Preparation and practice have been and gone, that faint beat of drums deep within your soul is getting louder as you set foot onto this ancient Wild land.
Have you got everything? Come, grab your gear follow me and walk quietly...we'r heading up there for a look around.
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080813_0687.jpg)
see the herd of Kudu cows out there?.. about a km out, half way up the rise. Wind is no good that way
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080818_0797-1.jpg)
I'm in.....
I'm with ya.
Whats that, see something down that side? yip i see him, nice Waterbuck bull! well spotted
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080731_2501.jpg)
he's in a good spot, we'l have to go back down the way we came up. We'l cut around the left of this Kopjie (rocky outcrop), i think i know where he might cross, we'l set up and wait. Watch the wind its a bit shifty....
Ok set up just in front of this bush, wait for him to come into the open.... PPsst! here he comes, get your bow up and don"t move.
if you want him, Take him....
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080907_3325.jpg)
make a mental note of exactly where your arrow hit
here's my spot
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080907_3325-2.png)
did you make a good shot?
Andy wait me am arriving!Cool!!
Don't stop now.
man, you got some good karma with you.... we got lucky there, awesome bull!
we'r going to be camping out as we go, we'r going to have to fill up our canteens this afternoon. I know a good water hole lets make our way there its about 6kms from here and the wind will be good for most of the way, try keep behind me. Avoid those little Aloe they are very loud when they dry out.
Felix make your way South south east down to the river then follow it up stream to the dam, we'l find you there :)
we'r going to need some meat for this evening, going to be plenty of hungry mouths to feed around the camp fire tonight.
can you hear that? "krrraa krrraa krrraa Krrraa Krra" its a Swainson's Spurfowl. They are great eating!
Must be water near by...lets take a look. There he is over by the rocks.
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080906_4362.jpg)
don't get much time with these guys gotta shoot fast
I thought I would never get a chance to hunt Africa - but now I'm there!!!
Great stuff Andy - lead on, and let's find another one!!
Got him! we'l need a few more. Unless we can get onto something else.
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080715_8610-6.jpg)
Awsoooooome! :thumbsup: :campfire:
We still have a few km to go and Filix is waiting at the Dam, lets keep moving.
Some Pigs came in for a drink, Felix has them marked im gonna go in with him and see if he can make a stalk before they move into the river.
"There they are"
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080809_4142.jpg)
With the wind like this we'l have to come up behind them, there is not much cover we'l have to move carefully!
getting closer, get an arrow ready, watch where you step
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080808_2937.jpg)
we'r right on top of them
watch it, stopped to look back, your at full draw
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080808_2939.jpg)
if you took the shot, where did you hit?
here's my spot
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080808_2939-1.jpg)
Well... right where I was looking of course!... LOL! Awesome pics Andy!
Awesome stuff there Andy! Great pictures as always!
Thanks I didn't think I'd make Africa this year :)
Great pics Andy !!!
:campfire:
Fun thread. The best part of the hunt.
Andy this is sooo what I needed here in Purgatory between seasons and a boring day at work...Please keep it goin' mate :pray: :pray: :pray:
Nice shot!
here let me hold your bow, your going to need both hands... are you alright there?
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080709_2243.jpg)
you shot it, you carry it right! let us know when you get tired
one of your tradgang brother's will take over.
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080709_2244.jpg)
I had the pig at the crease,guess that would have been too far back.Cool thread andy,thanks,Gary. :thumbsup:
This is cool Andy! Now let's eat! :)
:bigsmyl:
Great pics Andy.....someday
Take me, Take Me.... :bigsmyl:
This is like an interactive video game, thanks for taking us along Andy! Wish I could be there. :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Disclaimer "my shot placement is just 'My' spot if asked and given the chance to pin point where the best point for the arrow to hit" ;)
Not necessarily the best or perfect with lots of variables.
day light is burning up we should make camp by dark, looking at the sun we still have + - 4 hours.
How are your feet?
If you feel any rubbing or blisters do not hesitate to stop and get them patched over strait away, we'l be covering some ground, your feet are your life in this country dont macho through any pain or irritation, we look after our feet here.
Hey look over there! bee eater
beautiful
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080906_3180.jpg)
did you know we also have a two species of honey Guides that will lead animals and humans to bee hives, they can be followed for long distances until reaching a hive, the trackers will smoke out the hives to get to the super sweet bush honey, in return leaving honey comb and larvae for the bird.
with a strong belief that if one does not leave anything for the honey guide, the next time it will lead you to a pride of lions. :nono:
Arrhhh take a look here, another victim of a poachers Snare
It does its work without the need for anyone to be around
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080805_0560.jpg)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080805_0561.jpg)
thats a pity, it'l be 2 nights to full moon again, we'l be on alert for the sounds of dogs soon
Whats that Whip, you'v picked up some spoor over there?
