Kudu

We had tracked several Kudu on the first 6 days of our second safari in Namibia.  The two most memorable stalks were on a 250,000 acre free range ranch.  The first stalk was through thick, thorny bush for a bull that Paulus spotted far in the distance.  We took off on the trek and after a long stalk spotted the bull with two younger bulls standing in front of him.  We waited and discussed for several minutes trying to determine if we could move positions, but the wind was not in our favor.  After much discussion it was decided we wouldn’t be able to get close enough or change positions to make a good shot.  It was a long walk back to the Land Cruiser but there’s always so much to see and experience in the Bush, it never seems that far.

The next day we were driving the dirt paths on the same ranch when I looked to my left (since the Namibians drive on the right side of the car) and noticed a beautiful set of horns glistening in some bush just off the road.  I tapped Pete and motioned toward my side of the car, being careful not to bring my hand to window level and spooking the Kudu.  Just as we were discussing the possibility of a stalk the bull stood up and bounded off into the brush.  We quickly got out of the Land Cruiser, retrieved my Colt Sauer 7 mm Remington  Mag and headed off in the direction of the bull.  I remember this terrain was more mountainous with hills, valleys and lots of trees and brush.  There was a small pan that we thought might have given up his tracks, but he was never seen again.

I was not discouraged!  We had seen two worthy Kudu bulls so I knew we were in the right place.

On the 8th day we again had Kudu on our minds, but I also wanted a large warthog that had eluded me on my first safari.  We headed toward a water hole we had been to a few days before with no luck, but this day was different!  We spotted a large male walking through the tall grass just off the track we’d been walking and stopped just in time to allow a one shot kill with my 7 Mag.  He was absolutely beautiful, for a warthog, and we decided a shoulder mount was appropriate to celebrate this beast, so we headed back to the skinning shed where Paulus performed his magic.  These are not the easiest of animals to skin with their tough skin and warts, but Paulus took his time and performed an excellent job.

Pete had decided we should have lunch in the bush and a little nap while Paulus was finishing up, so we took off to find some shade and a proper napping spot.  (I can’t nap in the bush, there are just too many amazing sights).  I watched the Baboons congregate in the trees, a family of warthogs saunter by until their keen noses went in the air, the tails went up and off they ran.  And then, in the distance a “herd” of mongoose burst from the ground and ran as if the end was coming.  We had seen a Honey Badger earlier and thought it may have sounded their alarm.  Hunting is an absolute joy, but spending time just watching the wildlife in their habitat,  no matter how big or how small, is an amazement I wish everyone could experience.

Once everyone was well nourished and rested, although Paulus didn’t get much of a rest, we headed off to find the Kudu.  Paulus had talked of a Bachelor herd in the “Flats” so we headed that way.  It was getting late in the afternoon and I must admit I had my doubts that today would be the day, but you just never know in Africa.

We hit the flats and left the Land Cruiser to start our stalk for whatever we might spot.  As we were carefully padding through the red dirt Pete turned to inform me that all the curvy tracks in the dirt were Cobra tracks.  That was reassuring as we had seen one the day before in a different area.  We hadn’t seen any snakes on our safari the year before, but we were hunting later in the year this time and it was much warmer.

Not seeing any signs of Kudu in that particular area we got back in the Land Cruiser and headed farther down the track.  As we came upon a wide plain full of Camphor bush and various brush, glistening in the distance was the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.  There was a bachelor herd of Kudu bull with their horns shimmering with the last light of day. The micro dust was thick in the air making the horns appear almost iridescent.  Pete stopped the Land Cruiser with a great lurch and everyone fell silent.  Slowly we got down from the high rack, pulled the 7 Mag out of it’s case and loaded the magazine.  Because this was such a rare opportunity and Pete didn’t want to spook them with an extra person on the stalk, he let me hunt with Paulus, the head tracker, by myself.  I can surely say that’s when I finally felt like I had earned the right to call myself a hunter.

We stalked quietly and bent low because the brush was sparse and not at all tall enough to conceal us.  We finally came up behind one Camphor bush and Paulus whispered “3 standing”.  He set the sticks to the right side of the bush and I slowly raised my gun up to the sticks.  Paulus whispered “standing to left”.  I found the bull in my sites, there was brush between me and him, but I could make out where I needed to aim.  He was quartering toward me and knew I needed to put the bullet just a little forward of his left shoulder.  I shot and he did not go down, but lept out of site.  I felt horrible, Paulus had worked so hard to get to that position and I blew it.  (I later found out that Pete had been watching with his binoculars and informed Woody that the shot had been deflected by a branch) . I was whispering, “Paulus I’m sorry” when he said “2 standing, come on”.  He grabbed the sticks and we started our slow Duck Walk to the next bush big enough to conceal us.  Again Paulus set the sticks and I raised my rifle to see the same sight.  A quartering shot with brush between us, in fact, I couldn’t see the animal below the mid chest area, but I trusted Paulus and again aimed my rifle, took a slow breath and fired.  Paulus said “Down, Down!” and began to run toward the spot where the Kudu had stood.  I shouldered my rifle and began to run behind and I remember Paulus turning and asking “ok?”, I said “Yes, Yes, let’s go!”  I did my best to run with Paulus, but he was much faster and arrived at the spot seconds before me.

We arrived at the spot where the magnificent Kudu lay motionless in the middle of a large bush.  One shot from that Colt Sauer 7mm Remington Mag loaded with Federal Premium 175 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw had again done a spectacular job and the Kudu never knew what hit him.  I remember seeing him for the first time, it’s so humbling to see the animal up close when you’ve been stalking them from a distance.  I asked Paulus, “Good Kudu?” and Paulos said “MOOI, MOOI!” (Beautiful in Afrikans)  To see Paulus excited, I knew it had been a truly pure and successful hunt.  Each animal is majestic in it’s own way, but the Kudu is especially beautiful with it’s massive curled horns, ivory tips and the most incredible markings as if they had been painted on by a master. 

Paulus headed back to the vehicle to help get the Land Cruiser through the brush to a place where we could load the Kudu.  It was a magical time for me, the last golden light was still shimmering across the grass and I was standing in the middle of the African Bush by myself with this incredible animal.  I had a chance to spend some time admiring, thanking and appreciating his sacrifice and it still stirs feelings in me to this day that I can’t correctly describe.  I can’t tell you how far the shot was and I didn’t know the measurement of the horns, although I was told 58” later, but I can tell you I have a memory that will be with me until my last breath (and I hope beyond) of the day I felt I had truly become a hunter and this magnificent Kudu had given me that gift.