Hal Rose on Hunting South Africa: Eastern Cape, Walk-and-Stalk Hunting & Choosing the Right Outfitter |
We enjoyed listening to Hal on the Hunting Africa Podcast this week (Episode 111: Hal Rose – Hunted South Africa 3 Times and Going Back for More).
Hal Rose, a good friend of ours, has hunted South Africa three times, from KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo to his most recent hunt with Tootabi Valley Safaris in the Eastern Cape. What makes this episode worth listening to isn’t the trophies, but Hal’s insights into how experienced hunters should think about African hunting.
In the conversation, Hal speaks candidly about something many seasoned hunters eventually discover: repeating the same style of hunt, on the same type of ground, starts to lose its edge. Different regions in South Africa demand different decisions, across very different terrains, and that’s where the hunting experience deepens.
A few key themes stand out clearly. While hunting in the Eastern Cape, Hal valued walk-and-stalk hunting over hunting from blinds. Getting out on foot, reading the terrain, and being directly involved in decision-making alongside his professional hunter (PH) changed everything. Hal also advises against being too rigid, with a trophy checklist. Staying open to what the bush offers resulted in Hal taking trophies that weren’t just representative of the Eastern Cape, but earned in a way that made each one meaningful.
Hal’s safari also included spending a few days in Cape Town, one of the World’s top destinations. The combination of downtime after the international flight, excellent restaurants, the Cape Winelands, and the close proximity to the Eastern Cape’s hunting areas made it an ideal starting point for his hunt.
Hal is more than a client to us; he’s become a good friend. We appreciate how openly he shares his thinking, the trophies he has taken, and the two Eastern Cape trophies he is already planning to return for.
You can listen to the full episode here on Podbean: Click: Round The Fire PodCast
If you’ve hunted Africa before, or you’re planning your next South African hunting safari, this episode is well worth your time. Hal’s advice about meeting your PH rings especially true. With that in mind, Beans du Preez, Owner of Tootabi Valley safaris will be visiting Texas in the coming weeks. If you’re serious about planning your next hunt in the Eastern Cape, let’s sit down face to face and do it properly. DM us or send an email, details are on our page.