Post by: Bob33 on September 13, 2023, 04:52:26 PM
My initial wish list included a nyala, red hartebeest, and a waterbuck. While there the opportunity to add a sable came up so I ended replacing the hartebeest with a sable.
While I expected the sable to be the most difficult of the three, I was able to happen upon a nice 40” bull with good mass in the first two days of hunting. The waterbuck took a couple days, and the nyala ended up being the most difficult. We pursued it for four days before it presented a shot I wanted. I found myself with mixed emotions when first approaching the downed nyala; excitement and joy but also a bit of sadness and respect. It was an older animal that lived in a harsh world for many years evading leopards, poachers, and a host of other challenges. It had been able to avoid presenting me with a good shot for many days before finally making a mistake. It is a trophy I will cherish.
The last several days I was in Kruger National Park. The park holds an estimated 150,000 impalas, 13,000 elephants, scores of zebras and other animals and birds. I’m still sorting through thousands of images.
South Africa is a land of contrasts. Poverty is widespread. Unemployment is officially 33% and unofficially closer to 50%. They have insufficient power to handle demand. Crime in many areas is rampant. In spite of all that they have some phenomenal wildlife populations, and safe travel is possible. I never felt threatened or in any danger.
I would encourage anyone who is considering a trip there to do so in the relatively near future. There is growing discontent by many in the country and some questions about where it may lead.
Here are a few photos from the trip that I hope portray a little of the experiences I was able to have.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc-CQLQOsBDphCNISqjxUardDO2kJdIk3MivC5eedGCXcO2zRv-y1VPDmpYx4oUWCoEU0hRSE-6mZdFWm1M0qMEaWg8mQh2miFlBSVTAIninv1NSlIk=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc_PlkTpEuBkwy_6y7oyw8VEABsEz9R_Z2HJAuQDxOaw15Uui5LH32CJ2MnNCXVNLkJweXZ5LUjLTExWfAx7gQ4az8wCeXeg2xZvm-N7EU3PGUiUOL0=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc8P7XOn-QDJAETfGLrQPu12axzejuI7fcGeKzuDdwmYuOygmIGt4JVgP1sU7IIsUPYaESsNeMrmH-7Tpo2g2myxVwBsOjGw_5EJ-Xi8m8FLkI646n4=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc8jr6JlOYpC3_aiVacre4RZD0cGBEf1_mzTW8YWtUooSvrX3fdQ7cw4pZ3eVTmBWj4XT4ANlRaB0vtQTtDpnAq6u0vcdac577O1vrv_tihInEA2330=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc9C1SNDbFJIvM0rSfYKXzy2ENdNs8SdRPac-NEX1CFNbjyqmJQH5E9gVoYHuiAYYhQNZnZppCV-A8nSn06mqGRhCqFaTLa5-Jnjkl4Tn60oMJPYi0s=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc_1lq5NwtzX_9llqC2H5uVb0D-yqLEnfZQbHqZOs1OfHKERDuPZJSAFqOlVRVKmaEw2dbJ7TfewmRKqlCna0gTf-njdts7vPbOZfhehyUHTOOQthqU=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc8Y7xDyJrmSIYB4GIBadA8b30UUgUvB9Uya-du1U2iqQirla0jvTTRwvaJLZTyfZOjBh2br8zvQKLAeK-kFff23ec1uGkRc9VUvjLhgJSUESKBGkY8=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc-QUsVwJj6mM1V7Rq_9ps2iilHz0sAzE52_NwHvbYKdmqF34rpxoPDGt1j6hSIIfYqrsVUzwyOppvc6ibomuhiw6A6KWut7-a88GYz5mKHIm_vwhlE=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc_kF7vvrZsie-DcLVuRi4D8up0ab5IdpnhPXTOSwOLWBUr5rx2iR8AE5U4aBQiAnyaZUvhZCkRdO_s_55iRAX0pKAC7bfr9ybHFrXoQPoaCeuR1U0Y=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc84Q0fZ0N8LdkioRq-nNEw6k9YrfRv9oKEJMH6Ob7dUt1GbOIAlMNlX5mggVWLfanYNEhdrAXPzSE4DdLflP5IkDeOaC9DWY6iQw2LqErLvPILZX70=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc85RQTBJsiLYb-JKXnHT57snMNju22ndAd5pO9-wReRfIeJp4zZOEPlPoJOGCeONdICFSUoMnLPutH-oQo4cdy4eh5CLYI83LY8hHv8Hc8GLOJiFB4=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc-COxl_r1GkuBO5kGqB5lcnX7kBevdhjPTfjjvT4W-EPS_XMkLtnwnBHHUClvW-qut7sPZ_ngfqMZMUK6GhkD7DxSjRVU82G2zjj878ytRRSpWDVs8=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc-tCw_EudXkraxRMtp9N2QEwaCadf08ZWY283cjCDu3aaJ8mDioOiyDlmtX-7jezi0cZ29_R6UxAjs3gJMK9JAOcp8LkWwg5t740ul8M_nUoAEgjJU=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc-DQ8GabA8QK23ouuMcnliuO093apNMLaFrBt4sulbOUKvatB_rVMlZWoBj3hQgZMz8UbeyWHYDcNeiQcDccruqIGmy42OM25DBSkgOxd_st_XQ1VY=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc_UuU2ob62g-gjH2JBZ5kyU_rEpqz341wQe7ldDOLFRQgxqEuwDb46hRJpcBlsRQygN-10GGTk_afkve17gNKrJJuIzHiyTwweOHWVJA4vSp05z4cE=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc8bfVEx3VZHQ8bl2K7rE3UUxSt8joDQQTL3iwa6T-V_7-qwfBSvejzz77eZWqGYeZzYsmQyuFoa7qQR74Py0Imr1ypL4XzspCwy74kiJnX0sTCE7EM=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc_C3gmsGhSm8RdP44Zpqr4kT_LgHdqxxc-6Ck0VwBPiGLfL2sOV89DQheXUvxMwQoO4sTRRxr_vMAm-A5fQm_Tp_ezXMulRG8yeS6ga1NKmIcnZ2Ow=w1200)
Post by: MADMAX on September 13, 2023, 05:21:05 PM
That’s a trip of a lifetime 👍
Post by: Timberstalker on September 13, 2023, 05:37:31 PM
Post by: pd on September 13, 2023, 06:08:02 PM
Question: Did you eat any of the meat that you harvested (have you had a chance to consume yet)? I cannot imagine what any of those critters taste like.
Post by: Rob on September 13, 2023, 06:09:36 PM
I second the "do it while you still can" advice... lots of things happening in SA right now that could dramtically change the opportunities.
Post by: Bob33 on September 13, 2023, 06:56:01 PM
Well done, Sir! The photographs are beautiful.We consumed some of everything we killed while there. Surplus meat is given to local people in need. Unfortunately meat cannot be taken out of the country.
Question: Did you eat any of the meat that you harvested (have you had a chance to consume yet)? I cannot imagine what any of those critters taste like.
Post by: Angry Perch on September 14, 2023, 10:32:43 AM
Post by: bearhunter99 on September 14, 2023, 11:34:32 AM
Post by: JWBINX on September 14, 2023, 02:08:10 PM
Post by: pd on September 14, 2023, 02:10:44 PM
Well done, Sir! The photographs are beautiful.We consumed some of everything we killed while there. Surplus meat is given to local people in need. Unfortunately meat cannot be taken out of the country.
Question: Did you eat any of the meat that you harvested (have you had a chance to consume yet)? I cannot imagine what any of those critters taste like.
Interesting, you are not allowed to export it, or the U.S. authorities will not allow you to import it? In any case, what did they taste like?? I am seriously curious.
Post by: Ridgerunner on September 14, 2023, 02:55:42 PM
Post by: birdshooter1189 on September 14, 2023, 03:03:10 PM
Post by: time2hunt on September 14, 2023, 04:03:22 PM
Awesome pics
we are looking at 24 or 25 for a trip. The research as been pretty easy so far. My biggest question is the cost of bringing back your trophy animals? I’ve been told it’s just as expensive as the trip by the time you get done. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Mfowl on September 14, 2023, 07:18:10 PM
Post by: Wphunt on October 01, 2023, 08:35:52 PM
Post by: Dan-o on October 01, 2023, 10:18:35 PM
Simply amazing.
Thank you for sharing.
Post by: bearpaw on October 01, 2023, 10:20:25 PM
Post by: rainshadow1 on October 02, 2023, 12:10:59 AM