From my first ever hunting experience there was a certain person who participated for many years in my adventures. We started with air rifles and continued to progress through 410 shotguns, to 20g and eventually to 12g. We shot rabbits together with the air rifles, pigeon roosting to driven pheasant in tweeds as we grew older. This of course is my brother Huw.
He lives a very different life from myself but still enjoys his shooting. Living in the UK and being in the corporate world he doesn’t get as much as he’d like but when he does he has a great time.
We have always talked about him coming over to South Africa and having a hunt with me. No pressure, just good brotherly fun. Unfortunately, there was always an issue. I was working or he was travelling the world doing his thing.
A couple of years ago we both realized that there was so much more to life than just work. We were both getting older even though neither of us would admit it. They do say that 50 is the new 30, so actually we are both still young. We would both look at our schedules and make a plan. It would be a brother’s holiday but this was the perfect opportunity for me to hunt once again with my old pal in a new environment.
We spoke regularly and we managed to find a week spot where we were both free in September. We both took leave and Huw booked his tickets. We were on for a real adventure once again.
As we all know, travelling around the world often has its hiccups but there is always gold at the end of the rainbow.
The first issue was the flight from Heathrow to Johannesburg was delayed. Not a huge issue as Huw was used to sitting in airports. The problem was though that this had the knock-on effect of causing Huw to miss his internal flight to Port Elizabeth. What now? Next flight to Port Elizabeth would be in two days’ time. Taking up most of his holiday. He quickly looked around and could get a ticket to George which he did, and I quickly organized a lift for him to us. All sorted and now the holiday could begin.
I had organized a nice little hunting package for this trip. We would hunt a kudu bull, a black wildebeest bull, a blesbok ram and a mountain reedbuck or two. This would give us the opportunity to explore a number of different properties with lots of walking and stalking.
We would start with kudu and then move to other concessions to find the other animals. Along with enjoying the incredible hospitality of my Eastern Cape friends along the way.
Early on the first morning we headed out on a nearby property with my good friend Will, the owner of the said property. Huw and I went in one direction while Will headed in the other so we could cover as much ground as possible. Soon the faint click of the radio stopped us in our tracks.
Will had found a bull which was a perfect bull to take. We had to move. The bull was on the other side of a ridge a couple of km’s away. We remained in radio contact and made our way across a flat pasture and then started our climb. We reached the top of the designated ridge and Will told us he could see us. We needed to head about two hundred meters along the ridge and then slowly approach the rocky outcrop near the opposite edge. We did as instructed and as we reached the designated position, Will told us just to wait. The bull was slowly making his way in a Northerly direction which would bring him directly below us. We readied ourselves on a rock with good visibility over the ground below. I could see that Huw was nervous but calmed him down by just telling him to put the cross hair on the bulls shoulder and squeeze.
All of a sudden there he was. Slowly making his way through the brush below us. Huw shouldered the rifle and prepared himself. As the bull stepped into an opening the shot rang out followed by the thud of the bullet hitting the selected animal. The bull jumped and headed straight away from us. Huw quickly reloaded but an extra shot was not needed. The bull stumbled and collided into the bush. Huw was ecstatic. We moved down to the bull where we met with Will to congratulate each other and enjoy the moment. Photographs taken, the bull was then recovered,and we had an amazing dinner washed down with lovely red wine. Day one over, what a great start.
Day two would take us to a special spot for mountain reedbuck. One of my spots where you know you will be successful due to the huge numbers in the area.
We headed up the mountains straight away as the weather was starting to turn for the worst. With in no time at all we started to see reedbuck. Lots of ewes, but no rams yet. As we reached the summit we stopped to glass.
Lying about five hundred meters away a saw a small bachelor herd. Very relaxed and unaware of our presence. We moved down towards them using the contours of the mountain to hide our advance. When we got to about a hundred meters from them, we started to crawl forward through the long grass. At the edge of the long grass, we stopped moving. Setting the shooting sticks up at a height which was perfect to shoot from while sitting Huw put the rifle in place. The designated ram was still lying down under a bush completely unaware of us. I said we’ll just wait until he stands. After a few minutes, Huw said he could take a head shot if that was ok. I am not a fan of this but prepared to give him his chance I said go for it. Huw once again excelled in his marksmanship. The ram just folded. A perfect shot. Once again photographs were taken for the album and away down the mountain we went.
Day two ended as day one, a complete success.
The third day we awoke to dreadful weather. We decided it would be a great idea to explore the little town of Graaff Reinet and take in some of its amazing attractions. We started with the one-of-a-kind fossil museum with a private guided tour. A must do if you have the chance. Then off to the Graaff Reinet club for lunch and a few games of snooker. A great day off from the hunting field.
Day four started with a little drive North to an amazing property owned by great friends of mine in search of a blesbok ram and a black wildebeest bull.
The weather was certainly going to surprise Huw. The temperature had plummeted, sitting around freezing. Luckily Huw had brought some UK hunting gear which was going to help a lot.
We drove to a high ridge and glassed to see where the wildebeest herds were. I spotted two different herds. Knowing how these curious animals react to a vehicle I decided, once again we would head off on foot. Asking the member of staff assigned to us for the day to head off in the opposite direction letting the herd see him. The plan would be that we would sneak up from behind them while they watch our decoy in blue overalls. The plan was working. They watched and milled around but then without warning; they stampeded away.
Strangely enough It then started to snow. Not uncommon in these parts but certainly not what you expect on an African safari.
Making our way after the herd we reached a vantage point. Our man in blue continued his way, eventually spooking the wildebeest to run back in our direction. We got ourselves ready. Five bulls stayed off to the right of the herd. Huw said which one. I looked the five over and chose the best mature bull. Explaining quickly which one Huw once again put in an amazing shot and the bull dropped within twenty meters of where he was when the bullet hit. What a bull, a real beauty and just what I wanted for this hunt.
We then started on our way back to the lodge. As we reached the top of the ridge a mixed herd of white and common blesbok appeared. With one of these on our ticket, we left the vehicle and made a stalk. They had already seen us by this point so we would have to have luck on our side. The herd split and a nice common ram made his way over the edge of the ridge on his own which may give us a chance. We slowly moved to the edge and peered over hoping to see him before he saw us. It worked. There he was, standing about two hundred meters away. Taking the shooting sticks, Huw once again readied himself but this time he would be standing. The shot went, but no thud. The ram looked around but did not run. The silencer was working. Huw reloaded and squeezed the trigger again. This time the bullet struck true, and the ram dropped where he was. Jubilation was felt all around.
Photographs taken and ram loaded, we headed for the skinning room. Animals sorted and meat in the cold-roomwe headed for home.
What an amazing hunt. I’m sure the first of many as I think he’s got the safari bug. Unknowing to Huw, all the wonderful animals were dropped off at karoo taxidermy where they will be prepared as European mounts for him to hang on his wall back in the UK. A little memento from Africa to spark the memories of this wonderful trip.
Hunting and Outdoor Adventures 