Top Trophies of 2011

wintershoekjvs — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:11:45 +0000

A very warm welcome to our most popular Bush Breaking Newsletter of the year! It is indeed a great honor to present to you -Wintershoek Johnny Vivier Safaris- Top Trophies of the year 2011!! As well as the categories; Rifle shot of the year, Bow shot of the year, & Under “Teens”Young Hunters of the year.

With the 1^st year of operating in all 4 of our unique areas under our belts, we can boast that each and every client that hunted with us this year took quality trophies in all 4 of our hunting areas. In actual fact, the superior quality of our animals has been so phenomenal throughout the year, that it has been an extremely difficult task for us to narrow down the top trophies to being only 25 photos. Therefore, with great consideration and fairness which applies to all 4 of our areas that yielded the most amazing trophies this year, we have selected 55 specimens that we would consider to be the WJVS Trophies of the year 2011.

Our trophy selection has been based on the following criteria: The challenge of the hunt: The quality of the Trophy: The difficulty in hunting the species:The overall appearance and presentation of the trophy. Our proven track record of supplying our clients with remarkable trophies and unforgettable safaris is legendary; our repeat business can attest to this! Please enjoy and acknowledge the superior quality that each and every animal deserves. As hunters you can stand proud of the fact that you have contributed to the conservation of wildlife through sustainable utilization and the preservation of the Hunter will live forever …… Your contribution towards our wildlife programs will ensure the future of our species for generations to come!

HOT OFF THE PRESS AND GREAT NEWS!!! Wiaan has just been selected as one of the Directors of Wildlife Ranches of South Africa – This is indeed a huge achievement and milestone that Wiaan has reached in his career, what an honor! Wiaan’s dedication and tireless work towards his wildlife and conservation goals is exemplary. We are indeed very proud of the fact that Wiaan is at the head of his Game and at the head of our WJVS Company. Go ahead and drop Wiaan an email at: wiaan@wintershoek.com he would really appreciate hearing from you, as he deserves every bit of support and recognition.

During our planned, whirl wind promotional tour of the USA starting off on the 3^rd of January at the Dallas Safari Club Convention and ending in New York on the 9^{th of} February 2012 ~ You can contact us anytime on the following mobile numbers whilst we are in the USA: Johnny 314 348 0677; Wiaan 314 346 7747; Hannes 314 920 0799 or alternatively, you can send an email through to wiaan@wintershoek.com

Come visit us at:

Dallas Safari Club 5-8 Jan, booths 2331 & 2333
ATA Show Columbus Ohio 10-12 Jan, booth 1641
African Hunting Show Atlanta 13-14 Jan, booth 14
African Hunting Show Calgary Canada 27-28 Jan, booth 28
Safari Club International Show Las Vegas 1st – 4th Feb 2012 booths 1173, 1175, 1177, 1179, 1181 where we will be 10 members of the WJVS team on hand to man the 5 booths in Vegas!

If you haven’t booked your safari for 2012 yet, then now is the time to climb in and to get those dates secured and confirmed – Already we are expecting a busy 2012 year and a very busy marketing campaign, so don’t delay it any further, just email: johnny@johnnyviviersafaris.co.za and wiaan@wintershoek.com to get your dream hunt taken care of and booked.

At this time we would like to report that Hennie has already started with the re-construction at our Gamagara camp. We will be ready to open the doors to the camp and this fantastic hunting area to our clients for the 2012 hunting year – If you think the trophy quality was great this year, stand by for what gets put into the salt at Gamagara next season ….. Watch this space!!

All that remains for us to say, from the entire WJVS team, in this our final Bush Breaking Newsletter for 2011, is that we wish you a wonderful and joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2012! And always remember – WHEN YOU’VE TRIED THE REST, COME AND HUNT WITH THE BEST!!

Put your confidence in experience and come and enjoy a safari of a lifetime!!

Take care, God Bless and keep in touch,

The WJVS TEAM ………….. Out!!

