African Plains Game hunt - The need for Conservation

We are very fortunate to hold a hunting concession in South Africa. Fortunate in that we have 14,000 acres of pristine bush to hunt on and fortunate because there is a defined need for that hunting to support the conservation work being carried out on the reserve.

As many of you will know, the normal state of affairs for any well run game reserve in South Africa that exceeds its carrying capacity in terms of Antelope, is to catch the excess and sell off to other reserves who are in need of a fresh genetic line or just to re-stock.

That seems fine, but it does have a couple of draw backs. The animals are stressed by capture, i.e. being chased by helicopter, caught and transported by truck to an auction for sale, and then on again to the new reserve. In our case it is simply impossible to round up animals using the usual methods i.e. helicopter drives. The terrain is far too mountainous and would result in animals running head long down steep ravines or worse resulting in broken legs and who knows what injuries.

So the answer is to selectively hunt and reduce the numbers of browsers and or grazers to the correct levels. We have a huge problem with the browsers, in that one can see the affect of over browsing across the reserve. We have called in the local nature conservation dept who following our game count and a review of the habitat, have recommended that we remove a minimum of 100 kudu and then listed the other species that should be reduced.

In some ways it is a great testament to the way the reserve has been run, that there is an over abundance of species and also that the problem has been recognised, experts consulted and a solution found.

So, we are able to offer both trophy and management hunts for plains game, as well as some great accommodation and wonderful hunting environment. I mention the accommodation, because we are finding that many hunters wish to bring their significant other (after all a trip to Africa should be enjoyed by every one in the family) and quite right they are. We have a wonderful 4 star lodge which we use for hunting parties, that provides a great hunting base plus a wonderful relaxed luxurious haven for non hunters, who may just wish to enjoy a game viewing safari.

As they say in Africa Happy Days.

Written by Sporting Agent
www.ontrackssportingagents.co.uk

"One of those days that one remembers for a life time".

"One of those days that one remembers for a life time".

That was how four guns from the Midlands described there day with us in Dorset. They joined a small syndicate on an informal 50 bird driven day. And, well, if their complements at the end of the day were anything to go by, I rekon they had value for money.

It turned out to be quite an memorable day for me as well. Not only did our host offer me the opportunity to take a vacant place in the line.

To which I should say I did not do the magnificently presented birds any credit.

And then, when I checked my phone at the close of play there was an urgent message for a client who suddenly had a gap in his schedule and wanted to know if I could set up an African Plains Game hunt. That wouldn't normally be an issue but he wants to go next week!

Frantic phone calls to Africa secured a five day management hunt for Kudu, Waterbuck and Impala. 

Although the hunting season is closed in South Africa, our reserve has an exemption certificate for management hunts and desperately need to thin out some of their herds to avoid over grazing, so all is well.

All I have to do now, is work out if I can get to Africa and back for next Saturdays Duck and Pheasant day! 

Written by Sporting Agent
www.ontracksportingagents.co.uk

Three more months...happy days

Beaters finished a drive. picture by Kat

Pheasant shoot days are back with us.

Three months of sporting days ahead. Fantastic.

Of-course we’ve had quite a few days already, but it’s the next three months that I look forward to most.

I am very lucky that my wife Kat (short for Karen) enjoys the country life as much as I do.

Whether she is covering me if I am away by feeding pheasants in August, dealing with enquiries, or joining me on a shoot day, socializing with old and new friends. Or (as happened last week), helping a rather worried keeper out by taking his landrover to the edge of a drive to stop pheasants bleeding out of one corner and then returning in time for elevenses and a very well earned sloe gin.

For us shooting is all about enjoying a day in the countryside with friends. And at the end of the day, we like to drop into the pub in our village on the way home. Dogs steaming away by the fire. A nice glass of red. And that great feeling of relaxing after a day outdoors.

Three more months……happy days!

Written by Sporting Agent

www.ontracksportingagent.com

Ducks and fluffy towels

Do you have any duck days going for tomorrow?

It was a short and to the point enquiry from a broad Yorkshire accent.

To be honest I didn’t have anything available at that short notice, but I asked for a couple of hours to make a few calls.

The enquiry was for a team of four guys who were in Dorset on a mini break with their wives. They later told me how they’d negotiated a deal where by a beauty therapy session in their hotel spar would offset a days pheasant shooting. Keeping everyone happy.

However the days pheasant shooting that they had booked directly with a local shoot had been called off at the last minute (not sure why), and they were desperately trying to find some shooting.

But for me, the best part of the weekend agreement was that everyone had been booked to go for the beauty therapy as well as to go shooting.

Anyway back to my calls to find some duck shooting.

As luck would have it, a very good friend of mine offered an evenings duck flight on his estate, with the added spice of the possibility of some Canada Geese. I also recruited three pickers up and reported back.

We agreed on a one off fee for the whole party. And so, not twenty-four hours later, four guns with partners, sat in woodland hides around two ponds in the early evening, waiting for the evening duck flight to come over the treetops.

Thankfully the wind was blowing reasonably hard, which is normally a good sign. In windy weather the ducks tend to leave the nearby exposed estuary early and come inland.

Things stared a bit slow. As normal I had given instructions to let the first few mallard settle in, which appeared to be back firing, as the guns left eight or more ducks. Then as the light was fading and my anxiety level rose, the action started. Mallard and teal arrived at regular intervals over the next forty minutes.

At close we had sixteen duck in the bag and after picking up, everyone retired to the local pub for a warm by the fire and very welcome pint.

What great folks they are. We enjoyed a hearty meal and lots of laughs together, but of-course I couldn’t leave the subject of the day’s spar beauty session hanging. These were four big Yorkshire lads, who I couldn’t see walking around in a fluffy white towel being serenaded by soothing elevator music. But I was wrong.

As well as booking a 50-bird pheasant day with us in January, they’ll be staying in the same hotel and have booked a detox spar session. Who knows, I may even join them.

Written by Sporting Agent.