Some quick checks of the wind and such and we set off, it required a bit of skirting around and back tracking (thanks to the wind) and that he was moving along in a random sort of way (I think he had a sense something was up and he was working to keep the wind in his face, but that is speculation on my part). I got a better look at him from about 250yds out but no shot, the bull from the afternoon before was better, probably the same length but with more spread, this one was just fine however. We spoke and decided to commit to this one now and so, if the shot presented I would take it ASAP... saves chitter chatter at the crucial moment...

I will also add that it was not without some trepidation that we were wandering around here as, with some switch backs and such, we were actually walking back toward where we had least seen Mr and Mrs Cranky Cat and Co head.... Seems the instruction was that if she came like she had earlier (I hoped not to see sign of ANY of them again, the deal was kneel and shoot into the charge straight on, no warning/scare shot as "she will have you as you cycle the bolt", as committed as she was earlier, she probably would not turn. I did truly hope it not come to that, and it didn't. Still, an unusual feeling knowing you are not the top of the food chain...

Onward after Kudu... the next 45 or so minutes seemed to slip by as I truly expected to get winded and that would be that, we had left Obano sitting under a tree and just Boet and I made the close in. Then it all seemed to happen in a flash, Kudu was there about 90 yds away, almost broadside, and a little higher up a small rise. I was next to a small tree and no time for those shooting stick things, that was fine by me (this is how I had mostly practiced stationary shooting with this rifle anyway), cross hair settled on the shoulder and bang (frankly I didn't hear the shot), cycled the bolt and settled again. The bull was laying right where I had fired at him but he had turned his head and chest slightly up hill and away from me. I was more than sure he was DRT but, as is the done thing, I got the "shoot again shoot again" instruction... so I laid the crosshair as far forward on the body as I could and angled the second shot forward/through/across the body. In the pics you can see it further back down the body toward the midsection and the first is just behind the shoulder. Of course we found the second was not needed, but again, I understand the thinking !!!

So....







Gear all hung up while we waited to see if we heard the truck moving around and toward the spot we agreed to meet if there was a shot....or two... yeah....no, didn't think so....



Obano walked back to where he was parked up and I took pics... As usual, lots of pics...

after about 45mins we heard the truck coming along a track behind the small rise we were on so walked over and guided it through the bush to where we were. It was not till it was time to load the bull that I realised how bloody big they are... !!! Heavy !! And with a greasy hide. This one was also covered in bush ticks. As was I when he was finally loaded.

Back at this camp they have a concrete pad and block and tackle for processing game. Makes life that much easier for sure.. !!!!

You can also get an appreciation of the size of the bull here...



One of the more interesting butchering tools I saw...



When then headed for some shade and a cold drink as it was frankly getting bloody HOT !!!! While doing so we had a chat to one of the managers and told her about Mr and Mrs Cranky Cat and the kids, I asked if there was a feedback card I could fill out as I thought they were just rude with all that snarling and such.... So we go 20 questions...where, when, cubs ??????? CUBS ???? How many, what did the male look like old/young etc etc. It seems that this small group was news to them, the cubs most certainly where, and it was an additional small pride to the ones which are resident. Except that our guys were excitedly telling stories to her staff about the charge I think she may have though us to have been making it up... Our theme of seeing their wildlife (that they had not seen or seen in many months was to continue - I put it down to the amount of walking we did). Some plotting about what now...