First day introduction

[Sedoso]

Hello all,

I just signed up and am happy to be here. I took the big leap this year and went on a Plains Game hunt this
past June in South Africa. Literally had a blast and am going back this coming July. The best part is we will be
taking our 32 year old son with us as well.
Did all my hunting with a 308. Not that I am a great shot or anything, I mostly believe that if you listen to
your PH about shot placement and practice a lot that you will do fine.
This year I want to also bring my TC Encore 300 WM. My 308 is mounted with a 4-14 BDC but I found the
field of view to be too limited for closer shots. It was great out to 300 yards (my longest) with the BDC
most shots around 100-150 yards or so.
I am thinking of mounting a 1-6 or 2-7 BDC for the field of view on the 300 WM but I am concerned that with
my older eyes I will not be able to take the longer shots.
Scope recommendations are more than welcome.
I look forward to learning a lot from all of you.

Thanks,
Sedoso

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Welcome to AH Sedoso! Looking forward to your contribution and please do share some pictures and stories with us.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Welcome to AH.
Since you have been hunting already perhaps you have some trophy pictures to share?

FOV on your 4X was too narrow at 100 yards?

I agree, going to 1 or 2X might be a little much.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Welcome Sedoso and I second the motion for pics and a hunt report! As far as scopes go, perhaps a Nikon Monarch in 3-12x or Leupold VX-6 in 2-12x.

 

[Sedoso]

Hi Brickburn,

There were times when shots presented themselves at a lot closer than 100 yards but for whatever reason you do not take the shot in favor of passing on it for a different animal or you notice a broken horn, too young, etc. You can usually use your field glasses to determine such things but when your PH says he thinks there might be something overthere and to get on him at close distance, it is hard to do with a narrow field of view and all that brown staring at you lol.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Alrighty. If its that close, draw your knife.

Phil may have your solution.
But get used to swinging that variable dial before you go.

 

[bluey]

welcome and enjoy the site sedoso
love to hear about your last african adventure and enjoy your photos .
when you and your young bloke go back next year are you going to the same outfitter /ranch or trying some variety.
hope you find the scope your happy with

 

[James.Grage]

Welcome to AH

Look for a 2 X 10 or a 2.5 X 8 or a 3 X 9 in that zone...

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Welcome to AH, Sedoso!
Glad you joined us.

Take Care,
Marius Goosen

 

[Bobpuckett]

Welcome to AH Sedoso! Looking forward to your story and pics.

 

[Patrick R]

Sedoso,

Welcome to AH forum.

 

[Sedoso]

Hi Bluey,

We are going back to the same outfitter. We booked it as we were leaving to get a spot for 2013 as things were booking up fast. The name is Kirabo Safaris in the Thabazimbi area close to the Botswana border. We just clicked as a group. I went with my wife who was an observer and my Brother in law as a photographer and had the week all to ourselves. We are all going back again plus my oldest son in July. They have a booth in an outfitter store in Maine (where I first met them last year) for a copuple of days mid January and will be coming to our house for dinner, etc. Just good folks. They are hard working, love to hunt, fun loving and professional. I did not get a Nyala this past hunt nor did I take a Red Harterbeest so that is on the agenda, at least ; ).

 

[Nyati]

Welcome to the forum, Sedoso!

 

[Sedoso]

Thank you everyone for your warm welcomes!

 

[bcarper]

Welcome to Ah Sedoso! Storys and pictures! Brian

 

[bluey]

good morning sedoso
they must of been great people to re book before you left the property and thabazimbi is a great spot as that was the closest town to where we hunted aswell, i wouldnt be to stressed about what animals you didnt tick off your list theres planes going over there when ever you can make it .then again i keep thinking how good a bushbuck would look in the trophy room .
do you bow hunt or riffle ?

 

[Sedoso]

Hi Bluey,

I still think about the amazing experience every day...

I brought a rifle and a bow. I just got into bow hunting this year, (from the ground), can't climb a tree like I used to...I shot an Impala from a ground blind at a watering hole.

Had visited the spot a couple of late mornings looking for a big Warthog. I passed on a big female the first time at the hole hoping for a big tusked male. Second late morning, in comes a single male Impala which I had not taken yet, but was on my list. The PH ranged it at 25 yards and indicated it was an older male and very representative of the breed.

I nocked an arrow (500 g with a 125 g serrated killer bee or G5 blade), pulled it back, sighted the animal and made one giant mistake...upon drawing I stepped forward, stuck my arrow out the window, spooked the Impala as I released the arrow and it landed perfect hight up and down but right in the butt as the Impala lunged forward. Fortunately, the arrow slid up the leg bone into the spine and put it down kicking and screaming. I climbed out of the blind and finished it off quickly. I have no idea why I stepped forward like that and exposed the arrow. Rookie mistake!

I really felt bad about it and didn't bow hunt the rest of the trip. This was ok as all my rifle shots were quick and humane. Not sure if I am going to take it in July! Need to get my confidence up.

Didn't ruin the trip or anything, and the PH understood, I just felt bad at the time but moved on quickly.

Long winded answer to whether I use a bow or not wasn't it?

 

[bluey]

not that long winded mate i got the answer i asked
anyways ive not got a lot to do as im out in the middle of bass strait until the morning of 31st and we arent catching bugger all fishat the moment which is surprising with the moon nearly full and we are coping a dusting with the weather today .
dont give up on the bowhunting just practice practice practice,when i first stepped up to bowhunting from rifle the bloke that showed me heaps of starters always said remember th six p s
prior preperation prevents piss poor preformance and it does
but i still fill the freezer heaps quicker with the old 30.06
i bowhunt as often as i can but the riffle is still no.1 and i cant see that changing anytime soon

 

[enysse]

Welcome to AH!