Fishing, and hunting reports (share yours)

Hatchet_Jack said:
Looks like a great trip mate!

I grew up reading every African hunting book I could find. It’s such a beautiful part of the world and the era of white hunters still fascinates me to this day.

It was always my dream to go on a tracking eland hunt. I’ve kinda lost the urge to hunt Africa but I still enjoy seeing what others get up to.

What’s the black and white stripey horse thing? 😁
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Indeed, it was one of the highlights of my life so far and really dug into me that I need to go back. The continent is massive and there's so much to see and do.

I would love to go for a Lord Derby Eland up in te Highlands in Ethiopia, but maybe wait until the political situation there calms down.

DaveHS said:
Incredible photos of the SA hunt oldmanwilly oldmanwilly I would like to know more details some day. Are the Kudu and zebra still common to hunt? Not even the same universe and not going to compete with that but I do like to get out with a fly rod. Texas largemouth bass are always fun. This is in a friend’s neighborhood pond in Dallas a few weekends ago. View attachment 2884968
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Danke! And yes, all of the game I took was plentiful. Granted, everything is regional so some species are plentiful in some areas but not others. Some relatives went to Namibia a few years before our SA trip. Kudu were previously as common there as whitetails in Texas, but a virus wiped out a huge chunk of the population. There were carcasses strewn all over the bush. I think the population has since recovered, but it took a major hit for a while.

I'll tell ya, the best thing I ate there was aged loins from a black wildebeest: tender, somehow beefier tasting than beef, and slathered in crushed chiles, slightly fermented in canola oil. Dreamworthy.
 
oldmanwilly said:
Indeed, it was one of the highlights of my life so far and really dug into me that I need to go back. The continent is massive and there's so much to see and do.

I would love to go for a Lord Derby Eland up in te Highlands in Ethiopia, but maybe wait until the political situation there calms down.



Danke! And yes, all of the game I took was plentiful. Granted, everything is regional so some species are plentiful in some areas but not others. Some relatives went to Namibia a few years before our SA trip. Kudu were previously as common there as whitetails in Texas, but a virus wiped out a huge chunk of the population. There were carcasses strewn all over the bush. I think the population has since recovered, but it took a major hit for a while.

I'll tell ya, the best thing I ate there was aged loins from a black wildebeest: tender, somehow beefier tasting than beef, and slathered in crushed chiles, slightly fermented in canola oil. Dreamworthy.
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LDE are amazing animals. They’re in Cameroon.

I believe it was rabies that hit kudu hard in Namibia. They’ve recovered pretty well I think but I did have to shoot a sick kudu calf when I was there a year and a half ago.
 
oldmanwilly said:
Indeed, it was one of the highlights of my life so far and really dug into me that I need to go back. The continent is massive and there's so much to see and do.

I would love to go for a Lord Derby Eland up in te Highlands in Ethiopia, but maybe wait until the political situation there calms down.
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Lord Derby would be insane. I know an aussie guy that did a semi guided hunt a few years back chasing them. It was either CAR or Cameroon. Didn't find any but he did get a forest buffalo and a rare subspecies of waterbuck (can't remember which).

If I could only do one hunt for the rest of my life, that'd be it. Even the common eland in Namibia is meant to be a great hunt if you have the right outfit. Tracking is my favourite style of hunting.

It's all getting expensive though. I remember when I was at university Dall sheep and moose in AK were about $10-15k aud each if you got a good deal. By the time I graduated, got a job and could afford to travel it was more like $40-60k each. The jump in a few short years was incredible.

My realistic bucket list has mostly north american game
- Mule deer
- mountain lion
- elk
- whitetail - with a flintlock would be extra special.
- black bear

I'd also like to hunt a moose (anywhere), a sheep (of some kind) and a banteng. Hopefully I can knock off a few in my time.
 
Hatchet_Jack said:
Lord Derby would be insane. I know an aussie guy that did a semi guided hunt a few years back chasing them. It was either CAR or Cameroon. Didn't find any but he did get a forest buffalo and a rare subspecies of waterbuck (can't remember which).

