Day one Hunting in Africa

So my first day of hunting in Africa had its high points and low points.  Actually low points and high points.

Right off the bat, I saw a massive impala.  It was beautiful.  Clashing horns with another impressive buck.  It was a little less than 200 yards out.  A relatively easy shot.

Just before I shot, the guide said, "Aim about 1/3 up from the bottom."

I have been hunting a lot and normally I would shoot about mid way or maybe a bit higher.  So as I aimed, I concentrated on hitting lower than normal.  Well, long story, short--I should have aimed like I normally would have.  

I shot him too low--I shattered the his left leg just below the shoulder.  On a North American deer, I would have had to chase him a bit, but he wouldn't have gone far.  Guess what?  African game is tough as nails.  This impala took off like a dart.

The guide said there is only one thing faster than an impala, a three legged impala.

We tracked this guy for 4 hours.  He was in bad shape.  We came upon him twice, but each time we just saw his striped butt waving at us as he shot away.  He is jackal food tonight.  We figure he curled up and died.  We will take the dogs out tomorrow and find him.  I guess I won't eat this one.

Late in the day, we decided to go back on the hunt.

We had been looking for about half an hour when I came upon a HUGE blue wildebeest.  It was traveling with a herd of some other animal I can't remember its name.  It was standing in a group, so I watched him patiently through the scope.  Soon he was on the move, and the others with him.  I waited and once it was clear behind him, I pulled the trigger.

Wildebeest are notoriously difficult to shoot.  Not because they are elusive or hard to find, but because they are so tough.  They often take multiple shots.  I pulled the trigger, and he dropped like a rock.

When we got to him, he was still alive, but fading fast.  The only knife I had on hand was my Northwoods Hawthorne, which we used to slide under his rib cage and into his lungs to expedite his death.  He was gone in just a few seconds.

What a day!

When we got back to camp, I handed the guide a Bark River Boone to dress out my trophy.  He was thrilled to use it.  It worked splendidly and remained sharp even after completely dressing out this great beast.

It was a good hunt!