2007 Review
(Article written by Jan Visser, Owner and Master Hunting Guide)

The year of 2007 will be remembered for the excellent lady hunters that visited Klawerberg. They did not only decorate the chauvinistic hunting scene with their attractive presence, but also took some very fine trophies with excellent shots. Here are some episodes of what we experienced.

Kathleen Berthault

When Kathleen Berthault arrived and said she want to hunt Kudu and Oryx. I was dazed. She is such a petite person, maybe 35kg, very attractive and very slender. She was keen to stalk and more than willing to carry the heavy 300 magnum. I kept my composure, but had my doubts. When she ended up with a golden Oryx, as well as a beautiful Kudu some time later, I was overjoyed and will hold her in high esteem forever.

Brittany Willis

Brittany Willis and her extended family, father, mother, husband and children, visited us in May/June. They took many splendid trophies: Zebra, Black and Blue Wildebeest, Hartebeest, Duiker and many more. But Brittany, mother of two, soft spoken and attractive wanted to shoot a Kudu bull. I explained that the real strong bulls are high in the hills and it is real hard work to go after them. This only inspired Brittany. She was all set to go. After hours in the hills, crawling over rocks and through thick cover she shot a magnificent Kudu bull. I was so proud of Brittany enduring all the hard work with a smile, bringing back such a trophy. What a hunter! I fortunately have a photo of her on top of the mountain, proudly with her Kudu, overlooking our beautiful plains. It is very special to me.

I met Sharon and Paul Kossmann in Houston in 2006. Sharon indicated she would also be interested to hunt. They did a lot of preparation for their safari. Practiced from sticks and took immaculate care of everything. Sharon was determined to hunt an Oryx and after all the explanations of how difficult such a hunt could be, how important good shot placement is, how many times Oryx are wounded etc., she did not waiver once, but kept her chin high.

Sharon Kossmann

Sharon Kossmann

Sharon Kossmann

Sharon Kossmann

We started early in the morning with the stalk and after a real long tiring 4 hours Sharon shot her Oryx. A perfect shot, low on the shoulder and right through the heart. When I congratulated her I saw the relief and triumph in this beautiful girl's eyes. Many male hunters would be so happy to shoot such a trophy with such a shot.

Karl Kurkowski from Michigan is a great friend. He hunted twice on Klawerberg and took some excellent trophies. He always told me he wants to bring his daughters to hunt when they are a little older. One evening the phone rang and Karl said I am coming, When Heather and Rachel stepped from the plane I realized how blessed Karl and Hedda Kurkowski really are to have such lovely and pleasant girls. It was their first time to Africa. Karl, great hunter that he is, was standing back offering his girls the golden opportunity of a lifetime to hunt each the favorite five.

What a wonderful safari. To guide young hunters and them being girls is so rewarding. I remember Rachel was carrying a .270 on the first day, looking for a steenbok when she came upon a big Kudu bull. A Single shot put him down. What a trophy. Heather was interested in Warthog as well. When we came upon this very big male she shot it so quickly and perfect that it drew admiration from everyone. Karl you and Hedda can be real proud of your beautiful girls and the wonderful trophies they took.

Rachel Kurkowski

Heather Kurkowski

Heather Kurkowski

Rachel Kurkowski

At the end of the hunting season we once again sent our staff for different training courses. It was difficult to keep the Ranch running without them and very costly, but they, Klawerberg and our hunters benefit greatly. They are so well motivated and stimulated afterwards with what they have achieved and new friendships that had been made. It gives us great pleasure. Constant training and upliftment is part of our mission en route to excellence.

2007, was a wonderful year. I enjoyed being with the hunters, sharing their experiences and excitement. Privileged to live in Africa, surrounded with all these magnificent animals. Blessed to be healthy and to do what I really love.

Jan