Trad Gang

Trad Gang Highlights => HIGHLIGHTS 2015 => Topic started by: on July 24, 2015, 09:44:00 AM

Title: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: on July 24, 2015, 09:44:00 AM
I just got home from a great hunt in South Africa. I hunted with a couple friends who were using wheel bows, and we hunted  10 days with Matsuri Safaris in Limpopo Province. All these animals were taken with my Sarrels Blueridge longbow(50#@29.5"), full length Easton Full Metal Jacket .400 spine arrows with a 75gr brass insert, and 150gr German Kinetic broadheads. (Except the guinnea fowl, where I used a judo point)

The first day started off great with a fine Steenbok shot at 12.5yds!

       (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/39F06DBE-A251-4ECE-B529-AA935B7504F9_zpsp9p4wt41.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/39F06DBE-A251-4ECE-B529-AA935B7504F9_zpsp9p4wt41.jpg.html)

The next 2 days were plagued with swirly winds, and although we still saw a lot of animals, not many came in close enough to think about shooting them.

On the 4th day we went to a blind in the morning and did not see much. At about 9:45am, the PH suggested we move to a different blind. There was a flock of guinnea fowl in front of us, so I decided to shoot one before we left!


       (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/C1E39791-602E-4E1A-B5F0-49423325034D_zpslwm2jk90.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/C1E39791-602E-4E1A-B5F0-49423325034D_zpslwm2jk90.jpg.html)

We moved to the new blind and spooked a gemsbok off when we drove up! He came back once, but did not like something, and spooked and run off. At about 1:30pm, a herd of Impala came in. My PH pointed out a real nice ram and told me to shoot him if the chance arose. About 15 minutes later he came in to about 21yds. I made a really bad shot, coupled with his trying to do the matrix move on me. All that resulted in me hitting him in the neck. We tracked him for a ways and finally found him, but he was still alive. After jumping him a couple times, I elected to put him down using the PH's rifle. Although I do think he would have expired from my shot, I did not feel good about having it be drawn out! He was a really good Impala, measuring 25.5" on both sides!

       (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/F138D69C-80D9-459A-BAF4-DE03DBD13F5B_zpsuv6htrzu.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/F138D69C-80D9-459A-BAF4-DE03DBD13F5B_zpsuv6htrzu.jpg.html)

Day 5 started in the same blind where I shot the impala on day 4. At about 8:15am a nice Gemsbok bull came in and I got a shot at him at 14yds. These are some beautiful critters, and are fine eating also!

       (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/F70DF0C6-1B2E-4077-82B7-296373C3DD46_zpsomaosp3c.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/F70DF0C6-1B2E-4077-82B7-296373C3DD46_zpsomaosp3c.jpg.html)

We saw a ton of critters the rest of the day, but nothing to shoot at! Day 6 found us at a new blind, called the Brick House. About 9am some nyala bulls came in. The PH told me there was a shooter, and to get ready. When I first saw them, I got really nervous!! I finally managed to get a shot at the biggest bull at 11yds. SWING AND A MISS!!!! Yep, I missed a calf sized critter at 11yds. I was very upset with myself, and talking to myself, trying to figure out how that could have happened. The PH told me to settle down because they were coming back. When they came back in, there was an even bigger bull than the one I had missed. I ended up getting about a 12yd shot on him, and did not miss this time! The track was short, and this is what was at the end!


       (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/3BDAF62B-41AF-40E4-940D-4DBB309A7600_zpsumusqtzt.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/3BDAF62B-41AF-40E4-940D-4DBB309A7600_zpsumusqtzt.jpg.html)

I really think that God must have jerked my arm to make me miss the first nyala because he knew the other bull was there for me!!!!

Day 7 & 9 were filled with a gazillion animal sightings, but no shot opportunities.

Day 8 was a fun morning. We had a large group of Impala come in, with several nice rams. I decided to shoot one. The shot happened at about 18yds. The arrow sunk low, and all the animals exploded to run off. I could see my arrow in the dirt, a clean miss!!! Well, they came back in, and another one gave me a 13yd shot that I took full advantage of.


