BRIAN BOLIN – Minnesota

Animals taken – Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest*, Impala, Blesbok*

Highlights:

Brian is currently working in Ethiopia and although he has photographed many animals in the wild, he hadn’t been on a hunting safari to South Africa.  Although his arrival was a little earlier than we normally start the season, Brian’s time off from work dictated this arrival date.  He said he was very used to the warm temperatures this time of the year.  Although he hadn’t planned on hunting a Blue Wildebeest on this trip, during a stalk on some Gemsbok some Blue Wildebeest spotted them and started snorting, blowing their stalk on the Gemsbok.  It was at this point that Brian decided to hunt this animal.  The following is his story of that hunt.  “We stalked on the edge of the field and ran into many obstacles in order to get close enough.  The first obstacle was a female waterbuck.  We were able to get around her without spooking the wildebeests.  The second obstacle was a flock of guinea fowl.  We watched them for a while to see which way they were moving and moved around them.  The third obstacle was a nice male impala that Hans said needed to die.  I just got the rifle on the shooting sticks and was about to pull the trigger when he bolted into the brush.  The wildebeest are now too many yards in the open field to take a shot at.

We walked back to the truck and drove on the sides of the field keeping an eye on the two bulls that we were stalking.  This is when the two male bulls made the mistake of splitting from the herd.  We jumped out of the truck and started stalking the two wildebeests.  After stalking two hundred yards into the bush, Hans spotted the bull we were after looking straight at us.  Hans put up the shooting sticks and I made an eighty yard shot.  I hit the bull but he did not go down.  Hans put Jesse, the tracking dog, onto the wildebeest.  Jesse had a good blood trail and within a few minutes we heard Jesse barking.  I was able to make another thirty yard facing shot as the wildebeest came towards us.  This time the bull went down and stayed down.  This was my most memorable and exciting hunt of all time.”  Brian finished his South African safari with a trip to Kruger National Park.

Click HERE
to see photos of Brian's hunt.

JEFF & AMY KIRBY – Maryland

Animals taken – Waterbuck*, Zebra, Blue Wildebeest*, Impala*, 2 – Gemsbok (1*), Red Hartebeest, Kudu – 51”, Steenbok* & Blesbok*

Highlights:

When you arrive and hear Pieter & the PH’s talking in their native language, Afrikaans, it is very common that you want to learn a little of the language while you are there.  Pieter loves to help out and his favorite saying to teach is what he calls the “Formal Toast”.  With glasses raised, Jeff and Pieter would say it repeatedly during dinners.  What his toast says is “Skiet lom in die hol”.  What I will say is that the word “Skiet” in Afrikaans translates into “shoot” in English.  I will let him translate the rest to you but trust me, I learned the same “toast’ the first time I went to Africa.  Jeff’s #1 priority animal was the Kudu and during his safari he learned the reason that is has been referred to as “The Gray Ghost of Africa”.  It was well into his safari before he was able to take his.  Jeff’s most memorable hunt was for his Zebra.  Here is his story of that hunt.  “Craig and I ran, walked, stalked, and crawled for 12km, in pursuit of a mixed herd of Zebra and Blue Wildebeest.  Due to a swirling wind, the herd busted us several times, presenting us with a cloud of dust rather than shot opportunities.  Finally Craig was able to maneuver us into the herd’s path, with the wind in our favor.  On hands and knees we waited in high grass for the herd to pass within 60ft of our ambush position.  I rose to one knee and took a high heart/lung shot from 20 paces.  The bullet came to rest just under the skin on the opposite side”.

Click HERE
to see photos of Jeff & Amy's hunt.

MATT & KORI WALL – Canada

Animals taken – Eland*, Gemsbok*, Impala*, Kudu, Blesbok*

Highlights:

Matt & Kori’s safari was very special to them as they celebrated their first wedding anniversary while they were there.  Pieter, Lizelle, Jacques & Beatrix snuck around that night and set up their room for this special occasion.  This helped to make this anniversary even more special for them.  Matt hunted hard also for his Kudu and when he finally got it and loaded it on the truck, Pieter promptly got the truck stuck up to the axels.  They had to get a tractor to pull him out, but he kept a smile on his face the whole time.  I only relate that story here for the benefit of our PH’s, whom Pieter scolds when it happens to them.  The last animal that Matt took was his Blesbok.  “Kori filmed the shot on that one.  She zoomed right in on him and you can hear Pieter (PH) tell me to take him, when my rifle went off Kori jumped and missed filming the actual shot, but you can hear her say a bad word because she realized she had missed filming it”.  Matt said that throughout the entire hunt, Pieter (PH) was like an encyclopedia of African flowers, trees, birds, bugs and all things living and it made for a great time and an interesting hunt.

Click HERE
to see photos of Matt & Kori's hunt.

KENNETH MCLAUGHLIN – New Hampshire

Highlights:

Kenneth hunted with us in 2004 and this time he brought some of his friends along to enjoy his experiences with Cruiser’s.  In 2004 Kenneth wrote an outstanding journal of his safari and I am looking forward to receiving the one from this year.  This year he didn’t hunt but savored in everyone else’s safari.

MATT BOSOWSKI AND HIS WIFE DEBRA – New Hampshire

Animals taken – Gemsbok*, Red Hartebeest, Kudu, Impala

Highlights:

Matt & Debra had a good laugh the first day at the expense of their PH.  It seems that a Warthog jumped out of its hole screaming and running right at him.  He had to jump out of the way to keep it from ramming him.  On a later day they were able to capture on their video camera a couple of Rhino bulls fighting.

BEN BOSOWSKI (Matt & Debra’s son) – New Hampshire

Animals taken – Waterbuck*, Gemsbok, Zebra, Warthog*, Blue Wildebeest*, Red Hartebeest, Black Backed Jackal, 2 – Impala (1*)

Highlights:

Taking his first African animal, an excellent Waterbuck, on the second day of the safari was extremely exciting for Ben.  However his excitement seemed to wane a bit when his PH told him that it was traditional to eat the testicles of his first animal.  I don’t know the whole story but somehow they got cooked up and he ended up eating them without knowing it.

