2009 has been known as a year of recession and yes we have felt the pinch. Most of our clients are fairly wealthy businessmen, and as expected, a lot of them have felt the financial pressure, resulting in cancellations on our end. One of these cancellations provided for an opportunity for our good friend, Russell Wallett, to bring a friend, Rob Casasola, down for a Waterbuck bull.

Rob is a long time hunter. He has done most things in the hunting field - from culling Springbuck to hunting Buffalo. However, he had only ever seen one Waterbuck in the field, and had never hunted this majestic animal. So, on Russell’s recommendation, they joined us in late June for a three day Waterbuck hunt. I do not think any of us realized what a weekend this would be!!

Rob and Russell arrived early on Friday morning, and after a quick range session and some good hearted banter with the other clients in the camp, we set off to a brand new area in Colenso. This concession was run by Sean Bosse, good friend and fellow professional hunter. Sean had assured us that there were quality animals on the property, and with over 25 years in the business, I believed him.

We met Sean at three o’clock and began discussing the plan for the afternoon. My two clients were somewhat sceptical!! The maize lands and sparse bushveld did not lend itself to images of huge Waterbuck.

To put it bluntly a more unlikely looking place for Waterbuck they had not seen. However, Sean reassured them, and it was not long before we had come up with a rather simple plan. It appeared that the Waterbuck came out into the lands in the late evening, and the idea was to sit, wait, and glass, to try and spot the animals as they emerged from the more dense bush into the cultivated lands. Our problem was the land was very flat and there was very little in the way of high ground.

Sean directed us to the best vantage point to glass the area – not brilliant - there was a lot of dead ground between us and the lands, which we would not be able to see. Again my clients looked at me in doubt.

In a second Sean spotted two cows within 100m from our position. The excitement level rose and the game was on!!

We searched for a bull but could not see one with the group.

“Just cows and a youngster.” I said to Rob. They had seen us and moved off, reappearing at about 300m, and again only cows and a youngster. Then, from absolutely nowhere, he appeared. The unmistakable yellow horns of a monster Waterbuck bull.

Now the action and intensity climbed to fever pitch. Rob grabbing rifle and ammo from its case. Me grabbing and throwing on my binoculars and getting the shooting sticks. All were in total agreement that this was a very good bull - at first look in the 28 to 29 inch category. Rob had said he was looking for something with good quality horns, and this was it.

Sean led the way as he knew the lay of the land. We crept down the road trying to remain as silent as possible. Our plan was to wait for the animals to cross the road on the way to the lands - and get a clear shot this way. The brush was such that visibility was not good. We were in radio communication with the guys left at the vehicle, and they were monitoring our progress. We would receive updates from Roy and Russell as to the animal’s position and behaviour.

Only one problem! They had stopped well inside the brush and no one could see them. We were also running out of daylight. Sean and I discussed our options with Rob and it was soon decided that “fortune favours the brave”, and in we went after the big bull. First we bumped into a cow and calf. No bull. We moved slowly and cautiously.

Nothing!!

We could not find him - time was running out. We picked up the pace and tried to cover the area where we had last seen him.

Suddenly I froze. There he was! I whistled like a bird to stop Rob and Sean ahead of me. Standing right next to me at 90 degrees to my left. No one had seen him standing in the thicket. I think he also thought we had not seen him as he remained motionless. I set the shooting sticks and motioned Rob to get ready. Another huge problem now. We were set up directly into the setting sun and the glare made it almost impossible to see the Waterbuck. In vain we attempted to get Rob onto it. Sean shielding the scope with his hands, and me trying to direct Rob looking down his barrel. The Waterbuck just stared at us, perhaps because we were not acting like normal hunters!!

Rob eventually made out the animal and under near impossible conditions, fired his Sauer 30-06. Absolutely no reaction from the Waterbuck! The shot had missed! Our hearts sank in disappointment.

I am never one to quit. I grabbed Rob and chased after the Waterbuck. Maybe not the best idea, but desperate times called for desperate measures! To no avail, the Waterbuck disappeared into the same hole he had so suddenly appeared from. It is amazing how these huge animals can disappear as if they were never there in the first place.

We walked, dejected, back to the vehicles. We all knew we had missed an opportunity which we may not get again. The long drive back to the lodge was a quiet one.

