AJ & Aaron’s Hunting Safari in South Africa

The 2010 hunting season was of to a very good start with clients AJ Pierzynski & Aaron Rowand from the United States arriving in camp on Thursday 7 January 2010. Their busy schedule only restricted them to almost 2 days of hunting.We decided to hunt near Baltimore in the Limpopo Province of South Africa to increase their chances of getting a few good trophies in the short time allowed.

After a quick lunch at camp on the 1st day and going over the planned hunt we were of to the shooting range to check the rifles. Their luck already started here with AJ shooting a Trophy Waterbuck within the 1st few minutes of the Safari.

Their shooting ability was extremely good as they quoted themselves: “WE ARE PROFESSIONALS” and that showed as they bagged 12 trophies in 2 days and we didn’t even track or loose 1 animal.

It was a really successful hunt and we hope to have them back in Africa for longer soon. Below are photos of the trophies they hunted.

AJ with Trophy Waterbuck

This was AJ’s 1st African animal hunted with a well placed double lung shot and a good follow-up shot it still took a few hundred yards before going down. The big horns that curl towards the front makes this a special unique trophy. Well done AJ!!

2nd Animal Trophy Impala

AJ took the “McDonalds” of Africa a very nice Trophy Impala with a well placed frontal heart shot at almost 200yards. The animal went down after about 15yards.

Blesbuck

Steenbuck

This beautiful little antelope are family of the tiny 5 in Africa and the only antelope that groom’s themselves like a cat. AJ couldn’t believe that he shot a Steenbuck the photo session made for some good laughs as ants was crawling everywhere while taking photos.

Zebra on day 2

Day 2 started early after a not so successful Eland hunt we spotted some Blue Wildebeest and “I” decided to go after them to have a look as AJ wasn’t interested at that stage to hunt one. After walking for a while we spotted some Zebra and being a trophy that AJ wanted he shot a Zebra with a very well placed shot again.

AJ

Later the day I decided again to go after Blue Wildebeest we didn’t go very far when we found a herd of Kudu, but the bull had very straight narrow horns, we decided to leave him for another hunter. We walked into a Waterbuck bull as he decided to lay down for the afternoon and circled around not to disturb his Siesta time. We then found a herd of bulls and after some confusion AJ took the best shot I have seen with a client in a long time. The bull went down right in his tracks we were all very happy after a good hunt and great shot!!

Trophy Eland

This was AJ’s last animal that he wanted to take and it almost didn’t happen. He shot the Eland just before dark the shot placement was a bit back, but with a second and back-up shot he didn’t go far. This is the biggest antelope in Africa a really big trophy to take. Well done AJ!!

Aaron with 1st Animal

Aaron opened his account on day 1 with a Trophy Blesbuck the animal didn’t go very far with the shot. For a hunter that didn’t plan on shooting a lot it quickly changed the rest of the Safari…

Trophy Blue Wildebeest

This old “poor man’s buffalo” the Blue Wildebeest was taken later the day and was Aaron’s 2nd animal. The horns have a lot of character and will make a great trophy.

Trophy Kudu

After a good stalk and great tracking skills from Steven they got close to a herd of Kudu. Aaron could barely see the vital area and took the shot. His PH Wiehan wasn’t so confident with the shot and double-checked on Steven’s tracking skills before moving towards were they stood. After only a few yards the big Trophy Kudu bull was down with a perfect shot and the PH’S confidence in both his client and tracker was re-confirmed.

Aaron with Impala

Day 1 ended for Aaron after a lone Impala ram gave him the run around until he finally got a shot just before dark. The ram also went down in it’s tracks and it was a great day hunting!!

Aaron closed his account early on day 2 as they were on Zebra tracks when they found fresh Eland tracks. They followed the tracks and found a herd of Eland the big “Blue” bull finally gave him a opportunity and the trophy was his. This Trophy are a very old bull and he joined AJ the rest of the day hunting.

It was a very short and exciting Safari we hope to have the boys back soon in Africa!!!

Avalene and I arrived in Africa the morning of July 19th and after a little issue of our firearm not arriving were on our way with Andre to the Limpopo camp on the way we stopped at Andre’s home to pick up a rifle to use until mine arrived at which time we were able to meet his family which was a special treat as they were a delight to visit with as Andre rounded up the items needed then we were off to camp again. (on the firearm, make sure you check every time you change flights to make sure it is coming with you I had mentioned to the airline personnel in London about one of my checked baggage being a firearm but they did not have me fill out the proper paper work and that was why my gun was late getting to camp.) On arrival at camp we met our PH Wiehan and after getting to know each other we were off to the shooting range to try out Andre’s rifle which proved true to the mark. Next was some socializing and dinner then to bed to dream of what morning would bring.