DANIEL BRAZAS – New Hampshire

Animals taken – 54” Kudu, Blesbok*, Waterbuck*, Red Hartebeest, Gemsbok, Zebra, Steenbok*

Highlights:

Dan earned the nickname “Daniel Boone”.  His PH stated that he was the first person that ever told him that Gemsbok they found had horns that were too long.  His PH said that he could cut some of it off for him.

ROBERT GALLANT – New Hampshire

Animals taken – Impala*, Blue Wildebeest*, Red Hartebeest, Zebra, 2 – Gemsbok, Blesbok*, Waterbuck*

Highlights:

Robert said that Pieter broke the ice the first morning by calling his attention to a “Tree Crocodile.  Naturally Robert looked.  He finished the safari on the same note when he later discovered a rock in his carry on luggage.  Robert’s most memorable hunt was that for his record book Waterbuck.  In his words, “My PH spotted the animal in the brush at about 120 yards, it blended in with the bush but I picked it up in my scope and made a chest shot and it ran off, we tracked it about 70 yards before spotting a drop of blood, it lay dead almost 20 yards away.  What a trophy!”  Robert will be joining us again next year, which will also be his 79th birthday.

Click HERE
to see photos of this group's hunt.

TODD & IMELDA OTTONELLO – California

Animals taken – Blesbok*, Blue Wildebeest*, Waterbuck*, Zebra, Impala, Steenbok*, Warthog*, Kudu*

Highlights:

The ultimate highlight of their safari was after Imelda saw Todd shoot a nice Blue Wildebeest, she wanted to shoot something herself.  After taking 3 practice shots with the rifle, her 4th shot that she fired took a record book Waterbuck.

Sorry, there are no photos of Todd & Imelda's hunt available.

JOE & DANA STEPHENS – Tennessee

Animals taken – Zebra, Blesbok*, Gemsbok, Red Hartebeest, Impala, Eland*, Kudu*, Blue Wildebeest*

Highlights:

Sorry, there are no photos of Joe & Dana's hunt available.

(Note:  The following 4 couples, friends from Wisconsin, toured Kruger National Park with us after their safari where they got to experience an Elephant charging their vehicle)

RODNEY & CHERYL LEE – Wisconsin

Animals taken – Warthog*, Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest*, Kudu*, Impala*

Highlights:

Cheri said the highlight of her safari was the look on Rod’s face when Pieter chased the Kudu that he shot down the mountain and it dropping dead on the road!

ORVILLE & WINIFRED TORGERSON – Wisconsin

Animals taken – Blesbok*, Gemsbok, Kudu*, Impala, Warthog*

Highlights:

‘Winnie’ wants me to warn all future clients not to leave their camera in the bar area at night.  She says that you’ll never know what will appear on it the next morning – such as an African full moon or several full moons, including those moons named Pieter & Jacques.  I don’t know how this could have happened, but I refer you to Marsha’s highlights below.

     Torgy (Orville) said Pieter started his pranks right away with him, coming up to him the first day at dinner and saying, “Torgy, we have a problem.  I haven’t received your deposit yet.”  “My mouth dropped open and I whipped my head around to look at my wife, then back at Pieter.  It was really a weird feeling, I didn’t know what to think, but after it was all over and I found out that Pieter was just kidding, everyone let me know that you should have seen the look on my face.”  He did say that he was able to get back at Pieter twice after that incident.  Torgy’s most memorable hunt was the one with Hans for his Gemsbok.  In his words, “Hans likes to walk……..a lot.  So we’re walking very slowly, sort of bent over.  I’m an old man and it’s hard for me to walk that way.  Soon Hans is on his hands and knees and moving along this way.  There is no way I can get down like that so I’m sort of duck walking behind him.  Suddenly he stops dead for about 10 minutes.  I’m dying because I’m on one knee and can’t hold that position any longer.  Ahead is a Gemsbok standing broadside.  Hans is in front of me so there’s no way I can shoot.  He ever so slowly lies down and slowly raises his hands to cover his ears.  I take this as a signal to shoot, which I did.  One shot and down he went.”  At a water hole one day they saw 45 different Warthogs until finally a decent one came in.  On the last day a group of them went out looking for a Gemsbok that was shot just at dark the night before.  They did find it and after pictures, Winnie elected not to watch the field dressing and decided to just meander back to the truck alone.  In her words “I meandered to the left and kept going.  After about ½ hour, I realized that I was lost.  I stood extremely still and thought I heard a noise to my right, so I started walking that way.  I stopped again and listened and heard a fain whistle.  I started walking again and eventually heard the shouting and whistling.  I had done a complete circle and wound up back where I had left.  I was very happy to see everyone!  I didn’t really get freaked out until I got back and started to think about all of the animals, creatures, etc. that were out there where I was.”

JAMES & LOUANN CURRAN – Wisconsin

Animals taken – Blesbok*, 56 ½” Kudu, Blue Wildebeest*, Impala, Gemsbok

Highlights:

GARY & MARSHA GRUNDAHL – Wisconsin

Animals taken – Blue Wildebeest*, Impala*, Waterbuck*, 2 – Warthogs**, Kudu

Highlights:

Marsha said she took some wonderful photographs, including some African full moons.  (Note: pictures were not available at press time.)  I don’t know the full story yet, but she said she was very successful in hunting by the pool.

Click HERE
to see photos of this group's hunt.

ROB SOULSBY – New Zealand

Animals taken – Gemsbok*, 2 – Impala**, 2 – Kudu, Blesbok*

Highlights:

Rob is doing what most people would love to do and that is he is on an around the world trip.  I don’t know all of the places he intended to visit but I do know in Africa he was planning to be in Egypt, Kenya and Zimbabwe before he arrived in South Africa for his safari.  His safari was arranged last October just before he departed on his trip.  He had mentioned to me that he was off to South & North America after visiting us.  When he finally returns home, I should have more information about this exciting trip and as an author also, he will be writing some stories about his journey.  He related to me that his best hunt while with us was his Gemsbok hunt.  They spotted the Gemsbok quite a distance away and started their stalk on it using all the available brush for concealment.  They managed to get within 25 yards of the animal but couldn’t get a shot or move any closer.  He waited for 10 minutes until the Gemsbok cleared the brush and then made a perfect shot on his record book animal.

