I had the best experience with my dad coming to South Africa to hunt with Dave Freeburn Safaris. My dad began a tradition with me and my three sisters about 10 years ago. He takes us individually on a daddy-daughter vacation after we have finished the 8th grade. For my vacation I chose to come to South Africa for a hunting safari. I chose this because my dad has been on several hunting trips there and has told me about how amazing they are. We flew into Johannesburg from Houston, Texas on Qatar airways. Dave met us at the airport and drove us to the hunting ranch. That is when my hunting adventure began.
From riding in the back of the truck, seeing the variety of animals for the first time, to the feeling of a successful shot placement after a quality stalk, and the numerous memorable pictures, I loved all of it. I had the privilege to get a blesbok, sable, roan, Cape buffalo, nyala, warthog, wildebeest, waterbuck, impala, springbuck, and a crocodile. My two favorite hunts were the crocodile and the buffalo. Those two animals gave me an adrenaline rush that made my heart race. The first time I saw the Cape buffalo step into view, I couldn’t believe how incredibly huge it was. Even after Dave told my dad to stay calm and be quiet when we saw them, my dad started waving his hand frantically with excitement and saying “Dave, Dave, Dave!” Luckily the buffalo didn’t see or hear him.
When the buffalo turned its head, I got on the tripod with my 375, placed the red dot perfectly on the shoulder, and squeezed the trigger. The buffalo was hit hard at the exact point that I had aimed. Dave followed up with his 500 NE, and four more shots from my 375, and the buffalo was down. I didn’t realize how bad I was shaking, until after things settled down. Wow! That just really happened! We were all so excited. We took lots of pictures of this amazing animal. Dave and two trackers loaded the buffalo in the back of his truck with a winch and pulley, and we dropped it off at the skinning shed. The second we got back to camp, I sent pictures of the buffalo to my older sister that hunted in the same location three years ago, just to make her jealous. What a magnificent animal.
I was also able to hunt crocodile. This was the hunt that I was looking forward to the most. I knew I wanted to hunt a crocodile when I was looking through a crocodile hunting magazine at Dave’s booth at the Dallas Safari Club. Dave explained the importance of shot placement on a crocodile. He prepared me for the hunt by studying pictures and watching videos of crocodiles. The hunt started with a stalk of about 400 yards from where crocs had been seen earlier that morning. Dave walked ahead of us so he could see if the crocodile was there. At that time, all I could think about was how to get the perfect first shot and to quickly reload to fire 2 more shots after. He quietly called me up to tell me that the crocodile was there, and his body was halfway out of the water. I walked up, Dave set up the sticks and I placed my rifle on them quietly as to not alert the croc. I looked through my scope and found the exact spot on the neck that Dave had pointed out to me so many times. I took a deep breath, held steady, and squeezed the trigger. The gun went off, and I could see the hit on the crocodile. I reloaded and fired two more shots in the same location. All three shots were taken in less than 10 seconds. It was over, the croc was mine. I couldn’t stop shaking I was so excited! I felt so proud walking down to see the crocodile because I knew I had made three perfect shots. It wasn’t until they pulled the crocodile completely out of the water, that I realized how big it actually was. It was almost 13 feet long. We took lots of pictures of the crocodile on the ground and some hanging from a tree. while hanging from the tree, he was almost 3x my height. I still couldn’t believe that had just happened. it all went by so fast! I am hoping to have a pair of boots made from the skin. Everything about my safari was perfect. Dave’s hospitality, his patience, and easy going attitude made my dream hunt so much fun. I loved Africa!
I will never forget getting the opportunity to hunt with Dave Freeburn, and the time I got to spend with my dad. It was truly the best experience, and I can’t wait to go back.
I was also able to hunt crocodile. This was the hunt that I was looking forward to the most. I knew I wanted to hunt a crocodile when I was looking through a crocodile hunting magazine at Dave’s booth at the Dallas Safari Club. Dave explained the importance of shot placement on a crocodile. He prepared me for the hunt by studying pictures and watching videos of crocodiles. The hunt started with a stalk of about 400 yards from where crocs had been seen earlier that morning. Dave walked ahead of us so he could see if the crocodile was there. At that time, all I could think about was how to get the perfect first shot and to quickly reload to fire 2 more shots after. He quietly called me up to tell me that the crocodile was there, and his body was halfway out of the water. I walked up, Dave set up the sticks and I placed my rifle on them quietly as to not alert the croc. I looked through my scope and found the exact spot on the neck that Dave had pointed out to me so many times. I took a deep breath, held steady, and squeezed the trigger. The gun went off, and I could see the hit on the crocodile. I reloaded and fired two more shots in the same location. All three shots were taken in less than 10 seconds. It was over, the croc was mine. I couldn’t stop shaking I was so excited! I felt so proud walking down to see the crocodile because I knew I had made three perfect shots. It wasn’t until they pulled the crocodile completely out of the water, that I realized how big it actually was. It was almost 13 feet long. We took lots of pictures of the crocodile on the ground and some hanging from a tree. while hanging from the tree, he was almost 3x my height. I still couldn’t believe that had just happened. it all went by so fast! I am hoping to have a pair of boots made from the skin. Everything about my safari was perfect. Dave’s hospitality, his patience, and easy going attitude made my dream hunt so much fun. I loved Africa!
I will never forget getting the opportunity to hunt with Dave Freeburn, and the time I got to spend with my dad. It was truly the best experience, and I can’t wait to go back.
