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Newsletter 2009
As I go through the webpage I realize that the current newsletter on it is for 2007.
It must be that news happens very slowly here at BAS!
I must have slipped in 2008, and my sincere apologies.
In fact, a lot has happened here and we have been as busy as ever. We keep expanding and adding more game species. Now you can hunt Cape Buffalo, Nyala as well Sable antelope right from the main Lodge. As of this moment we are adding to the Lodge and constantly changing to it to keep it interesting and as accommodating as possible.
The meals and hospitality is as great as ever with Terina in charge. The property has matured and vast number of Waterbuck, Eland, Sable, Zebra, Kudu and Wildebeest are available right from the main Lodge.
Jaco and Robert are still with us and forms part of our family. These guys are veterans now and add to the total experience with our outfit.
Our children, Cara (11), Dries (8) and Nina (5) are doing well and are keeping us busy.
Dries has turned into a real waterfowl fanatic and now lives in a Duck blind!
He has recently got a new Labrador puppy and plans a lot of hunts with Daisy.
Cara loves horse riding and I’m fast running out of excuses not to buy a horse.
Nina started playing the guitar and we are expecting she will turn out a rock star.
Van Heerden Family
Even during fairly tough economic circumstances around the world we managed to run a full camp during 2009.We have had several returns as well as many new clients which became real good friends. We also would like to mention that Outdoor Connection as well as Cabelas is official agents for BAS and their continuous support and efforts ensure our strong position in the market.
We have vowed to offer the client a high quality, exclusive safari experience, and it has always been our attitude. We will always treat and advise our clients with the highest integrity and feel assure that your service, trophies, equipment and professionals will be of the highest standard that SA have to offer.
We offer our clients limited Sable, Buffalo and Leopard hunts from the main lodge, and you can be assured that these will exceed your dreams.
It is important to secure and plan these hunts with us to secure your exclusive experience.
Brad and Wanda Harder joined seasoned hunters Dennis Hilling and Julie Kuhlman on safari during April. Julie had her sights set on a Buffalo and Dennis was after Grey Rhebuck and Sable. On day 2 tracker Philemon lead us into some real thick stuff after following the morning’s spoor of the Cape Buffalo. We were on hands and knees when we and the Buffalo saw each other. The Buffalo was uncertain of who and what we were. Some of them got up and started to vanish into the thickets. One Bull started moving inquisitively closer, too close. As I decided it was a bull to take I signaled to Julie to get ready. In the mean time Philemon who was in the lead started sliding past us as the Bull now was 7 yards away
The Bull came as close as 7yds from us. We could see the red in his eyes sitting flat on our backsides with rifles loaded and ready. The Bull after about 3 minutes decided to leave without presenting an open shot to Julie.
After this encounter we tracked and followed Buffalo for 12 days straight, when finally on the last day Julie knocked her bull down with one shot. Dennis got a nice Vaal Rhebuck, 41” Sable and more.
 
Julie’s Buffalo Dennis & Julie
Brad and Wanda hunted hard every day and Brad collected a nice Gemsbuck amongst other fine trophies.
Brad Harder
Friends Mitch Worrel, Robert Cox and Danny Sutherland were next in.
Danny, Robert & Mitch
We had a real good time with these guys and they collected a bunch of great trophies.
Mitch shot a fine kudu, Eland and more, Robert shot a real nice Nyala.
Danny collected Kudu as well as several other species.
We sure hope to have these guys on safari again with as soon.
 
Mitch Worrel Robert Cox
Bow hunter Brad Jones had great luck and collected all animals and more on his list. Brad is already planning his return to chase Cape Buffalo with bow and arrow. I guess the experience we had with his wounded Wildebeest got him excited!
Brad Jones
Professional Baseball Players Jeromy Burnitz and Pitcher Eric Plunk were our next customers. The safari was exciting and we all had an action filled hunt.
Jeromy and Eric shot several animals with Archery equipment. Both of them also collected great trophies with rifle. Jeromy was excellent with the rifle and killed a Jackal at 300yds!
All of us had my birthday party while they were here; needless to say the next day was an unproductive safari day!
 
Eric Plunk Jeromy Burnitz
Good friend and client Perry Hardwick joined us during this time. Perry was on a Leopard hunt. We had many cats on bait. The ones that we wanted were irregular though. Me and Perry had a fantastic time with many nights, days, early mornings spend in blinds and on the road. The cats became an obsession and neither me nor Perry wanted the hunt to end, as we always had great action and prospective. We saw monster tracks and were working them when the time ran out. We had a nice Tom one night in the tree 3 times in front of us. The cat was nervous and we could not get a shot off.
Perry collected a fine Buffalo Bull also, and we had a tough time getting it out of the mud.
Thank you Perry for a great safari, and looking forward to our next leopard hunt together.
Perry Hardwick
George Birdsong and John Mallamo were next on safari. George worked hard to catch up on some Buffalo, and he finally on day 5 collected a fine Bull. John shot Kudu, Bushbuck and a real nice Nyala amongst his trophies. George also took Bushbuck, great nyala, Kudu and several other plains game to go with his Buffalo.
 
George Birdsong John Mallamo
Frank and Melissa Young from Utah together with Melissa’s son Jonathan joined us next on safari.
They took 10 animals which include Gemsbuck, Kudu, Waterbuck and Nyala. We had a good time with them and looking forward to host them in Africa again.
Frank Young
 
Jonathan Melissa
Jeff and Lisa Ard together with their sons Jeff Jr and Brandon were next on safari. Everybody shot real well and was getting great trophies. They took 14 animals together with Kudu, Klipspringer, Waterbuck, Eland, Nyala and Gemsbuck amongst them.
With the Boys off to College we expect to see them back in Africa soon!
 
