Day 5 continued.. Trouble in Paradise!

As I mentioned before, Day 4 was slower and the only animal harvested that day was my impala, the first of a few that we would harvest. Day 5 would have Michelle and Dad hunting together along with Jim and Henry. Instead of shooting from behind the camera, Michelle would get behind the rifle to try and redeem her earlier miss on an impala. When we seen just how sleek and beautiful the impala rams were, we thought a double pedestal impala mount would be a great addition to our house so the plan was for Michelle to hunt and harvest another impala ram if she could find a shooter while out with Dad. Dad would continue down his list of plains game and his focus today would be on a gemsbuck. Little did Michelle and Dad know that today would be a day of highs and lows.



One of my favorite photos I captured on our Safari! Michelle and Dad start the day in the hunting rig.

 

The group once again made their way around Mt. Carmel in the back of the hunting rig. Riding in the back of the rig gives you great views as you make your way around the plains but given some of the rocky terrain, it can make for a rough ride at times. In some spots, it takes all you can muster to hold on to avoid beating against the side of the rails or to be tossed out the back of the truck. This was all part of the experience that we'll remember forever. I remember after Day 1 Dad was one sore puppy after a full day of riding through the rocky terrain.

 

Michelle's towering ram

The first species on the hunting list encountered on Day 5 was a herd of impala. Michelle was first up so Dad handed over the .300 WSM to her. Michelle used the rail on the truck to steady herself for the 120 yard shot on a group of impala rams. As Michelle focused on her shot, Jim sorted through the rams to find a shooter. As luck would have it, there was a huge ram in the herd. Jim got Michelle dialed in as to which one to shoot and Michelle slowly squeezed the trigger.... and squeezed... and squeezed... Michelle found out the hard way that in her excitement to redeem herself, she had not yet released the safety. Now she was nervous that the rams would bolt so she quickly released the safety and began to settle back down for the shot. BOOM!! Before Michelle could steady her aim on the vitals, she prematurely squeezed off a round. The errant shot still found its mark but the group could tell that a follow shot would be necessary. Unfortunately, the rams made for cover and the brush quickly swallowed them up. As they approached the area the ram was last seen, the group fanned out in search of the ram. Dad was first to pick up the blood trail and Jim could tell by the direction of travel that the ram would be on the backside of Mt. Carmel. As the group rounded the mountain, Henry found the wounded ram. Michelle was able to make a perfect 100 yard shot to follow up and the ram tipped over. Thankfully, team effort paid off on this ram and despite a less than ideal first shot, Michelle was able to finally walk up and hold her ram, the largest to be taken by our group on this trip. What a ram it is! The photo session followed then the group hauled the ram back for skinning and caping and had lunch at the ranch. I will mention that Michelle continually reminds me that our double pedestal mount is going look more like Father and Son mounts as her rams towers over mine....

Michelle's redemption ram was the largest taken on our trip

 

Jim usually hunted with Dad but was able to help Michelle harvest her ram



Michelle's help. Dad found the blood trail while Henry was the one to turn up the wounded ram.

After lunch, the group headed back out in search of a gemsbuck for Dad. Feeling a bit relieved that they were able to find and follow up on Michelle's ram, the group had hopes of getting that feeling past them. Little did they know that their morning was only beginning the roller coaster of up and downs... more downs that ups. With the incredible amount of game in this area, it wasn't long before Dad was looking at a herd of gemsbuck. Jim was able to find a shooter in the herd and as Dad steadied himself for his first shot the bull turned broadside. Given Dad's record up until this shot, everyone thought this 100 yard shot was a chip shot. However, as Dad let his first round fly, the group could see the bullet hit low and behind the bull. Unsure of why he had missed, the group moved on in search of another herd. Shortly thereafter, Dad was preparing for his second attempt at a different gemsbuck. Making sure he didn't have the same results, Dad took his time but just as the first shot did, his second was also a clean miss. Now Dad was getting a little frustrated but the gemsbuck did not spook to bad and Dad was able to get a second shot at 150 yards but once again, shot #3 did not connect. By this point, Dad was a little embarassed, frustrated, and confused. He was sure his guide Jim had lost his confidence in the shooting skills he had seen Dad perform in the first few days. Not one to give up to easy, Dad persisted and soon enough the group was again on gemsbuck. This herd held a very long female that Dad liked so they closed the distance to 100 yards to make sure Dad would connect this time. As Dad fired shot #4 today he finally connected but the shot was a bit far back. The gemsbuck disappeared into the brush and trees so the group closed in and fanned out and began zig-zagging through the brush. The gemsbuck was relocated and Dad was able to finish the job and now stood over his fourth trophy. The group snapped more photos and headed back to the ranch. After the highs and lows of today, Dad made sure he visited the target range to sight in his rifle again. Sure enough, his rifle was shooting low and left, probably from bouncing around with Dad in the back of the hunting rig. This trip to the range help restore the confidence Dad has lost on the afternoon of Day 5. This was a much needed trip to the range as Chad’s rifle was only half way through its tour of South Africa. Before we would leave, this rifle would help us bring down many more animals.

