I came across this old photo from 2005 the other day. Its the first buck my wife shot. I regularly go hunting every year, and started to nag her to come with. She agreed to tag along as observer one year and enjoyed it tremendously. I started to mention the possibility of her taking part in a hunt herself the following year, and she accepted my offer readily. I made sure we put in a lot of range time beforehand and was amazed how easily she took to handling my Musgrave .30-06, and how quickly she became a proficient shot. After a few sessions she was nailing the life-size Impala targets spot on from every shooting position, right out to 100m. Even off-hand at 70m was a breeze - I was impressed and judged her ready, so a few weeks later in 2005 we found ourselves on a beautiful 500ha private game reserve, just outside Nylstroom. (I hate the term "game farm" - private game reserve is so much more appropriate)
The amenities were very minimal, but tastfully set out with solar battery power and a donkey for the hot shower. I didn't want to go too rough or too luxurious for her first outing, lest I spoil the experience for her. We were set, and off to the range we went to confirm the gun's zero and to proof to the owner that she could hold her own..... and there she could'nt hit the big Impala target from 60m out, and that, over a dead rest of sand bags !
After the fourth shot, without even scoring a hit on the big paper she was so nervous and had no confidence left, so I decided to have a go.... with the same result !
On inspection we found that the old and cheap aluminium rear scope mount had craked and broken through. The scope must have suffered a serious bump in transit and was not serviceable anymore. The reserve owner kindly offered the use of his .308 and we reluctantly, but gladly accepted. My wife again took a seat at the bench and three shots later a neat gouping was evedent just behind the Impala's front leg - we were back in business ! Much later that day we eventually made a succesfull stalk and she took the shot at 65 paces over the shooting sticks - her preferred shooting position. Man I was relieved and so proud when the ram went straight down - perfect heart shot. I couldn't be happier. The beautiful ram was in prime condition and made the most excellent biltong. I eventually shot a young knypkop on the last afternoon and am still being reminded of the fact that her very first buck was almost twice the size of mine ....
Since that episode, we go hunting together every year, and I bought myself a second hand Sauer 90 .30-06 and gave the Musgrave to her. She already started nagging me to allow her to go for a kudu this coming season. But we will see .... maybe.