      (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/3B433224-223C-4D42-AC1D-3DC8E98DFB4A_zpse5t9dgqa.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/3B433224-223C-4D42-AC1D-3DC8E98DFB4A_zpse5t9dgqa.jpg.html)

When we got out of the blind to get my ram, we retrieved the first arrow and found that I had hit the first one. We tracked it for a long ways, but did not recover him! Keep reading, and you will see that there is a good ending to this one!

Bisch
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: on July 24, 2015, 09:56:00 AM
Then, the last day of my hunt came. This turned out to be one of the most exciting days of hunting I have ever had. 4 animals were taken on the last day!

First off was a nice big kudu cow at about 9:30 in the morning!

     (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/69C1D736-B45D-4AE2-AFB3-4D67C8E009FF_zpslfgmvm2y.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/69C1D736-B45D-4AE2-AFB3-4D67C8E009FF_zpslfgmvm2y.jpg.html)

Then we changed blinds. We were not there 30 minutes when a bunch of Impala came in. I shot a nice Impala ewe at about 17yds at about 11:00am.

     (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/4831D4D3-FF31-4DED-8BDF-A9E370E08982_zpsq1h9wh04.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/4831D4D3-FF31-4DED-8BDF-A9E370E08982_zpsq1h9wh04.jpg.html)

A couple hours later I got a shot at a nice Impala ram that I had grazed low on the leg and brisket on day 8.  That was the only unrecovered animal of the trip, and I was glad to get another opportunity at him. This was over a mile from where I had shot at him a few days before!

     (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/3F4CC52B-868B-46B3-A7B1-3E1FEBAA00F4_zps5mimbjhh.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/3F4CC52B-868B-46B3-A7B1-3E1FEBAA00F4_zps5mimbjhh.jpg.html)

And then a few hours later still, my last critter of this hunt. The cutest critter in all of Africa!

A very nice warthog!
    (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/27915C17-574A-4217-B6F6-018027C97AF6_zpslpv63zio.jpg)

And, so ends one of the best hunts of my lifetime. Africa is a very special place, and I can't wait to get back over there!

Bisch
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Crittergetter on July 24, 2015, 10:54:00 AM
All I can say is " that's just freakin awesome"!!!!!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: SAM E. STEPHENS on July 24, 2015, 11:24:00 AM
Well done , Congrats.....

,,Sam,,
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: lilbobby on July 24, 2015, 01:42:00 PM
Glad you had a good time, beautiful animals!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: hitmantoto on July 24, 2015, 03:05:00 PM
Congrats !
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Danny Rowan on July 24, 2015, 06:56:00 PM
Nice job Bisch, now you're gonna have a taxidermy bill.   :bigsmyl:  to pay for.
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: BrushWolf on July 24, 2015, 09:45:00 PM
Wow. Looks like you had an awesome trip. Congrats!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: DanielB89 on July 25, 2015, 12:39:00 AM
Bisch,

those are some awesome looking animals!!! Congrats brother.  I hope to go over there some time.
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on July 25, 2015, 05:50:00 AM
Very awesome! How were the blinds? What were the shooting windows like? Happy for ya!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Tony Sanders on July 25, 2015, 08:22:00 AM
Congrats Bisch. Man you sure had yourself a great hunt. Glad you were able to get another chance at that impala. By the way, maybe you ought to buy stock in the Sarrels Blueridge longbows(LOL). Thanks for sharing with us.

  Tony
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: BigErn on July 25, 2015, 09:22:00 AM
Hey Bisch,
  Congrats,all Great animals!I know it was fun,but i bet it was a lot of work also!Way to go!
                               Ernie
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: rastaman on July 25, 2015, 11:09:00 AM
Hey Bisch!  Nice looking animals.  If we had warthogs in the USA, I probably wouldn't hunt anything else!   :wavey:
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Rob DiStefano on July 26, 2015, 05:50:00 AM
WOW!, that's just .......... Awesome!

congrats bisch!!!!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: trad_bowhunter1965 on July 26, 2015, 02:22:00 PM
Awesome Bisch !!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: ESP on July 26, 2015, 03:38:00 PM
Awesome.  I can tell, by your smile in the pictures, that you had a great time.
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: jt85 on July 26, 2015, 03:43:00 PM
Bisch you are the man!!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Jayrod on July 26, 2015, 06:57:00 PM
Way to go Bisch you have done a FINEJOB!!CONGRATS BROTHER!!!!!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Big Ed on July 26, 2015, 07:58:00 PM
Well done!!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: goingoldskool on July 26, 2015, 08:43:00 PM
Outstanding! !!

