Redman Report post Posted August 16, 2014 First, I would like to start by saying thanks for reading this topic. If I was asked the question in April “would you like to hunt in Africa”, I would have replied “someday”. However, life can take a sudden change and someday becomes now. South Africa is a wonderful place, in fact it’s a hunter’s paradise. It resembles Southern Arizona in many ways. My son, brother in law, friend and I booked a hunt with Crusader Safaris and it was absolutely everything I / we could have hoped for. We flew to Port Elizabeth (PE) from Phoenix, the travel was the worst part, total flying time is roughly 24 hours (not including lay-overs). In case you’re wondering PE is on the Southern Tip of South Africa http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Elizabeth the outfitter arranged for us to stay the night at a Guest House to rest. The next day a guide picked us up and we headed to the Lodge that was a 2 hour drive. As we drove to the lodge, a pack of baboons were spotted and shots quickly rang out… the baboons we encountered on the hunt were very wild animals that are smart and move fast and make all kinds of noise…. After getting settled in at the lodge and taking a few shots with the guide’s rifles, we headed out. We split up with two awesome guides. Within an hour, we spotted a herd of Impala, the stock was on and I was fortunate to harvest this impala with a 180 yds shot that concluded day one. Warthog taken by my friend. Duiker taken by my brother in law. Day two: I brought my bow and decided to sit in a blind. Oranges were placed and before we knew it a pack of monkeys came in and I let one have it…. As we sat in the blind, a group of baboons came in, a large male came in and I let him have it…. Short video of the shot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GwU4nU3pN8&feature=youtu.be this concluded the morning hunt. In the afternoon, I sat another blind. A nice Kudu bull finally came in, unfortunately I thought my camera was recording but it was not… Day three: during the previous days, I explained the beloved Coues deer to the guide. He thought I would like to hunt Bush Buck… these are skittish little animals that, as their name states, live in thick brush. We would try (and succeed) to shoot one with my bow, spot and stalk… this took all day and finally right at dark it all came together… Days four and five: plans were made to head to another area to focus on spring buck, gemsbok and kudu, this would have us staying at a guest house… which was a great experience. Spring buck I shot, my son shot a cull spring buck. Bro in law and friends spring buck Kudu Gemsbok Day 6 – wanted my son to shoot a warthog (female can be shot for a very reasonable price), the wind was miserable and after glassing for some time we finally glassed up some hogs and the stock was on. While walking to the group, spotted another herd and my son made a great shot…. While driving out, this hog was routing in a field, we stopped and it never noticed us…. I got out with my bow in hand and let an arrow fly… see the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGQHI3KZAgo&feature=youtu.be thing just dropped in its tracked, right through the front shoulder into the heart. Last day- I still had a blesbuck on my list, I “traded” the male for a female and a female wildebeest … blesbuck not my most favorite animal to hunt… but I shot this female, The wildebeest was a blast, these things are wild… spotted a herd had to crawl about 100 yds and my son made a perfect shot… more pics from a wonderful trip 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muledeerarea33? Report post Posted August 16, 2014 Love it!! One day I'll be there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted August 16, 2014 Andy, congratulations to all of you on everyones success. Looks like everyone had a great time. The pictures are awesome and it looks like the weather cooperated. Not sure I could handle the 24hr flying time. Thanks for sharing and glad ya'all made it back home safely. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted August 16, 2014 South Africa is a wonderful experience and a very target rich environment... glad you guys had a good time. That Bush buck is awesome! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lucky2hunt Report post Posted August 16, 2014 Looks like "Mother Africa" was indeed kind to you guys! Excellent trophies, congratulations!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted August 16, 2014 Handsome trophies, and great pics. Perfect time of year for South Africa. I have read a handful of stories from people that have hunted with Crusader Safaris. They all had great things to say about the outfit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LawDog Report post Posted August 17, 2014 Beautiful animals plus I really thought you improved the pictures by sporting the U of A gear. Bear Down. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nralifer Report post Posted August 17, 2014 Redman, what a wonderful trip. I have been twice most recently April of this year when my wife and I went for our anniversary. I got my buff in Limpopo Province, but have also hunted the Orange Free State for plains game. Planning a third trip for 2016. I can't get away from Africa. One point I wish to bring out, and it really sunk in on this last trip. The revenue that hunters bring to Africa has saved the animals from extinction. On my last trip, we hunted a 20,000 acre area simply teaming with animals and birds of all types. I had as much fun bird watching as stalking. The bush was thick and the hunting was very challenging and exiting. What is most amazing is that that area was at one time a cattle ranch. Hunting revenues have restored the area back to its wild state. It was great to see that you took a Black Wildebeest. South Africa in the 1970's had almost lost that animal. My guide on the first trip told me that the population had dwindled to less than 10,000 animals before conservation measures brought it back. Hunting in South Africa is not only a magnificent and addictive experience but it is also helps the planet because it gives value to biodiversity. I live in South Dakota, and farming corn has devastated the pheasant population because there is more value in ethanol than native grass land. If it wasn't for Pheasants Forever, and Federal waterfowl production areas, there would be virtually no hunting areas within 100 miles of where I live. Just corn and beans. Ethanol for fuel and wind for power should be called brown energy rather than green because wild habitat and hundreds of thousands of birds including Bald Eagles are eliminated each year under the guise of saving the planet. So hunt with a clear conscience knowing that what you are doing is "greener" than a wind turbine. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lucky Draw Report post Posted August 19, 2014 Congrats on an outstanding trip. Thanks for the detailed report and photos. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flatlander Report post Posted August 19, 2014 Awesome. I can't wait to go 'someday' Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heat Report post Posted August 20, 2014 Great animals! Thanks for the report and pics. Way to "represent", LOL! Go Wildcats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mocha1545 Report post Posted August 20, 2014 Looks like a Great trip for you guys. Congrats on some great trophies. Thanks for sharing all of the pics. They were great, even with the wrong shirts on! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adicted Report post Posted August 20, 2014 wow, what a trip...maybe one day. thats awesome Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted August 20, 2014 Great pictures of some awesome critters for sure. Congratulations on a very successful trip! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ernesto C Report post Posted August 21, 2014 Awesome! Life is good Congratulations and thanks for sharing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