If I could only do one hunt for the rest of my life, that'd be it. Even the common eland in Namibia is meant to be a great hunt if you have the right outfit. Tracking is my favourite style of hunting.

It's all getting expensive though. I remember when I was at university Dall sheep and moose in AK were about $10-15k aud each if you got a good deal. By the time I graduated, got a job and could afford to travel it was more like $40-60k each. The jump in a few short years was incredible.

My realistic bucket list has mostly north american game
- Mule deer
- mountain lion
- elk
- whitetail - with a flintlock would be extra special.
- black bear

I'd also like to hunt a moose (anywhere), a sheep (of some kind) and a banteng. Hopefully I can knock off a few in my time.
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Likewise, I want to take all of the animals on your list. Save for the mountain lion: my dad shot one near Laredo and made a beautiful mount. I would be content to see one or two working in the wild, unless of course they pose a direct threat to someone or their stock. No hesitation in that case.

Have you ever taken a hog-deer? I hear they're somewhat common in Oz.
 
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oldmanwilly said:
Likewise, I want to take all of the animals on your list. Save for the mountain lion: my dad shot one near Laredo and made a beautiful mountain. I would be content to see one or two working in the wild, unless of course they pose a direct threat to someone or their stock. No hesitation in that case.

Have you ever taken a hog-deer? I hear they're somewhat common in Oz.
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I grew up with Jim Corbett as my favourite author, still is. While I can't hunt a leopard like him, mountain lions seem to be very similar in their behaviour which is the allure to me. I'd prefer to do that hunt as a winter tracking/calling type thing as opposed to hounds. Which also means very little chance of success I guess.

Yes we have hog deer in my state, they're my favourite deer. I wouldn't call them plentiful, most deer have a 12 month season and no bag limit. Hoggies are just the month of April and 1 tag each for male and female. I hunt them every year and have taken 2 stags and 2 hinds so far. It's tough going!
 
Hatchet_Jack said:
I grew up with Jim Corbett as my favourite author, still is. While I can't hunt a leopard like him, mountain lions seem to be very similar in their behaviour which is the allure to me. I'd prefer to do that hunt as a winter tracking/calling type thing as opposed to hounds. Which also means very little chance of success I guess.

Yes we have hog deer in my state, they're my favourite deer. I wouldn't call them plentiful, most deer have a 12 month season and no bag limit. Hoggies are just the month of April and 1 tag each for male and female. I hunt them every year and have taken 2 stags and 2 hinds so far. It's tough going!
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I get it, and no judgment. I just view mountain lions as one of the few large apex predators still roaming my territory in healthy numbers. I want to know they're here and healthy and don't want to drop their numbers yet. Now, if they start popping up everywhere and attacking our livestock or pets then I'm all in for taking after Mr. Corbett.
 
Hatchet_Jack said:
Lord Derby would be insane. I know an aussie guy that did a semi guided hunt a few years back chasing them. It was either CAR or Cameroon. Didn't find any but he did get a forest buffalo and a rare subspecies of waterbuck (can't remember which).

If I could only do one hunt for the rest of my life, that'd be it. Even the common eland in Namibia is meant to be a great hunt if you have the right outfit. Tracking is my favourite style of hunting.

It's all getting expensive though. I remember when I was at university Dall sheep and moose in AK were about $10-15k aud each if you got a good deal. By the time I graduated, got a job and could afford to travel it was more like $40-60k each. The jump in a few short years was incredible.

My realistic bucket list has mostly north american game
- Mule deer
- mountain lion
- elk
- whitetail - with a flintlock would be extra special.
- black bear

I'd also like to hunt a moose (anywhere), a sheep (of some kind) and a banteng. Hopefully I can knock off a few in my time.
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For the majority of the hunts you have on your bucket list I might agree with ... IF ...if I get to add an upland bird hunt too. I could give all the rest up for a good hunt with good dogs and lots of wild flushes with good friends afield.

But there are so many amazing hunts to be had and each can be very special in their own ways.