Thanks for taking us along. Glad you're back home and safe!

God bless,

Rodd
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: TxAg on July 26, 2015, 09:02:00 PM
Way to go!


Great warthog and nyala plus all the other beauties
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Alexander Traditional on July 27, 2015, 12:51:00 AM
Way to go Bisch! You ended up getting a bunch of animals,that has to be the hunt of a lifetime!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: awbowman on July 27, 2015, 08:34:00 AM
Well done Bisch, well done!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: wayoutwest on July 27, 2015, 09:43:00 AM
Awesome Bisch just awesome. I hope your well mate.
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Big Lefty on July 27, 2015, 12:48:00 PM
Sounds like a great trip!  Congrats!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Izzy on July 27, 2015, 01:07:00 PM
May as well change your name to "Time" cause if your a critter, sooner or later Bisch is gonna get ya. Congrats amigo! If I ever went to Africa Id be happy with an nyala, they're cool.
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Greg Szalewski on July 27, 2015, 01:33:00 PM
Looks like you had an awesome trip. Congratulations! I am jealous of your nyala. Our first night in camp last year my wife and I woke up to some sounds we could not place. After listening for 15 minutes we got up and looked out the window and 25 feet away two nyala bulls were fighting. It lasted another 20 minutes.
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: hybridbow hunter on July 27, 2015, 04:53:00 PM
That nyala is a real monster!
Congratulation !
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Green on July 27, 2015, 04:57:00 PM
Congrats Jerry.  And yes, that Nyala is one mount I can't wait to see....and the Gemsbok, and that tusker too!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Cmane07 on July 27, 2015, 07:43:00 PM
Man you had a great trip! Congrats!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: cacciatore on July 28, 2015, 03:16:00 AM
Congrats Bish,well done!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: BDann on July 28, 2015, 07:37:00 AM
Congrats again on the awesome trip!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: KentuckyTJ on July 28, 2015, 02:52:00 PM
Amazing trip Brother, love that Nyala.
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: bowberry on July 28, 2015, 07:08:00 PM
simply amazing!!  :notworthy:  


Thank you for sharing that you missed some shots. Many people would leave that part out.
thanks again.
       Scott
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: elkken on July 28, 2015, 09:13:00 PM
A target rich environment for sure … Congrats Bisch, that Blueridge is a killer    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: RC on July 28, 2015, 09:37:00 PM
Bisch, outstanding Sir.RC
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Fletcher on July 28, 2015, 10:41:00 PM
Looks like a great hunting trip, Bisch.  Lots of congrats!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: wcdurand on July 29, 2015, 10:24:00 AM
Bisch, congratulations. Glad you enjoyed it in South Africa. The variety of huntable animals makes africa very special. The farmers with the help of funds from hunters does a good job in conservation of the wildlife and land. Next time plan for a few days of walk and stalk. Regards Willem
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Dirtybird on July 29, 2015, 01:38:00 PM
Congrats on a fun hunt and memories of a lifetime.
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: OBXarcher on July 29, 2015, 02:15:00 PM
WAY TO GO BISCH !!!!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Sockrsblur on July 29, 2015, 10:41:00 PM
Wow Bisch, amazing trip! Love the photos, thanks for posting them here for us to see.
  :campfire:
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: 59Alaskan on July 30, 2015, 06:21:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Danny Rowan:
Nice job Bisch, now you're gonna have a taxidermy bill.    :bigsmyl:   to pay for.
Ain't that the truth!  What a fabulous hunt though!  Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Sean B on July 30, 2015, 07:13:00 PM
Atta boy Bisch!!!  Congratulations on an awesome hunt!!!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: mj seratt on August 01, 2015, 12:34:00 AM
Very nice.  I personally think the nyala may be the best trophy in Africa, and yours is a beauty.

