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Rule303
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Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 5379
Loc: Woodford Qld
Namibia DG and Plains game.
      #395219 - 23/12/25 02:13 PM

Due to this taking some time to write etc I will post this as several items.
This trip was a couple of years in the making. I had the urge to go back to Africa for Elephant again. I last use Ndumo Hunting operated by Karl Stumpfe and was well looked after. My two previous trips With Ndumo Hunting had been in the Caprivi Strip so I was headed back there. This suited me to the ground as I had always wanted to hunt the Caprivi since I was a kid. As such I looked forward to each trip there.
I had priced Own Use Elephant (Namibian term for Cull) Hippopotamus and planes game. The Hippo took this out of my price range so I dropped that. That is until 3 weeks before departure and Ndumo contacted me with an offer on the Hippo that was a lot cheaper, so I added the Hippo.
Flight over and back was with QANTAS, great staff and service but as usual the flights were late getting in and departing. I had arranged to overnight in Johannesburg at Africa Sky and elected to use their VIP service. Meet you at the Aerobridge on arrival take you through the express lanes then out to meet Gilbert the ever reliable Africa Sky representative who takes you through collecting rifle etc from the Police. Africa Sky also sends you all the paperwork you need to fill in for firearms and ammo in SA. Highly recommend them as the place to stay in Joburg.
The following morning Gilbert helped during the check-in phase and things flowed smoothly. Picked up at Kasane (Botswana) Airport and driven to the camp, after more border crossing paperwork. Camp for this trip was at their Balyerwa Conservancy area. Karl was at the camp as was my PH, Fred. I hunted with Fred on my previous trips and asked for him to be my PH on this trip. Camp accommodation is thatched roof, concrete floors and canvas sides, Insect proof mess for windows, with shower and toilet.
The hunting area is situated on flood plains, with a river in part of it. There are sections of open areas studded with bush/timbered areas. In the morning we check zero then went looking for Elephant. No Elephant tracks found, back to camp for lunch. Midafternoon found tracks, and very soon saw some Elephants. Looks like this was not going to be kilometers of walking to find the herd.
On moving through the herd Fred selected a bull. The bull kept moving, stopping to eat then move. The heart stopping moment was when we had to move between two cows with their calves. One was about 20metrs to our left the other 15meters to the right. We would take a couple of quiet steps then stop, wait then move and repeat till clear of them. We got to a spot where we were about 20 mts from the bull, just had to wait for him to move forward for a clear side on, shot at his brain. Fred put the sticks up as a mono pod so I rested the rifle on this. A couple of minutes later the bull moved forward. I aimed about 1” in front of its ear hole and fired, the bull dropped like a rock, then we moved forward quickly and I put a shot into his heart, just to be safe.

One Elephant and the crew.



Fred and Myself



Obligatory photos taken, then back to camp. In the morning went back to Elephant Carcass and watched the locals butcher the Elephant. The bullet, a 400 grain 416 cal Woodleigh Hydro was recovered. I had placed it through the Zygomatic bone and it’s nose cup was flattened and front slightly distorted. It had lost less than a grain in weight

Two views of the Hydro. Take these any day over a conventional round nose solid.




Edited by NitroX (24/12/25 04:58 AM)

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Rule303
.450 member


Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 5379
Loc: Woodford Qld
Re: Namibia DG and Plains game. [Re: Rule303]
      #395220 - 23/12/25 02:14 PM

I'll have to try those photos of the Hydro again. These are blown up way bigger than they should be.

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Rule303
.450 member


Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 5379
Loc: Woodford Qld
Re: Namibia DG and Plains game. [Re: Rule303]
      #395222 - 23/12/25 02:42 PM

What a way to start the hunt. The following day went out to the river area. The whole river area was covered with 7+ foot high reeds. The river was more a series of long water holes. While checking one waterhole out we saw a 1.5 mt croc and shortly after a 5mt crock in the morning.

After lunch back to one of the waterholes we checked in the morning and a pod of Hippo’s were there. So we are in a small clearing in the reeds on soft, uneven (read potholed) ground. A hippo was selected and when a side brain shot was presented, she was shot. Distance 5 mts. She dropped like a rock. I am told they take about an hour to float. We could see there was movement under the water. Apparently other Hippo’s trying to get the dead one to move.

While we were still standing where I took the shot from a great mass of floating weed and grass shot up about 3 feet, with a loud noise, about 2 meters from us. I cannot remember swing the rifle or shouldering it and looking through the scope. The black fellas made it to solid ground in no time flat. This happened a couple of times, was just a Hippo coming up for air, not charging us as we all assumed to stary with. The only reason I did not crap myself was my sphincter muscle was to scared to move. :rofl:

On the way back to camp we saw a herd of over 200 Buff. While I was watching them Fred was watching one in the buss about 30mts from us. He pointed her out to me and she was giving us the “You owe me money” look. When she moved we could see her left rear leg was injured. The Game Scout contacted his office to see if they wanted us to shoot it. After 20 minutes and no decision we left it. Shortly after we came across the carcass of a smaller buff killed by Lions. Surmised the cow buff had been injured by them.