Dad and his gemsbuck, taken with a .300 WSM and a lot of persistence.



Dad and Jim celebrate the tough earned success.



Henry, Jim, and Dad pose for a photo with the beautiful gemsbuck

Michelle and Dad had their ups and downs but pulled through with two great trophies on Day 5

Day 4 and part of Day 5

Day 4 found us in a new blind in search of impala

We awoke on Day 4 to the coldest morning of the trip. There was a slight frost on the grass at the ranch. Today Dad would warthogs while hunting with Joe, Heather, PG, and Pula as they were looking for kudu. The best place to hunt warthog was in the open valleys below the brush hills that the kudu favored. Michelle and I were up at 600 am to meet Daniel at 630 for an early start as the previous couple days as we spooked blue wildebeest off the water as we pulled up. Even though most of the plains game moved more once the sun was up and things started to warm, we wanted to be in the blind at first light in hopes of getting a crack at wildebeest. We would be sitting a different blind today in an area that wildebeest and impala frequented. As we pulled up, we noticed a thin layer of ice on the pond so we made sure we unloaded an extra layer from the truck. This new blind was in a smaller valley so my view for glassing animals was not as great but I was still able to glass impala, eland, and waterbuck on a distant hillside. We had a few new species of birds to keep up entertained until the animals began moving. After a couple hours in the blind, Michelle picked up two impala rams heading our way. As they approached, Daniel let me know that one of the two rams was a shooter so I grabbed my bow off the hanger and prepared for a shot. As the two rams made it in to the pond, they began to drink on the far side. I ranged them at 45 yards and attached my release to wait for a good angle on the bigger of the rams. Just then, the rams bolted. They began snorting and whether they caught our wind or noticed something wan't quite right, they weren't happy and they began circling our blind about 100 yards out. When Daniel asked if I wanted to shoot the larger ram with the rifle, I passed but Michelle was interested so we got her set up. Although it wasn't the most ideal set up, Michelle steadied on the ram as I tried to get the right angle to video and Daniel was describing which of the two rams to shoot. Michelle squeezed off  a shot but we could not tell if it was a hit. As they circled behind the blind, Daniel and I spilled out the back of the blind to get another look before they made it in the brush. Unfortunatley they made it to quick so we grabbed the rifle and headed into the brush tracking the rams. The brush was so high that Michelle and I waited as Daniel ran back to get the truck so we could follow the rams. Daniel wanted to get a good look at the rams before they mixed in with a larger herd. As we caught up to the rams, we were not able to see any signs that the bigger ram was hit. As they made it in the herd, we began to sort through the herd looking for the same big ram, or another big ram but with so many moving animals it was tough.

