HUNTING IN THE DRAKENSBERG

DIE BONTEBOK HUNTING IN THE DRAKENBERG

The dream of hunting the Drakensberg Mountains started many years ago whilst watching a documentary on Eland living high up in the mountain range. It was fascinating how they braved the cold and high altitudes. What enticed my curiosity even more was driving through Golden Gate National Park and seeing them in this habitat. This was rugged country and not meant for the average hunter. So the years went by until the idea of such a hunt was re-awakened by a PH and old family hunting friend Christo Roos of Bokpoort Safaris. By Andries De Klerk

Igrew up in the Eastern Freestate. Ficksburg overlooked the Maloti’s which was a prelude to the Drakensberg. We also had a farm with numerous species, but the Copper Springbuck was the main quarry Christo brought his clients for. Early last year Christo told me about the Eland coming down from the mountains to graze in the winter time when food is scares. I was all ears. “Oom, and how do you go about getting to those who live at altitudes where my legs won’t carry me? “Easy” came the reply. “Horses of course” Then and there I was sold. I have dreamed of a horseback Safari for some years. I have even paid a deposit to another PH for such a hunt. Sadly it never happened. So this started to look alot like a combined hunt of my “To do list” hunts. It was 6 am on a Saturday morning. I drove from Ficksburg to the other side of Clarence. It was starting to get light for what was to be a cloudless day. There was a wind blowing in my face and it was very crisp. I recall the mercury dropping to -4 that morning. The nice thing about the Eastern Freestate is when the sun is up, you start to shed you layers rather quickly. A stout built figure made his way over a winter lawn. A right hand greeted me with a firm handshake and a left one handed me old school style spurs. “Morning Oom Christo You sure don’t beat around the bush! “Let’s have a coffee while they get the horses ready” he replied. Over my shoulder I could see the silhouette of the mountains showing. I wondered what any animal would do that high up and surely we won’t be going that far! Holding the cup between both hands to warm them it was now

possible to see that the horses was saddled. I was also pointed by hand where the boundaries of the farm was and the 4000ha we will be crossing on horseback. I have done horse-riding in the past but that was already 5 years ago. As long as the pace was slow to very slow I will be fine. The thing I was concerned about the most was if the old backside will keep up. An hour into the ride I was still doing very well with the slow pace and the very comfortable saddle. On my back I had my trusted .375H&H. This rifle I specially loaded with 235gr Barnes X bullets. Making a flat shooting very hard hitting riffle that would be able to do 300-400metre shots with still enough energy to put down an Eland. With the lighter bullet and with ample powder behind it, it is able to achieve close to 3000ft/ sec with very manageable recoil. We started climbing with the horses and it wasn’t long before we got to the very steep gradients. The horses were used to these climbs and the progress was rapid. I must add that if it was me doing the climbing I most probably would not have been able to write this article! Two hours after sunrise we were about three quarters up the mountain. Looking down into the valleys I could make out 4 herds of Black Wildebeest. The smallest herd was 25 animals and the largest about 80, but to my surprise, at our altitude there was a large herd in front and above of us. When they became aware of our presenceyou would expect them to start running downhill to the flats. But no they started to the climb the mountain and crossed back right above us. They stopped briefly and looked at us. My quarry was Eland and Blesbuck, so we let them pass on unharassed. We continued at a slow pace zig zagging up the mountain so to spare the horses. About 11 o’clock we were at the summit. A breathtaking picture surrounded me. The air was clean and crisp. It smelt clean as if man’s pollutants haven’t reached the place yet. You could see for miles and miles in every

direction. No smog that would otherwise obscure it. What a fantastic moment. We got out the saddles to give the horses some time to recover and whilst doing this we enjoyed a warm cup of coffee. To my right was a small rocky outcrop that would be the highest point on this mountain. Low and behold, in the shadow of this 2200m high outcrop was two Mountain Reedbuck! We glassed the area but no sign of any prey. I sat there with my coffee and felt at peace. If only I can have ten minutes like this every day.

We rode to where the Mountain Reedbuck were standing to make sure there were no animals that side of the mountain, which there wasn’t. We returned on our tracks and then came around the back of the mountain in the shadow of the rocky outline of the mountain top. I must admit I was very nervous for the gradient was very steep and it would be sure that if the horse would lose its footing many bones will be broken and nothing less than a helicopter would be needed to assist me. But, as I mentioned, these are mountain horses. They are as surefooted as they are fit. So we continued on at a leisurely pace. We stopped about 50m shy of a rocky outcrop. Christo instructed that we get out the saddles and approach this little blind high on foot. He said it is very seldom that he doesn’t see Blesbuck at this place. So we sneaked up the outcrop. Below me was a shallow valley but too steep for a Blesbuck. I mean I have farmed and hunted them on more than one occasion. They love the open flat plains, not mountains. I was proven wrong quickly. Very wrong. To our left and slightly below us was a Blesbuck ram! Christo confirmed