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080714_0130-1.jpg)
Elephant...not far ahead, if we move fast we could catch up within an hour or two, we can follow this spoor at a run. Want to go take a look?
alright lets go.
Great work Andy. We all hate poachers.
they are heading towards the river for a drink...we'v made good time.
lets get over that rise.
there they are
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080906_3133.jpg)
keep close now! no talking
Stop! there right ahead
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080808_2935.jpg)
lets cut out to the left, the wind is going to give us away if we stay here to long
keep still, not fast movements
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080907_0904.jpg)
Cool thread Andy! Keep it coming. I can't wait till June when I am again over there.
Bisch
Thanks Andy,great hunt.
This is amazing. What a great thread!
Thanks for sharing......
This is great, thanks for the hunt!!!
here comes another, keep close
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080906_3103.jpg)
Thats close enough, alright lets back out.
Time to make camp, you'l need your rest for tomorrow
the deep sun melts quickly this far South
once its gone another world of creatures wake to live beneath the highway of stars across the heavens.
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080828_0883.jpg)
Randy, ill go collect some more firewood, you keep an eye on the cooking.
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080822_0314.jpg)
.. see you in the morning
Absolutly Awsome!! I love seeing the pics of Africa.
God Bless,
Nathan
Fantastic pictures! Thanks for taking us along on the hunt.
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Way cool Andy! Thanks for doing this!
Andy,
Thanks for taking the time to take and post pictures. Hope all is well with you and your family.
John Berger
Thanks Andy! That elephant poking his trunk through the bush looked like I was wearing 3-d glasses! Really enjoy you taking us all along ... :archer:
Very cool the big A is high on my bucket list
Andy,
Great photos,story and trek!
As I have posted about your photos before, your black and white (and sepia photos also), evoke primal thoughts of earlier expeditions on the continent that many of us have read but never experienced.
Thank you and looking forward to the next installments. What a privilege to be able to roam.
Ray
Thanks for taking us a long :)
Really enjoyed it!
Margly
Simply awesome Andy...someday brother...someday indeed!
Thanks so much for taking us along!
Travis
I cannot even begin to imagine the adventure that is available there, a truly wild place. Very Cool!!
What was the critter in the snare? An ostrich?
I got the gear ready, but the duffel-bag full of $50 bills doesn't seem to be where I left it.
Oh well. We have whitetail and turkeys and they challenge me to the limits.
Thanks Andy !!!!
silly me shot the waterbuck a little ahead and the warthog behind your spots.
Im in for the next trip!
Very cool, I could get into spot and stalk in Africa.
By the way I've sent you a friend request on FB, I hope that you don't mind but I bet you have a lot more great pictures I would like to see
Andy, Thanks for the great tread. Awesome trip, take us on some more.
Don
Nice pics Andy... thanks for letting us tag along. :thumbsup:
By the way... is that the Shrew I sold ya bro? At least I think I sold you it, lol.
Kawika
Awesome stuff Andy. I see a National Geographic special in the making. Your photographic eye for capturing the beauty of nature and people interacting within it is outstanding. Your living a life that should certainly be documented. :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Awesome :campfire:
That was great, thanks :cool:
Andy, First off you always have top notch photos. That really helps me feel like I'm there. Second, they way you made that story like you were guiding me along, awesome! That is probably the closest I'll get to hunting there at least for the next 10 years. So, thanks again for the great experience. Great thread.
That was a really nice waterbuck, I don't think I could have passed him up!! Very cool thread, thanks for triggering a rush of memories :thumbsup: Africa is a special place I long to return to.
Andy,I think this is one of the best overall threads since I am here.CONGRATS.Better than your deerskin shirt thread too!
QuoteOriginally posted by Stumpkiller:
What was the critter in the snare? An ostrich?
I got the gear ready, but the duffel-bag full of $50 bills doesn't seem to be where I left it.
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: thats alright man, this time its on me, but you'r gonna have to be more careful where you leave things.
yip that was an ostrich.
I can't take credit for all the pics, some are my Dad's and some are Nigel's they are both great.
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080819_0266.jpg)
Kawika, that is the shrew you sold me ages ago "its seen some action"
glad you'r all enjoying
Good stuff! Thanks for sharing!
Very Cool! Keep it coming!
Jason
Thanks for this killer thread!
