An Addax Hunt Brightens a Rainy Day

brittney wade addax antelope porter's exotics

Brittney and husband/guide CP w/ Brittney's trophy addax antelope

by Brittney Wade

Soon after I started dating my husband, CP Wade, I fell in love with hunting. CP is the ranch manager at Porter’s Exotics Ranch near Flynn, Texas.  I started spending all my free time out at the ranch with him. Since then, I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to take several species including all of my “firsts” with a rifle and bow.

It wasn’t until late last year that I learned of the new permitting rule that would go into effect for the Oryx, Gazelle, and the Addax.  I fell in love with the Addax and I was sure to let my husband know it!

In late December, I got to watch my husband take a huge 43’’ Oryx with his bow.  This only fueled my desire to take an Addax. Days and weeks rolled by, until mid January, when out of the blue CP and Mr. Porter (owner of Porter’s Exotics) asked me the dumb question, “Would you like to shoot an Addax?”

My immediate response was a resounding, “YES!!”

CP spent a lot of time and hard work scouting out the perfect Addax for me.  The whole time I was unaware that he was planning on surprising me with the perfect date night.  I knew every weekend at the ranch was booked with clients until April 4th so I thought my dream of shooting an Addax was long gone.

The first week of February, CP asked if I wanted to tag along with him and AllAboutExotics.com founder, Craig Ellwanger, on a scouting trip for an upcoming client’s hunt.  I found it a little odd that we were bringing a gun case along, but I didn’t ask any questions.  After we met up with Craig and loaded up our things, we headed to the ranch, and CP broke the news that we were not, in fact, going on a scouting trip, but actually going after my Addax! 

My excitement and anticipation was quickly destroyed by a torrential downpour and thunderstorm.  I just knew this was going to ruin our hunting trip.  As I sat on the back porch of the camp house and watched it rain in excess of 2’’ I began to wonder again if I would ever get to shoot my Addax.  The rain stopped shortly before dark, and we took to the field. Craig, CP, and I had several close encounters with the Addax that night but were unable to get a good clean shot before light faded.  We headed home with high hopes knowing that another chance was right around the corner.  I had faith in my wonderful guide.

A couple days later of being sick I was able to head back to the ranch and resume my hunt.  CP and I decided that we were going to do a spot and stalk hunt once again since the Addax seemed to be constantly moving around the ranch.  Once again we had several really close encounters with the spot and stalk, we almost got a shot off around lunch time.  We headed in for a quick bite to eat then hit the ground running to track down my Addax.  Hours went by without so much as the sight of an Addax.  I was beginning to wonder once again if it would ever come together.
CP assured me that we would get my Addax.  I trusted him because I have always seen him get his clients and customers their animals.

We decided to go check out a small food plot on the south side of the ranch to see if they Addax had made their way back there for a mid afternoon bite to eat.  CP said they usually move mid afternoon.  To our surprise, they were out there.  CP got the shooting sticks set up and I began to settle in for the shot.  As I began to settle in the Addax started walking away, but CP and I planned for such an occasion and I was going to have to take a walking shot.  We waited for my Addax to clear the rest of the group, and CP instructed me to put my crosshairs at the front of her shoulder and begin squeezing.
When the rifle went off my Addax hit the ground immediately.   The shot wasn’t my farthest but was at a respectively 120 yards, and all that mattered was my Addax was on the ground!  Shortly after, Mr. Porter (my newly adopted “grandpa”) drove up on the ranger to greet us at the Addax.  There were lots of hugs, high fives, and smiles exchanged as all three of us stood there in awe of my Addax.

I am still in disbelief that I had this opportunity to take a once in a lifetime trophy.  I want to give a special thanks to Mr. Carroll Porter and my wonderful husband CP Wade for making my dream a reality.  I wish every girl could be so lucky!