Day one had us in search of Blue Wildebeest which after about an hours walk in the hills we spotted a heard of 8 a careful stalk brought us within 100 meters at which time we decided that the bull was a shooter a little more positioning and we were in position for a shot the bull was quartering slightly to us and I centered the cross hairs on his left shoulder and carefully squeezed the trigger. (To be continued)

The afternoon of day one put us in search of Blesbok where we set out on the property right behind camp after locating a herd and a stalk of about 200 meters in the shadow of the only cover in the open grassland we were in range the shooting sticks were put up and a shot of about 150 meters brought down the Blesbok after a short run of about 30 meters.

Pictures were taken and our first trophy brought back to camp where John the skinner took over and great care was taken with the skinning and caping.

Ron with Trophy Blesbuck

The next trophy on the list was the Impala where we hunted a property about 3km down the road from camp after spotting a herd which were traveling in thick cover we set up down wind and stalked our way to within 75 meters and in heavy cover with lots of moving around to get a view with no bush in the way a shot was place behind the shoulder of the Impala and our second Africa trophy was on the ground. 

Avalene and Ron

Next our focus turned to the Gemsbok the first day we spent scouring a mountain side where some animals had been spotted but all our efforts turned up no gemsbok but we did run into several other species such as Zebra, Eland, kudu and Baboons. The next day we headed to a different area of the same property and soon had some Gemsbok in sight so a stalk was underway, however after getting nearly into a shooting position they winded us and were on their way so we started to head down the mountain when we came across a herd of buffalo in the bush which was to say the least a little exciting. We then moved along the lower portion of the mountain and soon spotted the Gemsbok again and they were within range the shooting sticks were put up and a shot of approx 200 meters anchored our beautiful Gemsbok bull.

 

Ron with Gemsbuck

The next animal on my list was the one I had came all the way to Africafor the Kudu. We traveled approx 100 km to the property we were to hunt so early mornings were the norm. The first day several Kudu were spotted and approx 14 nice bulls but these animals don’t get the name grey ghost for nothing and the day came up empty handed. Day two put us stalking through the heavy bush cover they like to call home and about an hour into our stalk we spotted a nice bull who had no idea we were there so we quickly got into position and after about a 5 minute stand down he finally moved into a open area for a shot and my life long quest was filled and the nice 49 1/2 inch Kudu was ours.

 

Ron and the Grey Ghost

This brings us back to the start of my story where I left off with the Blue Wildebeest the first shot in the shoulder did not anchor the bull and we spent several hours through out the week in search of the wounded animal and finally on day six of our stay as we were sitting on a hillside in the area where we had wounded the animal, glassing for any sign right at last light out of nowhere appeared a nice bull with a very noticeable limp on his left leg. We quickly set up with a nice rock for a rest and three shots at approximately 300 meters were fired and the bull moved off and out of site we decided to leave him over night and in the morning we located him only 20 meters from where the final shot was fired and when skinning was complete all three shots from the night before were found to have hit the mark. Wiehan told me an old African saying that all wildebeest are born dead and every time you shoot them they gain more life and I would have to say I believe it. But after wounding this animal on day one and then finally being able to have an opportunity to finish the job made this one of my most satisfying animals to obtain.

 

Ron and Wiehan

This finished off my wish list for Africa so we turned our sights on something different and with the lend of a bow from Wiehan we set out after warthog with the bow we were unsuccessful but still experienced some interesting wildlife viewing. The rest of our trip was spent with some touring and day trips which rounded out our African experience. 

 

For anyone looking to book a hunt in Africa I would strongly recommend World to Africa Hunting as Andre’, Wiehan and all the camp staff were nothing short of delightful and made mine and Avalenes stay everything we had expected and more and a very grateful thank you go’s out to all who were involved with our stay.     

 

If you want to contact any of our previous clients to get references please contact me directly at:  andre@worldtoafricahunting.com

 

Andre with Blue Wildebeest

The past weekend I went with some friends to hunt in the Limpopo Province. I decided to do some bow hunting while my friends took up their rifles. We arrived on Thursday at the lodge and the afternoon I shot this good Blue Wildebeest with a perfect heart shot. The bull ran for about 150m before going down, I used a Concept 99 bow, with 125grain Spitfire mechanical broad-heads, draw length 31.5″ set at 74 pounds.