Sorry, there are no photos of Rob's hunt available.

MIKE & DAYLE DOMINY – Nebraska

Animals taken – 51 ¾” Kudu, Impala*, Blue Wildebeest*, Red Hartebeest*, Blesbok*, Zebra, Warthog*, Gemsbok

Highlights:

The main reason that Mike wanted to go to Africa was to take a 50” Kudu.  His Kudu hunt was not only tough but a very interesting one.  The hunt started out up in a tree looking for their goal.  This shortly turned out to be a sinking experience and they decided they would be better off leaving this precarious position.  After leaving the tree they crawled under a thorn bush trying for his shot.  They ended up on their bellies for a considerable amount of time while Kudu and Gemsbok were nearly stepping on them as they tried to get into shooting position on a trophy bull Kudu.  All during this time, naturally they were getting stabbed by the thorns and once Mike had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing while his PH is relieving himself in a pop can, lying on his side, while Kudu are milling around only 35 yards away.  Finally the opportunity presented itself and Mike got his shot on his record book Kudu.  Even though they had a considerable tracking job prior to recovering his trophy, his goal was achieved as he took a 51¾” trophy.  Mike told me later that he couldn’t believe the quantity and quality of animals that he saw every day.  Even though the Kudu was his main priority, Mike said that his Zebra hunt was his absolute fondest memory of his whole safari.  Dayle agreed with her husband on that point saying “The whole trip was a high for me, but my favorite was the Zebra hunt and seeing Mike’s excitement when he finally put one down".  We are looking forward to their return for another safari with Cruiser’s.

Click HERE
to see photos of Mike & Dayle's hunt available.

BRIAN & ANITA LENGVARSKY – Pennsylvania

Animals taken – Gemsbok*, Impala*, Blue Wildebeest*, Warthog, 53” Kudu, Baboon, Waterbuck* & Anita took her very first animal ever, an Impala.

Highlights:

I can’t think of a more perfect destination for a honeymoon than going on an African safari and that’s exactly what Brian & Anita did.  They said that they had an excellent time and couldn’t imagine a better honeymoon.  Naturally during their stay the normal pranks happened with everyone and Brian pulled a good one himself on his PH, Craig.  One day Craig’s bakkie was in for service and they got to use Pieter’s.  Brian told Pieter how they tried out the 4 wheel drive on his bakkie and how much fun they had driving it through the water holes and up the river.  Poor Craig’s face turned white.  Brian’s Kudu was very unusual in the fact that it contained a 3rd horn that was growing between its eyes (see photos).  Even though, because of the damage done by the shot to the animal, he couldn’t get a full mount of his Baboon, he made an outstanding shot on it from 271 yards.  Anita was extremely excited when she took her first animal ever, an Impala.  Among the hunting traditions around the world, smearing blood on the face of a first time successful hunter is one of the rituals that goes back to ancient times and Anita was inducted into this tradition.  This tradition in primitive times elevates the person from a gatherer to the highly respected position of a hunter.  This rite is as much respect for the animal as it is for the hunter, with the belief that this ritual conveys the spirit of the animal to the hunter.

Click HERE
to see photos of this Brian & Anita's hunt.

BRIAN McLAUGHLIN – New Hampshire

Animals taken – Impala, Red Hartebeest, Blue Wildebeest*, Eland*, Waterbuck*, 55” Kudu

Highlights:

Brian hunted with us in 2004 with his father.  This year both of them returned with friends, although at different times.  Brian’s fathers’ story is above.  This year Brian added some really nice trophies to what he had taken 2 years ago, including another excellent Kudu that was larger then the one he had taken previously.

WILLIAM BALD – New Hampshire

Animals taken – Blue Wildebeest*

Highlights:

Bill’s primary goal on his safari was photography and to just enjoy the African experience with his close friend Brian, although he did take a beautiful record book Blue Wildebeest.  While he was there he did what I consider to be the most memorable and touching thing that anyone has ever done while at Cruiser’s.  Bill’s father passed away unexpectedly 5 years ago.  Bill and his father were avid adventure travelers, having helicopter skied in the Rockies, dove in the Bahamas, white water rafted the Ottawa River in Ontario, Canada and boated many of the lakes and rivers in the Adirondacks.  His father was a private pilot and they flew into many remote areas of Maine and Canada for fishing and camping together.  Although he and his father never made it to Africa together, Bill brought some of his cremated remains with him on his safari.  In a tribute to his father and all of those great memories, he made a small memorial to his father on the spot where he shot his Blue Wildebeest and spread his father’s ashes on that spot.  This spot will always be a very special location to us and if you are ever there, please stop by the location and offer up a little prayer for a wonderful father and his son whose father/son bond is something that we all can be very proud of.  Thanks Bill for letting us be a part of this exceptional tribute.

Click HERE
to see photos of this Brian & Bill's hunt.

ANNETTE RIDGEWAY – Wyoming

Highlights:

This safari was a family trip that has been planned for quite some time.  Annette is the mother of Jason, Shaun & Jamie and totally enjoyed the entire family experience.

JASON & ELIZABETH RIDGEWAY – Wyoming

Animals taken – THE LARGEST KUDU EVER TAKEN AT CRUISER SAFARIS, A 60 3/8” MONSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! plus 2 – Impala*, Blesbok*, another Kudu, Blue Wildebeest*, Gemsbok, Warthog* and if I have it right, Elizabeth took a Waterbuck*, Impala and a Gemsbok.