The ostrich egg we found while chasing impala

As we followed the herd through the brush, we rounded the corner and found an empty, but unbroken, ostrich egg. We couldn't just walk on by so we stopped and picked it up. After securing the egg, we were quickly back on the trail of the impala. One ram and two ewes headed back to the spot we first started this morning. As we got back above these impala, Daniel told me to take a shot if the ram stood still. We finally caught the ram sneeking out underneath us but fortunately, we were ready and waiting. Since the brush was so high, we had to jump into the back of the truck to give us enought elevation for a shot. Even though I would shooting off the Triclawps this time, I could not fully open the tripod legs so as Michelle held them to give me more stabilization, I slowed the sway as much as possible and squeezed off a shot at 180 yards. The report of the hit was followed by a 50 yard dash and we quickly lost the ram in the brush. Daniel said it was a perfect hit so we made our way down the hill to search the brush. Sure enough, another heart shot and I had my impala ram down! With a soft and beautifully tri-colored hide this was yet another beautiful and great trophy and my first with a rifle. We made the call, took photos, and headed back to our blind. Andres the skinner brought us lunch and hauled the ram back in for caping and skinning.

Daniel and I with our 3rd trophy, a beautiful impala ram!!

Michelle's first encounter with impalas, her story is yet to come!!

We spent the rest of the afternoon  in the blind and had visits from gemsbuck, more impalas, and waterbuck but did not fire another shot. Our usual evening drive back produced sighting of steenbuck and duiker but still no shot opportunities. The other group had great encounters, including one big kudu bull that did not produce a good shot opportunity, so no shots were fired. Oh well, tomorrow would be another day!!











Day 5..
Today would be another great day both in the weather and the hunting. Daniel and I went back out to yet another blind in search of blue wildebeest. I was beginning to get the feeling that these animals will elude me on this trip. Each day as we watch the herds of blue wildebeest, we keep making plans on how to be at the right water when they decided to show up. Of course, they always seem to be at least one step ahead and are always where we "should've been". Not to worry, we would be persistent and be ready when the opportunity arises. Daniel and I are back in the third blind at first light again. This time, the action would start sooner. As Daniel and I wait patiently, it only takes about an hour before we have our first animals in range. However, this was not our usual opportunity. As Daniel is looking out the front of the blind, he sees two steenbuck chasing each other around in the wide open valley ahead of us. This in not uncommon, but it's the first time I get a good look at these tiny antelope in the daylight. Daniel says if they come back through I could get a shot with the 30.06 as they are over 200 yards out. As I keep looking, I finally see the two steenbucks heading back across the valley. I grab the rifle as Daniel whistles to stop the two. Daniel tells me to shoot the second one as it is a good ram. I can't seem to get a steady rest and I'm too scared to pull the trigger without getting a better sight picture. The two rams start off again but another whistle by Daniels stops them. I tell Daniel to get ready and slowly squeeze off a shot. Thump! Even I was suprised by this one! 246 yards with a less than ideal rest, a fast dropping 180 gr 30.06 bullet, at a target just a bit bigger than our jackrabbits and I was able to score a perfect shot. It was no suprise that the little antelope fell in its tracks. We quickly run out and get the steenbuck, snap a few photos, then hop back in the blind as we can see blue wildebeest on the horizon.

One of the most beautiful animals we harvested and the smallest!!

Daniel and I snapped a few quick photos and jumped back in the blind to wait for blue wildebeest

Blue wildebeest watch the waterbuck just outside of our blind

 

A few hours later, one of the trucks stops by to haul my steenbuck back to the ranch. As they are leaving, Jornam tells Daniel that there are blue wildebeest headed for our first blind so we grab our gear and make a quick dash to the upper blind. As Daniel drops me off, I began to put our gear in our "old faithful" blind as he heads out to hide the truck. This is the same blind that I have arrowed my kudu and gemsbuck out of. On my second trip back in the blind I take a peek out the side window and see wildebeest a few hundred yards out. I am worried they'll see Daniel or I so I begin to move the rest of our gear in with a litte more stealth. A few minutes later I can hear Daniel running back. He seen the wildebeest when he parked the truck so he ran  the long way around to get back and had to crawl into the blind to avoid detection. We watch the wildebeest and can see two big bulls with the herd but we are not so lucky right now and they all bed down in sight of the blind. One extremely long hour later, waterbuck appear at the water from the opposite side of the blind. This does not sit very well with the wildebeest so the entire herd begins to move towards the water. I get ready with my bow but as the wildebeest make it to the water, we cannot find the bulls. We have wildebeest a mere 15 yards away but neither of the bulls has come in. Daniel searches the herd as I wait but they are nowhere to be found. The herd drinks and wanders back out to a couple hundred yards and beds down again. We still cannot find the bulls so Daniel believes they have bedded in the taller grass so we continue the wait.