On Friday afternoon I shot a warthog also with a heart shot and it went down after only 50m. The weather wasn’t very good on Saturday and the animals didn’t come to the blinds and the rifle hunters only shot 1 Blue Wildebeest the whole day.

Saunders Group - Bruce,Ryker,Shane,Steven and Karen.

The Saunders group arrived in our Limpopo camp just before midnight on Monday 15 June and after having a meal they went to bed in the early morning hours. The first morning was spent in camp and after discussing the basic plans for the hunting safari and sighting rifles and bows they went hunting yesterday afternoon.

They saw a lot of animals to start their first day of hunting in Africa and Steven hunted and killed a big beautiful Blue Wildebeest bull with a double lung shot from his bow. The shooting distance was 20 yards and the bull went down after about 120 yards. The trophy quality of this big bull is very unique with the horns going backwards against the skull and then curling down. Steven’s wife Karen accompanied him on the hunt and took a few pictures of other animals the saw from the blind.

They all went hunting early this morning of 17th and we will wait and see what the day brings.

Steven with Trophy Blue Wildebeest

Ryker and Bruce

Ryker and Bruce

Yesterday I went out bowhunting in the blind overlooking a water hole. There was a great number of different game including warthogs, blesbok, kudu, impala, and other species. Due to the successful game management of the World of Africa Outfitters, there were many trophy-sized kudurangingfrom a rack length of 46-50 inches seen in just one day. Today due to the superb location of many different hunting blinds, there were many opportunities to shoot big game. I shot at a trophy impala, but still after a fatal shot and the blood covered arrow to prove it, we still couldn’t find the animal, but since the World of Africa Outfitters has many different hunting spots, I bagged an even bigger one that evening. Not a bad start for the first full day of hunting. 

Shane with Trophy Impala

With one of my trophy’s taken, next on the list was a 50″ or better Kudu. This has animal is the main reason I want to come to Africa. After seeing several Kudu’s the trophy I had been waiting on finally showed himself. Patience is key to bow hunting. My guide also confirmed the same thing “be patience is the key to success” When my 53″ bull came close enough, the shot was good enough to drop to 600 pound bull in 40 yards. A life time of memories under the African Skies. 

Shane with Kudu

On my second day of full hunting the 18th of June in Africa, I scored on the animal I wanted most, a Greater Kudu. It was a late afternoon hunt, I had seen this Kudu before but he never gave me a shot. This time was different, at a range of 20 yards my shot was true. It has been a dream of a life time to come Africa, after three days two animals down and 2 to go.

Steven and his Kudu trophy

My good luck continued when I hunted a huge 30″+ Trophy Waterbuck bull on Saturday. This is a truly magnificent once in a lifetime trophy and will score very high in the record books. 

Shane with Trophy Waterbuck

On Monday Steven finally got a good Zebra Stallion, he always wanted to hunt this African Trophy. The shot was a bit back, but the Zebra went down after 300 yards.

Steven with Zebra

I went out the afternoon of our last hunting day and shot a old Trophy Blesbuck Ram. This was the final animal hunted on my first Africa Hunting Safari.

Shane with Blesbuck

 After three hard days of Kudu hunting and passing up several smaller bull we keep searching for that Kudu bull that was going to be our show piece back home. After passing on a couple of 48″ bulls we were head off the mountain and ran into the 4th animal on our list. It was luck more the skill, I wanted the Kudu so dad took the Nyala, not much of a shot for him but he was thrilled with the 300 pound bull.  We took the next day off the ride the elephants ( it’s like straddling a VW bug) and to the game park. We saw two leopards. Day six of our hunting trip brought highs and lows. The Kudu I had been hunting the past three days showed himself with two other bulls. The PH got everything setup in the heavy bush. It was the longest shot I had ever taken 250 yards. The shot was true but the big Kudu did not go down. We tracked it for a mile in the bush. At one time we had 9 people looking for my Kudu. Night came and we had to leave. We had no luck the next day as we searched the 14,000 acres. Still no luck. We called it a day and left the farm. Another farmer had ask us to shoot a wild hog or the baboons that was getting into his feeders. So after the 5 days of hard Kudu hunting, some easier hunting was needed. This baboon came off the mountian to the farmers feeder. The baboon was making making a gluten of himself until my 270 put an end to the raiding. We got 3 of our 4 animals we came for but lost our Kudu.

