High card…Low Card…Cinco de Mayo in Africa
Right at the start of May, just as the first Kudu bulls began sniffing that familiar scent of the rut in the air and the professional hunters started reaching for their winter longs, we welcomed Mark Beynon and a group of hunters from Utah and New Jersey.
Mark from the outset was no stranger to African hunting, he had enjoyed numerous safaris over the past decade to the dark continent and had been bitten by the African bug. While he had surpassed his maiden hunt a long time ago, he wanted to share in the wonder of an imfrican safari with a bunch of his friends who had never experienced a campfire after a successful day’s hunt.
The options were plentiful and the variety something to behold, but finally at a get-together in North Ogden, Utah, during 2016 the ball started rolling. At first slowly and then the names started trickling in and we started meeting the guys. Soon they weren’t a couple of guys anymore, but a group heading to Africa.
Jerry Ohrn, Dustin Spencer, Dave Nguyen, Alex Jolley, Adam Jolley, Kelly Malloy and James(Buz) and Lisa Mullan joined Mark for a combo trophy/management hunt that would turn out to be one of the most enjoyable safaris of the season.
Adam Jolley joined PH, Ross “Stix” Hoole and tracker, Thandoxolo (Jimmy), for an adventure filled week in and around Woodlands Safari Estate. A Kudu is usually the priority for every first timer to Africa and Adam was no different.
He hunted hard and put in the yards to hunt an amazing old bull with spectacular mass all the way to the tips.
A pair of Blue Wildebeest, which look amazing together, an Impala, Waterbuck and a late afternoon unexpected Cape Bushbuck made for one busy week. In between the hunting, Adam squeezed in the time to capture the sights and sounds around him with a number of incredible wildlife pictures as he enjoyed the variety and abundance of wildlife on show.
Adam’s brother, Alex, who joined PH, Carl van Zyl, and tracker, Oluwethu, was meant to be on the same schedule as Adam… until he laid eyes on the majestic Sable of Woodlands.
There was no going back and Alex made the most of a magnificent bull getting him off to a BIG start in Africa.
A few days of cold and wet weather dampened the teams’ spirits in their pursuit of Kudu, but perseverance paid off in the end. While the Kudu tested their patience it would be the hunt for a Gemsbuck that brought them together as a team. A long and hot day, with numerous failed attempts on a number of Gemsbuck herds, saw the team just about throwing in the towel when at last light a particularly impressive Gemsbuck was spotted. The hunt was on and soon they were right in the midst of the Gemsbuck and just about everything else in Africa too. If it weren’t Impala in the way it would be an Ostrich, and finally, a Zebra which just about got it as it stepped out right as Alex was about to take the shot.
One heck of a shot did the trick and Alex had earned himself one magnificent Gemsbuck
On the last few remaining days, the guys hunted for Cape Eland while admiring the views at Woodlands.
A big old bull finally made the mistake the hunters were after and Alex called it a day with four impressive trophies heading back to Utah.
As for Buzz and Lisa Mullan, who joined PH, Rusty Coetzer, it would be an adventure more than just a hunt. They were after a quota of management game, which forms an integral part of our long-term management plan for our wildlife. They made the most of each day out in the field and took the time to look for the “right” Kudu to hunt. In the end, they did just that and plenty more!
For Jerry Ohrn, PH, Dave Burcy, and tracker, Shooter, it would be a hunt for a number of priority species that Jerry had set his sights on. Jerry’s Kudu hunt proved to be one great adventure while his Gemsbuck bull had the entire team green with envy.
Kelly Malloy would travel to Africa focussed on hunting hard for a few selected species. His desire for quality saw him open his mind to the age-old saying of taking what Africa gives you. He hunted Blue Wildebeest, Hartebeest, Impala, Gemsbuck and Black Wildebeest.
However, his Nyala would go down as one of the trophies, if not THE trophy of the season. It’s not every day that one hunts a 30” Nyala.
Is he not the most spectacular bull you’ve seen in ages?
Is he not the most spectacular bull you’ve seen in ages?
Dustin Spencer who joined PH, Clayton Fletcher, tracker, Koki, and everyone’s favourite Jack Russell, Beans, were on the hunt for inferior genetics, working towards our goal of selectively ensuring only the best breed. They hunted management Impala, Blesbuck, Springbuck, Wildebeest, Hartebeest, and Kudu. Their Warthog would be a certain highlight, as well as an Impala tracked down by Beans and the team in hot pursuit.
If Dustin’s grin was infectious then Dave Nguyen was our drug! Dave or fondly known as Azn (Asian) Dave was the epitome of fun. In all our time having met numerous people from all walks of life, we have NEVER met anyone like Dave. At first, you’re not certain if he’s serious or kidding? You’re continually guessing what he’s about to say next and he’s a wreck about to happen in the nicest way possible. Imagine Mr Chow from the “Hangover” movie and you’ve got Dave.
Dave and Mark teamed up with PH, Greg Hayes, and tracker, Bless, taking part in our management hunt on offer.
Of course, both men couldn’t stop at just management game…. that wouldn’t be the way they role!
Dave proved to be the glue of this group. His character combined with his daily comical happenings still has us in stitches of laughter months down the line. As for Mark, he proved to be the consummate group leader, assisting us daily in ensuring his friends were taken care of to the maximum. From the outset, Mark was adamant of what he wanted. The hunting had to be good, that was to be a given, but he wanted his friends to experience the camaraderie of an African safari. That fire that had lit within him all those years ago was something he wanted them to experience.
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