Trophy of the Year 2011 goes to Jaime Diaz Torre of Mexico with his incredible 51 inch Sable

Nancy & PH Wiaan - Elephant

Tracker Ben, Silvio & PH Yvan- Lion

Strauss & Jaco Marais- Buffalo

Jaime - Leopard

Dan - Elephant

Scott & PH Andries- Lion Bow

Nancy-Darted Rhino Hunt

Kjell-Gemsbuck

Victor-Lion

Miguel-Eland

Dan & PH Ricus-Buffalo

Tracker Cephas & Jay- Waterbuck

Johnny Johnson- Gemsbuck

Franscois & Christian- Eland

PH John, Simon, Mike & PH Le Roux - Rhino

Christian- Sable

Bob-Gemsbuck

Alan & Barbara- Himalayan Tahr

Ramiro-Nyala

Mabel, John & John Jnr-Lioness

Ayva, Emma, Jill, Rian, Kaeleb & PH Strauss-CmnSpringbok

Enrique-Lechwe

Miguel & PH Phillip-Lion

Steve & PH Andries-Black Wildebeest

Dale-Gemsbuck

Lasse-Blesbuck

John & PH Yvan-Kudu

Tracker Cephas, Manny, Driver Richard, Maria & PH Yvan- Buffalo

Guillermo-Lion

Antonio & Tomas-Kudu

Raul & Sara- Blue Wildebeest

Josh-Black Springbok

PH Frikkie, Tracker Cephas & Oscar-Black Wildebeest

PH Yvan & Luc-Common Springbok

Frank-Lechwe

Sherry-Kudu

Oscar-Red Hartebeest

Francisco-Eland

Frederick-Black Springbok

Richard-Gemsbuck

Leopoldo-Kudu

Jason-Common Blesbuck

John & Nicole-Steenbuck

Tracker Joseph & Ramos- Kudu

Gilles & Tracker Cephas-Impala

Tom-Black Springbok

Tracker Paul, Lorena, Francisco & Tomas-Copper Springbok

Eric- White Springbok

Rhonda & Lonnie-Black Springbok

Carey-Common Springbok

Trond-Kudu

Jean-Marc & Marie-Nyala

John, Nicole & PH Ben Mountain Reedbuck

Ezhequil Eland

Herbert Common Springbok

Lucas Black Springbok

Bow shot of the year goes to Scott Shultz who took this huge Springbok on foot at a ranged 81 yards

Rifle shot of the year goes to Oscar Mertz from Chile-shooting a

Wikus Marais 9 years old

Luis De La Rubia Jr 10 years old

Mario Sosa 10 years old

John Yau Jr 11 years old

Sarah Alston 12 years old

Francisco Cortina and Lorena Jurado

wintershoekjvs — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:07:56 +0000

Our home based Spanish agent Tomas De Castro from Spain, was very pleased to welcome Mr. Francisco Cortina and Lorena Jurado to all our camps in the Northern Cape. Francisco is going to help Tomas to promote our safari business in Spain, of which we are all very excited about! Ph’s Yvan, Jacques and Tomas took care of our new business associates whilst they toured our lodges and hunted some great species out of the areas. Tomas is really looking forward to his new business venture with Francisco & Lorena who will be based in Madrid. Thank you Francisco and Lorena for putting your confidence in our entire team; it will only be a pleasure for WJVS to welcome your clients and to show them a safari of a lifetime! Huge thanks goes to Tommy once again for all his hard work ….. Let the good times roll in 2012 …. Nonya!!

Francisco & Lorena with a magnificent Gemsbuck (Oryx)

A record book Blue Wildebeest (Brindled Gnu) taken by Francisco.

An excellent Common Springbok for Francisco, whilst Tomas, Lorena &Ph Yvan look on.

A monster Copper Springbok trophy ….. Amazing quality!

Ph Jacques holds up another superb trophy, a White Springbok Ram only found in RSA.

A great tusker for Francisco.

The Black Backed Jackal is considered vermin in RSA ….. SHOOT ON SIGHT!!