We decided to come back the following morning to retrieve the carcass. On the way out we saw a herd of Zebra. At that time the wind was in our favour so we stalked the herd, but the wind was all over the place after. After half an hour we gave up.

On reaching the place I had shot the Hippo we found it floating about 5 mts from she was shot with crock teeth marks on her hide. With the use of a canoe, snatch straps, vehicle winch, a bit of digging and use of the Cruiser in low range the Hippo was pulled up onto the bank. A second vehicle came out with us and the cut up Hippo was loaded onto that. Some of the skin was about 35mm thick. Still looking for those photos.


You can see the side of the Hippo left hand center of pic.



Where we found the Hippo in the morning. She was shot about 5 mts to the left of where we found the carcass.





Fred and self with the cow hippo.




After lunch went looking for a Zebra again. About 15 mins into the drive a heard was found about 130mts off the track, we bailed out of the Cruiser behind a bush and the driver drove on about 400 mts. With the rifle on the sticks, and carful aim I fired. As I did the sticks sunk into the ground, and the stallion reared up on hind legs then dropped. The bullet hit a bit high and forward of where I was aiming, so put a second shot in to finish the job. The Zebra was winched/lifted into the back of a second vehicle that was called up and taken back to camp.

The rifle is a Remington M17 converted to 358/338RUM. The 225 grain Woodleigh PP are running around 3200FPS at Muzzle.

One Burchell's Zebra



Edited by Rule303 (24/12/25 08:20 AM)

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Rule303
.450 member


Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 5379
Loc: Woodford Qld
Re: Namibia DG and Plains game. [Re: Rule303]
      #395223 - 23/12/25 03:03 PM

That afternoon two Americans arrived in camp. Seemed to be good blokes. The following couple of days were spent looking for animals the Americans were after. Fred and I then flew to Windhoek and traveled to a Game Ranch about an hour West of Windhoek. This place covers about 55,000 hectares and is covered by rugged hilly terrain and has almost 1000kms of tracks on it.




I did most of my shooting from the high seats in the Cruiser tray. Not worried as the price was dirt cheap as all the game I shot were culls for Ranch food/baits. Some of the hills were that steep you go down them as a 4x4 won’t get up them. First day out I missed two Gemsbok that I called as good shots. Then we happened on the unluckiest animal in Africa. A Blue Wildebeest, about a 250 mt shot and he dropped, then I could not hit a smaller one with a broken leg. I then checked the scope to make sure it was on tight. Mounts and all were swinging in the breeze, only the front screw was holding it on. That meant back to using the 416 Rigby. The stuffed up rifle is an M17 converted to 358/338RUM The scope a Nightforce NXS 2.5-10X32. The screw holes I had made to 8X40. The mid screw sheered off. The one remaining screw looked like it was shorter. This will be going back to the gunsmith that built it after Christmas.




Now you know why that Wildebeest was the unluckiest animal in Africa. I had hit him in the spine, so I put a finisher shot into him from 2 meters. Not bad for a cull as its horns were bigger than the head the Ranch had mounted in the dinning room.




Myself, Johannes our tour guide and Fred





After lunch we were back out looking for Gemsbok. About 1930hrs several were seen about 2 kilometers away. We shortened the distance in the Landcruiser then put in a 200 mt stalk on a Gemsbok. Quartering front shot about 200 mts. He ran and fell about 50mts bullet, a 410 grain Woodleigh Weldcore Soft was found back near its rump when the staff were cutting it up.

The Gemsbok.


Gives you an idea how steep the place was.



The Weldcore.




Following day out after Zebra. Due to high wind most animals skittish. Final found some Mountain Zebra’s in a valley. 270mt shot on a steep down hill angle. I was pushing back on the shooting platform rails so I didn’t fall forward. Bad placed shot a bit too far low and broke the front leg. The Zebra ran up hill a short distance and stopped my next shot about 350mts was a little too far back (I didn’t allow enough hold over) and she ran downhill. She did not reappear so we went looking for her. This how we found her. Finished her run and tumbled down to stop in this allegiant pose.



A Mountain Zebra, note the herring bone pattern of the stripes on its rear.



Thanks for reading. Yes although this was my third trip to Namibia it was certainly my most exciting and rewarding.

