My Africa Experience - 10 days, 12 animals, Countless New Friends, Memories for Life

[Mudslinger]

Now I ain't going to be able to sleep waiting for your next writing and pics!

[ItsLeo]

Good move passing on the quartering to shot. I had to pass on a blesbok that turned suddenly quartering to me on my hunt. I'd rather regret not taking the shot than regret taking a bad shot.

[MichaelW]

Backtracking just a tad.....prior to leaving the blind we were hunting springbok in, a group of guineas were feeding and moving about in the distance. Since we were about to leave the blind and head out for the day, I asked my PH if I could shoot. It may seem trivial to go all the way to Africa to shoot a guinea, but these game birds make such a nice target and I wanted to shoot at least one before leaving and this seemed like the perfect time.

[Mudslinger]

One thing is for sure, there is not a shortage of guineas in South Africa!

[Landrover]

Boo-yah!!! The lioness is SOLID!!! Well played, very well played!
Now I know you are a very brave man as I would not have hunted the Springbok hide as the snakes in sub-Suharan Africa play for keeps!!!
I also wanted to thwack a guinea fowl but I could not import it back to the states.......the males are really kewl!
(Oh, has it been that long since we hung out or did you shave your head for the trip?)

[Deer716]

Great recap so far MW. Can't wait to read more.

[yakhunter]

WOW absolutely amazing writing. Can't wait for the rest!

[KHo]

...all I can muster at this point is

[RdRdrFan]

The only problem with this thread is that I'm hooked and keep checking in for updates every hour or so. Great write up Michael.

[Adgerc15]

this has made my sunday! Great write up and recap

congrats on a wonderful trip and memorable experience!

ac

[Bisch]

Congrats on the lioness and the Guinnea Fowl. Not only are they good targets, but they make really cool mounts too.



Waiting for the rest of the story,

Bisch

[agvet2004]

Simply awesome! Fantastic pictures and an even better trophy so far!

[Bisch]

Originally Posted by Landrover

Boo-yah!!! The lioness is SOLID!!! Well played, very well played!
Now I know you are a very brave man as I would not have hunted the Springbok hide as the snakes in sub-Suharan Africa play for keeps!!!
I also wanted to thwack a guinea fowl but I could not import it back to the states.......the males are really kewl!
(Oh, has it been that long since we hung out or did you shave your head for the trip?)

Oscar, why could you not bring your guinnea fowl home? I got mine with no problems.

Bisch

[Keith]

Just seeing this, Michael. Congratulations on the lioness and Guinea. I am reading every word, please continue.

[MichaelW]

Hello Guys,

Thank you for all of your comments. I am enjoying sharing this with you as I thoroughly enjoyed the trip. I appreciate all of your kind words and interest.

Joe....I figured such, just whatever happens, absolutely no brother in law deals!!!!

Oscar....keeping it nice and short now, started that since the Academy a couple of years ago, I guess it has been awhile for us bud!

All else, thanks again!

Michael

[MichaelW]

We were now at Dries Visser main camp in the Limpopo Province where we would be staying for the duration of the hunt. In addition to hunting this concession as well as others in the area, this is the base of the operation. The lodging, main lodge, office, PH living quarters, etc is all located here. Here's a few pictures around the main camp.

[MichaelW]

A few more,

[mev002]

great thread man, congrats on your trophies, i am waiting anxiously for the next installments to your adventure!

[MichaelW]

After seeing this picture, my lovely wife had second thoughts about not braving the 18 hour flight....

[Rambis]

Greatness!

[MichaelW]

While not getting the best of sleep, I did manage to sleep longer than any previous night since my trip began. Having the lion hunt completed and the stress of my first Africa animal jitters suppressed.....well slightly anyways, I was excited to begin the plains game hunting.

After eating breakfast and before heading out, I headed over to the range to do a little morning shooting. I had switched bows from my Monster to my Hyperlite because after the lion hunting, I believed the Monster was shooting a little low for whatever reason. To be honest, it may have been the bow or it may have been me and due to stress, anxiety, exhaustion, or whatever EXCUSE I could put here, not sure....as I have yet to shoot it since I've been back, I just know that everything seemed to be shooting lower than normal.

The Hyperlite was shooting fine and I was ready to be off. The nice thing about Africa is that generally speaking, you don't have to be on the travel routes, waterholes, pit blinds, spotting and stalking, or whatever method at the crack at dawn as things tend to move mid morning to early afternoon. We were pretty wide open this early in the game with what we were looking for, and since for the most part, a variety of animals will be at any given location, I was excited to begin.

Just about every morning I kept finding myself going to the wrong side of the truck to get in......the steering wheel on the wrong side as well as the fact they drive on the opposite side really had me messed up all week.

[MichaelW]

Nice mount Bisch!

[MichaelW]

Anthony chose a pit blind overlooking a water hole for our first morning hunt. All was quiet for some time after settling into the blind. Eventually, Kudu cows could be seen in the distance, followed by young to average bulls. Birds of a wide variety and color also began showing up. A group of warthogs, consisting of a few females and little ones also showed up. I was excited when I saw a group of 3 gemsbok traveling through the brush. While still far out, the contrasting black and white colors of these animals could be seen causing my heart to race.

The gemsbok were very weary, standing out on the outskirts watching all of the other animals. As each animal came a little closer, they also filtered closer. Eventually, the warthogs came and drank, kudu cows and young bulls did also. As the gemsbok neared, Anthony advised me which one was a shooter.

