Field Journals

The 2^nd morning began almost identical to yesterday’s: a knock at the door about a quarter to six, then a very cordially “get your lazy ass up!” from Ray, a hot breakfast in the main lodge at seven, then heading out the door to hunt.  It’s cold & clear again, calm too, perfect safari weather.

Something special about being in the southern hemisphere is that at night all the stars are different.  The Southern Cross is visible after dark, Orion is upside down early in the morning before sunrise, and the planet Venus is to the north instead of in the southern sky like it is in Texas.

Today we’re going after zebra, Burchell’s zebra to be exact.  There’s also a Hartman’s which is known as mountain zebra.  It’s one of the African animals that I have at the top of my wish list.

On the same concession where I’d taken my kudu the day before, we spotted a herd moving across the lower plains almost as soon as we crossed the gate.  Immediately, Ray stopped the cruiser to get me set up in the shooting chair in the back.  It’s a two-man operation to pull that off.  Ray carries me from the truck around back to hand me off to Boisahn (our tracker) who’s up in the back.  Boisahn then sets me in the chair.  Once the rifle’s in the holder and I get my trigger device on, it’s rock-n-roll time! 

Zebra were still on the horizon when we started moving.  The plan was to ease closer, skirting the herd until we could get within 200-250 yds, then try to single out a good one to shoot, without spooking them off of course.  One thing I quickly noticed was that all these animals like to head into the wind so they can smell where they are going.  Survival tactics. 

Well, two hours later and we were still playing this cat-n-mouse game.  Ray decided to stop pushing them for awhile and set up a pop-up blind along a game trail.  He knew where they likely would cross if they wanted to get back to the area where we first found ‘em.  “And who knows what we might see come by,” he added.  It was a natural funnel. 

Ray was exactly right!  It was a funnel.  Problem was, every animal funneled by in high gear, and the whole zebra herd rumbled by in a cloud of dust when they eventually decided to come, along with blesbuck, springbuck and two nice gemsbok.  Ray & I rushed to look over the zebra when they went by, but it didn’t matter.  They weren’t stopping. 

Half an hour later, we were back in the cruiser and back on the trail.  It’d be another hour before we picked up the zebra herd again.  When we got within 300 yds, Ray & I had a nice stallion picked for a minute, but the herd swallowed him up before I could get the crosshairs on him.  Away they went gain. 

Finally, we caught them in a good spot.  The herd grazed out into a large opening just as we eased down into a brushy draw.  With the wind in our favor, I knew this was going to be my best chance.  Still, though, it wasn’t going to be easy.  And I wouldn’t want it any other way. 

There we sat, parked in the draw with the motor off.  Ray poured over the herd as I followed best I could through the scope.  They’d graze some, walk some, then feed some more, all the while staying in a tight group so no one zebra could be singled out.  Smart animals!  Suddenly, the herd parted a little, leaving one alone in the middle for a few seconds.  I was ready.  “You see him?  That one in the middle.  Shoot him!” Ray barked in a whisper.  “Shoot now!” 

I settled down on him as fast as I could without rushing and pulled.  The rifle cracked and a moment later thumped as the herd scrambled off.  When the dust settled, my zebra was still standing, but hit hard.  My next shot put him away for good.