Ryker,Bruce and Phillip

Hello, my name is Ryker and I’m a 17 year old from Nashville, Tennessee. The lodge is only one step shy from a resort, and being in the northern part of South Africa makes that seem fantastic. There is no real way to express how nice and caring the staff is. The PH’s always ask if you need anything during a meal, always congratulate you after your kill, and always have a warm welcoming smile even at 5 in the morning. The hunting is fantastic, there was plenty of game and there will always be a PH to fit your specific hunting style. You will always have a tracker/skinner with you and your PH, and never underestimate your tracker because he is worth his weight in gold. I wounded a kudu this trip, and we searched the mountain high and low. Not only did my tracker Jacob walk up and down the mountain countless times, but also went to the effort to get 4 extra trackers from the nearest village to help us. After your hunt, you return to camp right after dark to find yourself welcomed by a nice cozy fire with dinner almost prepared. The dinner was centralized around the local foods of South Africa, but still a gourmet meal nonetheless. There is no other word to describe the experience other than addicting. At the end of this trip, we already have decided to make a second trip. Again I say, I’m a 17 year old. I have been from Europe to Alaska and this safari ranks at the top of my list of things I have done. I strongly suggest that you buy that plane ticket and share your safari experience with World to Africa Hunting.

Ryker and Friend

The Saunders group are leaving in the morning to visit a Wildlife centre and interaction with African Predators like cheetah and wild dogs. They are then going to the airport to get a flight back home. We really enjoyed their company and will have memories to last a life time!! Thank you for your friendship and we hope to meet soon around a camp fire under the African Sky. From all the staff at World to Africa Hunting we hope you have a good trip home.

International hunters should preferably bring their own rifles. It should be noted that hand guns as well as automatic and semi-automatic guns may not be used in hunting of animals at all. If you plan to do plains game hunting in the Free State, Limpopo or Zimbabwe, we recommend a calibre of.264 to .350 magnum. To hunt buffalo you will need at least .375 calibre which is also the same for rhinos and elephants. The medium calibre will be effective for a kill at a maximum of 200 meters while the heavy calibre will be effective in the range of up to 100 meters. When you book a game hunting safari with us, we will provide all the information required to ensure that you bring the correct rifles and bullets and will assist with the paperwork.

Although the Gemsbok is uniquely adapted for the drier areas of the Kalahari, some of them are found at the coastal areas. It is sad as it is not their natural habitat and they struggle to survive there. The animals are best hunted in the Limpopo and Free State areas where they are more easily spotted. Tracking them on foot while on a gemsbok hunting expedition will be a long process as they will keep ahead of you no matter what you do. You will find them feeding in the mornings, while resting under trees in the mid day. It is an animal well worth the hunt and being one of the most magnificent species their beauty is to be admired. Select one of the packages in our range that includes gemsbok hunting for a truly unique hunting experience.

The gemsbuck roams in small herds of about 12 with a dominant bull to lead the herd. Although mostly found in the Kalahari, gemsbuck hunting in the Free State and Limpopo can also be done. It is a buck that has long before today learned the skills of survival and is also one that has to be shot just right. The first shot in gemsbuck hunting is essential. You will need to hit the vital organs. As such you have to get closer to the animal for a clean shot, which may also be the most difficult of tasks. The animals will stand still until you get close and then break away, making it difficult to get the clean shot. When it comes to trophy gemsbuck hunting, the general rule is that a longer portion of smooth horn will indicate an older animal and will thus be the better trophy.

The waterbuck is a dangerous animal when wounded, and in most cases a bit on the aggressive side to start with. As such extreme caution should be used when you go waterbuck hunting in Africa. They are difficult to spot and you should be ready for action before you meet the animal. You will find that the animals are normally close to water sources. Waterbuck hunting can take place in the early mornings when they are quite active or in the afternoons when they lay down under the trees. It should be noted the bulls are very territorial and should not be misjudged at all. The best way to go about waterbuck hunting is to walk through the thick vegetation until a herd is spot. Be patient it will not be long before you see the bull. Their meat however, is not tasty at all and is a bit on the smelly side, but as trophies you don’t get more challenging.

Book any of our packages which include blesbuck hunting in South Africa, Namibia or Botswana for an exiting hunt. The blesbuck came near to extinction not so long ago, but thanks to large scale re-introduction on farms in the mentioned countries, their numbers have increased considerably over the years. The meat is tender and tastier than most of the antelope species. Most of the blesbuck hunting in South Africa takes place in the Karoo and the grassland plains of the Free State. Long shots may be required and as such the calibres suitable range from 2.70 and 30.06 to 300 Magnum rifles. Only dare to shoot the animals with a .22 calibre if a close shot can be taken. There are no CITES restrictions on blesbuck hunting in South Africa.