Highlights:

Some people travel to Africa for years in search of what is considered the “Holy Grail” for Kudu and that is the magical 60” mark.  Jason reached this pinnacle on his very first safari.  We have only taken 1 other Kudu that size in the past and it appears that our proper game management is really paying off.  Jason took a very nice Kudu on his very first day although it was just short of the record book.  After seeing his brothers both take record book Kudu’s, Jason decided that he wanted one also.  For the next 6 days they saw plenty of nice Kudu’s but nothing that appear much bigger than the minimum record book entry.  With only 2 days to go he wasn’t sure if he was going to obtain his goal when suddenly his tracker spotted a Kudu.  His PH, Pieter PH, yelled at him to shoot without even looking through his binoculars and Jason knew that this had to be a really good one.  Although only his neck was visible to Jason through the bush, he made a perfect shot and after a very short tracking job they located his trophy of a lifetime.

Pieter PH, Jason and Elizabeth had a great time together and were constantly going back and forth doing their best to scare one another.  Elizabeth ended up winning this contest when one night she snuck through the round openings in the Lappa behind the couch and scared Pieter.  She said that he jumped at least 2 feet off of the couch when she did this.

SHAUN & SHAUNA RIDGEWAY – Wyoming

Animals taken – 57 3/8” Kudu, Blue Wildebeest*, Impala, Zebra, Blesbok*, Gemsbok*, Warthog*

Highlights:

Shaun stated that of all of the great trophies that he took, the Gemsbok was by far the hardest hunt of them all.  They did quite a bit of walking and stalking but a very memorable stalk was the one where they were able to stalk to within 15 yards of some Rhino’s, although Shauna admitted that the experience was extremely intense to be that close to such huge and intimidating animals and stopped 25 yards away.  One day the girls departed to go on the Elephant Back safari ride with our chef Beatrix.  On the way they got a flat tire and she was unsure as how to change it and Beatrix radioed for some help from her husband, Jacques.  The girls were going to have none of this and Annette, Elizabeth and Shauna jumped right in and got it changed before the Calvary (Jacques & Shaun) were able to arrive.  Go Girls!!

JAMIE RIDGEWAY – Utah

Animals taken – Blue Wildebeest*, Zebra, 2 – Impala, 52 ¾” Kudu, Blesbok, Gemsbok, Warthog*, Steenbok*

Highlights:

Click HERE
to see photos of this group's hunt.

TOM & DEBORAH MARACH – Wisconsin

Animals taken – Waterbuck*, Impala*, Warthog*, Blue Wildebeest*, Gemsbok, Kudu*

Highlights:

Tom was very excited on the first day of his safari and after a long day of hunting he was even more excited about taking his first African animal, a Waterbuck that qualified for the record book.  His good fortune continued on the 2nd day when he took 2 more book animals, an Impala and a Warthog.  With swirling wind on the 3rd day, the great success of the previous 2 days slowed down.  To make light of the situation his PH convinced him that a cow they saw in the distance was actually a Blue Wildebeest.  Luckily Tom didn’t shoot.  Back to success on the 5th day with a Blue Wildebeest and a Gemsbok.  After a very great safari, Tom and his wife spent the last day enjoying the Elephant back safari.

Click HERE to see photos of Tom's hunt.

ROBERT SIMMONS – Georgia

Animals taken – Blue Wildebeest*, 2 – Impala*, 2 – Zebra, Warthog*, Gemsbok, Blesbok*

Highlights:

Robert enjoyed the Zebra stalks the most.  On one of them, they couldn’t see the Zebras because of the thick brush but they could hear them and they headed in their general direction.  They ended up running into 5 Rhino’s that were only 30 feet away when they spotted them.  Backing up very slowly they discreetly went around them and continued their stalk on the Zebra’s.  Shortly after returning home Robert emailed me and said that he was suffering from PSD (Post Safari Depression) and felt the only cure for this would be to go back to Africa as soon as possible.  We are looking at dates for next year at this time.

MIKE MATHIS – Georgia

Animals taken – 2 – Impala*, 2 – Zebra, Blue Wildebeest*, 2 – Red Hartebeest, 2 – Gemsbok*, Waterbuck*, Blesbok*, 2 – Warthog**, Waterbuck*, Eland*, 2 – Kudu (one of them was 56 ¼”)

Highlights:

As you can see from the list of trophies that Mike took, he was hunting the whole time that he was there.  Because of it he earned the nickname “Trigger” as that is the part of his rifle that he nearly wore out.  As he earned a nickname, they thought that it was only appropriate that they give their PH a nickname too.  With 2 Pieter’s around the camp it sometimes gets to be a little confusing so they named Pieter PH, “Pieter Grassy”.  I understand this comes from his school days where he studied different grasses.  Not to be confused with the grasses that my son learned about when he went to collage.

Click HERE to see photos of Robert & Mike's hunt.

MICHAEL WASCHE – Missouri

Animals taken – 2 - Blue Wildebeest**, Impala, Warthog, Blesbok*, Kudu*, Gemsbok

Highlights:

Mike started his safari on a high note, taking a record book Blue Wildebeest on his very first day.  Hunting on what has turned out to be a hot spot for very nice Kudu, Mike took the heaviest and widest Kudu of the year.  A little later into his safari Mike decided to go after another Blue Wildebeest.  On this hunt he was determined to go for broke and try for the largest Blue Wildebeest that was possible.  They spent 4 days looking over hundreds of animals and made numerous unsuccessful stalks before on the very last day of his safari he took one of the largest Blue Wildebeests of the year.  Congratulations Mike!

Click HERE to see photos of  Michael's hunt.

