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09-12-2014, 10:28 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 2,706
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South Africa May 2014
South African Adventure May 11 – 30, 2014
On the afternoon of May 11, my wife and I left Calgary, flying with KLM through Amsterdam to Johannesburg.
We arrived in Johannesburg late in the evening of May 12, too late to fly on to East London. The Air 2000/Hunter Support personnel are worth their fee. Nothing like being met at the gate, expedited through the immigration booth and on to the SAPS office where the pre-approved rifle permit made for a speedy exit with no headaches. We were then escorted to the City Lodge, which is a short walk from the airport through a walkway. The City Lodge is very nice and certainly convenient, especially as we had an early flight the next morning.
Who knew that South Africa was so rugged?
Our Outfitter and PH Patrick Fletcher of Hotfire Hunting and Fishing Safaris met us in East London. Our rental car was quickly obtained and then it was off to a light lunch at Mugg and Bean where we became hooked on lime milkshakes. A few groceries from the Pick and Pay and a quick tour of the local gun shop, and we were sent off to Morgan Bay for a few days of much needed R&R.
The views of Morgan Bay from the deck of our room at the Morgan Bay Hotel.
Moon over Morgan Bay, May 13th.
The dining room and sitting room of the Morgan Bay Hotel where we were served scrumptious 5 course suppers and breakfast buffets everyday.
URL=http://s131.photobucket.com/user/JimGratrix/media/P1000145_zps1966bba8.jpg.html] [/URL]
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09-12-2014, 10:33 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 2,706
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09-12-2014, 10:34 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 2,706
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09-12-2014, 10:35 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 2,706
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Lunch by a shipwreck. The Jacaranda lost propulsion and drifted ashore on September 18, 1971. Not much is left.
The best example of nguni cattle I could find on the Trans Kei. Perhaps the tribe doesn’t care about their cattle as much as Wilbur Smith wrote in his novels like “ Blue Horizon “?
I figure we found the anchor from the Jacaranda at the resort called Trennary’s in the Trans Kei.
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09-12-2014, 10:36 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 2,706
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09-12-2014, 10:36 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 2,706
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09-12-2014, 10:37 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 2,706
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09-12-2014, 10:38 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 2,706
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09-12-2014, 10:39 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 2,706
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09-12-2014, 10:39 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 2,706
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On May 19 we finally arrived at Hotfire. It was everything that was advertised. We quickly went off to the range to check zero before sunset. Check out a episode of the African BBQ Hunter TV Show. http://vimeo.com/73611793
On May 20, about 15 minutes into the hunt, I was able to harvest this great East Cape kudu.
What an old warrior! Even though he was injured in the hind end, blind in the left eye and with a split right ear, the crevices in his horns were filled with bark from his rubbing.
After photos, while stalking zebra, we located a humongous impala. After an exciting cat and mouse stalk through the bush, I rushed my shot trying to beat the impala as it bolted once again. Everyone was confident that it was well hit, if a little back, but we lost the track/blood and even with the help of a dog, we were unable to locate it, although we searched until dark. Lesson to be learned is to never be so arrogant that your reflexes can beat a wild animal.
May 21 yielded no animals, although there were opportunities. I missed a really nice impala on a steeply uphill shot with the setting sun in my eyes. I’m beginning to think that impala are my nemesis!
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09-12-2014, 10:40 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 2,706
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09-12-2014, 10:40 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 2,706
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09-12-2014, 10:41 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 2,706
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May 24
We hunted another property called Imvani near Queenstown. I was only able to cull this red hartebeest, although I somehow missed a black hartebeest.
May 25
We’re back at Imvani, looking primarily for a fallow deer.
Another belly crawl resulted in this nice black wildebeest.
We spotted some springbok, but did not hold much hope we could get one. So while scouting for the elusive fallow deer, we quickly positioned ourselves to take advantage of any mistakes the springbok might make. We were rewarded with this nice ram.
After the photos, we tried until dark, but still no fallow deer bucks.
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09-12-2014, 10:42 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 2,706
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May 26
We’re back at Imvani for one final crack at fallow deer. No joy, so we are off to Lalapa to try for fallow deer there. It is also a great mountain reedbok area.
It is another very windy day. We spooked some fallow deer does right off the bat, but have no luck seeing a buck. Our efforts seemed futile until this guy popped up.
I wasn’t intending to shoot a warthog, but when you’re frustrated and one like this pops up, who can resist?
We quickly showed the landowner the pig and left it and the skinner at the skinning shed and headed out for a final few minutes to look for a fallow deer or a mountain reedbuck. With just minutes of daylight left, critters were popping up all over; eland, waterbuck, fallow deer does, impala, and mountain reedbuck. Finally this guy showed up. When I first saw him, he looked so big in the fading light, I had to ask if it wasn’t a common reedbok. It was a sight I will not soon forget.
