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Hunting >> Hunting in Africa & hunting dangerous game
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NitroXAdministrator
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The kudu that got away ... a short story
      #211435 - 24/06/12 03:53 AM



My most magical kudu experience was while hunting a cape buffalo bull in the Gwayi Valley. We had just stalked the herd of buffalo for over 800 metres across the open field, with thorn jess on both sides. Used a particular and very unusual method to make the approach.

Most of the herd started moving into the jess for a siesta. But three cows could see us and thought we were fellow buffalo and stopped walking to continue feeding. The bull was at the back of the main herd. About 160 metres away. Too far for me. I wanted to hunt close to them before shooting.

While waiting for the cows behind a slender tree, I heard a slight sound behind me and saw three kudu bulls were slowly walking across the open field from jess to jess. A magnificent kudu bull and two askaris. They passed us within say 15 metres never knowing we were there. The largest was probably about 57 inches and magnificent.

Was I tempted? Now I would be. Then, not at all. I was hunting cape buffalo. I actually felt great pleasure to see these kudu bulls so close with them so unaware and leave them depart in peace.

We missed out on the cape buff bull. He walked into the jess for a noon day sleep. So we decamped and return to the bakkie some 800 metres away. The three buff cows were probably surprised to see fellow buffalo turn into humans.

How did we approach the buffalo completely in the open?

Using a black umbrella each and imitating a buffalo walking.

The next day the property was hit by “warvets’ and armed Zim police, but that is another story ...

--------------------
John aka NitroX

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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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gryphon
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Re: The kudu that got away ... a short story [Re: NitroX]
      #211443 - 24/06/12 06:43 AM

Using a black umbrella each and imitating a buffalo walking.

Thats being on ya game,very good,I`m a fan of camo of any sort.

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Get off the chair away from the desk and get out in the bush and enjoy life.

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Ben
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Re: The kudu that got away ... a short story [Re: gryphon]
      #211504 - 25/06/12 05:31 AM

Magic photo and experience, John! Thanks. I might just have to get myself a black umbrella. lost a mob on the weekend that cottoned-on to us a long way off across the open. It might've come in handy.

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Ripp
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Re: The kudu that got away ... a short story [Re: gryphon]
      #211517 - 25/06/12 08:43 AM

Quote:

Using a black umbrella each and imitating a buffalo walking.

Thats being on ya game,very good,I`m a fan of camo of any sort.




Actually watched Tony do that on "UNDER WILD SKIES"...it worked perfecly whle hunting with Johan Calitz...

great story by the way..and agree--seeing a 57" kudu..think I would pull the trigger on the kudu today...and worry about the buff tomorrow...

Ripp

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ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: The kudu that got away ... a short story [Re: Ripp]
      #211532 - 25/06/12 03:35 PM

We did it back in 2002 so I think we were the trend setters.

***

When I hunted those buffalo it was back in 2002 with Pierre van Wyk on his Nemba ranch in the Gwayi. The property is since gone for them due to farm confiscations.

Pierre sent a tracker back to the vehicle to get something and said I would be surprised and yes I was.

The two of us walked in single file, bent over, holding the black umbrellas in front of us, bobbing up and down a bit imitating cape buffalo walking. It worked very well on this instance.

Must try it on water buffalo one day but have to remember to take an umbrella!

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39245
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: The kudu that got away ... a short story [Re: NitroX]
      #211655 - 28/06/12 04:17 AM

Ripp,

For a long time afterwards I had no regrets on not shooting that kudu. With time one always regrets one's wisdom of not shooting that spectacular trophy at the time. Fond memories of that kudu that I let walk away, but probably would remember him better if he was on my wall.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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Rino
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Reged: 13/01/07
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Re: The kudu that got away ... a short story [Re: NitroX]
      #224502 - 30/01/13 09:04 AM

Nice story John...
Moments like that makes pictures in your head who last forever right

--------------------
Alf Rino Hals

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Cazadero
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Reged: 17/10/11
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Loc: Texas
Re: The kudu that got away ... a short story [Re: Rino]
      #224508 - 30/01/13 02:36 PM

I think if you had shot him the story wouldn't be as good. He's still your kudu, maybe even more so because of the fact that you let him walk.

Ironically my best buffalo encounter was when hunting kudu. That story should be in the next issue of African Hunter.

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