The Magical Fifty (part 1)

In all sports there are magical numbers, which competitors strive to get to.
Hunting is no different. Some of these would be numbers like, 40 in for sable (Hippotragus niger), 100lb for elephant (Loxodonta Africana) and in the Eastern Cape of South Africa the magical number is 50. This 50 inches, is all to do with the Eastern Cape kudu (Tregelaphus strepsiceros).
Recognised by SCI as a sub specie of the greater kudu, which found further North in South Africa. The Eastern Cape kudu is usually slightly smaller in body but darker in colour. The spiralled horns don’t often reach the lengths of the Northern relative with the former SCI registration length starting at 98 inches and the later starting at 121 inches. The measurements are taken in exactly the same way, length of the two horns following the spiral and the circumference of the two bases. Despite this, for me they are just as impressive and the hunts are some of the best to be had.
In the area where I hunt these magnificent animals they spend most of their days in the thick bush of the deep valleys. Emerging in the late afternoon, heading into the open flats to feed during the night and retreating back into the safety of the valley as the sun begins to rise.
Good knowledge of the hunting area and the animal movements is paramount to a successful hunt. Luckily enough I have spent a considerable amount of time in the area and my hunting companion, Will, is on the ground there every day. Down to this we have had a number fantastic hunts over the years resulting in some magnificent bulls only matched by the amazing stalks.
A good number of kudu had been seen, including some great old mature bulls. These would be our primary target. An old cow or bull with less than average horns would also be taken if they presented themselves.
The rut was in full flow and the bulls were in fantastic condition with thick necks and good body weight. Where ever we would see cows it was likely there would be a good bull accompanying them. Even though this makes it easier to locate the bulls it also makes for difficult hunting due to the number of eyes on the lookout.
Will and I met before dawn where the plan was set. We would head to higher ground where we would be able to see the herds moving back to their safe places as the sun rose. We would be in radio contact, so that we could inform each other of anything we saw heading in the direction of the other.
The sun rose and quickly we saw good numbers of kudu heading towards the valleys. We were too late. The moon was wrong and the kudu had past our positions in the dark. We would not be able to stalk in on any of the groups we could see.
We relayed this and discussed the next option. We would head to the other section of the farm and walk along a dirt track that followed a river bed into a long valley.
Leaving the vehicle we started our walk. Both thinking it was just going to be a pleasant stroll in the morning with little chance of getting a shot. Listening to the doves and enjoying the beauty of an African morning in the bush we walked slowly along.
All of a sudden there was a clatter of hooves on the loose rocks along the side of the valley. Both stopping, knowing it was only kudu that would be making the noise. Quickly the shooting sticks were out and my rifle was up.
There about 280 meters away we saw a bull moving away behind a small herd of cows. He was magnificent.
Will quickly said to take him. Looking through the scope I could see that this was going to be a special moment.
I whistled. A ploy which is often used to stop a kudu and make them look to see what the noise is. It worked. He stopped and stood quartering away but looking back at us. Putting the cross hairs half way up the body and placed that the bullet should drop into the engine room and exiting on the opposite shoulder. I squeezed the trigger. The 155gr, 308 Kriek bullet was sent on its way.
The bull jumped in the scope.
Will said it’s a miss. As he saw the bullet hit the dirt above the bull. In my mind I couldn’t believe it. The bull must have been hit. He suddenly slowed in his run and crashed into a bush. The shot had been good. Not even rolling around, he was motionless on the side of the valley.
We started our way up to him while the cows and other bulls we had not seen made their way hastily away from us. Coming to the spot he had been standing when I took the shot we saw a few drops of blood and his hoof prints where he had been standing. Looking in the direction he had run we quickly saw large amounts of blood, increasing in volumes as it went.
Quickly we came to his lifeless body. A magnificent bull with spiral horns exceeding anything I had shot before. Both Will and I enjoyed the moment and discussed the quality we had before us.
The recovery team was called and we sat by the bull and waited. Appreciating what we had in our lives and that we were both very grateful that this great bulls genetics had most definitely been passed on to produce future great bulls.
The team arrived and the bull was recovered and taken to the skinning shed.
I am not a hunter who hunts with a tape measure but Will and I both agreed that one should be got and the impressive spiral horns should be measured. Both of us having that magical number on the tips of our tongues. A tape was brought and a measurement taken. We both looked at each other before checking the spot on the tape. Both waiting in anticipation.
50 6/8 inches. I had broken the 50 and it was my first bull reaching this magical number. We both congratulated each other. Will congratulating me on a magnificent trophy and myself congratulating him on producing fantastic bulls due to good management.
A space would be needed for this guy on the wall of my trophy room. So his impressive quality could be enjoyed for years to come. I decided a European mount would be done and I had just the spot for him in my mind.