the range at 201m with my Leica Geovid range finding binoculars. I got into position and watched the male get up from his morning slumber. He was unaware of us. This was good It gave me time to recover from the severe heart beats. It feels like the ‘bokkoors’ was twice as bad at these high altitudes with its thin air. I got myself together and the crosshair started to settle down on the target. ‘I think you should try for this one’ said Christo. I closed the bolt and wrapped my index finger around the trigger. The crosshair settled on his shoulder, I breathed in one more time and focused as hard as I could. Shooting 235gr instead of 300gr in the 375H&H makes a lot of difference to recoil, but as the shot left the barrel I lost picture due to recoil and a big cloud of burned gunpowder. Seconds later I heard the ‘thud’ of a bullet hitting home. As I caught sight of the ram again he was about 40m from where he stood but it was clear he was hit and a few seconds later he was on the ground. As we got up the whole side of the mountain came to life. Everywhere you looked was Blesbuck. Above us were two males, to our left 3 and below us another one. The one below us caught our attention. As the saying goes the big ones looks big, well this was the case! I quickly got into position again. Through the scope the target was much smaller and this was confirmed by Christo. 410meters it came from him. With my 7mm RemMag I am very familiar with bullet drop at these ranges. But with the .375 it’s still a mystery. I seldom shoot these distances but with an 18’+ Blesbuck in front of you it was time to make the exception. I asked Christo for some advice on compensation for he is an avid shooter of the 375. I made the adjustments and pulled the trigger. We listened as we could hear the bullet ripping through the air. 2,3 seconds but no ‘thud’. The Blesbuck disappeared from sight by the time I got up. Disappointment flooded my face. 18’+ animals are not an everyday occurrence but at least the first one was down and we can officially call our outing a hunt. We descended to the downed

Blesbuck I shot first. When we got to the spot there was only blood. When the animal went down the focus shifted to the second animal. What we failed to see was with the steep incline the Blesbuck rolled another 20 metres. We descended a little bit more and found the animal. A larger than average grass bush prevented the buck to roll any further. We quickly got hold of the animal with both hands to prevent it from rolling down. Mountain hunting is definably something else! Christo continued along the ridge but I decanted to where the second Blesbusk stood that I shot at, just to make sure it was not a hit or maybe it was still around. No hit and no animal. With the climb back to Christo I was strongly reminded of my fitness level and the knowledge of a horse waiting for me was very reassuring! 10 minutes later I was back at the top, very badly winded, but I made it. We made our way around the mountain and also started our journey back to camp. With rounding the mountain we spotted the main herd of Blesbuck. I was told they numbered somewhere around 160 and it was easy to see for they were plenty. But those who know Blesbuck would believe me when I say they are very alert and keen eyed. Approaching them with no cover made it impossible to get within range so we leisurely continued on our way. Christo’s longtime friend Chris waited for us at the hunting camp. He already started a fire and it wasn’t long before the meat was hissing away on the coals. As we sat and enjoyed a late dinner we noticed close to the summit of the mountain a small group of Blesbuck as well as Black wildebeest. These animals were surely well adapted to mountain life. With a full stomach we got back into the saddles. Sun at our backs and a full belly I would be lying if I said my full attention was still at hunting but this changed in a heartbeat. Christo got my attention when the strong whisper “Eland” came from him. To our left about 400m away four Eland heads peered out of a ‘Ouhout” patch. We were riding along a wide valley so cover was close to

non-existant. Behind the Eland was a little rising that made a ridge that ran from them to us. We slowly continued on our way so to pass behind them, then followed the low ridge ant get behind them. By the time we got off the horses and walked up to the ridge the wide awake Eland already knew of our plans. They already made the way to the foot of the mountain. They were at a steady trot. Slowly by surely opening up the distance between us and them. Through my binoculars I could make out two young eland and two very attractive mature bulls. Christo suggested we follow. I looked up to the now 600m from us to them and the ever increasing gradient they were scaling without losing pace. I know when to give up. As bitter pill it is to swallow but sometimes it is the smart thing to do. “Let them be” I responded whilst taking out the camera from the saddle bag. The horses were fine but my bottom was starting to take strain. The shooting was done by camera and I got some very nice photo’s. It is hard to let them go especially with the photo’s showing two very nice bulls. The day is at its end. Taking my horse up the mountain again after 35km with me on its back over most testing terrain would be inhumane. I quietly sat and admired the Eland and their surroundings. They are truly at home in the Drakensberg.

I sitting with Christo and two of his very friends at the lodge bar. With a slight stiff back and tender backside, the day’s events was shared, fom the Black Wildebeest, Mountain Reedbuck and Blesbuck and of course the Eland. We failed to see the Vaal Rhebuck that day but they are there somewhere.

What a hunt, so different and so much more enjoyable. As soon as time permits I will be back at Bokpoort, in the saddle with Oom Christo at my side looking for that ghostly Drakensberg Eland. Christo caters for the weekend break away from the city where you can ride horses and relive the cowboy in you and that horseback hunt of days gone by. Bokpoort Safaris. CHRISTO:0836285055 email:horses@bokpoort.co.za