South Africa 2025

[Dan-o]

Wow!
Simply amazing.

[Jpmiller]

There’s quite a bit of South African ag workers around me. Listening to some of their stories it sounds like it can turn into a wild place pretty quick politically/culturally. Glad you guys got to salvage your day.

[Rainier10]

After the gemsbok it was time for a common springbok. They don’t let you get close or at least not close for long.

We got to 200 yards from a group of ten, all broadside. I was steady on the one at the back of the line but just couldn’t pull the trigger through the safety. Once again not having my gun screwed me. I had pushed the safety forward but only the first click to the unload position.

We drove around to the next basin and hiked up the ridge, they had moved two ridges. It’s incredibly how much ground these animals can cover in a short amount of time.

We just kept at it and found a group of bachelor rams running with a group of bachelor impalas. We got to 30 yards in thick brush twice. Both times I only had a head shot. The second time however the brush was thin and I was told to just shoot through the brush. As I started my squeeze a copper springbok steeped in front of the one I was shooting at. My guide said no no don’t shoot as I was already letting up on the trigger not wanting to shoot the wrong one. Of course with the commotion they ran off.

Else saw them again just below us at 237 yards. I got on the sticks and zeroed in on the ram at the bottom of the group. This time the safety was fully off and I was able to slowly squeeze the trigger smack the springbok hard. He slowly spun around a few times not knowing what to do. He was clearly hit hard but still standing. I racked another round in and my guide said don’t bother he is done. Just as he said that the springbok fell over dead.

Walking up on him I was shocked at the size of them. They are a really small target compared to everything else I had shot.

[MADMAX]

So cool
But a hell of a taxidermy bill🤣

[LDennis24]

C'mon, post the black impala! 

[Rainier10]

C'mon, post the black impala! 

He’s a beauty.

[Rainier10]

Got a shot at a black springbok today but was a little low in the leg. Very little blood. We jumped it twice and couldn’t get a second shot. Finally called a guy with a dog. He got to us and turned the dog loose. We were 80 yards from where it was bedded. I could not get a shot before it took off but the dog got it stopped again. They were standing face to face and I was able to drop it. We got up to it immediately so we could see the hair on its back stand up before it laid flat again.

All tagged out. Heading home tomorrow.

[Dan-o]

This is absolutely epic.

[Boneyard72]

What an amazing adventure!  Thank you for sharing.  Brings back a lot of memories of our trip to SA last year.  Great stories and photos, congrats!!  Many comments about the taxidermy bill.  Are you having it done in country or pack and dip and doing it here?  I was amazed at how cheap the taxidermy is in country. Yes there are shipping charges for the crate but still WAY under what I would have paid here at home.

[Rainier10]

Dip and pack, taxidermy to be done at home.

Everything here is way cheaper but I would just feel better having it in state.

This trip was super expensive but it could have been way cheaper. I really wanted my entire family to be a part of this so money wasn’t a concern.

[birdshooter1189]

That's an epic trip. thanks for sharing. It was fun to follow along.

[OutHouse]

Agreed. Epic doesn't even describe it! Thank you for sharing your family's adventure with us.   

[bearpaw]

Fantastic adventure for your whole family Rick, thanks for sharing it with us! 

[Dan-o]

Dip and pack, taxidermy to be done at home.

Everything here is way cheaper but I would just feel better having it in state.

This trip was super expensive but it could have been way cheaper. I really wanted my entire family to be a part of this so money wasn’t a concern.

Will you adopt me?

[hunter399]

Fantastic adventure for your whole family Rick, thanks for sharing it with us! 

👍👍👍