gillettehunter
AH ambassador
So I'm on my way back to Africa. We'll see how good internet is for this hunt. We all evolve somewhat as hunters. Sometimes we go back to africa for new species and new experiences. Sometimes to see old friends and try to better other trophies. Sometimes to just go hunt. This trip for me is mostly to hunt some new animals. In RSA I'm looking for the elusive Vaal Rhebuck as well as Klipspringer and gray Duiker as new animals for me.
As I have read about the Vaalies I have become determined to hunt them. I started over a year ago talking to PH's about their opportunities. I just couldn't commit to any one. Then I remembered someone posting 3 plus years ago and showing some huge Vaalies. I had made some initial contact then, but the time was not right. I got in contact with the PH that the landowner had recommended. Bingo. Still guiding and specializing in Vaalies and Klippies. After checking references I booked a 6 day hunt to occur just before I do a SCI auction hunt in Zambia. Been in good contact through Whatsapp for the last 6 months.
Then to get ready..... I had both knees replaced 2 yrs ago and they have been slow to heal. More residual pain than I expected. So I decided to loose some weight and to work my knees. Vaalies live in the mtns.... So 2 months ago I started walking and climbing. My house in on a decent hill. So I'd walk to the bottom and then back up to the top. I worked up to where I would be out an hour in the mornings and 30 min at night. I lost 13 lbs which helps some and built up some leg muscles. I live at 4600 ft elevation so the hunting elevation won't be too bad. I think I have worked harder to get ready for this hunt than for any other I've ever tried to do. Probably not as good as I'd like to be, but not near as bad as what I was.
Then the rifle. My PH Willie encouraged me to bring something that "bucks the wind" well in a bullet. I thought about my .30 Nosler with a Berger 215 gr bullet. Just felt that it was too much gun for the intended animals. So I dropped to my 7mm SAUM. It pushes a 180 gr Berger at just over 2900 FPS. That bullet has a excellent BC so it has less wind drift than many bullets. My new load work up got me, eventually back to 1/4 inch accuracy at 100 yds. I went to my gunsmiths range the day before I left. Had first round hits on steel plates out to 600 yds. Either 8 or 10 inch plates, I'm not sure which. So my calculations are on point. Willie, my PH, had asked me to be comfortable out to 400 meters. I feel fairly confident out to 500 yds under ideal conditions with the right rest. We'll see how it plays out. I would much rather be closer than a long ways off. Willie tells me in his experience its rare to get a shot under 200 meters. Sound like pronghorn hunting at home....
Willie has some availability of other animals if we get the target animals quickly. We'll see how it all plays out. I'll try to keep this thread updated and some pics hopefully. Depending on time and internet
Bruce
As I have read about the Vaalies I have become determined to hunt them. I started over a year ago talking to PH's about their opportunities. I just couldn't commit to any one. Then I remembered someone posting 3 plus years ago and showing some huge Vaalies. I had made some initial contact then, but the time was not right. I got in contact with the PH that the landowner had recommended. Bingo. Still guiding and specializing in Vaalies and Klippies. After checking references I booked a 6 day hunt to occur just before I do a SCI auction hunt in Zambia. Been in good contact through Whatsapp for the last 6 months.
Then to get ready..... I had both knees replaced 2 yrs ago and they have been slow to heal. More residual pain than I expected. So I decided to loose some weight and to work my knees. Vaalies live in the mtns.... So 2 months ago I started walking and climbing. My house in on a decent hill. So I'd walk to the bottom and then back up to the top. I worked up to where I would be out an hour in the mornings and 30 min at night. I lost 13 lbs which helps some and built up some leg muscles. I live at 4600 ft elevation so the hunting elevation won't be too bad. I think I have worked harder to get ready for this hunt than for any other I've ever tried to do. Probably not as good as I'd like to be, but not near as bad as what I was.
Then the rifle. My PH Willie encouraged me to bring something that "bucks the wind" well in a bullet. I thought about my .30 Nosler with a Berger 215 gr bullet. Just felt that it was too much gun for the intended animals. So I dropped to my 7mm SAUM. It pushes a 180 gr Berger at just over 2900 FPS. That bullet has a excellent BC so it has less wind drift than many bullets. My new load work up got me, eventually back to 1/4 inch accuracy at 100 yds. I went to my gunsmiths range the day before I left. Had first round hits on steel plates out to 600 yds. Either 8 or 10 inch plates, I'm not sure which. So my calculations are on point. Willie, my PH, had asked me to be comfortable out to 400 meters. I feel fairly confident out to 500 yds under ideal conditions with the right rest. We'll see how it plays out. I would much rather be closer than a long ways off. Willie tells me in his experience its rare to get a shot under 200 meters. Sound like pronghorn hunting at home....
Willie has some availability of other animals if we get the target animals quickly. We'll see how it all plays out. I'll try to keep this thread updated and some pics hopefully. Depending on time and internet
Bruce
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