LARRY & PHYLLIS WEBSTER – Montana

Animals taken – Larry: Impala*, Blue Wildebeest*, Bushbuck*, Blesbok, Kudu, 2 – Gemsbok, Warthog*

Phyllis: Red Hartebeest, Blesbok*, Zebra, 55 5/8” Kudu, Warthog*, Impala*

Highlights:

Although I may be biased, as my wife is also a hunter, I love to see when husbands and wives hunt together.  And Phyllis is also a top notch hunter, taking all 6 of her animals with one shot.  She earned the nickname “One Shot Granny” while on safari.  Her most memorable hunt is best told in her words.  “My most memorable hunt was my 56" kudu (editors note: as with all hunting ½ or more goes to the next higher number) from a tree top.  Jacques, the P.H. took 2-3 hours to make this tree house on a limb, made out of a farm gate & metal roofing & some wire he found.  The tracker, Mosas, climbed up an old windmill to disassemble the ladder, & repair it once it hit the ground, to use for the climb up to the top of the tree.  The Jacques said, "I can't let Granny climb all the way up the tree trunk without a ladder".  After finally making it to the top, which was a real treat (I don't especially like heights), with all of our guns, chairs, & coolers, it was very comfortable until the breeze would kick up then we kinda swayed.  The birds up there were chirping away inches from our heads.  The birds were not especially fond of Jacques' Cow's incense that he was burning, making sure the Kudu could not smell us perched above them.  We waited & waited patiently until almost dark, hoping the Kudus would get thirsty.  Then here they came, several at a time.  I turned around very slowly because a Kudu was right under us, waiting for Jacques' signal, he kept shaking his head, no not big enough, then two big ones in the distance arrived.  I turned back, he then signaled the one on the right but by then it was getting very hard to see, so I balanced my gun & shot.  Immediately, my husband & Jacques ran down the tree trunk, leaving me up there, figuring they would have to finish it off, but it quickly dropped dead in its tracks”.

     Larry’s most memorable hunt was right at sunrise one morning.  Jacques spotted a very nice Blue Wildebeest bull and they proceeded to stalk it.  It ended up running almost out of sight when Jacques grunted at it.  The Wildebeest stopped and completely turned around and came back to face them with steam coming out of his nose, looking like it was going to charge them.  ‘Silly Wildebeest’, one shot from Larry and it was down.  Twice during their safari Larry & Phyllis took doubles.  The first double occurred early one morning when they came upon a nice group of Blesbok.  Larry shot the one on the left and Phyllis shot the one on the right.  As it always seems to go when I hunt with my wife, hers was larger.  The next time came on the last morning of their safari.  They had saved the Warthogs to hunt last but they were running out of time.  With little time left they felt their best chances for success were to hunt the different water holes that are frequented by the Warthogs.  Larry was at one and Phyllis was at another.  About 10 AM Phyllis shot her record book Warthog, loaded it in the bakkie and drove over to the water hole where Larry was hunting, arriving there at about the same time that Larry took his Warthog, which turned out to be exactly the same size as Phyllis’s.

Click HERE to see photos of Larry & Phyllis's hunt.

JOHN WARDSWORTH – North Carolina

Animals taken – Duiker, Zebra, Steenbok*, Eland*, Black Backed Jackal, Red Hartebeest, Warthog*, Impala

Highlights:

John hunted with us in 2004 and this year he came back with 3 of his friends.  His friends could not believe the numbers of animals that they were seeing and even though he had told them that they would see a lot, he said that he saw more this time than he did the last time he was here.  John hunted with Hans again this year and his goal was to let Hans shoot a Zebra for him to have a should mount made from it so as to always be able to look at it and remember his good friend & PH, Hans.  On the 3rd day of his safari everything seemed to come together for this wish when Hans spotted a nice one about 200 yards away.  I’ll let John tell the story.  “We got the wind right and sneaked pass a herd of Cape Buffalo.  We then sat behind a small tree while a herd of about 12 eland walk past us no more than 10 feet away.  Then we sneaked out on hands and knees pass a Gemsbok and ended up less than 50 yards from where Hans saw the Zebra.  We waited while the Eland and the Zebras walked back and forth in front of us for about 15 to 20 minutes.  One large female Eland came up to about 10 yards in front of us and starred at us for what seemed like a lifetime, then backed off and led the herd in front of us again.  Now during all of this I could hear a sound off to my left that I thought were the buffalo coming our way but I could not turn my head to look without the female Eland seeing us.  Then the zebra’s moved in with the Eland in front of us.  At first Han was going to use my 300 Weatherby but a bush blocked his shooting lane, so we exchanged the .300 for the 375 Ulta Mag.  I told him this would go through that bush without a problem.  Hans moved into a better shooting position, got on the sticks and waited for the perfect shot.  And he made an excellent one too.  The zebra went less than 40-50 yards.  I don't know who was smiling more, me from enjoying what had just happen or Hans for harvesting his first zebra.  It was the best hunt of my life and I have being hunting for 48 years.  Hans said he now knows why people come there to hunt, ‘because it feels so good’.  I will remember that hunt for the rest of my life.

IRA SMITH – North Carolina

Animals taken – Gemsbok, Black Backed Jackal, Warthog, Zebra, 53 7/8” Kudu

Highlights:

Ira’s first day also started out on a great note, taking a nice Gemsbok and also an elusive Black Backed Jackal.  As can happen, Ira’s rifle was found to be off and after correcting that problem his safari was on the right track taking a very nice Kudu.  One night Pieter was up to his usual pranks at the dinner table.  He switched Ira’s glass of wine for a glass of Coke.  Ira did not seem to notice the difference and kept drinking and talking all the while the rest of the group were laughing and cracking up over it.

REX SMITH – North Carolina

Animals taken – Blesbok*, Blue Wildebeest*, 2 – Warthog*, Kudu, Gemsbok, Red Hartebeest*, Zebra, Impala*, Waterbuck*

Highlights:

After an exceptional long stalk his PH asked him where the truck was and Rex showed his ability by pointing in the right direction to its location.  Although long shots on a Blue Wildebeest are not the best idea, Rex make a perfect 215 yard shot on his.  On day 4 Rex not only took his Kudu but also 2 Warthog’s, earning him the nickname of Professor Pumba.  Day 6 was Rex’s best day taking 3 record book animals and a Zebra.  Spending his birthday in Africa while on safari is a terrific memory that Rex will always have.

KENNETH COLE – North Carolina

Animals taken – Blue Wildebeest*, 2 – Warthogs**, Waterbuck*, Kudu, Gemsbok*, Zebra, Impala*

Highlights:

Click HERE to see photos of this group's hunt.

