Torres Safari

Dear Friends

 

I had the pleasure and honor to hunt with the Torres family from California and we were accompanied by a good friend of mine PH Siegfried Osmers.  Gilbert was fortunate to have him as his guide while Jimmy and I teamed up. David our tour guide joined us too and he had a fabulous time driving the ladies around to all the beautiful sites of the Kruger National Park. Jimmy and I were after non trophy Cape Buffalo and Kudu (The Grey Ghost).

 

During our first few days Jimmy and Gilbert hunted on the same ranch.  Our first day started with a bang and we were onto buffalo tracks in no time.  This came to a halt shortly after starting out as the buffalo had moved into a thick area of bush, which in turn made tracking very difficult.

 

The rough terrain did not halter our efforts and soon got onto new tracks. As a result we were fortunate to bump into a small heard sunning themselves so moved in towards them.  Given that the wind conditions were not in our favor by continuously moving we were soon detected and buffalo scattered in all directions.  Best thing for us to do was to let them settle and return later on in the day.

 

As soon as we returned we came across fresh tracks and caught up to the heard.  The wind turned again but this time in our favor and we were able to move around the heard with the hope they would feed into us. Our plan worked perfectly and a bull fed to within 30 yards of us.  Jimmy got the shot and made a frontal spine shot to drop the bull in his tracks.  He quickly followed with two security shots.

 

Soon enough we heard that Gilbert had got some action too.  He managed to get a great Zebra.  Jimmy and I met up with Gilbert and Sieg to help them load the Zebra then returned to load the buffalo. What a fantastic start!

 

The next day we all started out with the hope of finding the infamous Grey Ghost.  Despite our best efforts this was not to be.  Gilbert however, was lucky to get an Impala and a superb Blue Wildebeest.

 

An early start the following day and off to a different ranch.  Again, no luck as it was tough hunting and thick bush.  For this reason we decided to head back to camp and were told of the ladies amazing day.  They got to see most of the Big Five.

 

Without delay we were up and rearing to go the next day.  With an air of determination about us we set off.  My good old friend Sieg was making me out to be an amateur as Jimmy and I did not get anything but Gilbert was rewarded with an awesome Kudu.  Well done Gilbert!  Jimmy did then get his turn though and shot a beautiful Zebra.

 

We tried another ranch to increase our chances of finding the Grey Ghost.  However we did not come across him.  In the meantime the ladies has shopped up a storm and wearing David out.  No rest for the wicked!

 

In light of our last few hunts, we thought we would try the mountains and got a lovely view of some younger males.  At last light, nearing us heading out, we spotted three huge bulls but unfortunately could not get a clear shot.  The land owner was to be away for a few days and this meant we could not return.  For this reason we resorted to plan c.

 

This next day belonged to Jimmy and started out terrific for him.  He got an Impala and my trusted companion Zazoe found it for us.  It was time for us to head out but not before Jimmy spotted a common duiker.  Thereupon he made a good shot and we had him in the bag.

 

A marvelous morning was had but left us pondering what was to come of the afternoon.  We caught sight of The Grey Ghost and this put all ponderings to rest.  At last we had found it.  We came across a good size bull but it had a skew horn so we turned him down.  Nevertheless, not too far ahead we found four other bulls.  Jimmy was quick to react and get the shot. The bull went down and Zazoe was instantly on him.  The bull was kicking on the ground and was soon up with no follow up shot.  Not too concerned as we knew Zazoe would have him pinned down soon enough.  We followed the barking and found them.  Jimmy fired two shots and it was all over.

Sadness struck as we found Zazoe had been killed during the shooting.  I had lost my wonderful hunting companion but all things considered it had been a great day for Jimmy as he had his Grey Ghost.

 

Our last day was upon us and we were looking out for a Giraffe for Gilbert and the Blue Wildebeest for Jimmy.  We knew from previous hunts with clients that the Wildebeest was not an easy target as they always just vanish.  Not long into our hunt Gilbert spotted his Giraffe and the stalk was on.  On the whole this was a fantastic way end to the Torres safari, with a beautiful Giraffe bull.

 

Thank you to Jimmy, Gilbert, Maria, Stephaney and Donna for the memories.  I hope we get to see you guys in the near future.  Take care all and remember to live your legendary experiences.

 

Regards

Stuart