The elk / mule deer /and whitetail deer are some of my favorites for sure. And are extremely satisfying when you get to take a throphy animal (and "throphy" doesn't have to be a record book buck to make it a throphy). the effort you put in and the people you share the hunt with or even all the things that went wrong along the way that you can laugh about later can make any animal taken a true throphy.
 
carnifex knifeworks said:
Anyone hunting with a 300 win mag? Bought one. I'm looking for cartridge recommendations. I don't reload........yet. so just looking for ammo off the shelf.
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My dad has used his for decades. He prefers Nosler ammo, I think 180 grain pills.

I've had great results with Barnes TTSX rounds for my .30-06 and would use the same in a .300 win mag if given the chance.
 
Hatchet_Jack said:
How far are you wanting to shoot and what game?
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JJ_Colt45 said:
Ammo for a 300 Win. Mag isn't cheap. What will you be hunting with it?
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Agreed, ammo isn't cheap, but I'm good with that. I'll be hunting everything with it (moose, elk, deer, antelope).
oldmanwilly said:
My dad has used his for decades. He prefers Nosler ammo, I think 180 grain pills.

I've had great results with Barnes TTSX rounds for my .30-06 and would use the same in a .300 win mag if given the chance.
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I've heard good things about Barnes TTSX. Definitely one I want to check out
 
carnifex knifeworks said:
Agreed, ammo isn't cheap, but I'm good with that. I'll be hunting everything with it (moose, elk, deer, antelope).

I've heard good things about Barnes TTSX. Definitely one I want to check out
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I used to use TTSX in my 300WM when I had it. I did like them.

If you’re hunting decent sized animals and not beyond say 250-300 yards I’d consider Norma Oryx. They’re my favourite round I’ve ever used along with RWS uni classic’s.

I shot a red stag quartering towards me with my 7x57 and 156gn oryx rounds. Went through the shoulder, traveled the length of the animal and past out his back ham.

In my 9.3x62 I’ve been running the UNI Classic’s but will go to oryx when they run out.

Work on small deer well up to large game.
 
carnifex knifeworks carnifex knifeworks ill add this. Within reason, people put far too much a premium on the bullet they’re firing. Get it in the right spot at the right range and you’ll put game down.

In the last five years I’ve shot most of my game with these. Generally even red stags are lying in a heap within 50 yards if I do my part.
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Not even the biggest of game can shake off a well placed shot from a muzzleloader
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I’m fortunate that in Australia we have pretty lax game laws so I’ve been able to shoot pretty well as many animals as I like my whole life. Gives a good feel for things.
 
In my opinion finding ammo that your rifle likes and groups consistantly matters more than the actual type of bullet for most purposes unless you're talking dangerous game or extreme long range performance ... as long as the hunter does their part most modern ammo will do the job.

I have not gotten to use it on bigger game yet, but I have been shooting Federal Barnes TSX and it has impressed me with consistency and tight groups. I've taken a couple whitetails and hogs with it and if I get back to hunting elk again it will be what I use.

What I have had good sucess with in the past ... Federal ammo and I have shot far more of it than any other brand off the shelf. For big heavy animals I like Federal Trophy Bonded or Swift A-Frame. They have dropped elk where they stood and I have a lot of faith in either load.

For somewhat lighter thin skinned animals ( like whitetail and antelope) Federal Fusion performs great and my rifles really shoot it well. If your gun likes it Federal's Power Shok Soft Point is less expensive and it's great for deer sized game.
 
Hatchet_Jack said:
I grew up with Jim Corbett as my favourite author, still is. While I can't hunt a leopard like him, mountain lions seem to be very similar in their behaviour which is the allure to me. I'd prefer to do that hunt as a winter tracking/calling type thing as opposed to hounds. Which also means very little chance of success I guess.

Yes we have hog deer in my state, they're my favourite deer. I wouldn't call them plentiful, most deer have a 12 month season and no bag limit. Hoggies are just the month of April and 1 tag each for male and female. I hunt them every year and have taken 2 stags and 2 hinds so far. It's tough going!
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You should look up Kenneth Anderson if you are already not familiar with him
 
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