Jeff Ard Jeffrey & Brandon
Our east Texas agent, Greg Winchester together with returning client Brian Thomson as well as new hunters Sammy Morris and Jennifer were next.
Greg wasn’t sure if he was in yet but before he knew it he had a beautiful Sable in the Salt with bow and arrow. He also collected a magnificent Gemsbuck of 40.5 inches. Greg has always had good luck with us.
Greg Winchester
Sammy had a fantastic time with his archery gear and shot Waterbuck, 2 Kudu, Warthog and more.
Brian Shot Wildebeest, 2 Gemsbuck, of which one measured 41”.The biggest we have taken of this property. Congratulations!
We had a tough time getting Brian out of his hunting clothes and off to the airport. I hope that Christi will join next time on safari.
Brian Thompson
George and Joye Paterson traveled to Bush Africa next from Kentucky. George collected Kudu, Gemsbuck, Impala and Blesbuck. Joye and Terina had good times together and it was hard to leave. Hope to see you guys back soon!
George & Joye Patterson
Todd Dane Family, Jeff Scott and Sylvia were next in. Little did we know how much fun this hunt is going to be? Jeff is an experienced African safari traveler. This time he decided to use a bow though and it was different. Jeff took a beautiful Kudu, Nyala, Zebra and more, with flawless shots. Jeff convinced Sylvia to take up the challenge and she shot Impala and Blesbuck.
 
Jeff Scott Sylvia
Railynn in true Canadian fashion amazed us by swimming midst winter in Africa .Cyndi Dane collected Kudu, Warthog and Blesbuck with her bow. Todd is another story. He and Danny joined us in the Kalahari and after a very exciting hunt Todd bagged a magnificent Lion with his bow. He also walked and stalked a 40” Sable bull and shot it at 52 yds.
 
Todd Dane Cyndi Dane
As if he did not impress us enough he shot a massive Giraffe Bull at 92 yds and downed it with one arrow! The ladies and kids spent a few days relaxing in Pilanesberg, visited a spa and went elephant riding.
 
Cyndi & Danny Sylvia & Railynn
Todd and his family, Jeff and Sylvia was an absolute pleasure to hunt with.
Check this python out! (Estimated 20 feet)Todd manhandled it after a night of Lion celebrations!
Richard and Mary Mills, their sons Matt and Sam, as well as Charles and Angel May, their sons Corey and Chase were our next clients. Sam and Matt are 11 and 10 years respectively and these boys turned out to be amazing hunters. They each collected not less than 8 animals without any losses. Sam hunted hard on foot in the mountains and finally got the Kudu he wanted. I enjoyed hunting with Matt and a highlight was to see his excitement shooting his Warthog.
 
Matt Mills Sam Mills
Mary did not stand back for the little hunters, and I know now where their excitement comes from! She took Zebra and Nyala. The Sable is waiting for you Mary! Richard shot a Great Giraffe Bull. I’m sure there is a lot of hunting still left in this family and we are looking forward to host them again.
Richard Mills
The Mays collected 17 Animals in total with a few fantastic trophies. Chase shot a massive 41” Gemsbuck. All the May sons as well as Mills boys shot fantastic Wildebeests that all scored in the top 20 of record books.
Milt (Charles) had his 50th birthday while on safari. What a fantastic evening we had with the finest safari cuisine available.
 
Chase May Corey May
Milt & Angel May
John, Terri, Chase and Brock Raffaele were next in. Chase collected Eland, Zebra, Kudu and much more with his bow. His execution of shots was faultless and killed all within viewing distance. Brock also tried his hand and shot a nice Blesbuck with one shot. Well done on a first animal.
We had a fine time with this family and hope to see them again in the future.
 
Chase Raffaele Brock Raffaele
Joe Funk together with old BAS friend and client Dave Funk was our last clients. Joe’s shooting was on the mark and colleted 10 animals. We went to the Free State where we collected Springbuck, Black Wildebees, and Red Hartebees. Dave shot a massive 40.5 inch Gemsbuck. This sure was the year with enormous Gemsbucks! Dave also shot a nice Klipspringer back at BAS main camp.
 
Dave Funk Joe Funk
We also had a massive duckshoot and it is definitely one of the finest duck shooting areas that I have ever experienced. Enquire about our limited bird hunts we offer for Doves, Pigeons, ducks, Geese, Guinea fowl and francolin species.
We had a very good time with these guys, as always.
Duck hunting
Last but not least, Cara shot her first animal a few weeks ago. We are very proud of her; Dries might even be a bit jealous because he has competition now!
Cara van Heerden
We will finish the year of with some renovations and changes to the lodge. You will have to come back to see what it is!
We want to thank all our valued clients for your support and friendship. Thank you for the thoughtful gifts to the children and the generous gifts towards all of the staff and the community.
Your support and business ensure that BAS stay one of the finest operations in Africa today.
We put a lot back into our facilities and property, to make sure that your next safari will have bigger and better trophies, for all.
Please enquire about all the areas we hunt. BAS today offer the client most species in Africa, and will put you in with the real specialists in the areas.
I also want to thank our staff and Ph's Jaco, Robert, Varkie (Jaco), Charlie and Wynand for a proud and professional service to our company. Their continuous service and loyalty makes us the fine safari outfitter that we are.
Terina and I will be traveling to the US early 2010.
Dallas Safari Club (7-10 January 2010) look for Winchester’s Sports/and Bush Africa Safaris booth Houston Safari Club (15-17 January) booth 722
SCI show in Reno on (20-23 January) booth 1353 & 1355
Mobile nr while in the US, 1 - 30 January 2010, (903) 746-7955
Hope that you and your families will have a great Christmas and prosperous New Year, and looking forward to meet up with you in 2010.
With our warmest regards!
Scalk van Heerden
Bush Africa safaris
Since 1993
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