CAT & MOUSE WITH A GEMSBOK

Every hunter that goes on safari has one animal that he or she really wants the most out of all the animals on their trophy list. For me this time it was, the desert wanderer, the gemsbok. When you say Kalahari to most african big game hunters, they will usually think of one of two animals, the majestic gemsbok or the mighty lions known for the huge thick brown manes. The gemsbok has stunning black and white features on the face, belly, and legs. The rest of their body is covered in a short coarse tan hair. Both the male and female sport a pair of long black sabor-like horns that are used in mating battles and for defense. The female's horns may often be longer but the male's horns are heavier and thicker. Our quest for gemsbok would take place on a ranch owned by Frikkie's friend Eric which was about an hour drive away. The sprawling ranch had three very different types of cover, open savanna, mixed high grass and bush, and thorn bush thickets that are thicker than Andy Rooney's eyebrows. Not long into our hunt we found a nice herd of gemsbok in the mixed grass and bush. We just had enough time to glass the entire herd before they spooked. Frikkie told me that there were two nice bulls in the herd and we should try to go after one of them. When we caught up with the herd again they had moved into the thorn bush thickets.  For the next three hours we played a game of cat and mouse. The gemsbok used the cover to just stay out of range. Several times we were able to identify a nice bull but for one reason or another we could not take a shot. One time the bull would move off before I could get a clear shot. The next time he would stand still but in far to heavy cover to attempt a shot. Every time he would stand still in an area with a clear opening to shoot,  a female, young bull, or calf would be standing in front or behind him. Finally it all came together. We got in close and the herd starting moving towards a small opening in the bush. Frikkie pointed to the opening to our right and told me get ready. He whispered, "The bull will be the first one and he's going to be close." When the bull stepped into the opening less than 50 yards away I settled the crosshairs on his front shoulder and  fired.  As I admired the spectaculart horns on my gemsbok, it hit me...gotta scratch this one off the bucket list.

Hunt gemsbok with Frikkie du Toit:

http://www.africabig5.co.za/index.html