Black Wildebeest
Every time the Land Cruiser stopped I always felt anxiety over the stalk to come and what animal we would be tracking. As we stopped this time, I saw the herd of Blacks in the distance. We very quietly started the stalk and the PH said “Load up”. As I loaded the gun for the first time on this safari there was great anticipation of using my Colt Sauer 7 mm Mag for the first time. I loaded the gun and pushed the safety slide forward but it wouldn’t go. The PH and tracker were already on the stalk and I knew I couldn’t say anything. I followed keeping the gun down and very aware of the gun’s condition. As we stopped to glass for the first time I whispered to the PH, “the gun won’t go on safe”. “What?” “The gun won’t go on safe.” “Never mind that right now.”
We continued the stalk and as we approached a large Camphor bush we stopped to glass and determine if there was an old bull in the herd. There was! “Do you see him, on the left?” the PH asked. “Yes” I whispered with breathless anticipation. The tracker set the sticks and as I set the rifle on the cross, I could see the herd surveying us. They knew we were there and were almost toying with us. Just then the herd took off to the right. We stayed low and watched to see if they might stop. They did. About 200 yards away, but the bull was staying at the back of the herd as if he knew our intentions. We waited and just as we had started towards them again, they took off to the left, back to the exact spot they were originally in. I know now why they’re the Clowns of the Kalahari…it was like watching a circus act!
We watched them for what seemed liked a long intermission, but after only a few moments, the tracker decided it was futile to keep pursuing this herd, we really needed that “lone” bull that we had been glassing for.
At lunch the PH took the rifle aside and repaired the safety that had been jammed when the trigger pull was adjusted to 3 pounds of pressure. I was relieved to know the Colt Sauer was back in working order, I love that gun and wanted my first animal to be taken with my 7 mag.
That afternoon we were back on the track again glassing for Blacks. Sudden stop, “Get out, get out!” I quickly exited the left side of the Land Cruiser being careful not to close the door completely as any sound will spook the animals. As I came around the car, the 7 mag was handed to me and the PH said “load up”. I knew he wouldn’t be far. As I followed the PH and tracker through the thick brush it sounded like we were surrounded and I had to push the Black Rhino charge from earlier that morning out of my mind. I had to stay calm and mindful and completely quiet making sure to make no sudden movements. We stopped. The tracker glassed for a moment and said “Mui”. I love that word. I knew we had found my bull. The tracker very slowly set up the sticks. I slowly brought the rifle up the right side of the sticks and rested the stock on the cross point. I pulled the rifle into my shoulder, snugged it up on my cheek and took my first look through the scope set at 6 power. I could only see a large bush. The PH said “wait.” As I held my position and controlled my breathing, out walked the most beautiful Black bull from behind the bush, the PH said, “Do you see him?” “Yes” I whispered. The tracker said “shoot”. I took a breath and relaxed my shoulders for what felt like forever, but I wanted to do this right! He was presenting a beautiful, perfect broadside at 220 yards. I aimed right behind the left front shoulder and pulled the trigger. He bucked and turned. We took off through the brush, cautiously, but faster than before. As we were walking I could for the first time see what surrounded me. There were 2 more Black bulls to the left still standing curiously maybe 50 yards away. There were Blues in the near distance and a heard of wild horses to the right. I knew I was extremely lucky the Blacks had not been spooked by the other animals in the area and just how incredible Paulous was as a tracker to have gotten so close to the ever wary Blacks.
I knew we were getting close as the tracker slowed his pace and approached cautiously. There he was. He was down and still moving in small, jerky, involuntary movements. We watched from about 30 feet and the tracker said, “tough bull, very old bull.” The PH explained that the Black was “gone” and the movements were nerves. The PH set up the sticks and asked me to place one more bullet just for insurance in the chest area. I did.
As we finally approached the beautiful Black I could see his massive boss, his long thick white eyelashes, his muscular back and haunches. I could feel his smooth horns that had been worn from fighting and take a moment to spend in admiration of such a beast. It’s always very breathtaking and exhilarating and emotional when I first see them. I and my Colt Sauer made a one shot, heart shot from 220 yards. It was the first trophy I had taken with my gun and the first trophy this gun had ever taken. This beautiful Colt Sauer 7 mm mag had been stashed under someone’s bed for over 30 years and this magnificent animal was our first together. The Black that I had so unsuccessfully stalked the year before was now mine and my Colt Sauer’s.