THOMAS TAYLOR – Oregon

Animals taken – Impala*, Gemsbok*, 55” Kudu, Blesbok

Highlights:

Tom’s PH was Hans and from day one Tom knew that he was a perfect match for his hunting style.  His first mornings hunt was for Impala and Hans was determined to help him obtain a really good one.  It was a hard hunt and they made numerous stalks that were unsuccessful for one reason or another.  Late in the day Hans spotted some Impala that were slowly browsing and announced that there was a very good ram in the middle of the group.  After some missed opportunities and as the daylight was fading, and even with some foliage partially blocking the animal, Hans was confident in both the situation and Tom’s shooting ability and told him to take the shot.  Tom made a great shot on his first African animal and a record book one too.  Tom’s comment later was “needless to say, I went to bed that night as one happy hunter.”   Tom’s Kudu hunt in the mountains also turned into a very long day.  They did see Kudu throughout the day, however as with the Impala hunt it was getting late in the day before they spotted a good bull.  The visibility surrounding the Kudu was very limited and Tom could only see the head and the neck.  He lowered his sight to where he anticipated the vitals to be and took the shot.  It turns out the shot was a little low and they had to track the Kudu for over a mile before he was able to finish it off.  On the ride back to camp Tom was somewhat depressed that his initial shot was not placed better.  Hans cheered him up immediately by laughing and saying you have an exceptionally large trophy, just turn around and you can see it again in the back of the bakkie.  For both of these trophies he had hunted very hard but a Blesbok proved to be even more difficult and it took 2 full days until he was able to take this, his final African trophy.

Click HERE to see photos of Tom's hunt.

ROBERT HARMON & his Godson FRITZ HUBER – California

Animals taken – Zebra, 2 –Impala*, 2 – Waterbuck*, Bushbuck, Nyala*, Kudu*, Warthog*

Highlights:

Having been to Africa before, Robert was looking to take some nice trophies on this safari, but the high point had to be watching his godson Fritz take a very nice Impala.  Robert’s 5th day turned out to be exactly what he was looking for taking both a Bushbuck and an Nyala.

Sorry, there are no photos of Robert & Fritz's hunt available.

“IKE” & KATE IKEGUCHI – New York

Animals taken:

Ike – Blesbok*, 2 - Warthog*, Blue Wildebeest*, Impala*, Zebra, Eland*, Nyala*, Sable

Kate – Blesbok, Warthog*, Ostrich, Blue Wildebeest*

Highlights:

Ike and Kate hunted with us in August of 2005 and they couldn’t wait for their return visit this year, although the weather was a lot cooler then it was when they were here the last time.  Kate had practiced shooting all year and one of her priorities was to hunt a Warthog.  She passed on her first opportunity on a good Warthog though.  It seems that this Warthog she came across was mating at the time.  Pieter told her to shoot but she just didn’t know where to aim as she was afraid that she would hit both of them if she shot.  She also felt sorry for disturbing their private moment so she just passed on the shot.  I guess we’ll name one of the little ones we see later this fall in her honor.  Her next Warthog experience was just about as tough a situation for her.  There were 2 big Warthogs running away from her and while she was aiming she asked Pieter which one to shoot.  As they kept crossing one another Pieter yelled “the one on the left, no right, no left, right”, luckily they paused for a moment and she shot the one on the right, which turned out to be the right one.  One of Ike’s priority animals this year was an Eland.  He had heard that because of the large size of this animal, they were able to “absorb bullets like a sponge”.  Because of this he was extremely careful with his first shot and placed a perfect high shoulder/spine shot on it and it dropped right there.  Naturally there were a lot of congratulations and hand shakes on his shot and it was a few minutes before they proceeded to the area where it was down.  As often happens, when they got to the spot everyone was greatly surprised when they found out it was gone.  Luckily they found him 30 yards away and Ike had his record book trophy.  Sometimes fate just smiles at you and when Pieter told him that he had just been contacted by another property owner with the prospect of being able to hunt an unusual (I would call it non typical) Sable, Ike jumped at the chance.  The next day he was successful in taking this 38” trophy of a lifetime.  Kate also wanted to hunt an Ostrich to use the skin to make some hand bags.  Pieter told her that there was this really bad one that had chased a hunter and a farmer the other day.  He said that if she was able to take this particular one, it would make everyone extremely happy.  They were fortunate to locate this trouble maker and Kate had told Ike that she wanted him to capture the whole event on video.  It was a very tense stalk and when the time was right she made an absolutely perfect shot in the right area to minimize any damage to the skin.  She then turned around to Ike and asked him if he got it all on video.  Because of the intensity of the stalk, Ike had gotten into the hunt so much that he had forgotten to lift the video camera up and take any pictures.  I’m sure there was much said that we can not translate here, but in Ike’s own words “Boy, she was mad!!!”

ED IKEGUCHI & ROWENA RUBIO

Animals taken:

Ed – Gemsbok, Waterbuck*, Ostrich, Impala, Warthog*, Sable, Blue Wildebeest*, 52 ½” Kudu– 2

Rowena – Warthog, Waterbuck

Highlights:

Ed and his special friend Rowena joined his parents, Ike & Kate, for his first African safari.  Ed was a world champion skeet shooter and a member of the US Olympic skeet shooting team for the Los Angeles Olympics.  Although he has been on several bird hunts, Ed soon found out that his rifle shooting ability was not quite as good as his shotgun expertise but he discovered that with those bird hunting skills, he was able to make some remarkable running shots.  By the 5th day of his safari he was running out of shells and had to go into town to get re-supplied.  I believe this was Rowena’s first hunting experience and when she took her Waterbuck shot, it went down like a “ton of bricks”.  But as with what had happened to Ike earlier, when they went to the spot where she dropped it was not there.  They were all shocked and began a serious search for her trophy.  They found him dead a little over a 100 yards away.  I  think it was because of the early cold snap in the area, but quite a few people in camp, including our PH’s and Ike, all came down with colds.  Luckily Ed is a doctor and so he was able to make “house calls” to effected patients.  Ed was also lucky in the aspect that the landowner where his father shot his Sable agreed to his hunting one for himself.  Ed’s Sable was a beautiful “typical” sable and it also is a trophy of a lifetime.

