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Dedicated hunter and longtime Scopelist MVP customer Jon Garnett recently returned from his most memorable hunting trip yet—10 demanding days in South Africa’s Limpopo province. Joined by his brother J Garnett, family friend Dwight LaRue, and future brother-in-law Carey Martin, Jon once again hunted with PH (professional hunter) Willem van Dyk on the familiar 12,000-acre property nestled in the rugged, yet beautiful Waterberg Mountains.
This was Jon’s sixth trip to the property, and though the group was well-prepared and experienced, the adventure brought fresh challenges that pushed everyone to their limits.
Rains, Thick Brush, and Unrelenting Terrain
Late-season rains had transformed the landscape into a lush, overgrown expanse of bush and rolling hills. While the greenery was a beautiful sight, it made spotting and tracking game significantly harder. Moving through the thick terrain under the hot African sun took a toll.
Over the course of the trip, Jon estimates the team covered roughly 10 miles on foot.
Despite the tough conditions, the ranch was teeming with life. The favorable rains from the previous fall had led to a noticeable boom in young animals, with herds full of healthy new offspring. Kudu, vervet monkeys, baboons, and even a few elusive species like duiker and steinbok were sighted regularly—they even spotted a leopard.
Cape Buffalo: A Challenge Four Years in the Making
Jon’s primary goal was to finally take a Cape buffalo—something he’d been working toward for years. For the past four seasons, he monitored a specific bull via trail cameras, studying its movements. But on this trip, that bull remained elusive. The team only encountered two Cape buffalo the entire hunt, and Jon and J each took one of them..
Jon’s buffalo didn’t go down easily. The group tracked it for three days through some of the most difficult terrain of the trip. During the first encounter at nearly dark, Jon had to take a shot at just 15 yards. The buffalo was partially obscured behind a fallen tree, and the bullet (Swift A-Frame)—deflected by a branch—didn’t hit the mark and failed to penetrate the bull’s thick skull. The team spent the next two days pursuing the wounded bull, even deploying a drone equipped with a thermal camera (a first for the party) to pick up its heat signature in the dense, impassable brush.
That helped them mark its location before darkness fell, but the recovery still required hours of old-fashioned tracking the next day.
After an 8.5-hour final push, they finally caught up with the buffalo, estimated to weigh over 2,300 pounds. It took a coordinated effort and incredible persistence to close the chapter on this formidable animal, and while Jon earned memories—and learned lessons—to last a lifetime, none of the meat went to waste, truly giving back to Africa.
Dialed-In Gear, Thoughtful Preparation
Jon’s gear setup for this trip reflected years of experience and refinement. He brought four rifles (one for each party member), primarily paired with handloads he’d developed specifically for them using solid copper bullets from North Fork Bullets. These projectiles performed perfectly, expanding effortlessly with through and through penetration in some instances. In the year leading up to the trip, Jon tested 500 to 600 rounds across the rifles to dial in their performance.
His optics were as precise as his loads. With a mix of Burris, Schmidt & Bender, Swarovski, and Zeiss glass—purchased at Scopelist—the team had the clarity and reliability needed for everything from long-range antelope shots to up-close dangerous game. New gear, including a high-performance rangefinder and Sitka clothing, also helped the group stay ready for whatever the hunt threw at them.
Carey Martin, on his first safari, used Jon’s .338 Win Mag rifle topped with a Swarovski Z3 scope and truly executed with precision. With careful preparation and months of practice, he harvested a handful of animals—never missing a shot. His performance was a highlight for the group and a sign of great hunts to come. After such a successful first time out, Carey intends to get his own rifle setup equipped with the same Swarovski scope.
In addition to bringing Carey along, the team was also outfitted courtesy of Scopelist and for the first time with matching Scopelist t-shirts and a banner—flying the flag for their favorite gear supplier across the Waterberg.
Community, Conservation, and Culinary Highlights
As always, the camaraderie was a cornerstone of the trip. Though the days were long and physically exhausting, the group never experienced conflict—only mutual support, shared laughs, and the kind of bonding that can only come from long days in the bush.
All harvested game was put to use. Meat the team didn’t eat themselves was donated to a local coal mine owner, who distributed it to mine workers. Wildebeest and zebra were favorites, but a standout dish was a steinbok shoulder soup that left a lasting impression and a full stomach, a satisfying end to a hard-earned day.
Still More to Hunt
While the Cape buffalo was a long-awaited milestone, Jon already has his sights set on more. He hopes to take a gemsbok, continue building his family’s collection of beloved zebra rugs, pursue a bigger warthog than the impressive 12.5” tusker J took—a matter of sibling rivalry, and begin hunting the elusive Tiny Ten antelopes in the years to come.
Conclusion
Scopelist is proud to support hunters like Jon with gear that performs when it matters most. From precision optics to field-ready clothing, we’re honored to be part of each adventure. Have questions about hunting Africa, gear recommendations, or want to share your own experiences in the worlds of hunting, competition, tactical shooting, or more? Contact Us—we’d love to hear from you and will gladly pass along any messages for Jon.
