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Todd Mossoney recounts his second African safari, highlighting the friendships, challenges, and unforgettable moments that made the journey as meaningful as the trophies themselves.
By Todd Mossoney
It all started in a small Indiana town of Pendleton 35 miles north of Indianapolis, Indiana USA.
I was lucky to meet a friend Carl Drake many years ago through a Conservation group called the National Wild Turkey Federation. It is because of Carl I took my first trip and second trip to Africa. My wife was dropping me off for my first trip and Carl told my wife that he needed to apologize to her… “for what” she said? Carl said “Nobody goes to Africa just once.” Carl absolutely was right.
My journey begins for my second trip with Eland Safari in the Limpopo region of South Africa. A Plains Game archery hunt with the goal of taking a Sable Bull with my PSE Bow. It is May 31, 2024 and I met Carl at the Indianapolis International Airport for a short flight to Newark, New Jersey for our connecting flight to Johannesburg.
After a smooth flight to Newark we landed at 1340 in the afternoon, we promptly found the Polaris Lounge and by 1405 we were enjoying an Old Fashioned toasting to the start of The Journey. After spending the afternoon enjoying some good food and a few drinks we headed to gate 138 at 1915. When I boarded and found my pod I got settled and set my watch to South African time to help me with the time change, this is something my cousin Tim told me to do and it works.
Being lucky enough to fly Polaris class to Johannesburg made the 15 hour flight as comfortable as possible. Landing in Johannesburg as the African sun was almost down we disembarked and made our way to get our luggage and weapons. A relatively quick stop to get the rifle checked out with authorities courtesy of Hunters Permit Africa. We were then on our way to meet the shuttle from the Afton Safari Lodge for a great night's stay.
If you ever need a place to stay and recharge your batteries before heading to your hunting concessions or on your way home the Afton Safari Lodge is the place you want to stay. Arriving at the Afton you are greeted by Elize, she makes you feel like family the minute you step out of the shuttle. The Afton is a beautiful property with amazing flowers and plants, a few fire rings burning, a pool, just an incredibly relaxing place. My room was very comfortable, and sitting by the fire with your favorite adult beverage is so relaxing and refreshing.
Jim and Bob arrived at this time and I finally got to meet them, the other two in our party for the safari. Jim and Bob are brothers, it was just an instant friendship. They are amazing guys. The staff prepared a delicious meal that consisted of steak and curry chicken along with a couple of beers. Sitting around the fire talking with Richard and getting to know Jim and Bob on the cool African evening was part of this journey that I really enjoyed.
After a great night's sleep it was time to head to Eland Safaris. Once again the Afton staff did not disappoint with a breakfast consisting of an omelet, coffee, and toast with this amazing apricot jam.
Wian my PH a tall strong looking young man loaded our gear into the trailer and we got in the van for the five hour journey to Eland Safaris. This is day Three of The Journey. Arriving at 1400 we were greeted at the van by Johnny and Alex and Janeske and the other PHs, then into the lodge for a toast to the Safari.
I was taken to the Kudu chalet, my extremely comfortable living quarters for the duration of the stay. I unpacked my gear and put my PSE bow together, placed my QAD Exodus 100gr broadheads on my Black Eagle arrows and I was ready for the range. It felt good to shoot a little bit and also to make sure the CBE sight was still on. I always get a little nervous when the PHs are watching me shoot to see if I can hit anything, luckily I was hitting spot on.
Later that evening we enjoyed a beautiful African sunset, had a great meal, then sat around the fire enjoying its warmth on a cool African evening, having a brandy or three and catching up with our Eland friends. Wian was my PH on my first trip, he is a very capable PH and a joy to be around and has become a great friend that we correspond frequently to this day.
The first day of hunting begins with a very hearty breakfast Bacon, eggs, Bushpig sausage. Wishing everyone good luck at the trucks we were off in search of a Springbok. Setting up in the blind wrapped in green cloth on the inside it wasn't long before we spotted the first Springbok coming into the water.
Wian pointed out a monster Springbok coming in, I immediately shook with excitement. I could not believe how worked up I was staring at those black horns and its beautiful painted white tan and black face. Walking into us from right to left at fourteen yards I waited for the springbok to turn its head away and drew my bow back. My arms and hands were shaking so bad my arrow somehow fell off my rest. Letting my bow down and taking a few deep breaths, waiting for Wian to give me the okay again and calm my nerves, I carefully drew my bow back.