Click HERE to see photos of this group's hunt.

Presidents Grandchildren Safari

Cruiser Safaris was honored to be chosen as the African safari destination for 2 past SCI International presidents for their grandchildren’s first safari.  This group included Warren Parker, SCI’s 14th President, his wife Mary and their grandson Bryce Parker, all from Missouri.  Lance Norris, SCI’s 21st President, his wife Inja, their daughter Sue Heins, and their grandchildren Kody & Kaden Heins and Lance R. Norris are all from Michigan.  They were joined by their good friends John and Lucy Hollenbeck and their grandchildren Matthew & Krysteena Davis, all from Michigan.

Upon their return, Sue Heins published a memory book entitled “A Grandparents Dream Come True.”  (This is an excellent way to highlight your own personal safari and shortly on our web site we will have information on how you can obtain your own safari memory book of your trip.)  This book contained the actual comments of all of the grandchildren and after each one of the new African hunters I am going to include their message in their highlights section.

BRYCE PARKER (9)

Animals taken – 55” Kudu, Impala*, Warthog*, Blue Wildebeest*, Blesbok*, Vervet monkey, African Wildcat, Small spotted Genet, Black Backed Jackal, Zebra

Highlights:

Favorite part of his trip was sharing the experience of hunting in Africa with my Grandparents.  My Grandpa taught me how to handle a rifle, gun safety and sportsmanship in the field.  The day I was born I have been a life member in Safari Club International thanks to Grandpa.  I only hope I can follow in my Grandpa’s footsteps.  I have already asked my Grandparents what part of Africa we are going to hunt next year.  I know I will share my African experience with my classmates when school begins this fall.  I am sure they will not believe what I have experienced, the new friends I have met and the country and animals I have seen.  A trip I will never forget!!!

LANCE R. NORRIS (15)

Animals taken – 2 Blesbok*, Impala*, Gemsbok, Zebra

Highlights:

Favorite part of his trip was just being able to go and hunt in South Africa with my Grandpa.  His favorite animal to hunt was his Zebra; they are a tough hunt – very skittish.  I’ll never forget hunting with you (Grandpa & Grandma), thank you for taking me.  When asked his thoughts by his Grandfather later, Lance replied “My thoughts on Africa are ‘Holy Crap”!  What a beautiful place, animals and the land.  I never thought I would ever go to Africa in my life!  I had the time of my life there!  It is so big and I want to go back.  I would like to shoot 2 more animals, a Red Hartebeest and a Kudu.  I didn’t get either one and that is one reason I want to go back.  It was better because I got to go with a bunch of awesome people.”

KODY HEINS (9)

Animals taken – 53 3/8” Kudu, Blue Wildebeest*, Impala*, Duiker*

Highlights:

Favorite part of his trip was hunting and stalking his Kudu, which he shot from over 200 yards.  I want to thank my Grandpa and Grandma for taking me hunting in Africa.  I’ll never forget what you taught me.

KADEN HEINS (6)

Animals taken – Blue Wildebeest*, Duiker*, Blesbok*, Zebra

Highlights:

Favorite part of his trip was hunting and stalking his Zebra, which took almost 3 hours and 5 miles of walking.  After which he jumped on the Zebra like his pony and asked the PH if he had ever seen the movie “Racing Stripes”.  Thank you Grandpa and Grandma for taking me, I’ll never forget hunting and spending time with you in Africa.

MATTHEW DAVIS (12)

Animals taken – Kudu, Impala, Blesbok*, Red Hartebeest*

Highlights:

Favorite part of his trip was spending time with my Grandparents, meeting new people, making new friends and seeing all the beautiful animals.  My favorite part about the trip was hunting the animals.  I want to thank my Grandpa and Grandma for the experience of a lifetime.

KRYSTEENA DAVIS (10)

Animals taken – Blesbok*, Impala*

Highlights:

Favorite part of her trip was that I liked the whole AFRICAN EXPERIENCE, spending time with my Grandparents and being the only girl in camp.  My favorite part of the trip was shooting the biggest Impala of the group and of the year.  It was even bigger than Grandpa’s!  I want to thank my Grandparents for a wonderful experience.

SUE HEINS

Animals taken – Blue Wildebeest*, Gemsbok, Warthog*, Blesbok*

Highlights:

I’ve never had so much fun hunting and being with my boys and my parents.  Thanks Mom and Dad, I love you.  Next year we’ll have 12 shoulder mounts coming from Highveld Taxidermists in South Africa to our house, I’ll have to do some rearranging.

Although the Grandparents did their best to suppress their own hunting instincts and savor each and every heartfelt family moment, Lance couldn’t pass up a Caracal and John couldn’t resist taking a 23” Impala.  The time went by all to fast for everyone and before they knew it the hunting portion of their Grandparents Dream Safari was over.  They finished up their African experience with a tour of Kruger National Park.

An article of this “Grandparents safari” has already been published in the SCI Michigan Chapter “The Tracker” magazine.  Watch for another article that will be published soon in SCI’s national publication of “Safari Magazine”.

Click HERE to see photos of this group's hunt.

