Well May is the first of four months that are spelled without an "R". Those months are also consecutive. And it signals the official opening of our hunting season.

 

Rifles and shotguns cleaned and fouled. Knives sharpened. Freezer space allocated. Biltong hooks clean.

 

I could swear that all the game was out today. Even the bushbuck, at midday! Tomorrow morning I'll see squat.

 

I'm hoping to get a nice kudu this year. I've been watching them the last 2 years. They come across from my neighbour when we have finished cutting the maize. There is a bachelor herd of about 8. One big bull, 2 1/2 twists at the least.

 

We also have lots of Reedbuck, Bushbuck, Warthog and Bushpig. Pigs we shoot all year round, along with crows, spurwing and monkeys.

 

I want to try an Eland, DF.

I'd even like to try a Gnu....  They look sort of 'beefy'!~

Had a good friend with land on the S. side of the Zambezi, leopards kept eating his dogs.

 

In the earlier times, they used a cooking pot, cast iron. (his term was something like a "poiky poss")  And, I am sure I am murdering Aafricaan!

They fried meat in the bottom, then added vegis,  taties, and half a cabbage on the top.  Set it in hot ashes and it was all cooked when they got back at night.  Gave me his old pots he did.

Enjoyed his biltong.

Mike  Passed on far too soon.

 

I see Waterbuck isn't at the top of your menu, DF!

 

Gnu or wildebeest are shot a lot and breed well. Lots are taken with bows. Not as much meat as you would expect but worth while. About 200 kilos live and 125 kilos dressed.

 

Waterbuck have one problem. They have a very oily substance on their skin and in the hair. If this comes into contact with the meat it will taint the meat so badly that it's inedible. They have beautiful horns though and make great trophies. Even the small ones. Unfortunately we don't get them where I am.

 

Potjiekos or "pot food" is basically a slow cooked stew. A cast iron pot is used. Normally a three leg model, but a flat base will also work. Lots of meat, veg and gravy. The longer it cooks the better the taste. Works well with tough meat. Works the same as a slow cook crock pot.

 

The pots Mike left me are 3 legged cast iron with the lid.

I think I Did Murder the spelling didn't I ?

 

How did the hunting go?

I'd also like to try Tommy chops.  :-)

 

Waterbuck;

I have a single horn.  Found it in the "oil house" at the old farm in Yorkshire. had the end cut off and had been used as a funnel.  I scrounged it as a bairn and made a powder horn of it.

Still have it.

Good luck in your hunting!

 

R.