack along with a couple of litres of water. I was not wanting to carry to much, as I knew the climb was going to be a long one. Flippy, a great friend, hunting companion and owner of Loock Safaris drove me to the base of the mountain range and said “There you go, they’ll be up there somewhere”, Pointing to the top of the mountain. From that point on I was on my own.
I had been offered a member of staff to accompany me but declined as I wanted to experience the mountains on my own after being at work all week. Armed with the .223 I started the climb, stopping frequently to glass the sides of the mountains around me and taking in the magnificent views..
At about midday I saw a lone ewe above me, walking down towards a small spring to drink. I watched her for a bit just to confirm that she was alone, which she was. I changed my direction as not to disturb her and to avoid her warning any others close by to my presence. The sun was hot even though we were in winter and soon I was putting my fleece into my backpack and having a sip of water. Luckily there was a slight breeze blowing into my face which gave some relief.
Upwards I continued and in certain places had to physically climb up the rock face. Then I reached a position which looked over a crater, close to the top. It was about 300 meters wide with small little clusters of bushes and boulders spread around its surface. I decided to take a break and glass the area to see what was around. Nothing.
Just as I started to relax, I saw a white flash. It was the under belly of a reedbuck. Then another and another. I started to scan the area with my binoculars and soon saw that there were at least 10. Some lying down and others starting to feed. This was this going to be my chance? I searched each animal for horns but nothing, they were all ewes.
Despondently I thought to myself “Surely there must be a ram somewhere amongst all these ewes.”
I continued to glass the area when suddenly, about 50 meters higher up the mountain above them, I saw one lone reedbuck. Through the bino’s I could see it had a thicker, redder neck which indicated a ram. He turned his head and I saw his horns, tips clearly longer than the ears indicating a good ram. He was about 200 meters away and lying down, so I knew he was in range but needed him to stand. I positioned myself over a large boulder which gave a perfect dead rest and waited. After only a few minutes, which seemed like hours, he stood up, just as the ewes started moving down towards the fountain. Here was my chance. I got him in my scope and aimed for the shoulder. Squeezing the trigger I let the bullet go and watched the impact through the scope. He dropped on the spot. The ewes stopped and looked up at where he was but didn’t run away. They had no idea where the shot came from and only moved away when stood up a few minutes later when they saw me. With their warning whistles they were off and away.
I gathered my things and started the climb up to where my ram lay. Upon reaching him I looked him over and admired the trophy which I had just taken.
The work was about to get heavier as I realised I still had to pack it out the mountain. I gutted him on the spot to make him lighter. I put him over my shoulders and started my journey down the mountain. On the way down, I could hear the high pitched warning whistles of other reedbuck watching me leave.
Eventually reaching the bottom, I was greeted by Flippy who asked how many I got. I quite happily replied, “ Just the one, as it was hard enough carrying one buck out”
We headed back to the farm and put him in the coldroom for the night. The following morning I worked the meat, which in my opinion is some of the best venison you can get.
I took the tenderloins, when I got home and drizzled honey over them in a dish. Sprinkled some salt, black pepper and coriander over them and left them to rest until the following day. They were then put on the braai (South African term for wood BBQ). Once ready they were taken off and sliced thinly for everyone to try.
Many a reedbuck has fallen now and been cooked the same way but I don’t think any have tasted as good as that first one did.
Hunting and Outdoor Adventures 