TIM, LAUREL & ETHAN DRAPER – Connecticut

Animals taken:

Tim – Blesbok*, 2 – Impala*, Blue Wildebeest*, Zebra, 51” Kudu, Gemsbok, Jackal

Laurel – Gemsbok*

Ethan – Blesbok*, Warthog

Highlights:

The mood for their safari was set the first night at the dinner table.  It seems like our pet Warthog, Bacon had decided that this was a perfect time for him to join the group.  With the Warthog under the table there came some sounds that everyone was trying to be discreet about as they felt that they were surely coming from him.  Before long everyone couldn’t hold it any more and with Ethan cracking up, they all joined in on the laughter.  After that night, Ethan was in charge of controlling the Warthog noises.  Mom & Dad were a little worried that Ethan might be bored but he was up every day at 5:30 AM and ready to go out hunting.  Even though he had hunted before he was a little nervous about hunting in Africa.  Craig took him out to the shooting range and within 3 shots he was over his fear and ready to go out and shoot something.  Ethan ended up taking a record book Blesbok and a nice Warthog.  The Warthog hunt turned out to be very humorous.  Dad, Ethan & their PH Craig went one day to sit at a water hole for this hunt.  As often happens with this type of hunting, it turns into a great time to catch a cat nap.  Naturally Dad and Craig ended up falling asleep with Ethan watching the activities.  When a nice Warthog came in for a drink Ethan didn’t know what to do and frantically woke everyone up.  There was much laughter about the whole incident when they returned with Ethan’s trophy.

Although Laurel wasn’t planning on hunting anything while they were there, one night at the dinner table, while she was “drinking that fine South African wine”, their PH asked her what she wanted to shoot.  After a little discussion, Laurel decided that she would like to hunt a Gemsbok.  After 3 shots at the rifle range, she was ready to go.  After numerous stalks, as often happen with Gemsbok, she had still not fired her gun and was getting a little frustrated in taking all day on her hunt when the safari hunting was set up for Tim.  Craig assured her that at 3 PM she’ll get something.  3 o’clock came and went, then 4 and 5 and she said by that point she was feeling like Elmer Fudd on her stalks.  Then at 5:15 PM when she was feeling that all was lost, Craig suddenly told her to get her gun and follow.  She said everything happened so fast and she was thinking about everything that she must do for a successful stalk.  When the time came she made a perfect shot and ended up taking one of the largest Gemsbok that had been taken all year.

Click HERE to see photos of this group's hunt.

MARK MADDOX – Texas

PAT MADDOX – Texas

Animals taken:

Mark – Blue Wildebeest*, Kudu*, Impala, Blesbok*, Gemsbok, Warthog*

Pat – Zebra, Kudu*, Gemsbok, Impala*, Warthog

Highlights:

Pat and his son Mark made a perfect safari team.  They wanted to do their hunting together and as it turns out, a lot of things happened in 2’s.  The first of these items were that both of them took their Kudu’s with just one shot and both of them qualified for the record book.  They both developed a special taste for Gemsbok meat and wanted to eat it as much as possible.  I think Pat even had some for breakfast.  It was fitting that with their fondness for Gemsbok, they both took their Gemsbok’s on the same day, with Pat stating that this was his favorite hunt of the whole safari.  Pat and his PH spotted some one day and took off after them on about a 1 hour stalk.  Pat had reached the point of thinking that his favorite animal had given him the slip, when his PH spotted them less than a hundred yards away.  “Shoot that one” was his directive and with his shot his trophy went down.  On the last day they also both shot Warthogs.  Pat mentioned that he missed seeing the Crocodile that Pieter had pointed out to him one day.  He said that Pieter must have been driving too fast for him to spot it.  Congratulations to Pat and Mark for making such a great Father/Son team.

Click HERE to see photos of this Mark & Pat's hunt.

RICHARD WILLIAMS – Washington

Animals taken – Impala*, Blesbok*, Gemsbok, Kudu, Blue Wildebeest*, Zebra, Warthog*

Highlights:

It’s good to hear when one of the client’s are able to get back at the staff for one of their pranks.  A common one used this year by Pieter was to shout “Tree crocodile” and point to a tree.  Naturally everyone always looked up.  Richard was able to get Craig with a similar prank.  One day he pointed into the bush and shouted Kangaroo.  Craig jerked his head to look and then started laughing, admitting that he had been had.  Richard said that his Impala stalk was the toughest stalk that he had ever done.  The story in his words: “Heading out early in the morning we stalked the Impala for about a hour before the distance was closed and then a Gemsbok spooked them.  Jacques and I climbed a tree to see if we could get a shot.  We spotted them about 150 yards out but they kept milling around and didn’t offer a clear shot.  I kept thinking that if I did get a shot, the recoil might knock me out of the tree, so I really didn’t mind not shooting.  After getting out of the tree we duck walked and crawled about ½ mile and using the wind we were able to close the distance to 40 yards.  Kneeling down and twisting like a pretzel, I was able to harvest a ram which made the record book.  Jacques said it was one of the best stalks that he had been on, and it was for me.”

Click HERE to see photos of Richard's hunt.

SHAWN JUDD – Pennsylvania

Animals taken – Blue Wildebeest*, Zebra, Gemsbok, Blesbok*, Impala*, Kudu*, Duiker*, Warthog*

Highlights:

Pieter was Shawn’s PH for his first day.  Their goal in the morning was to hunt Impala and as is Pieter’s habit of having fun, he kept tickling Shawn’s ear with his shooting sticks as he was trying to find the herd of Impala’s in his scope.  At first Shawn wasn’t sure what kept bothering his ear but it wasn’t too long before he caught Pieter at his trick.  On another stalk for Impala that morning they were stalking another group of Impala when suddenly they spotted something running low in the bush.  This something turned out to be a Caracal and naturally the Impala bolted when they saw it.  This on his first morning in Africa, an exciting moment that most people have never experienced.  After the Caracal broke up their stalk they decided to change plans and look for a Gemsbok.  And as often happens during a stalk they encountered Zebra instead and Shawn had his first African trophy.  After lunch that first day they set back out looking for Gemsbok again.  They stalked an old male for over an hour before Shawn was able to take him.  After the photos of the Gemsbok and when Shawn thought that they were done for the day, Pieter spotted a huge Blue Wildebeest and Shawn had his 3rd trophy – all on the first day.

On the second day he hunted with “Little Pieter PH” and they were able to take a beautiful record book Blesbok.  Even though they were positive that this trophy “was in the salt” as they were taking pictures the Blesbok revived and took off running.  Pieter was stunned and yelled at Shawn to “shoot it in the southern portion of a northb