HUNTING
HUNTING TIME!
Summer pleasures are almost a thing of the past and hunters' minds are starting to range
far and wide. The unknown hunting season lying ahead can keep a hunter's mind busy for
days. They want to build on the successes of previous years, but they don't want to repeat
the mistakes of the past.
By Jan-Lodewyk Serfontein
Hunting expert
O
ne of the planned hunting
days will be on Saturday with
a planned buck on the wish
list. The children are up early,
dressed, packed and ready for the day.
My daughter's first hunt, which we have
been planning for months, has arrived.
She knows more than most other hunters
about a number of things - from shooting
in on the range to hitting the buck in the
right spot from various distances. The day
should progress as planned.
But what will we do if it doesn't? Will she
know how to compensate if the animals
don't stand where they should? What if the
wind blows? Will she get over the hunting
fever, which will definitely hit her as soon
as the perfect shot presents itself? Oh, and
she shouldn't wound the buck. Your first
buck must be an experience which you
want to remember for ever and which you
want to tell others about for time to come. It
must be perfect.
Fortunately, the buck turned sideways
after walking around for a while. Closer
than 100m the buck could not have
stopped. Now the picture can be coloured
in perfectly, just like she practiced.
The crosshair found its spot behind
the shoulder. Pull the trigger like she
practiced. And the buck goes down even
before the shot rang out properly.
Her face told a number of stories, there
were no words, and her breathing was
more excited than ever before! Everything
went exactly right today. A perfect day - a
day any proud father would want for his
daughter.
After the buck was skinned and in the
cooling chamber, it was time to relax. To
tell stories and relive the day over and
over. In-between all the new stories, emo-
tions and excitement I managed to ask
her what the day was like, and would she
shoot again. Apart from a spontaneous "of
course", not much more was said about the
hunt. To be in the veld, to swim in the dam
and just to be a child, made her day!
Later on I sat thinking about the lessons
which we learn from children. The children
taught me new lessons today. We plan a
hunt for months. What we want to hunt,
where to hunt, how the buck should stand,
how far it should be. We plan on behalf of
nature how we want to hunt, how we want
to experience nature.
My daughter taught me today that I
should enjoy the hunt for what it is and
not for what we want it to be. To be part
of nature, to experience it and be close
to God's creation. To look into the flames,
enjoy the sounds of nature. To look for the
unknown and to experience opportunities
which arise for what they are.
Enjoy your hunt!
SENWES SCENARIO | MIND-SHIFT 2019
29