My archery blue wildebeest, 4th trophy

 Another long hour passes and as I am writing in my journal I can hear the wildebeest coming back in for another drink. This time, I can see that the bulls have re-appeared so I motion to Daniel that I can see the bulls. I slowly grab my bow and get ready. The bulls are both working through the herd harassing younger bulls and cows. Daniel picks out the bigger of the bulls and whispers to shoot when I can get a clear shot. This is not as easy as it sounds. There are around 50 wildebeest in the herd and of course the one I want is swallowed up by the rest. All of a sudden, the waterbuck show up again which gets the wildebeest riled up. I finally get a range of 25 yards on the bull and as the herd starts to seperate a little, I can finally get a clear shot. As the bull has also moved a bit, I estimate he is now 30 yards so I settle my pins accordingly and wait for the right angle. As the other wildebeest clear, I release on the bull and as we seen with the gemsbuck, my arrow skips across the dirt after passing completely through the bull. The entire herd runs off but my bull slowly follows. I learn just how tough these animals are as I watch as the bull pumps blood out of both sides, an obvious double lung shot, but refuses to go down. At a hundred yards out, he stands and watches the herd. Daniel motions to grab the rifle to make sure the bull does not get back into the herd but by the time we are out of the blind, the bull finally goes down. How exciting!! Our opportunity for an archery blue wildebeest finally materialized and we made it count. It's now 4 shots and 4 trophies!! These animals were bigger than I expected and have a very cool striping to their hides. With a beautifl mane and heavy horns, these are very cool trophies. What a feeling to be persistent and finally be rewarded with an exceptional archery trophy!!

In 2 years, this is the already the 8th animals I have harvested with my Mathews Z7!

Another of our family photos

Daniel and I teamed up on another great hunt!!

Day 5, Michelle and Dad's hunts, coming soon. Stay tuned!

Day 3.. An archery Gemsbuck and the first Impala

Day 3 and the wind has finally let up. As Joe and Heather were playing Springbuck Cowboy, Dad and I would continue our hunt for plains game. Day 3 would see Michelle join Dad on his hunt. Although sitting in the blind would be the most effective approach for archery hunting, it doesn't offer the most ideal situation for getting out and seeing the rest of the country and the number of animals seen is often higher than at the water so Michelle was ready for a change of scenes. Together with Jornan, Pula, and Ashleigh, the group would work their way around the ranch in search of spot and stalk opportunities. Daniel and I would head back to our blind and today we would bring along a 12 year old boy names Denzil. After breakfast we would seperate and meet back at the lodge for dinner.

Dad would be the first to strike today. As the group made their way around Mt. Carmel, Jornam was able to pick up a herd of impala feeding on the face of the mountain. They continued to work around the mountain trying to get a better look at the herd. Finally the group was able to find the right angle and as Jornam looked the impala over, he was able to pick out a good ram in the group. Jornam, Michelle, and Dad set off on foot to work through the brush to try and close the distance. As the group crept forward, the unexpectedly bumped other animals which got the impala moving. Fortunately the impala had not picked up the three as they were still  in the thick brush. As the group closed the distance, Dad finally picked up movement 50 yards out. Jornam picked a path to find a shooting lane and as they made it in to that lane, Dad got set up on the shooting sticks again. As the rams start filing through the opening Dad stood ready and waited for Jornam's call on which ram to take. As the second ram came through, Dad got the word he was waiting for and as the ram cleared the brush, Dad fired one shot and brought the beautiful ram down. Dad's shot seem to be a bit off but nevertheless, another one shot-one kill for Dad. Today, he was fortunate to have the photographer with him and the group was able to get some fantastic photos despite being on the side of Mt. Carmel and in thick brush. What a beautiful specimen!!!

