Hunter Testimonials
Jacques smith
Prev PostPosted On : Jun 11, 2018
Posted By : Jacques smith
Hunt Type : Exotic Plains Game
Location of Hunt : South Africa
Hunter's Location : Destin, Florida
Email : jaqscowboy@gmail.com
Story
Exotic animals means different things to each of us. Lord Derby Eland, Bongo, Hyenas or maybe even the Damara Dik Dik. To me it's always been the SABLE. The Rhodesian wars about killed em off and the Angola wars put the giant sable out of reach if you could even find one. As they very slowly rebounded, the trophy fees were sky high and I began to think it was never going to happen
I am a tape hunter and I make no excuses for it. I set my goals high and don't believe in taking young or sub standard trophies. GO BIG OR GO HOME My yardstick for SABLE has always been 42 inch minimum
Enter John Martins ( March 2017 )
Sable specials are everywhere and prices are dropping on trophy fees BUT every one is advertising "representative" trophy. What is that I asked about 14 people with the most common response being 35-39 inches. Nope not good enough, and worse yet potential breeders of the future
John knew my feelings and called with the DEAL. Waterburg Mountains with a target of 42 or bigger for get this (a discount). Booking was a no brainer.
Despite being 3 and a half hours later than planned my faithful ride was waiting at Joburg The ride to camp is in the dark and arrival is around 11 PM but staff is waiting with hot towels, cold drinks and supper. What a place!
As my wife and I explore and hunt, we find it overrun with game and some 500,000 acres available.
It's mid April 2018 and everything is overgrown and green. Oh yeah thorns, thorns, and more thorns After three days of non-stop hunting my legs looked like I had lost a war with a lawn mower. Target sable was given the name HOUDINI due to his ability to escape and evade. One quick glimpse of a horn tip was all he ever presented and he's still there along with the black mambas and leapards
Other properties had sable but I repeatedly passed shots on animals that didn't quite measure up. I passed 8 in total and my PHs started to think I was a tourist!
Late in the evening on day six the TOAD was located and my quest was over. 45.5 inch on left and 45 Inch on right. Bases over 10 inches and best quests on age was 15 years old. The celebration was something to behold ( see photos )
The only other agenda item was a blue beast with very gray hide with definite black stripes. My wife had decided she needed another rug and who am I to argue with the boss? The 30 plus inch spread was simply incidental (see photos)
All in all an amazing adventure that surpassed expectations.
Recommendation
I will not hesitate to recommend John Martins for anything you might have in mind. First hand knowledge, top notch outfitters, PHs and DISCOUNTS!
If you've read this long I thank you and I thank John Martins ( he's one of the good guys)