As they began coming closer, I grabbed my bow and began concentrating on where to place the arrow. At that moment, birds spooked and everything took off. Just like that, they were out of range.

[MichaelW]

Eventually, one animal inched closer and one by one, animals filtered back in with each gaining confidence based upon the other's action. We could see the gemsbok through the thick brush. They too, eventually filtered back in. Once again, I grabbed my bow and concentrated on where to shoot.

For the longest time, the one I intended to shoot was obstructed by another. Eventually, the other one moved but now the one I intended to shoot was quartering to me. A game then seemed to ensue in which he would either continue at a bad angle, or be blocked by another animal.

Finally, he turned completely broadside at about 18 yards with nothing between me and him but air. I instantly drew back and prepared to shoot.

[MichaelW]

At that exact instance, a younger average kudu bull standing off to the side must have saw or heard me and let out a loud Bark! Everything raced away......just like that, a hunt that had came oh so close, ended so abruptly.

[MichaelW]

However, as we watched everything race away at blazing speed, I now saw a nice Waterbuck bull on the left side of the blind intently staring at the water and not racing away. He watched everything run off, but yet held his position, of course he was still not anywhere close yet, but oh how my heart was now racing again.....just seconds after having it fall to my stomach when everything raced away.

[MichaelW]

The waterbuck held his position forever, just watching the water and all of the surroundings. After some time, he eventually, very slowly began a most cautious approach. He finally came in and drank at a quartering to angle the entire time.

[MichaelW]

This morning's hunt had been way too intense and enjoyable to leave empty handed. As the waterbuck continued to drink, I knew he would be leaving any second. I quizzed my PH on exactly where to shoot at this angle. Overall, he recommended against it, but explained exactly where the arrow would need to be placed. As I drew back, the waterbuck heard me....

[yakhunter]

Aaaaahhhhhhh! You are killing me!

[MichaelW]

As he stared directly towards the blind, I wondered if he would blast away at any second or settle back down and continue drinking. I refused to shoot while he was so alert.

[Big Spec]

congrats and still in suspense

[MichaelW]

Finally, he put his head back down to drink and the arrow was on its way!

[MichaelW]

As he ran off the PH and I discussed the shot. It was just a tad lower than where Anthony had advised me.

At that moment, I was extremely nervous....

Prior to coming, I told myself "No low percentage shots" , but I really felt like I could make the shot.

We gave it a little time and called in the tracker.....and I said a few prayers!!!!

[ItsLeo]

Looks like an excellent shot at that angle to me. I'll be surprised if he went real far.

[MichaelW]

We took up the trail, it didn't last long as the arrow had penetrated the heart. My waterbuck was down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chew]

Alright! I knew that was a deadly shot. Big congrats to you.

[Big Spec]

nice animal, congrats

[old goat]

This is great, my heart would not let my feet stay in the game on a lion archery hunt., can't wait to see more.

[mev002]

nice!

[ItsLeo]

Very nice a waterbuck is on my wishlist. Awesome animals.

[Mudslinger]

Wow, and I mean Wow! Congrats Micheal on another fine trophy. Hurry and put the rest on here. The suspense is killing me!!!!!!!!!!!

This is as good as reading a Capstick book and it has has lot more pics than Capstick.

[MichaelW]

After the high 5's and pictures, we loaded up the waterbuck and took it back to camp for the skinners to cape it out.

And now, one of the funnest parts of Africa, we were headed back out to hunt.

For this hunt, we were leaving the main camp and hunting a mountainous area that was absolutely beautiful.

For this hunt, we were particularly focusing on kudu, although.....you never really know what you'll see.

[ItsLeo]

Originally Posted by MichaelW

And now, one of the funnest parts of Africa, we were headed back out to hunt.

Absolutely one of the true major pluses of hunting Africa. The day is not done with one successful hunt!

[KHo]

Keep it coming Michael...over the top with the way you are taking us along...

[switchback33]

What great Sunday read....keep it coming Michael you have done fantastic so far.

[MichaelW]

The blind we were hunting was some form of popup. It was brushed in as well as any blind I've ever seen. It had two very small shooting holes, one on the left and one on the right.

As we settled into the blind for the hunt and began the wait, I reflected back on my previous few days of hunting and how enjoyable it felt to finally be here after so long of planning.

It was quiet for a pretty good while, but a troop of baboons came in and man, what a show! They pass the time faster and are probably more enjoyable to watch than any other I witnessed all week.

[Big Spec]

i bet getting his tail cut off hurt

[MichaelW]

Watching the baboons past the time like you wouldn't believe. Before I knew it, it was almost dark when I noticed three kudu bulls coming in from our right. The smaller of the three came in while the other two stayed back.

The first one, while nice, was nothing like the other two. The other two were very big, mature bulls, extremely smart and weary. They stayed out of range and waited for the cover of darkness.

Complete darkness eventually arrived and the tracker came to pick us up.

Here's a picture of the smaller kudu that did come in.

[MichaelW]

Big Spec,

That one became known to us as Groutchy Bstrd....he constantly seemed agitated, always fighting and chasing off others.

He appeared to be second in command however to a much bigger and more dominant one though.....although a little foreshadowing here, I guess he's back in charge now!

[bigtuna]

This is one of the cooler threads I've come across. Thanks for taking the time while you were out there to take the shots and I'm sure make some notes. Keep it coming.