Frank Massa and Tom Aasbo

wintershoekjvs — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:07:36 +0000

We had the Laurel & Hardy boys arrive in camp, when Frank Massa and Tom Aasbo arrived from the Tri State Chapter, New York. These two, hilarious and crazy characters had us splitting at the seams with laughter … and YES! they did manage to do some great hunting with PH Liam Urry. The biggest task that Liam had wasn’t about worrying where the Buffalo or Rhino were, it was trying to keep Frank quiet in the bow blinds and out of the sweet wrappers …. Hee! Hee! Frank owns a White Tail Deer Ranch in Texas, whilst Tom keeps a firm hand on the entire operation at the ranch. Armed with his trusty .300 Jarrett, Frank has to be one of the most consistent marksmen this year, taking almost every animal with only one shot! Tom did great with his bow hunting from blinds and also by doing some walk and stalk hunting. On a different point now, we can tell you that breakfasts will never be the same for our clients in camp. Frank passed on his award winning sausage recipe to Gibson our Chef, who soon had everyone eating their fingers off …. Wow! Guess it’s gonna be sausage for breakfast, lunch and supper guys …hee! Hee! What a treat it was having such humorous friends in camp on this their 1^st,but certainly not their last African safari. We look forward to seeing Tom at the Dallas Safari Club show Jan 5-8 and catching up with Frank at the SCI show in Las Vegas1^st – 4^th Feb 2012.

Frank with a real good Kudu Bull taken at Wag ‘n Bietjie camp.

Tom took this great Gemsbuck with his bow on a walk and stalk hunt.

A record book Waterbuck Bull for Frank.

Tom whacked this big old warrior Blue Wildebeest with his rifle.

Frank poses with a beautiful Lechwe Bull.

Tom shot himself an excellent Common Springbok Ram with his bow.

Frank also bagged himself a big trophy Gemsbuck.

Yo! This Blue Wildebeest is huge all round.

Great shooting from Frank and another record class species ….A Common Blesbuck Ram.

Tracker Cephas holds up Frank’s Common Springbok ram, our RSA National Animal.

Tom was really pleased with his Warthog boar taken with his bow …. Great job!

The Chacma Baboon has the biggest canines in the bush;this old boys teeth are completely worn down.

Well done Frank! This is a mighty fine Impala Ram ….. Excellent shooting Bwana!

Frank with his Warthog.

Yuri Petrov, Sergey Dvuluchanskiy, Anatoli Petrakov, Anatoli Voronin, Edgar Aramyan

wintershoekjvs — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:07:13 +0000

On his umpteenth safari with our company, Yuri Petrov from Russia completed his Big 5 in style this 2011 year, by taking a big old Rhino Bull at Wag ‘n Bietjie. It was also good to welcome back Yuri’s son Alex, repeat hunter Sergey Dvuluchanskiy and first timers Anatoli Petrakov, Anatoli Voronin and Edgar Aramyan all from Russia. The group was led into the sticks by Ph’s Strauss Jordaan and Yvan Nieuwoudt and everyone had an enjoyable African experience. On one special occasion, the Russian hunters prepared a memorable barbeque out in the bush, cooking a traditional dish off the fire out of a 3 legged pot …. It was great fun and very delicious to say the least! Everyone has promised to return and we are most certainly looking forward to that soon. With special thanks to Yuri and Alex for their years of continued support and friendship and for organizing such a wonderful group of hunters …. We appreciate you all so very much!

The Rhino hunting party, Yvan, Strauss, Alex, Sergey & Edgar, congratulating Yuri on taking his Rhino bull and completing his Big 5 …. Excellent hunting Yuri and well done!

Yuri with a big Burchell Zebra, whilst Sergey looks on.

Sergey with the grey ghost of Africa a Kudu bull.

This Waterbuck bull taken by Sergey has incredible mass at the bases of the horns!

Sergey with a nice Impala ram.

A record book Common Blesbuck taken by Sergey out on the flats.

AnatolyVoronin (right) and AnatoliPetrkov aka the AA team pose with a Red Hartebeest Bull.

