Success In The Field

The sights and sounds of the dark continent, sunrises and sunsets, night time stars, and animals throughout the night, the scents wafting thru the air, are still with me. I’m home now, but Movement in the woods, has me looking for horns of Sable or Kudu, but it’s just deer walking thru the trees here on the ranch. Although I’m home, back to real life, ranch chores, maintaining equipment, logging the forest. My mind replays the excitement and joy of hunting Africa over in my mind.

This being my 5th Safari, I opted for a cull hunt, multi plaines game, trip. Originally planned for taking my adult son, but ultimately he could not get enough time off to make the trip. “Life has a way of getting in the way of having fun!” No worries, I got to hunt with 9 other friends. I think I had as much fun watching newbies take game, as I enjoyed hunting myself, which is saying something as I “Live to Hunt” and have for decades.

I wanted to ONLY hunt with revolvers, taking my FA83’s in 475 Linebaugh and .41 mag. Knowing full well I was limited in range by my choice. More hunting, less shooting.

With 25 critters on tag, and an option to trade up, or as needed as to what we encountered, we were running and gunning right off the start. This area was thick, and some shots were quick and close, but some were further than I wanted with a scoped revolver. Spending time with my good friend on his first safari was priceless.

I believe our count, not that that matters, was upgraded to 18 total, by trading some does for “non trophy” old bucks and bulls. Once the males are out of the herd, there sometimes broomed off, and not quite the “Trophy” quality many hunters are looking for. I like hunting the old, non breeding critters as they are very wary and I feel we are executing the cull hunt to its real potential. This leaves the breeding stock to their natural abilities, and helps keep the populations healthy.

This was my first giraffe, so I was excited about searching for an old mature dark bull. As large and striking as a giraffe looks on the hoof, it’s amazing how they can disappear into the trees.

As the fairly large herd of giraffe, drifted in and out of the heavy brush, we worked to get a clearing to make a clean first shot. There was a large dark male I was focused on. As we eased along, wind in our face, a 75 yard shot presented no brush. My 400 grain Miha mold, GC, PC cup point struck true, and although I was back into battery quickly, if the backup shot presented itself, or was needed, a plethora of giraffe were running in all directions, keeping me from releasing a follow up shot.

( I will attempt to insert the video, but it may be too much data to insert)

The huge bull started to take off, but only took a few steps, which for an animal this size, are long strides, but thankfully went down quickly. Giraffe were squirting out of the brush everywhere, you can hear me in the video state to Pieter my PH, as to why I did not take a second shot. My excitement was well worth it, and this bull was huge. No ground shrinkage walking up on an animal this size.

I wanted to use my 475 Linebaugh in a dual celebration for two great men. The Freedom Arms 475, spoke true for Wayne Baker and John Linebaugh. They are Hunting in the greatest location there is.

A wonderful stalk and hunt, thanks to my buddy for getting it on video! Just one part of one day, of a fantastic trip, on the opposite side of the world.

Yes, I’m again thinking about when I can get back to this foreboding land. It’s in my blood.