Day 5 of hunting: August 6
Today was "let's just see what Africa offers us today." With everything we had taken, I was wanting to focus on some cull animals and maybe warthogs. We glassed from a high cliff and Wik spotted what he thought was an old impala. Elise went into sniper mode and quickly dropped the impala. Looking at the teeth, it probably wouldn't have lived much longer.
After the impala, we drove around a bit and then got out and just started a foot patrol, into the wind.
A funny side story: Just about all the 4x4 vehicles that I've rode in Africa have been standard transmission with the lockable front hubs. Wik and I discussed the merits of such systems and the Land Cruisers are just a super impressive and reliable vehicle. During the week, we had climbed and descended some very steep roads. The v8 diesel, in low-low, can really climb. Most of the time we cruised around in 2WD and whenever we approached difficult area, the trackers hopped out, locked the front hubs, got back in the truck and away we went. Once through the rough terrain, the process repeated itself, unlocking the front hubs and going back to 2WD. Well this particular morning, we approached a steep section of road, which was a bit rutted and lots of small loose rock. Steep, but not as steep as some other hills we had easily climbed, earler in the week. The trackers hop out, lock the front hubs, jump back in and we start the slow climb. Tires start to spin, engine revs and the forward progress is halted. Had the Land Cruiser finally met it's match? Duh...... The evening before we had forgot and left the front hubs locked. So when the trackers "locked" the hubs today, they actually "unlocked" them. Once the brain and the hubs were fully engaged, we easily moved up the steep road.
We now return to our regular program..............
We bumped into a few critters and then came across an old kudu. My turn, so I got on the sticks and one shot and dropped it. Then it got up and ran! We tracked it a ways and got a follow up shot into it and this time it stayed down.
After lunch and a siesta, we went looking for warthogs and found a couple.
Just one more day to go...........living the dream in the eastern cape of South Africa!
This is sunrise, Day 6 of hunting: August 7
It is the coldest morning of the week, high 30s and very windy. Cold for South Africa, but a balmy day in Montana during elk season. We drove about 10 minutes down the road to the 50,000 acre property where Elise took an eland earlier in the week. Remembering we saw a fair amount of blue wildebeest too, we've decided to try for one. We spotted a group but decided to leave them and come back if we couldn't find anything else. We stopped the truck and glassed awhile and then went on another foot patrol. This time into some wooded area. Almost like elk hunting in the dark timber.
Wik spotted some critters and we used the dense cover to work our way closer. Elise got on the sticks and waited. I'd watch her trigger finger move onto the trigger and then off. This went on for awhile and then she got completely off the sticks and we were on the move again. Not far, basically moved to the other side of the bushes we were using for cover. Elise got back on the sticks and Wik was glassing and trying to find a particular bull.
Elise squeezed off a shot and the herd of a dozen or so took off running. We quickly found a serious blood trail, this critter wasn't going far. We went about a 100 yards and found the wildebeest down, but it still had it's head up. A finishing shot was required.
An bull with some worn horns and a lot of character. A great way to finish the hunt!
The last night around the fire. Another hunter arrived in camp that evening. This gent had rifle hunted with Game 4 Africa before and was back to do some archery hunting. It was fun and interesting to share stories with him. Wik's dad, John Coetzee, and I are the same age. John told me I must come back next year and hunt a cape buffalo for my 60th birthday. Tempting.........very temping.
August 8 & 9: Travel Days
Port Elizabeth is a 2 hour drive and our flight was about 1pm. So it was a nice, easy going morning for breakfast and packing. We said our goodbyes to all the hardworking and friendly staff. As we did a couple of years ago, Elise and I gave our matching Carhartt jackets to two of the trackers. I also handed out a few headlamps and spare batteries.
Our SAA flight from PE to JNB was slightly delayed, but we had several hours layover so it wasn't an issue. Elise boarded the Delta flight to Atlanta and it left right on time, around 8pm. My SAA flight to JFK was scheduled for a 9pm departure, but had a 2 hour delay after everyone had boarded. My rear end was already getting soar and we hadn't left the gate yet. Finally left about 11pm and 15.5 hours later arrived in New York. Clearing customs and immigration was quick and easy and I had 4 hours to connect on my Delta flight to Atlanta and then Houston. Plenty of time to go to the Delta lounge and shower and change. Flew to Atlanta and had a rain delay of nearly an hour and then when we got into the Houston area, had to circle due to weather. Finally landed around 6pm and home at 7pm. About 41 hours total travel time.
Until the next adventure................Dave