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09-12-2014, 10:43 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 2,706
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May 27
We set off up the mountain at Hotfire to harvest a blesbok. After photos, Allman the tracker, gutted the blesbuck and without any assistance, packed it off the mountain. He almost beat me, but them I am so crippled up, I not very fast. None the less, IMO, it is an impressive feat. Allman can’t be much more than 130lbs.
By 1130 we had packed up and were off to Fort Drummond Safaris to search for gemsbok. We were cursed by high winds and warmer than normal temperatures, but were finally able to harvest one the next morning on May 28th in gale force winds.
We tried for a fallow deer, but were unable to locate a buck. Not surprising given the warm temperatures and high winds. If they are like most deer (and I don’t have a clue) they’d be hiding in the shade in a sheltered spot.
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09-12-2014, 10:43 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 2,706
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On May 29th, we said our goodbyes to everyone at Hotfire and began our journey home.
Patrick Fletcher, Waca, Allman, Speedy, Philemon and myself.
Luisi, Jennifer Fletcher, my darling wife and Lucille Fletcher. Jennifer and Lucille entertained my wife by visiting with her around camp and taking her to various game drives and spas and just being good company, except for the gemsbok hunt, which is the first time she has ever come hunting with me.
We had a lengthy layover in Johannesburg. Air 2000 arranged for a driver who showed us some of Johannesburg and took us to Cambanos and Sons, the African super souvenir store. Air 2000 staff assisted with getting us through SAPS and our bags checked in. We had a final lime milkshake at Mugg and Bean. KLM took good care of us.
We arrived home on May 30th and were glad to see our girls.
Sorry for being so long winded, but this may be the only time we do this. We hope not. It was the best vacation of our lives.
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09-12-2014, 10:50 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,888
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Looks absolutely awesome!!! Great pics, amazing story and memories to last a lifetime!! Thanks for posting!!
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09-12-2014, 11:20 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 592
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Thanks for sharing
These photos are incredible (feels like an understatement).
I trust that you thoroughly enjoyed yourself and am glad for the same
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09-13-2014, 12:54 AM
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: lacombe area
Posts: 1,881
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Those pics are amazing. Its the one thing I wish i would of done was taken more time with the photos when i was there. Great right up. Thanks for sharing.
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09-13-2014, 04:03 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Alberta
Posts: 387
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Thanks for the story and pics, makes me dream of someday going myself!!
Dan
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09-13-2014, 08:07 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 4,658
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Nice write up. Looks like you had a blast.
What took so long for the write up?
__________________
"The Internet doesnt make you stupid, it just makes your stupidity more accessible to others." Huntinstuff 2011
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09-14-2014, 06:12 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Cowtown
Posts: 349
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Great pictures and amazing trophies. The smiles say it all even if there was no story written it's easy to see you had the trip of a lifetime. Come on lotto 6/49.lol I would be there so fast and then to Yukon for a Bull Moose.
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09-14-2014, 06:56 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 18
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That looks like an amazing hunt! Great photos and some serious trophies! Now what did you do with the meat is it sold in a market or used as camp food or do they freeze it and ship it too you? ( i have no idea haha)
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09-14-2014, 08:54 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: New Brigden/Edmonton
Posts: 43
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All in
I'm looking at doing the same set of animals. What was the all in cost? Why May, is that the best month?
Would you mind a phone call?
Regards,
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09-14-2014, 08:57 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Pigeon Lake
Posts: 68
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Absolutely amazing, epic!!!! Congrats on a memory of a lifetime!
__________________
huntress
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09-14-2014, 10:10 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Red Deer
Posts: 2,872
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Congrats on an amazing adventure....and for being willing to share your photos!!!! Your photos of live animals and your field photos are beyond world class. Thanks for sharing and congrats to you and your wife.....Marco
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09-14-2014, 10:16 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 2,706
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Birdhunter34
That looks like an amazing hunt! Great photos and some serious trophies! Now what did you do with the meat is it sold in a market or used as camp food or do they freeze it and ship it too you? ( i have no idea haha)
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The meat belongs to the outfitter. Some is used in camp (all we tried was delicious), some is donated to the food bank, and the rest is sold at the local market.
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09-14-2014, 10:21 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 2,706
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bucky89
I'm looking at doing the same set of animals. What was the all in cost? Why May, is that the best month?
Would you mind a phone call?
Regards,
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May was chosen for a number of reasons. Airfare is seriously cheaper than in mid-June though mid-September. Impala are just finishing up their rut (seriously noisy little beggars!) and the kudu are really starting to get going in their rut. The weather is not too hot and not too cold. Nights got down to 8-11C and days were 15-23C.
I'll send a PM.
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09-14-2014, 11:28 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 191
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You've lived the dream
I've hunted with AB 2506 for more than 30 years.
As teens we would sit and lement about the adventures of Jack O'Conner and others hunting in Africa and dream of one day walking in their shoes.
Well, after more then 30 years you've lived your dream.
Congratulations!
What a great hunt and fantastic trophies.
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09-15-2014, 07:20 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,507
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Great pictures! Congrats on a successful hunt!
__________________
Life's too short to sweat the small stuff.
Aim Small = Miss Small
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