Anatoly Voronin with a massive Eland bull.

Anatoly and his Gemsbuck.

Edgar with a beautiful Burchell Zebra.

Edgar took a nice Gemsbuck.

Edgar with his Red Hartebeest Bull.

Richard and Edgar with trophy Waterbuck Bull.

Edgar and Richard with Common Springbok Ram.

Cephas and Edgar with Common Blesbuck ram.

A grand old Buffalo Bull caught on camera out in the open by the hunters …. See you next year Mr. Buff!!

Johnny Johnson & Steve Hanlon

wintershoekjvs — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 10:06:16 +0000

It has been a good 15 years since we last saw Johnny Johnson from Brandon Mississippi and Steve Hanlon from Memphis, Tennessee back on South African soil. It was a fantastic reunion and also a fun trip for Johnny’s wife Mel and Steve’s wife Carey to experience Africa for their very first times as well. Armed with 30-378 rifles which is the right medicine for far reaching shots, the men were ready! The entire trip included, hunting at Wag ‘n Bietjie and Thuru lodges with PH’s John Tinley and Andries Maritz. They then drove from Thuru to Upington which is only an hour away and they all flew down to Cape Town. Deirdre Mathews, of come-2-africa tours, took care of everyone for the remainder of this superb experience ….. Here is what Mel had to say:

We had the best time. I loved both camps. I thought the accommodations, service and food was excellent! The PH’s could not have been better or more fun. Both have great personalities and very knowledgeable about the area and animals. We all had a blast just visiting and talking by the camp fire (Just like in the movies). They made sure we were happy & full at all times…..

The staff at both lodges paid great attention to detail, which made us feel very much at home!! The first night at Thuru they took us up to the top of a sand dune for wine & cheese, and the most gorgeous sunset anywhere! Dinner in the bush by candlelight, pictures of our trophies on our beds at night and a DVD to take home with highlights of our trip …… Incredible!

At Wag ‘n Bietjie camp, we had a blast hunting and shopping! The food was so good!! Thanks so much for our trip to town and to see the lions … very fascinating! Of course the most fun hunting was having you join us one day, so many laughs and memories for the future! We are still telling everyone about our wonderful adventure!

Cape Town was awesome and I thought Deirdre did a fantastic job. She is very good at what she does.

She is so friendly and knowledgeable about Africa, can’t wait to plan another trip to see other areas! I feel like I have a new sister!! Take care & tell everyone hello ….

Melanie Johnson.

Thanks again for putting your confidence in Wintershoek Johnny Vivier Safaris; it was a pleasure having you all on safari with us again …… We look forward to seeing you in Dallas Jan 2012.

Johnny shoots that 30-378 like a .270 and has no problem handling such a weapon; these were the words of PH John Tinley, who had a memorable safari with Johnny. This Gemsbuck measured way into the 40 inch mark!

At 220 meters Johnny whacked this enormous Hartman’s Mountain Zebra with his 30-378.

JJ and PH Johnny Vivier with a huge Springbok known as Mr. Wintershoek ‘cause he is so BIG!!

A Copper Springbok taken at Thuru.

White Springbok taken at Wag ‘n Bietjie at 280 meters.

The Grand Slam of Springbok in the bag after Johnny took this fine Black Springbok.

A very good quality Bontebok Ram.

Mel preparing to get this Ostrich skinned for some fine Boots!

Steve with his huge Black Wildebeest Bull taken with a big stick 30-378 caliber ….. What a trophy!

Carey took her very 1st animal ever ….. A record book Common Springbok Ram.

Look how the horns on this Black Springbok curl backwards ……. Amazing!

Andries (Super) and Steve with another record class trophy, a Copper Springbok.

The Hanlon’s complete their Grand Slam of Springbuck with this White Ram.

Steve also shot himself a huge Mountain Zebra …… well done Stevie Wonder!

Carey was over the moon with her Ostrich.

The “Terrible Twins” in Africa with 2 record class White Blesbuck Rams ……. Who’s the MAN???!!!!