Our departure started a little rocky. As I mentioned, we all come from different locations and were to meet in NY on the 2nd, stay a night there together, and depart on the 3rd for a direct flight to Johannesburg. Oddly, each of us was delayed in departures from starting cities. My flight was cancelled the morning of my flight. I was lucky to hear the alert (couldn't sleep with excitement anyway) and found that they tried to re-book me too late. Instead, I found a flight leaving sooner than original, got it reserved, and had to high-tail it to the airport. Good thing I was packed and ready! ... My brother had to wait for 40 minutes for his planes' pilot to arrive, then they had to fly around a big storm. He ended up 2 hours later than scheduled arrival time. ... and, to hit the trifecta, my step dad's flight was held in a holding pattern waiting to land. BUT, we all made it safely and headed to the hotel for the night. We had a nice dinner at the hotel restaurant, and retired early. The next morning , we shuttled to the airport and got there plenty early to ensure we didnt miss the flight. Everything went smooth and we played the waiting game for boarding to begin. Knowing it was a long flight, we mostly strolled around the airport aimlessly killing time.
Finally, we boarded and made ready for the long flight (roughly 15.5 hours). Given the distance and time changes, we were set to arrive in Johannesburg around 8am local time. A lot of card playing, movie watching, mostly failed sleep attempts, and reading, we arrived ready for the hunt. I mentioned it before, and I'll say it again: upgrading to the exit row seats was the best "extra money" I've spent in quite some time.
Upon arrival, it was first class all the way. A Numzaan representative met us at the gate, escorted to to customs, waited for us on the other side, and got us to the main entrance/exit where our PHs were waiting to take us to camp. We made a fuel stop, got some drinks, and made the 3 hour trek to camp. They had packed a lunch, so we stopped once to stretch and eat, and kept going. It was exciting as we got into areas seeing various hunting concessions, and our first glimpses of game animals. My brother and I rode in one truck with our PH, and he asked us questions about what we were after, got to know our experience levels and comfort with potential shooting scenarios. He gave us a book about shot placement on African game, and made suggestions. We also got to know him some, and before we knew it we were at our concession.
He gave an impromptu tour of the ground to help us familiarize and understand the terrain and layout, then made our way to camp. I dont know why, but I was surprised that the lodge was in the middle of the hunting area. We unloaded our gear, and checked out our weeks "home". We were the only group in this camp, I'm unsure if this is standard or unusual, but it meant we each had our own room. There was a fully stocked fridge and bar, and it was a wonderful place to stay. We also met the camp staff, and our tracker/skinner. After a little paperwork, since it was still only midday, we went out with the rental rifles to make sure we were comfortable with them.
I went first, using the PHs Ruger American Rifle in .308 with suppressor and Core-Lokt 180gr ammo. First shot, I was 1" high at 100, which is nearly identical to where I sight in my hunting rifles. Took a 2nd shot to make sure, and it was touching the first. I was happy.
My brother took the rifle, since we would share it as a 2x1 hunt, and was comfortable with the results of his first and double check shots. He shoots lefty (I'm right), and his POI was a little different, but still within a lethal zone and not enough to worry any of us.
My step dad then took up his PHs Remington 700 in 308, using same ammo, and was ready to test fire. He does not hunt as much as we do, and isn't as immediately comfortable for quick shots, so it took a couple extra minutes for him. We made some adjustments to the scopes zero to fit him, and had him confident in just a few shots. Knowing that he had not shot off sticks before, I asked his PH to let him take a shot or two off the sticks as well. He obliged, and even my brother asked to take one shot that way, too. They both felt good, I was ready, and so we were all set to go hunting.
Since there was some good daylight left, our PHs decided to have us all go together in one truck to look around some. As luck would have it, a very nice impala ram was spotted. I had the longest list of critters I wanted to chase, and despite my buddies advice not to shoot the first thing we saw, both PHs indicated this was a nice old ram and a great trophy to chase. Combine that with my itchy trigger finger, and it was a quick decision that I would like to make a try before it got dark. We stalked along into a good position and had him in the crosshairs. However, he was with a group of ewes, and there was one directly behind him. My PH told me to wait for him to step forward some, or her to move from behind, and I waited for the opportunity to present. After a few minutes (or maybe it was less and just felt longer), he finally stepped forward and gave me a clear shot. My PH had already given me clearance to fire when I was comfortable AND there was a clean shot without others that could be hit behind, so I put the crosshairs on the shoulder, perfect broadside, and touched off.
I heard the bullet hit home, and watched through the scope as he jumped sky high, then disappeared behind some thicket. I was sure he'd be laying right there, but my PH put some slight question in my mind as he said it sounded a little hollow, like I'd hit too far back. I told him I didnt think so, I was confident my shot was true, so we headed to where he'd been. The others had hung back some, watching through binoculars so as to put fewer bodies in motion to be spotted by the heard, but they joined us now. I surged with confidence as my brother said he'd seen it hit through binos, and he scored it as a great shot. We walked up, and sure enough, he was laying one jump away from where he'd stood! Straight through both shoulders and a path that would have taken both lungs and heart.
With daylight starting to fade, we snapped some pictures and carried him off into the sunset to the truck. A phenomenal first day in Africa!
View attachment 316374 View attachment 316373
We headed back to camp, enjoyed a nice dinner, and started planning for the next day, which was supposed to be Day 1 of the hunt.