Posted By: John Humbert
Plan B Bushbuck - (Long Post in parts, pic heavy) - 06/30/16 06:28 AM
They say there are two sides to every story, and this one certainly has two sides. One from my and my PH’s point of view as the hunter, and another from by buddy and his PH, who watched the whole hunt unfold from a front row view vantage point. I must give both sides here so that you can get the full appreciation.
Our story starts in our recent June 2016 safari to South Africa. Original plans called for my daughter Hannah to accompany me, but at the last moment she had to cancel plans. There was only one person I thought might be able to make it on such short notice.
So I called up my friend Ron Wood, and after a couple of quick pleasantries on the call, I blurted out “You want to come hunt with me in Africa? The trip is all paid for, even some animals – all you have to do is get an airline ticket!”. I tried to get it all out there quick and sweeten the deal. After about a 5 second hesitation, he responded “I think I can make that work!”.
A few phone calls to Adam Batot and Double Shot Outfitters to clear the new parameters with Rhinoland Safaris in RSA over the next couple of weeks, and quick check on airfare – and in no time it seemed we were checking guns at the Delta counter and boarding the plane.
This was only my second trip to Africa, and Ron’s third – but both of us had used the same outfitter on previous trips. This time we were going to different areas, although still hunting mainly in Limpopo, with a few days in Free State.
Once arriving at Rhinoland near Lephale, our expectations were far exceeded with the accommodations and concession. Limpopo has to be one of my favorite areas in Africa, and the Rhinoland property was lush, large, and diverse. Somewhere north of 30,000 acres, the property has mountains, savannah flats, a river with two dams/lakes, and very, very dense brush.
It also contains a very diverse mix of animals, including Elephant, both White and Black Rhino, Buffalo, Hippo, Giraffe, Leopard and other cats, and plenty of plains game including Sable, Gemsbok, Waterbuck, Impala, Ostrich, Nyala, Bushpig, Warthog, Kudu, Steenbuck, just to name a few - and Bushbuck.
For me, Bushbuck hold a special place in my heart. Maybe because on my first hunt they proved to be the most difficult and challenging to hunt. Maybe it is the element of danger from wounded animals, which have been known to charge frequently. Or maybe because my first two attempts on my previous safari ended in failure before I finally connected. Or maybe it’s because they just look cool.
Whatever the reason, Bushbuck is a species that I know I can hunt over and over. And any future trips to Africa will most likely involve some time searching for them.
Our story starts in our recent June 2016 safari to South Africa. Original plans called for my daughter Hannah to accompany me, but at the last moment she had to cancel plans. There was only one person I thought might be able to make it on such short notice.
So I called up my friend Ron Wood, and after a couple of quick pleasantries on the call, I blurted out “You want to come hunt with me in Africa? The trip is all paid for, even some animals – all you have to do is get an airline ticket!”. I tried to get it all out there quick and sweeten the deal. After about a 5 second hesitation, he responded “I think I can make that work!”.
A few phone calls to Adam Batot and Double Shot Outfitters to clear the new parameters with Rhinoland Safaris in RSA over the next couple of weeks, and quick check on airfare – and in no time it seemed we were checking guns at the Delta counter and boarding the plane.
This was only my second trip to Africa, and Ron’s third – but both of us had used the same outfitter on previous trips. This time we were going to different areas, although still hunting mainly in Limpopo, with a few days in Free State.
Once arriving at Rhinoland near Lephale, our expectations were far exceeded with the accommodations and concession. Limpopo has to be one of my favorite areas in Africa, and the Rhinoland property was lush, large, and diverse. Somewhere north of 30,000 acres, the property has mountains, savannah flats, a river with two dams/lakes, and very, very dense brush.
It also contains a very diverse mix of animals, including Elephant, both White and Black Rhino, Buffalo, Hippo, Giraffe, Leopard and other cats, and plenty of plains game including Sable, Gemsbok, Waterbuck, Impala, Ostrich, Nyala, Bushpig, Warthog, Kudu, Steenbuck, just to name a few - and Bushbuck.
For me, Bushbuck hold a special place in my heart. Maybe because on my first hunt they proved to be the most difficult and challenging to hunt. Maybe it is the element of danger from wounded animals, which have been known to charge frequently. Or maybe because my first two attempts on my previous safari ended in failure before I finally connected. Or maybe it’s because they just look cool.
Whatever the reason, Bushbuck is a species that I know I can hunt over and over. And any future trips to Africa will most likely involve some time searching for them.