Dad and his third trophy, a great impala ram

Dad and Jornam teamed up again for this ram

Dad and crew with his ram

As Dad and his crew enjoyed success, Daniel, Denzil, and I were sitting in the blind watching the usual parade of plains game coming in for water. As we pulled up to the blind, we spook wildebeest away and the usual waterbucks were at the water for some time this morning. As I do my usual pacing, glassing, sharpening my broadheads (the skinners returned my broadhead from yesterday's kudu and after honing the edges, I put it on a new arrow and replaced it in the quiver) and writing in my journal Denzil watches in what seems to be complete fascination. He watches everything I do with great focus. I show him how my range finder works and he is hooked for the rest of the day. He spends countless time glassing and ranging everything in site with it. As Denzil and I are looking through pictures on my digital camera and watching elk video that I have on my video camera, Daniel hisses to get my attention. Daniel has spotted a lone gemsbuck that has just left the cover of the bush and is headed our way. Although it is several hundred yards away, I put the gadgets away and make sure my bow is ready. The gemsbuck must be thirsty as he makes his way into the water without much hesitation. About 100 yards out we can tell its a bull and as it eventually starts drinking a mere 16 yards away, Daniel getsa long enough look to ensure it is a mature bull. Daniel whispers that I can shoot when I get a good angle. The calmness that I had up to this point rapidly left the building and I got the nervous shakes again. Thankfully the bull spent some time watering which allowed me to recompose my nerves. As the bull finished drinking, he made his way around the blind and charged at the waterbuck to scare them off. As the bull paused to admire his work, I got a range of 25 yards and drew my bow. I had to wait for the waterbuck to clear from in front of, and behind, the bull but as they did, I finally had my chance. As I picked a spot and released, we all watched the arrow completely pass through the bull and skip out to around 100 yards. The bull flinched and turned to walk straight away. It was obvious he was hit hard and it wasn't long before he fell over. Amazingly the bull fell within 20 yards of where my kudu has expired almost 24 hours ago. The same broadhead had done its work on two animals with almost identical results!!

My second trophy, an archery gemsbuck

Michelle and I with the gemsbuck that fell in almost the same spot as my archery kudu bull

The crew!!



Denzil and I. Denzil was not shy when it came to taking photos!!

Denzil, our new hunting partner


After our photo session, we had lunch in the blind. Denzil spent some time capturing his version of the gemsbuck hunt in his native language in my journal. I may not be able to read it very well but it's a cool reminder of the time we spent with Denzil in the blind. We spent the rest of the day hunting but neither Dad nor I were able to  harvest any additional animals on Day 3. With continued success, we had another great time sharing stories and photos at dinner and made plans for Day 4, in which we harvest several more trophies. Stay tuned.

Day 2 Finale! Springbuck Slam!!

Who's got an appetite for a plate full of springbuck? Well Joe and Heather sure had their fill on Day 2. Joe and Heather had a different hunt planned for our Safari. Their main goal was to harvest the four color phases of the springbuck, the Kalahari, black, white, and copper. After that, they did not have a specific list to pursue as Dad and I did. They would simply hunt and see what happened each day out.


Heather poses with the 30 378

Joe and the 30 378

Day 2 started early as Joe, Heather, Andries, and Jim left the ranch house around 430 am. They had several hours of driving to get to the area they would hunt the springbuck. Loaded with gear, clothes, and a live animal trailer, the group was prepared to stay several days to collect all phases of the spring buck. The area that Joe and Heather would hunt is known as "The" place to be. I believe the top 10 SCI springbuck have been taken here and by the owner's estimates, the next top 10 still live there. Arriving at their hunting area, the group was greeted with the same winds that we were dealing with. Not the best conditions for shooting at such small targets. However, Joe hauled a 30.378 all the way to Africa for his weapon of choice. This long distance, flat shooting, canon-like rifle was an excellent choice for energy and accuracy. These factors would play a big role today, and in the near future. This rifle also had much sentimental value as well. Joe's friend, Pete, asked him to bring the rifle in memory of his recently passed son. His son, Cheech was involved in a vehicle accident last hunting season and the thought of Joe using his son's rifle on this special trip brought tears to his eyes. Its what his son would've wanted.

