Miracle Kudu

Lanny M. Mattison

Sometimes the human spirit transcends the bonds of reality. Birth, salvation, even life itself is a miracle. I witnessed another in South Africa.

NASCAR legend, Dave Marcis and I traveled to South Africa to hunt with Chris Broster and Andrew Pringle at Crusader Safaris. Joining us on the trip were Rodney Fisher from Wisconsin and George Summerfield of Virginia, both longtime friends and hunting buddies with Dave. Dave and I were on our second adventure with Crusader, having taken a half-dozen trophies each on our first expedition. Rodney, in his mid-sixties and George who was past his three score and ten were experiencing the Dark Continent for the first time. George, despite his advanced years, was still in excellent condition and had just completed planting over 500 acres of food plots on the Virginia farm he maintains.

Unfortunately, problems arose from the start of our trip. George had trouble with his passport and the trip from Washington to Johannesburg, was long but comfortable. Dave and I made the second departure time but Rodney and George waited for a third flight and did not make camp until late. George complained of dizziness upon arrival, which we attributed to carsickness from the winding road and back seat of the Toyota truck.

The next morning dawned cold and clear with perfect conditions. We sighted in the rifles and started our hunt. Dave and guide, Stuart Pringle, headed out after kudu with me tagging along as cameraman. Dave had not connected on this spiral-horned ghost on the previous trip; making it this year’s priority animal. Stuart is the type of guide who does not hunt from the truck and Dave, in spite of his sixty-plus years, can walk the legs off of a long-legged mule. Despite gearing up for this year’s expedition with a two and a half mile walk every day for the past year; I was definitely the weak link in the chain. After a several-mile stalk, taking 5 hours up and around the mountain, Dave was able to connect on a mature bull, with all of the action captured on film. Rodney, with his young guide, Scott, kicked the off their safari with a fine mountain reedbuck.

Later that night, sitting around the campfire, it was obvious George was not well. The second morning had us back on the mountains, with me filming for Rodney and Scott. Rodney had a great day and scored on a truly marvelous kudu and a mature wildebeest; both with over-the-shoulder camera work. Dave and Stuart, after a long day of hard hunting were rewarded with a couple of warthogs and a bushbuck. George jump-started his safari with a mountain reedbuck and a very fine impala with Andrew as guide.

The greatest attribute of any Professional Hunter (PH) is his ability to assess and adapt to his clients’ ability and personality. Crusader Safaris excels in this area. Dave and guide, Stuart, were both committed sportsmen with a true feel for the conservation of wildlife. Rodney, a lifelong hunter, was a Wausau bar owner with the caustic wit to match. His guide Scott, despite being forty years younger, gave as good as he got and I truly laughed until my sides hurt. Co-owner Chris Broster, who had helped guide on our previous fourteen man excursion was busy with Ron Spomer and his group who were in camp filming for their new Winchester show on the Versus network. Andrew took note of George’s deteriorating condition and stepped up to personally guide him.

On night two, things went from bad to worse as George fainted while we swapped stories around the fireplace. Luckily, Ron’s wife, a trained nurse, was able to stabilize George for the short trip to the hospital, where he would be treated for an infection and dehydration.

As George was forced out of commission, it was my time to step up to the plate. With the help of Andrew and my old friend and guide, Hubert, I connected on my priority animal, a bushbuck, along with a Roland Ward 4 ¾ inch Duiker. Having harvested a good kudu the year before, I told Andrew that I was only interested in a 50-incher, a tall order in anybody’s book.

That night, Andrew consulted with PH Noel Ross, one of the most well respected hunters in all Africa. Noel has trained many of the young guides in the area and his reputation is well deserved. Sitting around the campfire with Noel is worth the price of the hunt. You feel like you are with Selby and Roark; Noel’s love of the hunt is a tangible thing. Before the sun had cleared the mountains the next day, Andrew was glassing the slopes where Noel suggested. In less than forty-five minutes, we were hustling to gain elevation. Three hours later, after enduring enough pain to make it truly worthwhile, I was standing over my trophy kudu. That afternoon, Rodney and Scott picked up George from the hospital.

With George still unsteady on his feet and time running out, Andrew formulated a new plan. Everyone with eyes would hit the trail. We needed a big bull within shooting distance of the road; George was too weak to climb. Andrew and Scott both would guide, Rodney and I rode to film and help. The trackers, with remarkable eyes, manned their positions in the back of the transport truck. Stuart called with the good news; bull spotted, game on. The scenario was perfect, a good bull 250 yards up the hill. Andrew and Scott put a bag of corn over the hood and steadied the rifle; George leaned over the scope and made a fine shot. BKD: Big Kudu Down!

I would personally like to thank Chris and Andrew, their families and staff, all the guides and a special thanks to Doc Carmen, the prettiest doctor in South Africa who makes camp calls. On a side note, I would like to relay one more experience from our safari. On the fourth day of the hunt, Dave took a second kudu. Although it was not known at the time, another client had previously wounded this animal. When the animal was skinned, Stuart and Andrew informed Dave that the animal had already been paid for and belonged to the first guest. Andrew could have simply put Dave’s trophy fee in his pocket and no one would have known. I like to consider myself to be an honest businessman, and I know Dave Marcis’ integrity is without question. However, I must admit that it is a sad reflection of our American culture that we were both surprised that their honor would never allow these men to consider such dishonesty. I always postulated that hunting is such a religious experience for me because I feel closer to God while in nature. But just maybe, I hunt to associate with a better class of people – and to witness a miracle kudu.