The next morning we arose again with one mission in mind. Find the Waterbuck and stick it to him this time.

On reaching the farm we once again drove up to the vantage point, and glassed the area. We also checked new areas, as I was not fully familiar with the property. Sean had not joined us today as he had his own clients. Today I was on my own.

I placed spotter groups out. Jabu, Zipo, Roy and Russell were all positioned at vantage points. I must admit, at this stage, I did not think our chances of finding him again were good.

Bafana my head tracker, Rob and myself started walking into the area we believed he had disappeared, and it was not long before we picked up fresh Waterbuck dung. We now knew that there were animals close by. We continued slowly led by Bafana. It was a cold morning and we soon found a cow sitting in the sun. We watched her and she watched us. After a time we decided to try move past her.

We had not moved far when “bingo” - there they were - the yellow horns in the scrub thicket. Again he was accompanied by a female and he was in dense bush. I traded the shooting sticks for my rifle and began moving forward into a shooting position. Coming around a large bush I could see a Waterbuck not 80m away. I whispered to Rob,

“Right Here!!!”

I set the shooting sticks and glassed the animal.

“Dammit”

It was the female. I back- tracked to where we had last seen the bull. Sure enough his yellow horns were still in the tree. I set the sticks, and as Rob set his rifle I looked up only to see brush. He was gone!

“Oh no”.

We began frantically looking for him and in what direction he had gone. He was gone! I made my way to the farm road and began looking for tracks across the road. At this I noticed the farm manager driving towards us. I quickly asked him if he had seen the animals cross the road? Indeed he had. We were back on the track.

The radio crackled and came to life. “Hamish, Hamish you copy?” It was Roy . The Waterbuck had run straight into his position and was standing within easy shooting distance. I began to hurry, but soon realized Rob could not keep up the pace, so I had to slow up. I knew we had to get there quick so as not to lose the opportunity. We hurried, but we were not fast enough. As we arrived at Roy ’s position I saw the bull disappearing into the riverine thicket. Hell!! Had we lost him for good this time?

I refused point blank to give up. We were going after him. Now accompanied by Roy we dived into the riverbed ahead of where we had last seen him. The idea was to come back up the river bed and see if we could find him. Again I did not think we would be successful. Especially after seeing fresh tracks going down the river bed that could well have been him.

We moved slowly and quietly. Every step scanning the bush for movement.

Then there he was! He broke to our right and back up the river. I ran after him as I knew he would be in the open for a short time. Rob followed me and we just saw him dive into the next thicket. He was heading towards Jabu’s postion now. The thicket he was in was tapered, and I knew it was narrowing, but I could also see this Buck was trying to get around us. I moved quickly up to the right looking into the thicket. I was stopped by a whistle behind me. Roy and Bafana could see him. I moved back and set the shooting sticks, Rob set up, and again the Waterbuck took off. Frustration was overrunning me, and I was becoming desperate. I moved up the thicket again, and could see him standing in the dense vegetation. I set the sticks again. Off he went again. I started to snap at Rob in pure desperation. I knew this animal was playing himself into a corner as the dense cover was running out and he was heading straight toward Jabu. He would have to try and break past us!

I saw the white ring moving through the bush, and then he broke out like a Boeing 747 on lift off. Unfortunately Jabu was directly ahead of him, and he stalled.

Shooting sticks down!! And whack. The double thump came back. I shout to Rob to reload and shoot again. This he did and I lost sight of the animal.

I jumped so high I nearly went straight over Rob! He caught me by the collar at about 8 feet!!! Rob is a large man at 6 foot 4 inches!

We began moving forward and I was frantically asking Jabu if he had seen the animal go down, he replied he is down, he can see him. Excitement, jubilation and pure adrenalin came over us as we could see the yellow horns lying in the grass.

Rob sprinted up – funny - as I now battled to keep up with him! We now started to realize that this was not just any Waterbuck --- this was a monster! Russell soon joined us. He had observed the whole hunt from his vantage point.

The tape came out and the Waterbuck measured 33.5 inches. He was truly a magnificent specimen!! On slaughtering we also realized that he was huge in body, dressing in at 176kg. - the biggest Waterbuck I have seen or heard of.

Well done to the entire team on a wonderful team effort!!