Nudge Nudge!! hey its time to wake up, there is coffee in the pot by the fire, put it out when your finished.
lets move out, got a feeling we'r gonna get some action today.
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080717_9033-1.jpg)
we'l keep to the river for now, keep you eyes open
see them?
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080810_2716.jpg)
ok this will not be easy, there are a lot of eye's out there, keep low we'r going to have to leopard crawl into range here.
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080906_3186.jpg)
watch those ear's they may be looking ahead but they are listening back towards us, good thing you took your shoe's off
within range now, we'l use the meat to make biltong (strips of meat salted and spiced and dried in the sun)
wait for a good shot....
ok draw slow she can still see you
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080905_3038.jpg)
Man Andy... all you need is some good surf and that would be paradise... I'd definitely hop the next jet on over there.
Kawika
Thanks for the ride Andy. It's been a rough day and I needed to get away.
how about right here
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080905_3038-1.jpg)
if you passed, here comes a nice Ram now
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080809_2986.jpg)
thank you so much for sharing these pic. they are great!!
right there will do it
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080809_2986-1.jpg)
come guys..dont drag you'r feet lets keep moving
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080818_0245.jpg)
take a look over here
African Baobab
the tree of life..the upside-down tree
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080809_2974-1.jpg)
She is old, like a monument she's watched over these plain's for many seasons
there is something moving over there, you got your bino's
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080905_3085.jpg)
Steenbuck!
he's a nice one
see if you can get withing range, when you see him start to lift his head, freeze.
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080905_3087.jpg)
you'r in range but he's gonna see you and you have a few sticks in the way, wait for a better shot....
when his head go's down to feed take your shot
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080905_3077.jpg)
Ok now!
This is the coolest thing man!!! Ill probably never go to Africa but it sure is cool reading about it and hear of others adventures and in this case seeing them unfold.
Im burning a spot right here
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080905_3077-1.jpg)
Andy,
What an awesome adventure, thank you so much for sharing it with us.
:clapper: Nice to be back in the bush!! :clapper:
Good stuff !!!
here's a nice one
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080719_9098-1.jpg)
lets go over to the flats water hole, we'l wait out the afternoon there and see what comes in.
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IMG_5208.jpg)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/_MG_5111.jpg)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080810_4175-1.jpg)
Good timing Andy! I've been missing your stories!
Sun is starting to drop again, its been a good day
how cool and unusual is the noise those Zebra make, its as wild and untamed as this spirit of this land
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080719_9233.jpg)
hey here comes a herd of Elephant! Geezz
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20080719_9145.jpg)
ahh what a way to finish of our short adventure, we'l watch them until the last of the light is gone
how was your shooting?
Thanks for coming along, hope to do it again some day soon.
cheers Andy
Andy, Thank you so very much! You have no idea what that did for me.
Wow! May be one day....
Thank you Andy
F-Manny
Awesome story telling sir! :notworthy:
Thank you andy, I really enjoyed that.
Thanks again Andy! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Andy,
Thanks for the adventure...!
Amazing pictures.
Thanks for sharing. So, did you get to pet the elephants or any other critters lol.
Amazing!! How I envy you. This is the best thread and some of the finest pics I've ever seen. Thank you soooo much.
Gerald
Made my day.You have my respect at your young age.Enjoy your life.Kip
Awesome stuff, Andy!
Bisch
Thats just too cool . Makes me want to go out and chase somthing .
Awesome Andy! Your guiding skills are showing :bigsmyl:
I think I need to head back to Africa...awesome photos Andy!
Many thanks for sharing with us. I was actually getting lower in my chair like I was there stalking with you. That was most enjoyable. Thanks again.
How cool is that.
Great adventure, really enjoyed the trip. Thanks for taking me along.
Thank you Andy, loved it.
Thanks Andy for the adventure. Good stuff!
Andy,
Thank you very much. About two dozen troops, agents, and Helio pilots all viewed this together, waiting around for a dust storm to clear. Only two of us were traditional guys, but, everyone was along for the hunt, even the wheelies. great job.
Thank you!
Great stuff bro! Looking forward to getting back there with you later in the year! ;)
Good Stuff!!! :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Bill, thats cool! Stickbow or wheels they are all welcome in my camp.
QuoteOriginally posted by LEOPARD:
Great stuff bro! Looking forward to getting back there with you later in the year! ;)
Me to bro, more then you can imagine. And this time we'r doing the backpack trip!
Top stuff mate, thanks for posting this little tale. A novel and imaginative theme; you must be homesick eh?
Yep, sounds like a plan to me! :D
I loved this...you took us there and gave us a dream of returning. Thank you so much.
