Dangerous Game Hunt

Thanks gents, one of the things about working in the industry is trying to find the time to squeeze in a hunt for yourself, I had a real blast on this one! Will post up the results on the hyena hunt but sadly we did not connect.
 
We proceed to cut up the buff for hyena bait and head out to hang a second bait and refresh as well as expand our drags. The next day reveals nothing had hit our two baits. We believe that the drought has left so many carcasses out that the hyenas are not responding to the baits. Shortly after a neighboring property owner confirms our worse suspicions when he explains that there is a vast amount of carrion in the field. We stay late this night and listen for hyena, but to no avail. However all is not lost as we hear leopards sawing, hippos and even spot a large lion track just before nightfall. The next day reveals that a leopard had been at the bait, but no hyenas.
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We realize then that the hyena was not to be and our hunt draws to an end. One final evening shared with new friends and then we were off to visit some other friends in Port Elizabeth.
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Before we go, Marius let's me try out his double (.500 NE Merkel), i now fully understand the relationship between a PH and his double ... i did not want to give it back
 

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Patrick, Marius and I were hunting in the Timbavati, (private land adjacent to government land) and we were hunting with Heinrich van Heerden, you have probably heard of him.
 
KMG Canada said:
The next morning had us back out and chasing buff. We picked up the spoor at a waterhole and caught up to them after about an hour. We got close to two bulls in the thick stuff, but just not enough room for a clear shot. After a short break we picked up a herd of buff at a waterhole and the trackers determined that with the incredibly dry conditions, he had a really good idea of which way they were heading and we raced ahead to set up an ambush on a small trail. True to form the first buffalo appeared shortly after we had set up and began to filter across the trail opening a couple at a time. We waited patiently for a good bull to appear and everyone stared intently into the thick bush in hope that a bull would walk out. Suddenly he emerged and I settled in on the sticks hoping for a shot, but cows flanking him on either side put an end to this ambush and they continued their pilgrimage down the trail. I exhaled and the adrenalin began to subside, time for a new plan.

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We surmised with the dry drought like conditions our best chance was to stick close to water and attempt to pick up fresh spoor there. We circled downwind of a waterhole and crept on hands and knees up to a small rise where we could see over the water and laid in wait. A young bull stepped out from the scrub and lifted his nose to test the air sensing danger and we hugged the ground to avoid being found out. He drank quickly and continued on high alert for quite some time constantly staring in our direction until he moved off finally and we could all breathe again. As we could see no further evidence of any bulls in the herd we slowly backed out and did a quick check of another waterhole as well checking the trails for any sign of fresh spoor.
With nothing being sited we decided to return to the waterhole and crawled back in to where we had a good view. Marius and I are sitting side by side staring into the scrub wishing for a bull to step out when all at once he materializes in front of us. Marius says “he’s a big old bull” and up go the sticks. I settle in and calmly settle the crosshairs and whisper “now”, Marius replies “no, cow behind”, I wait two seconds which seems like an hour and reply “now”, Marius replies “no cow still behind” I am now having real life nightmares of this bull walking back into the scrub and I repeat “now” and Marius replies “now” and I squeeze the trigger. The bull is hit hard and spins around going about ten yards before piling up and we simultaneously begin to move forward, the death bellow comes quickly and attracts the rest of the herd out of the scrub, but upon seeing us move forward they turn and move away. We close in on the buff and see that he is still alive but down, taking no chances we add an insurance shot and it is over. It doesn’t quite hit me that I have taken my first buff … it will take some time for that to sink in.

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hello,

great report.

one point if i may:.

on the first picture there is the shooter and an extra rifle hold between two part of a tree: on my opinion an accident waiting to happen if hunting any animal that can bite back. sorry if im the one .... and i wasnt there.
 
Medvedqc, noted. The PH and myself both have ours, it was a young PH's rifle along for the ride. This could have been another lesson I am sure, but I think he had enough "guidance" for one hunt from the PH's. From my point of view I was way too focused on the buff to notice until now.
 
KMG Canada said:
Patrick, Marius and I were hunting in the Timbavati, (private land adjacent to government land) and we were hunting with Heinrich van Heerden, you have probably heard of him.
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yes I know Heinrich, still very young but has a lot of experience...Timbavati is and excellent area to hunt, love it there! I myself will be in Balule and Klaserie Game reserves with clientele...
 
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