I have been shooting with a traditional bow for two years, and have always toyed with the idea of shooting a buck. My dream was rekindled when my older cousins (Niekie, Barry and Jan-Louis) invited me on my first hunt during the July holidays.
I couldn't believe my ears; I was going on my first hunt. Before I knew it we had arrived at the farm and were being warmly welcomed by everyone. After a good supper we went to bed (which didn't come easy). Early the next morning Niekie took me on a walk-and-stalk. We began stalking some impala about 150 metres away. As we closed the gap to about 60 metres, some blesbok and more impala arrived and we found ourselves surrounded. One of the animals was about 40 metres away, but as Niekie drew his compound we were busted and the herd scattered. Later we returned to camp for lunch.
After lunch, Greg (Niekie's friend) drove me down to one of the hides on the farm. I had nothing to do in the hide, so I sat around for almost four hours disassembling and assembling my broadheads to prevent myself from falling asleep. As I looked up I saw a herd of about six blesbok 22 metres away. My heart started to pound. Was this it?
One of the blesbok with rather good-looking horns stepped forward, offering me an almost perfect broadside shot. At that moment time seemed to stand still and I thought, it's now or never. I decided it would be now. I drew my 45-pound Impala Recurve nocked with an Eastern Excel arrow tipped with a 90-grain Game Getter broadhead and sent it on its way.
The arrow hit a bit high but the shot was okay (later confirmed as a lung shot). The animal bolted off and buck fever took over. Had I done it? Had I harvested my first buck ever?
About 20 minutes later Niekie arrived with the bakkie. We talked for a while and then started the blood search. We soon found large pools of blood, which they said were from the lungs, but it was becoming dark and we had to get back to camp to get the spotlight. When we returned to searching I saw a blesbok in the distance. Was it mine? Sure enough, it was my first buck ever. I was indescribably pleased.
13 year old Dylan with his first trophy.
We took it back to camp for processing, which I did with Niekie's help. I also had my whole face smothered in blood - our tradition. The rest of the week was spent stalking and enjoying the time. My greatest thanks to all involved for the most unforgettable time of my life.
