Thanks to my amazing wife, I was the winner of the hunting trip in Namibia at the Reno PBS Banquet last year. Yesterday we safely arrived back from our trip. I will not be able to adequately praise Gert Coetzee and his operation in this short post. I am going to try anyways. Gert and his parents were top notch hosts. The food was great, the hunting was outstanding. The sleeping and bathing accommodations were comfortable and pleasant. Anyone that is considering an African Plains game trip, I highly recommend that you reach out to Gert and UIB Outfitters. He knows how to host, and he understands how to set traditional archers up for success. Gert and his staff will help you identify what you should and should not shoot as opportunities unfold at his blinds. They are also excellent at helping you to aim for the right spots on African game in relation to where the vitals are located. All of his blinds are comfortable and set up for shots of 12-16 yards. I have attached some success photos of our hunt for everyone to enjoy. Thank you to the PBS and to UIB for making this trip possible.
Nice James!.... more pics.... camp, lodge whatever!
Thanks Terry. Here are some photos of the farm house form the outside and our hosts/professional hunters.
Here are some action photos from the hides (African slang for blinds).
Some photos of the hides themselves.
Driving to the hides
I hunted with Gert several years ago. I had a great hunt taking 2bull kudu, gemsbok, wart hog, and a jackal. Daily fees and trophy fees are very reasonable. This is a very personalized hunt. Your group of 1-4 bowhunters will be the only hunters in camp. I hope to go back and shoot a nice bull eland.
The midday entertainment that made long sits shorter. When you watch these guys long enough, you start to be reminded of certain family members.
John, thank you for all of the advice and taking all the time that you did to help me prepare for my trip!
A few more random photos from the hides
Looks interesting and fun!
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
Looks like a great time James! Congrats on a very special hunt. I sat at a table with Gert years ago at a PBS banquet. Super nice fellow.
JohnnyBa, you clearly don't know what you are talking about. And yes you are offending anyone who has hunted private ranches in Africa. You have never hunted in Africa. You know nothing of how much of the meat from the animals you kill on safari goes to the native helpers who live next to the hunting concession.
James good shooting and nice pics
Thanks Cory <><
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I hunted with Gert in 2021 It was an incredible hunt , so much wildlife you are constantly looking at something . I shot two Gemsbok, a Warthog , a big Kudu and a Zebra a very exciting time with a great host and family . I dont think you could get much better . Gerts farm is also low fence hunting .
Awesome! :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Congratulations James on some awesome animals! It's truly like Noah's arc in Africa! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Wow, thanks for sharing!!!
Quote from: JohnV on August 18, 2023, 07:44:16 AM
JohnnyBa, you clearly don't know what you are talking about. And yes you are offending anyone who has hunted private ranches in Africa. You have never hunted in Africa. You know nothing of how much of the meat from the animals you kill on safari goes to the native helpers who live next to the hunting concession.
U R correct, I apologize. I do not know a thing about what I am talking about. I removed the uneducated post and will refrain from further comments until I do know what I am talking about.
Take a trip to Africa JohnnyBa. It will forever change your mind.
Cory, I hear ya on the stalk talk. It was KILLING ME to be set up in a blind and watch warthogs I would LOVED to have shot come through the same route over and over. If only the outfitter would have let me set up on them as they came in the SAME way every time at two different blinds, and there were PERFECT set ups to take advantage at each.
I think they just don't get how we hunt over here and what IS achievable. At least that's what I gathered from my very strong suggestions and nudges. I think, they think, I was on a pipe dream that I could actually kill a warthog from the ground outside of one of their 'hides'.
Some beautiful trophies you took. Congratulations on a great adventure!
Quote from: Terry Green on August 18, 2023, 11:49:48 AM
Cory, I hear ya on the stalk talk. It was KILLING ME to be set up in a blind and watch warthogs I would LOVED to have shot come through the same route over and over. If only the outfitter would have let me set up on them as they came in the SAME way every time at two different blinds, and there were PERFECT set ups to take advantage at each.
I think they just don't get how we hunt over here and what IS achievable. At least that's what I gathered from my very strong suggestions and nudges. I think, they think, I was on a pipe dream that I could actually kill a warthog from the ground outside of one of their 'hides'.
Closest I got to a warthog was when we did a sweep searching for a wounded wildebeest. I got into 25 yards, mad an adjustment for cover and just then a wind change shifted and I was busted. Would love to do that more as well. However when you're in and area wear it can mess up someone else's hunt later on due to spooking game while out there I do understand why outfitters steer away from it. Same inTexas on leases where only sta d hunting is allowed.
Cook, I wasn't anywhere near anyone else's stand. One stand was on his brother's property with me being the only one there.
I'm not saying I disagree. I think that itvwould be fun to do/try. I do know there are outfits where SaS is more the norm as well.
Yes, I was talking about setting up outside of the blind where I was hunting and watching them come in. I just wanted out of the hide, and shoot them as they paused to scout the water hole. Both set ups were perfect, including the wind.
Wow. What a great adventure, and some awesome animals and photos. Congratulations to all.
Where you see Gert in that upright culvert is where I shot one of my Gemsboks but mostly what I seen there were Eland .
Tim, the situation was still the same at that culvert blind. Jack shot an eland bull out of that blind the second evening we were there. I was headed to that blind the last sit of the trip to wait on an Eland, but the wind did not cooperate. That blind is also where I took the second gemsbok.
James -- Does one of your gemsbok have a broken horn, or is it just pointing back in perspective?
Joe, the horn isn't' broken. It was growing in an odd direction. I attached a photo of her as she ran off with my arrow in her.
Excellent. I like animals with unique features like that mis-directed horn. It shown their individuality. A few years ago I hunted a one-eyed black bear, a real old warrior. Never got him, but well worth the try.
I would have liked to have seen that bear.I agree on the taking of unique animals. I passed on an old boar warthog with a broken tusk on one side. I really wanted to take a shot at him, but I was four days into the hunt and I wanted a gemsbok more. He never showed up again for me. The pass did pay off, I took the bull gemsbok with straight horns later that day.
Congrats James, sounds like an awesome hunt! One of these days I hope to get over there.