Joe was first up. After locating a herd of black springbuck, Joe and Andries were able to close the distance in the wide open country down to 180 yards. From this distance, Joe's shot would not be as affected by the strong winds. Andries sized up the herd and picked out an absolute brute of a ram. Joe was able to down the ram with one well placed shot and as they walked up to the fallen ram, they were suprised at the size of Joe's ram. Scratch that brute part, this thing was enormous. The owner of the ranch, Julian, was hunting with the group and estimated Joe's ram to be in the top 30 ever harvested!!

Joe and his giant black springbuck, 1 of four color phased for the day

Joe and Heather

Not to be outdone, Heather stepped up to the plate. Heather would hunt the next color phase encountered which happened to be the Kalahari. These are basically the same genes as the common but their bodies and horns are far bigger than the common springbuck. It's like the our mule deer south of the Colorado compared to the the Strip or Kaibab Plateau. Heather and Andries were able to get within 200 yards of this herd and once again, this herd also held a magnificent ram. One shot and the couple had half of the color phases. Another giant of a ram as well!

Heather and her Kalahari springbuck

2nd color phase for the day

By the afternoon, the group was in search of either the white or copper phase. As it turned out, the white phase was up next and Heather was back in the hot seat. Lady Luck was smiling on this group today as Heather and Andries crept up to 150 yards and picked out a ram in the herd. One more shot and now they were 3/4 of the way through the springbuck.

Heather and her white springbuck

3rd color phase for the day

Of course, now would be the difficult part. Andries has never taken all four species in a single day. This is why the group packed for several day. Wouldn't you know it, as evening set in the group sat watching over a herd of copper springbuck. It's hard to imagine the sheer number of springbuck they encountered but to be able to find and hunt all four species was incredible. Joe was batting clean up today and as they located a shooter buck, the hunt was on... again. At 220 yards, Joe steadied the canon and depsite the day long strong winds, one last shot anchored and completed their springbuck slam. What an accomplishment! All four in a single day and all were Gold caliber rams!!!


Joe finished the day with a copper, the 4th and final color phase

Since the hunt was over in a single day, Julian invited the group to particpate in a springbuck round up the following day. Remember I mentioned the live animal trailer?? Andries brought this trailer along in order to haul back some of the Kalahari springbuck back to his neck of the woods. Having the blood line from these springbuck would help strengthen his herd. Joe and Heather described this roundup as a scene straight out of Mad Max movie. There was alot of helpers on hand and the drivers used trucks, horses, motorcycles, and ATVs to help push herd after herd towards the nets. Joe was able to jump in and help capture and load springbuck. In this round up, Joe got to hold a live ram that was measured last year that would surpass the current SCI world record. Fortunately for this guy, he has learned to outwit hunters but when pushed with the entire herd, he ran into the trap. He was let go but over 200 were captured and loaded on trailers. Joe said this was similar to how antelope here in the states are captured and transplanted.

The Mad Max roundup



Joe gets his shot as wrestling springbuck

 Joe helps to load a captured ram

When you mess with the bull.... I mean ram, you get the horn!!

Day 2 Continued... Birthday archery kudu!!

Sunrise at our ground blind at the water hole

Day 2 continued. As I mentioned in the previous post, Michelle and I would seperate from my Dad, Joe, and Heather to sit in a blind at a water source with our guide Daniel. We would head back to the same blind that we sat yesterday afternoon in the hopes of finding a shooter amongst the myriad of plains game available. My game plan for the safari was to hunt 4 or 5 days with my bow then, based on how far down my list I'd made it, I would switch over to the  30.06. I was not completely sold on hunting only with my bow but made plans to give it a few days. Even though I would concentrate on hunting with a bow, I always kept the rifle in our blind for follow up shots or if a true monster would not commit to bow range, I would simply switch over to plan B (short for BOOM!!).

