Red Heartabeast

[jonsimoneau]

I recently came back from a life long goal of going to Africa.  Needless to say, I must go back.  Anyway, one animal I was not really interested in was the red heartabeast.  That is until I actually saw one.  Maybe not the smartest of the African animals, but once I saw them on the hoof I really wanted one.  They are an odd animal, like nothing else I have ever seen.  Anyway, I was fortunate enough to take a great bull on the second day!  I consider this to be one of my favorite animals that I have ever taken.  They are an animal you do not hear much about...but what a cool species!  It was about a 19 yard shot at the waterhole.  Double lung, and down in 75 yards.  Cool.

[Falk]

 Funny thing, isn't it !?

Me too switched ends 180° when I went first time to Africa! The specimens in which I had the least interest in (Wildebeest, Warthog) turned later out to be those, I badly wanted ... I can put the Hartebeest in here as well.
I think it has something to do with "gaining respect" though to actual hunting them. Never been there you might only think: "Puuuh, what uggly critters" - but when you were after them (stalking!) - they become a different kind - and you appreciate them more the way, they surely deserve ...

NOW - show us some pics, will you!?  

[tradtusker]

red hartebeest......The Harley Davidson of the african bushveld!

welldone!

[paleFace]

they are a truly cool animal. i never got a shot at one, but they are at the top of my list for the next trip. congrads...
   

[jonsimoneau]

Thanks Paleface.  You were at Vissers the week before I was.  I stayed in the same camp and had the same PH. I'm going back.

[doctorbrady]

Rob,
You will have an opportunity or two in 2007!  I was told ours scored in at number 5 and 7 in the Namibian Record books last year.

[paleFace]

Jon, how was your hunt.  i heard the weather was not much help. Gerhard sent me an email right after little Tembe died. i guess you got to meet Red Hart and Hoyt? how about Muleffy, Lucky and Jacob?  

Doc, i sent you an email earlier regarding video cameras....

[Don Thomas]

Part of the hartebeest's PR problem is that no picture can do it justice. That gleaming coat, the devilish look in that amber eye... you gotta be there to appreciate them. Don

[Kevin Bahr]

Congratulations, Jon.  Bet you're glad to be back in Illinois...HA!

[jonsimoneau]

Paleface, yes the Africans were complaining about the weather a bit, and the fact that it was a little more green than what they would like.  But to me, the hunting was still amazing.  I only took 3 animals while I was there, but I could have taken more.  I had a big bull eland broadside at close range, but to be honest, I just did not feel my bow was up to the task of taking him.  I was shooting a bow that was only about 53#'s.  He just looked too big.  Bigger than I thought they were.  I had a couple of chances at wildebeast but passed them up.  I was hoping for a shot at a zebra, and a gemsbok.  I never did get a shot at either one, but that gives me a reason to go back! And of course I had a few problems with impala.  There is another post on here about that.  
Kevin, very funny!  Honestly, I wish I would have hunted for about four or five more days.  If I ever make it back over there, I'm going to hunt a little longer.  On the bright side though, yesterday I did see one of the biggest whitetails I have ever seen on the hoof hanging out in one of my small hunting areas.  Double droptines!  So now, I'm getting ready for deer season.