written by Jim Skildum

For a Norwegian from Minnesota, it was a lifelong dream come true! This spectacular experience met all of my expectations and more.

It all began a little over four months ago when Kevin Steele, Group Editorial Director of the Petersen Outdoor Group (Guns and Ammo), met me at the 1999 SHOT Show and inquired if I would be interested in joining him on a safari in Africa. When he told me we would depart June 18th, 1999, on my birthday, the acceptance was immediate.

We were booked with Harry Classens Safaris (www.harrysafaris.co.za) and would be hunting in northern South Africa, - approximately 30 miles west of the small town of Messina and 40-50 miles south of the Zimbabwe border. Harry and his crew met us at the Johannesburg Airport and we were off. Six to seven hours later we arrived at camp, which was a beautiful ranch house in the midst of the African bush. A quick trip to the range confirmed that all equipment was in order to commence hunting the following day.

My firearms of choice for this hunt were the superbly accurate Magnum Research Mountain Eagle Rifle in 300 Winchester Magnum topped with the new Trijicon advanced dual-illuminated 3 x 9 rifle scope; and my Magnum Research BFR (Big Fine Revolver) in 45/70, topped with a Leupold 2x EER handgun scope. The ammo we used was Winchester's 180 grain Partition Gold for the 300 Win. Mag., and Winchester's 300 grain Partition Gold for the 45/70 BFR - both performed exceptionally well.

The following morning, dawn found us loaded and ready to leave camp and begin the hunt. Accompanied by our professional hunter, Craig Hamman (e mail chsafari@icon.co.za) and local tracker, Orpheus, we were in exceptionally good hands. It is difficult to describe in words the beauty of this majestic land, but all my senses were inundated with sounds, sights and smells of the African veldt. Visibility through the brush was limited, so the Mountain Eagle Rifle was the most logical weapon to "find a hole" to see the game, but the BFR was on my hip, should a "handgun" opportunity present itself.

That first day brought me a very nice 21 inch impala at 100-120 yards with the MER 300 Win. Mag., and a nice blesbok at 80-90 yards with the BFR in 45/70. The professional hunter and tracker were both very impressed with the performance of a quality hunting handgun. I was quite pleased, but thought this may be too easy - I would be finished hunting for the animals I wanted in a few days - not true! Four days later, I had not pulled a trigger again; the African wildlife is incredibly wary and elusive. Numerous stalks on gemsbok or kuda ended with a shift of wind, the sound of one twig breaking, or, as happened frequently, a giraffe spotting us and galloping off - taking our game with him. I came to truly respect the amazing skill and expertise of the professional hunter and local tracker, as they silently moved through the brush and grass following spoor that I couldn't discern, through the gravel and sand of the African plain.

My ultimate quest for a good kuda bull continued daily with momentary glimpses and then the disappearance - a large apparition indeed. The following days did bring an excellent warthog which I shot at approximately 200 yards with a 300 Win. Mag., a jackal from 150 yards, also with a 300 Win. Mag., a beautiful duiker from 60 yards with the 300 Win. Mag. and an incredible double trophy of Impallas. I had seen several large impalla rams, and, with my professional hunter Craig Hamman determined to take a larger trophy if possible. After several stalks, Craig had the shooting sticks in place and the ram spotted. At the whispered command to shoot, the ram dropped. We both covered the 150 yards in (close to) record time, 10-15 yards apart. As we approached the area where the ram had been, Craig said, "Here is your ram." I looked to the left and saw a wounded ram departing the area. A finishing shot put it down, a magnificent ram. But I was confused; if Craig said the ram is down, where did this other trophy ram come from? Yes, it was two with one shot - both 23 inches and both real trophies - amazing.

The kudu quest continued. On the morning of the ninth day we spotted him, seeing only the majestic horns glinting above the brush in the morning sun. Craig, Orpheus, and I began the stalk. Cautiously, and as silently as possible, we tracked through the bush. An hour later, as we all thought we must be getting close to an opportunity, an unseen giraffe spooked to our right, which set off a stampede of eland cows to our left followed by the sounds of the kudu in front of us rapidly departing - this is why it's called hunting, nothing is certain until that final moment.

The afternoon found us back in the same area. We spotted a small group of kudu cows, then a group of young bulls. A stalk and glassing determined that "our bull" was not among them. As the afternoon faded, Craig suggested trying a "corner" beyond a ridge top that he said might be a hide-out for the "big guy." As we approached the area cautiously and quietly from below the ridge, pausing frequently to glass and watch for movement, suddenly there was kudu. A group of bachelor bulls was moving slowly on the ridge top 200 yards away. A rest on a tree and I was ready watching through my scope as one, then two bulls passed, as the 3rd bull entered the very small visual opening that we had, Craig whispered "That's him, take him." With the shot, Craig exclaimed "he's down - let's go!" Craig sprinted ahead through the brush uphill (I don't sprint 200 yards uphill anymore) and on my arrival the most magnificent kudu bull I had ever seen lay where he dropped at the shot. Through the shoulder, right lung, spine and lodged into the left shoulder, the Nosler 180 grain Partition had performed perfectly.

I was ecstatic - handshakes, hugs and lots of photos were in order. With the sun setting and light fading, Craig, who is an SCI Official Scorer, pulled his tape and measured - 54 inches! Wow, a real trophy kudu! My dreams had become real.

The tenth day, I relaxed with Craig and Orpheus and another hunter in our party. My BFR 45/70 was on my hip. The other hunters objective was gemsbok. My objective was to soak in the sights and sounds of my last day in Africa. That afternoon, a good gemsbok was spotted, the stalk made and the shot fired. (a 460 Weatherby Mag - ouch!) The track and a blood trail were found quickly but where was the gemsbok hit? After an hour and a half of tracking and not much daylight left Craig began running ahead of the track in a large loop in attempt to catch the gemsbok from the side. I followed Orpheus on the track and blood trail. Suddenly, Orpheus turns to me, waves me forward and says his first word in English to me, "Shoot!" My BFR cleared my holster; the gemsbok was going away through the brush; I took a "Texas heart shot" and the gemsbok was down - a final shot finished the job. My BFR performed flawlessly and as twilight turned to darkness, my first safari in Africa was over.

Watch for Kevin Steel's complete story in October Petersen's Hunting. For an exceptionally well managed, memorable hunt I highly recommend Harry Classend Safaris. Professional, extrememly competent and a wonderful host, Harry and his staff provide a wonderful hunt.