Bruce and his sons joined us from Colorado in late March for an exciting week of bowhunting and rifle hunting in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. The plan was for Bruce to focus on taking a few quality trophies with the bow while the boys enjoyed time in the field with the rifles. From the first day, it was clear this would be a memorable family safari filled with hard hunting, patience, and plenty of adrenaline.
Day one was spent getting settled in, setting up the bow, and making sure everything was perfectly dialed in before heading out into the field. We also spent time on the range with the 300 Win Mags, making final adjustments before the real hunting began. With the preparations complete, it was early mornings and late evenings from there on out as we balanced walk-and-stalk hunting with patient sits at the waterhole hides.
Bruce’s first opportunity came quickly when we located a very good old blue wildebeest bull. After an incredibly slow and careful stalk, Bruce managed to close the distance to just 12 yards before releasing his arrow. The shot landed slightly low and the bull exploded away into the thick bush. Knowing how tough and resilient wounded blue wildebeest can be, we made the difficult but necessary decision to back out and leave the bull overnight rather than risk pushing him further.
Before sunrise the following morning, we were already back on the spoor. This time we had a solid plan in place. PH Morne and Bruce Jr. moved ahead onto a ridge to glass and guide us in by radio. Eventually the call came through that they had spotted the old bull bedded down in a thick patch of cover.
Moving in slowly from behind, Bruce managed to get to within 8 yards before sending a second arrow into the bull. The wildebeest crashed through the brush, and with the situation unfolding quickly, we signaled to Morne to finish the bull with the 300 Win Mag. Bruce Jr. stepped up confidently and made the shot count, bringing the old warrior down.
It was an emotional and adrenaline-filled hunt for everyone involved. Recovering a wounded blue wildebeest is never simple, and the relief of first finding the bull and then successfully finishing the hunt was something the whole team shared together.
The rest of the safari continued at a great pace with Bruce and his boys enjoying success on several more classic plains game species. Over the course of the week, the family added impala, springbuck, white blesbuck, and gemsbuck to the trophy list while experiencing a variety of hunting conditions across the Eastern Cape.
Between the hunting action, we even managed to squeeze in a round of golf at the picturesque Royal Port Alfred Golf Course before the boys had to head home to Colorado.
Overall, it was a fantastic week of hunting safari adventures in South Africa. Beyond the trophies, it was a safari where everyone learned more about bowhunting, patience, and the art of stalking in close. Bruce’s experience and calm approach in the field made for an enjoyable and rewarding hunt for the entire team.