My green single pin glowed on the springbok, placing it just above his front leg and moving my thumb until the arrow released into the springbok. No tracking needed the springbok dropped in its tracks. It is hard to believe an animal can jump the string at that close of range.
Walking up to the springbok it is a small body size animal but just beautiful markings. Wian congratulated me over the animal and said “that did not take long”. I told Wian “it took two and a half days on my last safari to kill my first animal and this time it was twenty minutes”. I was so excited I almost missed the back hair standing up revealing its white hair that smells like cooking sugar or some say cotton candy. It was a great springbok with magnificent black horns.
The same morning Bob made a great 150 yard shot with his .308, taking a very nice Sable.
It was time to hunt what I came to Africa for a Majestic Sable with my bow. Up at 0430 to leave by 0500 for the 1 hour and 45 minute drive to the happy hunting grounds. They had been seeing three Sable bulls coming into a certain watering hole and that is where we were heading.
It was a crisp 42 F clear skies and watched an amazing African sunrise transitioning into a gorgeous day. When we arrived we met Jan the game keeper. Jan was a pleasant young man with incredible knowledge of the area. Jan hopped on the truck and took us to the watering hole the Sable was coming into. We quickly unloaded, got set up and as Thabo drove the truck away we got silent and adjusted the windows blind for minimal light.
Wian had the perfect set up, one window blind open just enough for the camera to film and one for me to shoot through.
At about 0700 we settled… or so we thought.
A nice impala ram came in chasing ewes. As some ewes came cautiously into the water Wian spotted a Sable bull coming in. I could not see the bull because of my narrow view. I did not dare to move my head in risk of spooking the ewes.
The Sable came walking in. Wian mouthed to me “fifty yards”, then at thirty yards I could finally see it through the filming window. Jet black with some brown, a regal stance, black horns sweeping back.
I quietly told Wian I would shoot it with the gun. He reminded me my goal was the bow. I agreed but said I did not want it to get away. Wian was slowly reaching for his suppressed .300 H & H when the bull turned and came back to the water.
Now at twenty five yards, straight on, the bull drank. When he turned broadside I waited for a clean angle. Two ewes entered the water and the Sable ran them off. The bull was now broadside. I extended my bow arm, calm and locked in.
When the bull turned his head I drew. My pin settled just above the front leg and the arrow zipped through. I was so locked in I do not remember pressing the release. Wian said “perfect shot Todd”.
Jan doubted a pass through but the broadhead busted through the opposite rib. Only three drops of blood were found over 160 yards. Wian motioned me forward then laughed pointing to the bull dead ahead. He always waits for me to touch the horns first. I appreciated that deeply.
I walked up stunned by the bull’s size and beauty. The Journey it took to reach this moment was overwhelming. I had a tear in my eye. Jan said it might be one of the biggest Sables he’d seen taken with a bow. Wian grinned and said “Todd that is one big F…..g Sable Bull my friend”.
We toasted with cold beers, then headed back. Jim had taken a very nice Kudu with his bow. A great archery day at Eland Safaris.
The rest of my Journey at Eland Safaris was amazing. Johnny, Janeske, Alex and all the staff are so accommodating and make you feel like family. I have become great friends with Jim and Bob because of Carl putting these trips together.
Safari is so much more than taking an animal. It is about The Journey, traveling, living in a different culture, meeting amazing people like Elize, Richard, Johnny, Alex, Villa, Divon and Janeske. Wian is extra special to me. He is about the age of my sons and I enjoy any time with him I can get. He has so much knowledge and experience and is a great PH in my eyes.
A travel day. Up at 0530, thinking about missing my friends. After breakfast and taking final group pictures we loaded the van and said our goodbyes. It is always hard to leave Wian.
We drove to Polokwane with Villa, then to Safari Taxidermy. After reaching Johannesburg airport I was flying United, Jim and Bob Delta. We met for a meal then they walked me to my gate.
On the flight home I reflected on the difference between the Springbok and Sable hunts. One had me shaking. The other had me calm and locked in. I do not know why. I only know this is why I love to bow hunt.
