In This Issue

. Mark's Word
. Northern Special 2009
. Tip of the month
. Diary Clip: Hollard J.
  Powell
. Last word.

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mark@hudsonsafaris.com
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Mark Hudson Safaris News Letter

As November draws to a close, so too does our hunting season for 2008! A season that can only be described as 'a brilliant season' by all who joined in on this season's activities!

Reflecting on the season, it amazes me how it is not the incredible trophies that were taken nor the mind blowing shots that were made that rushes to mind, but the friendships that were formed and of course the jokes that were told that still make us role with laughter.

This time of year, myself and all my PH's get together to work through all the photos and materials in preparation for the marketing trips that await me in January. 90% of this time is spent reminiscing about our new friends and all the humour and good times that they brought to the table.

This year, again, our hunts throughout Southern Africa proved to be very successful with numerous clients bagging over 15 top quality trophies on their safaris. We also had some exceptional trophies taken by our black powder hunters in both the Northern and Southern areas.

The bow blinds and shelters, as always produced an abundance of top quality trophies and our bow hunters delivered extraordinary shots true to the form we have come to expect from them.

Next year's season kicks off as early as March and is well packed for the entire season. This coming season we will be making our way to Mozambique for a number of buffalo hunts as well as an adventure into South West Africa for Leopard hunting. Throughout the year we have numerous hunters coming out for their Plains Game safaris hoping to find a monster Kudu Bull around the next bend!

In this Area you will be hunting the following animals:

          • Blesbuck

          • Blue Wildebeeste

          • Red Hartebees

          • Duiker

          • Eland

          • Gemsbuck

          • Impala

          • Klipspringer

          • Bushbuck

          • Mountain Reedbuck

          • Nyala

          • Southern Greater Kudu

          • Steenbuck

          • Waterbuck

          • Bushpig

          • Warthog

          • Ostrich

Practice, Practice and Practice..but with a kick or a stick! On your trip to Africa you are going to be shooting most of your game off shooting sticks, a tripod or a bipod. Whilst at the range why not practice a few shots off the sticks.

Try them both out and see which one works best for you. I personally prefer a bipod because it is easier and faster to move and set up. The secret to shooting off a bipod is in the set up. Your sticks need to be leaning toward you and should be at that same angle when you are shooting off them. With the sticks leaning towards you, place your gun on top. Make sure that your stock is resting on the sticks and not your barrel. Now to steady yourself lean into the sticks. This will help steady you on your shot.

If you can rest your right elbow (for a right handed shot) against something like a tree, Ph, Tracker or a rock this will give you your most steady rest.

After months of planning, testing the patience of our outfitter Mark Hudson, Tony and I were off to Atlanta for the flight to South Africa. Leaving the good old USA for hunting 10,000 miles away will make one think, but great comfort was found in working with this outfitter. Coming off a nightmare trip to Texas for Rio Grande Turkeys it was a real pleasure to work with a Professional Hunter like Mark Hudson.

After take off we celebrated with a toast; after a few movies and a short nap we arrived in Dakar-Senegal 8 hours later for refuelling and restocking. A brief security check and we were on our way to Johannesburg.

Once there, we were greeted by the Air Support 2000 staff that helped us through customs (I strongly suggest using this service as navigating through South African procedures is difficult at best).

One of our PH's (Professional Hunter) met us in firearms security with our weapons licence so we quickly (relative to African time) processed and moved to our hotel. Shortly after we both retired exhausted, needing a good nights sleep.

Waking up late we gathered in the lobby for coffee then off to the airport. After a few brief errands in Port Elizabeth we departed for our first camp. The terrain changed considerably from the coastline to mountains. The gates to our first lodge were found an hour later. The lodge is a magnificent stone structure with several chalets along the mountain side. Both our chalets overlooked a river and several mountains.

Dinner was excellent; we enjoyed impala fillets stuffed with mushrooms and a zucchini casserole. A South African desert similar to bread pudding was also very yummy. After a port I retired early as we are off on our first hunt at first light.

The first day of hunting began early as we departed the lodge. After a brief drive, a herd of Zebra was spotted. We dismounted the truck and made a slow stalk towards them. At about 300 yards a mare spotted us, but our distance made us no threat or so they thought.

After slowly making our way to within 200 yards of the Zebra a mature stallion was spotted towards the bottom of the hill. A young stallion was also in the group and we observed the herd for almost an hour. The shooting sticks were set and once broadside I took the shot. He ran just a few yards before tumbling down. Upon reaching the stallion it was obvious he was old and quite the trophy. We loaded him onto the truck and headed to the lodge for breakfast. On the way we spotted several giraffe and watched them for some time; magnificent animals.

That afternoon we went scouting again. After glassing several valleys and plains we spotted a bushbuck about 2,000 feet below on the valley floor. From our position he appeared to be a trophy so we left Tem and Tati (our trackers) on top and we hiked down to the valley floor. Once there we spooked a herd of Zebra who were only 50 yards away (the wind was in our favour) but they ran toward the bushbuck. The bushbuck was not affected by the stampeding zebra and continued to feed along the bush line. After further inspection it was decided that he was not of trophy status so the trackers were called down with the truck and we were off to the lodge. Drinks were had and stories told of the day. A wonderful meal was prepared by Yvonne and rack monster was calling.

Next day we started the day scouting for nothing in particular in several fields while seeing many different animals. After several hours and a few brief stalks we spotted a trophy bushbuck. The truck was parked and the stalk was on. At first we moved along the bush line and got within 250 yards. It was then decided that we would enter the bush to make our way closer. After 20 minutes of making our way through the sticker laden bush we found the proper position. The animal was hit low taking out the front legs. The bushbuck hid behind a small bush and we could not get off another shot. Tem went out into the field to spook the buck, this worked well except that he ran further into the woods.

Now it was Zazoo's (my PH Stuart's Jack Russell) turn. Off she went on the bushbucks trail and she shortly found it, locking onto the animal. When we arrived the bush buck charged us, head down, and I shot him at 20 feet. The crumbling mass made it obvious he was an old warrior and fantastic trophy.

In closing this was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I cannot imagine a better way to celebrate my 50th birthday. Not only with a very good friend who feels like the brother I never had, but also time with professional hunters like Mark Hudson of Mark Hudson Safaris who made the experience extraordinary. It is amazing, hunting a different animal each day, with people who have become what I am sure are lifelong friends, and nights of exchanging "true stories" and laughing till our bellies hurt is every sportsman's dream. This dream can come true with a trip to Africa.

I look forward to my next African Safari with Mark Hudson and my good friend Tony

www.hudsonsafaris.com

Thank you to all our hunters over the years! We at Hudson Safaris have enjoyed our time with you and look forward to our next adventure together.

To all the hunters out there who still wish to make a trip to Africa, let us know what it is that you are looking for..you never know, we might have what it is that you are looking for!

Please don't hesitate to email me any questions you might have about hunting Africa.

Your Professional Hunter and Friend,

Mark