Edited by Rule303 (24/12/25 08:43 AM)

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lancaster
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Reged: 06/05/08
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Loc: There's a lighthouse in the mi...
Re: Namibia DG and Plains game. [Re: Rule303]
      #395226 - 23/12/25 07:53 PM

thanks, must have been a safari like it has to be
and with elephant and hippo two dangerous game also. you have to go back for a good leopard one day.

--------------------
Norwegian hunter misses moose, shoots man on toilet
.
bringing civilisation to the barbarians

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Waidmannsheil
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Reged: 19/04/13
Posts: 2568
Loc: Melbourne Australia
Re: Namibia DG and Plains game. [Re: lancaster]
      #395233 - 23/12/25 10:50 PM

Sounds like you had a great trip and thanks for posting. You might need to visit the post and rearrange it as its a bit tricky to read.

Matt.

--------------------
There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.

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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 41197
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Namibia DG and Plains game. [Re: Waidmannsheil]
      #395236 - 23/12/25 11:35 PM

Quote:

Sounds like you had a great trip and thanks for posting. You might need to visit the post and rearrange it as its a bit tricky to read.

Matt.



I'll fix it up.

***

Excellent read. I enjoyed it a lot. I wish I was there again. Maybe one day again. Can you pm me what sort of price a cull hunt like this goes for?

Did you, or can you, buy a trophy like the wildebeest? Bring anything else home? Zebra rug?

What rifle is your .416?

Thanks for posting. Post more!

We need more good hunting posts.

--------------------
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
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Re: Namibia DG and Plains game. [Re: NitroX]
      #395244 - 24/12/25 04:18 AM

Images fixed

Please keep landscape images at 1024 or less in width. Portraits at 800 or less in width.


Sw or apps can be used to modify image sizes. There are also free online sites.

--------------------
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"

Edited by NitroX (24/12/25 02:22 PM)

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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
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Re: Namibia DG and Plains game. [Re: NitroX]
      #395245 - 24/12/25 04:27 AM

COOL BEANS Greg.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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85lc
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Reged: 19/01/18
Posts: 1330
Loc: Georgia, USA
Re: Namibia DG and Plains game. [Re: DarylS]
      #395248 - 24/12/25 05:16 AM

That is a great write up with pictures of a fantastic trip. Thanks for posting.

--------------------
RB

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Rule303
.450 member


Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 5379
Loc: Woodford Qld
Re: Namibia DG and Plains game. [Re: NitroX]
      #395254 - 24/12/25 08:06 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Sounds like you had a great trip and thanks for posting. You might need to visit the post and rearrange it as its a bit tricky to read.

Matt.



I'll fix it up.

***

Excellent read. I enjoyed it a lot. I wish I was there again. Maybe one day again. Can you pm me what sort of price a cull hunt like this goes for?

Did you, or can you, buy a trophy like the wildebeest? Bring anything else home? Zebra rug?

What rifle is your .416?

Thanks for posting. Post more!

We need more good hunting posts.




Thanks for fix it John.

Yes you can buy a Trophy hunt for any allowable game. With a cull hunt the only thing you can bring home are the pictures and memories. If you want, say a Zebra skin then you pay for the trophy.

Rifle is a CZ550 with an after market McMillen? stock. 15" length of pull.

I will put up some more pic's but will probably need downsizing.

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Rule303
.450 member


Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 5379
Loc: Woodford Qld
Re: Namibia DG and Plains game. [Re: Waidmannsheil]
      #395256 - 24/12/25 08:45 AM

Quote:

Sounds like you had a great trip and thanks for posting. You might need to visit the post and rearrange it as its a bit tricky to read.

Matt.



I see what you mean, fixed to some degree.

Lancaster, If I could afford to hunt a leopard I would, but they don't have cull hunts on leopards that I know of.

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Claydog
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Reged: 17/08/12
Posts: 1337
Loc: Katherine, Northern Territory ...
Re: Namibia DG and Plains game. [Re: Rule303]
      #395257 - 24/12/25 08:56 AM

Fantastic pictures and write up. Bugger about the scope mounts.

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Rule303
.450 member


Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 5379
Loc: Woodford Qld
Re: Namibia DG and Plains game. [Re: Rule303]
      #395258 - 24/12/25 08:59 AM

The Hydro.

https://i.imgur.com/OqfRG2Q.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/WDyiayW.jpg

More of the Woodleigh Weldcore
https://i.imgur.com/68ZmNTy.jpg

From the left, Fred my PH, me, Karl Stumpfe, owner operator of Ndumo Safaris.

https://i.imgur.com/peJIN8e.jpg


Karl is quite a character. He has a vast general knowledge and keen knowledge of firearms, bullets, and of course the animals and the bush. I have been told he was attacked by a leopard, and had the presence of mind to fall on it before it could really start ripping with it's claws. That is keeping a cool head in a very bad situation.

Edited by NitroX (24/12/25 02:15 PM)

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