Wow great thread with beautiful pics :thumbsup: .Thanks Andy.
Maybe one day we see all that together :pray:
Enjoyed the entire thing!
Thanks a ton! :campfire:
Man what a trip. All the more sweet with a snow storm coming again. Thanks for taking me along and sharing the adventure!
Well done Andy! Always great to view your photos. Can't wait till we walk through the outback next year my friend. One of these years we'll walk the african sands in pursuit of jumbo or mbogo with our big sticks!
Yet again, you have graciously taken us on a marvelous hunting expedition. Sharing these particular experiences actually has me imagining, envisioning and almost smelling Africa. I am intentionally tracking slowly through this thread while absorbing the auro and wanting the hunt to never end. This story must be sipped and savored.
Thanks again, Andy!
Best hunt Ever..........
Seriously cool brother! Thanx for taking the time :campfire:
andy thank you so much ,im sitting here with a broken ankle feeling really down but you took me hunting with you to my favorite place :notworthy:
That was the best hunt I never went on. Awesome work Andy. I so need to come hang out with you.
Andy, take us to Australia too!
outstanding. maybe the best thread I have ever read
Thanks
Buff
WOW!!! What else can I say? :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Great pics and storytelling.
:clapper:
You are truly blessed to have lived and hunted in such a wild and majestic land! Thanks for taking the time to share stories and pics! Maybe one day I'll get to stalk some African game myself :thumbsup:
QuoteOriginally posted by FerretWYO:
That was one of the best hunt I never went on. Awesome work Andy. I so need to come hang out with you.
My thoughts exactly...best hunt I never went on!! Makes me want the real thing!!
Thanks for taking the time for all of that Andy! :thumbsup: :clapper:
Thanks for taking us. I was pretty much spot on for shot placement which makes me happy.
Whew! My feet are tired after all that treking on the hot savanah. Sure was worth the trip, though! :thumbsup:
Happy to say I matched all your dots pretty close except the warthog. Well, at least I was concentrating on the right spot. Sometimes my arrows get confused. I think about where the arrow will exit and that usually works. I'll remember for next time. :archer:
Good stuff.
Very cool Andy, thanks for sharing!!! +3 on the "best hunt I never went on" comment!
Very nice...great stuff...
Ben
Thanks for the ride! Those photo's are fantastic.
Absolutely awesome!
If ever someone would ask me again "What you wanna be when you grow up?" (Wich is unlikely with 26 years) Id responed without thinking: "An Andy!" ;) :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Three cheers for an outstanding thread! Thank you Andy!
:thumbsup:
That was a great read, really got into it.
You sure gave my day a boost, and it was needin' one, believe me.
You da man.... :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Excellent post! This one really pulls at my heart strings! I cannot wait to get back over there someday. I told my wife that I would give up deer hunting if I could hunt Africa every year. She about fell off her chair, but I really think I would.
Great thread! Thanks Andy for taking us along.
Andy,Fantastic hunt,Really appreciate the time taken to take us all there.My son just came back from Tanzania,right now I can smell Africa.
I will probably never get there so my son brought me back a Masai spear ,knife and arrows,along with a full Cape Buffalo skull and horns.
Wow Andy! Those pictures are breathtaking! Thanks for bringing us along on the journey!
I could read this for hours.
Wish I could go there but lack of bow poundage ability "me & 55# max" & lack of $$$ makes it not possible for me.
Very cool! Thanks for stoking the fire Andy! :thumbsup:
Thanks for posting.
Very cool, Andy!
I have to agree with Buff and Ferret this is pretty cool. Great thread!!
God Bless,
Nathan
Great thread. Thanks for posting.
Andy, You bring so many great things to the table for the TG community to feast on.
You have spoiled us because are always hungry.
Your friendship has meant much to me.
Take care and in your limited time of personal pleasure, please continue to share the scraps.
This thread is great and the pics are outstanding I'm going to start at the beginning and go through it again
TTT!!
This adventure is too good to not have gone along.
Thank you for sharing,awsome to see!
great stuff :clapper:
Thanks so much for sharing with us!!!!!!!!!
Great Pix Andy
Thanks for the adventure, Andy.
Would love to get out that way and hunt with you some time. Bet it'd be a blast!
Watts
Andy-Great pics and really enjoyed the adventure! Thanks from the great state of Michigan!
Kenny :clapper:
Top ten thread, Andy! I always enjoy your posts, but you have outdone yourself on htis one. Thanks, man.
Too deadly, those photos! Thanks, Andy! And g'day, Nigel!
Andy I've always enjoyed yor post thank you.