Murray
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: DesertDude on August 01, 2015, 03:20:00 AM
Well done Jerry
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: shedhunta on August 01, 2015, 04:39:00 PM
Wow.  Awesome trip!!!!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Basinboy on August 01, 2015, 07:58:00 PM
Man what a trip!!!!!! Congrats
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: stujay on August 02, 2015, 12:55:00 AM
Congrats to you on   :archer:   your successful hunt
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: jonsimoneau on August 02, 2015, 12:50:00 PM
I just noticed this. Outstanding Bisch! If you don't mind my asking, what outfitter were you hunting with? A blind called "brick house" sounds very familiar to me. Great job. Memories to last a lifetime!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: jonsimoneau on August 02, 2015, 12:53:00 PM
Oops sorry. Just noticed you posted the name of the outfitter in the beginning. I have not been there so there must be more than one place with a blind called "brick house".
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: on August 02, 2015, 02:32:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by jonsimoneau:
I just noticed this. Outstanding Bisch! If you don't mind my asking, what outfitter were you hunting with? A blind called "brick house" sounds very familiar to me. Great job. Memories to last a lifetime!
Matsuri Safaris

Bisch
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: TooManyHobbies on August 02, 2015, 03:44:00 PM
Congrats Bisch. Sounds like a blast. I hope you have big walls, you're gonna need them.
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on August 05, 2015, 07:45:00 AM
Cool Stuff Bisch.  You did all that with a 50 lb bow... Thats what I like to hear because so many people think you need 100 zillion lbs of draw weight to kill African critters.

WEll done, Excellent trip.
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: on August 05, 2015, 08:34:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
Cool Stuff Bisch.  You did all that with a 50 lb bow... Thats what I like to hear because so many people think you need 100 zillion lbs of draw weight to kill African critters.

WEll done, Excellent trip.
Charlie, there are a few African critters you need some extra oomph for; any of the big cats, cape buffalo, elephant, hippo, probably giraffe. I would not dare hunt any of those with my setups! Most all the other plains game animals are not any different than animals here.

Thanks guys!

Bisch
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: J-dog on August 05, 2015, 09:31:00 AM
Just awesome Bisch. Yes those Impalas can pull some maneuvers that would boggle Einstein's mind.

If I get back I would go back just for ONE Nyala. they are awesome critters.

J
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: hitman on August 05, 2015, 08:36:00 PM
Great job Bisch on a fantastic hunt. Lots of great trophies to be proud of.
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: joe ashton on August 16, 2015, 11:26:00 AM
absolutely amazing!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Fritz on August 17, 2015, 02:17:00 PM
Good stuff, Bisch! Congrats on a great trip and beautiful critters!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: BRONZ on August 17, 2015, 09:24:00 PM
You're a machine my friend! I don't think I own that many arrows!! (we all know that's not true)
Fantastic! Can't wait to see pics of mounts!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Flatshooter on August 18, 2015, 10:43:00 AM
Way to go Bisch!!! You have some fantastic animals there for sure. Hunting elk with my son in CO. this year but Africa is definitely on my short list!!! Great pics by the way!!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Hummer3T on August 18, 2015, 03:15:00 PM
Awesome, look like a lot of animals.  wow
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Al Kidner on August 22, 2015, 07:38:00 PM
Mate! Well done on your trip! Mhaving just got home myself from Namibia I know full well how hard some critters are to hunt!

It's also good to see you shoot the female side of Africa too. Way to many hunters think you need to shoot old Bulls etc.... When that's not the case at all.

And I don't envy your trophy bill!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Jerry Jeffer on August 31, 2015, 05:10:00 AM
Great hunt there Mr. Bisch. Congrats on all you bags!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Anointed Archer on September 01, 2015, 07:45:00 AM
Way cool   :clapper:
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Bernie B. on September 02, 2015, 02:45:00 PM
What a great hunting experience!  Congratulations on a super job!     :clapper:

Bernie
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: mparks on September 09, 2015, 01:45:00 PM
Great trip!  Congrats!  Some real nice animals.
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: rolltidehunter on September 09, 2015, 09:34:00 PM
Awesome
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Keith Zimmerman on September 10, 2015, 09:02:00 PM
Congrats and great pics!!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Goke on October 05, 2015, 12:30:00 PM
Looks like a great trip. Well done!
Title: Re: Just got back from South Africa!
Post by: Joeabowhunter on October 31, 2015, 02:46:00 PM
Bisch, that is fantastic!!!