As Michelle, Daniel, and I made our way to the water, we were able to see many species on the drive out. We caught our first glimpse of the tiny duiker that we would later spend several days hunting. These little critters love the brush and can be a tough trophy to harvest. As we settled in to the blind for the day, I can't help but think of the many birthday gifts I would love to harvest today. I feel like a kid in a candy store and although Daniel is patient and relaxes until the animals commit to water, I can't stand it and I am constantly peeking out of the blind trying to get the first glimpse of any animals headed our way. I spend hours glassing and watching zebra, gemsbuck, wildebeest, and other animals that are over 500 yards away working their way through the plains. With my gear double and triple checked, I begin anxiously glassing during the morning hours. I am shooting the same Mathews Z7 the the Gila Outdoors crew set up for me last year. My 125 grain G5 Montec broadheads sit atop an Easton Axis arrow. My set up has been finely tuned in anticipation of the moments ahead. Although I was told that most shots would be under 30 yards, my hunting experience here in the states led my to believe that just in case its needed, I have practiced and am extremely comfortable with an 80 yard shot on an animal that isn't on full alert.

At 1000 am, I happen to poke my head out the front window and glass to our left. I can't quite spit the words out to Daniel but somehow, I let him know I just glassed up a kudu. It's over a mile away but in the short few seconds, I can see his spiraling horns. As I switch spots with Daniel, the kudu slips back into the brush and is gone. Daniel says the kudu typically water in the evening so maybe he'll head our way. What a rush! It tooks some time to calm down but fortunately we had other species moving in and out so that help me re-focus. About an hour later, I happen to look back towards the place I first seen the kudu and there he is again. All I can see is his head and horns but this time, Michelle catches a glimpse. Of course, before Daniel can get a look, the kudu is back in the bush. I'm sure Daniel now thinks I'm full of it but at least I now know the kudu are heading our way.

Around 100 pm, we had just finished our lunch and the mid-day warmth brought on that sleepy feeling. Just then, I see Daniel duck his head back in the blind quickly. THE KUDU ARE COMING TO THE WATER!! I'll never forget those words as long as I live. I step over and get my bow ready. Daniel whispers to not shoot until he gets a look at all the kudu. The one bull I seen turned into 3 bulls and several cows. The kudu are much more timid than others so they hang back at 60 yards for several minutes. This was enough time for Daniel to let me know there was only 1 mature bull and if I liked him, I could take him if I got a good shot. As with Dad, it didn't take me more than a heartbeat to know this bull was in trouble. The bull finally committed to the water and as Michelle had the video cameral rolling I began to focus on my impact point. At 9 yards the bull just began to drink when the waterbuck that were also at the water spooked. This caused several of the kudu to run off. The bull was looking around to see what was going on as I came to full draw. The bull now stood at 12 yards quartering towards me. I could see the indecision in the bull as he looked at the cows that had run off. I slowly settled my pins and released. The arrow buried deep into the bulls chest and angled in through his chest cavity. The entire herd sprinted off but the bull slowed quickly. We could tell he was hurt bad but since he was still standing, I hung my bow and grabbed the rifle. Not wanting the bull to get away I asked Daniel if I should follow up with the rifle. Daniel assured me that it was a heart shot and sure enough, the bull never took another step. In just  a few seconds and within 60 yards the bull fell over and was done!! Now, every joint in my body began shaking violently. What a rush!! A kudu with my bow, almost had a hard time even dreaming of how this would feel and now that it just happened, the surreal feeling was undescribable.

Michelle captured this photo seconds after I shot the bull

Unfortunately, as the bull step to the left when the herd spooked, Michelle didn't have an angle to get the shot on video. Being a hard core photographer, she quickly put the video camera down and began capturing photos with her camera before the herd left. We climbed out of the blind and spent some time admiring the beauty of these animals. The horns, the stripes, and color, the long legs, everything about these animals shouts beauty! Since Dad was in between hunts, we called them up on the radio and they came out to take photos with us and haul the bull back for skinning, caping, and quartering. After our photo session, we climbed back in the blind to hunt the rest of the day. We had plenty of animals come in but no shooters. Even though I didn't release another arrow that day, I still had memories that will stay with me forever.



Archery kudu, 12 yard shot. Mathews Z7 set at 62 lbs, G5 Montec 125 gr broadheads, Easton Axis arrows

All of our trophies were that much more special having our family along.

This bull had the battle scars of a true warrior

Daniel and I with the first of many trophies to come

 Amazingly, mine and Dad's harvest on Day 2 wasn't even half of our harvest for Day 2. I'll post the rest of Day 2's harvest in the next post and capture Joe and Heather's pursuit of the springbucks. Enjoy