SOUTH AFRICA: New Member Hunting Report Plains Game Hunt With Roche Safaris In South Africa

[Patton63]

People hunt for any number of reasons. For me, one of the driving reasons is the ability to meet people and undertake adventures that I otherwise would never encounter. That is what first sparked my interest in hunting Africa. With little knowledge about key details, in February 2016, I went to the Great American Outdoor Show in Pennsylvania to speak with various PHs. While I met a number of great people, there were a few who fit my personality in a way that I knew would make for a good hunting experience. Roche DuPreez of Roche Safaris was high on that list.

I left the show expecting to book a trip in 2017 or 2018. An opportunity arose, however, to travel to Kenya in July 2016 for work, and I immediately contacted Roche to see if it would be possible to schedule a hunt either before or after my time in Kenya. Fortunately, he had an opening. The next months went by in a flurry, as I got ready for the hunt.

As this was my first hunt in Africa, I started with plains game. My wish list included a kudu, blue wildebeest, impala, zebra, and nice, mature examples of other species that might present themselves over the week that I was there. I’ll save a buffalo for another time. (more to follow)

 

[Patton63]

I arrived in camp in time for lunch. After a wonderful meal, we grabbed rifles and were off to the range to make sure that all was in order and to begin the hunt. Within about 40 minutes of sighting in the rifles, we were stalking a herd of impala with a nice ram in it. As we were tracking them through the thick trees, though, we came across a group of four blue wildebeest crossing in front of us from left-to-right at about 65 yards. I was not about to pass on this opportunity and picked the one that seemed the oldest and most mature. He continued to slowly cross a clearing in the trees and was approaching a thicket where he would be lost. I took the shot and he fell after about only 10 yards. I could not have been more excited

 

[Patton63]

Over the course of the next few days, I was fortunate enough to come across a great old impala (a real old fighter, with battle scars on his body and blind in one eye from fighting). He presented in the trees about 85 yards and the only approach was to crawl up to a termite mound and to take a kneeling shot. Any attempt to stand and we would have been busted by the other impala milling around. The age, maturity, and toughness of this particular impala was exactly what I wanted.

 

[Patton63]

At this point, our focus turned to a kudu. It was relatively cold the days I was in camp (50s) most days and there was some concern that the animals would not be moving. Roche put me on a very nice bull, however, and the stalk began. Each glimpse of him sent my heart rate spiking. Finally, we were able to cut him off and get in position. He had two cows with him, among the three of them, knew something wasn’t right. Eventually, he presented in an opening between some trees at about 75 yards.

 

[Patton63]

I then came across a beautiful nyala. While a nyala was not on my wish list, I could not turn away when I saw this bull standing in the trees. It was an easy decision to begin the stalk and, with Roche’s guidance, I was able to get into position for a clean shot.

 

[cpr0312]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for sharing and congrats!

 

[Patton63]

The trip ended with my missing a shot on a bushbuck at about 100 yards. There was a branch in the shooting lane that I did not see through the scope and that was enough to ruin the shot. It was an amazing opportunity, though, that presented itself only though Roche’s abilities to stalk and get me into position.

I had a number of expectations about what hunting in Africa would be like. While few things in life actually live up to our expectations, this trip did in every respect. I cannot say enough about the quality of my experience with Roche Safaris (from the accommodations, quality of the animals, food, and people). Like many, I went to Africa thinking it would be a “trip of a lifetime” and left pondering when I would be back. Well, I’m happy to say that I have an answer to that question, as I am planning to take my son with me to hunt there in 2017.

Thanks for indulging my report.

 

[cpr0312]

Like many, I went to Africa thinking it would be a “trip of a lifetime” and left pondering when I would be back. Well, I’m happy to say that I have an answer to that question, as I am planning to take my son with me to hunt there in 2017.

 

[Shootist43]

Thanks for sharing your hunting experience. Hunting Africa definitely can get under your skin. I had my "hunt of a lifetime" last August. But, now I'm wondering if there can be two (or more) hunting trips of a lifetime.

 

[LivingTheDream]

Awesome trophies and great job on getting close. Love that Impala, that's a good one!

 

[johnnyblues]

Congrats on some nice trophies, and welcome to the forum.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Thanks for sharing your hunt. Congrats

 

[cls]

Excellent trophies

 

[enysse]

Nice animals, I'm sure you some great memories to hold you until you are in Africa again.

 

[russ_c]

Thanks for sharing your hunt! Congrats on the excellent trophies!

 

[Nyati]

Congrats for a great hunt and excellent trophies !

 

[edward]

great trophies and report.

 

[rinehart0050]

Congrats on your hunt and welcome to AH! looking forward to hearing how your hunt next summer goes!

 

[PBBaker]

Roche is the best! I have hunted with him three times and am returning with my daughter again this year. Great hunting, first class accommodations. Congratulations on a terrific safari!

 

[gillettehunter]

Great Impala with good mass throughout. Congrats on a great trip. Bruce