Tarina is a product manager in the IT industry and has lived her whole life in the Jacaranda City, Pretoria. She has two beautiful children and a loving husband who keeps her grounded and supports the path she walks.
Fallow Deer – Ficksburg, near the Lesotho border in the Free State.
At the age of thirty, Tarina decided to pick up a rifle and go hunting for the first time. She shares: “It was something my husband had a great passion for, and I thought I’d give it a try. If I enjoyed it, it would be something we could do together.” A red hartebeest doe was the result of this decision. “With my first buck, I was smeared with blood, but at least my husband didn’t make me eat the liver. Since then, I’ve mustered the courage to actually eat it.”
Tarina continues: “Hunting is my great passion and a pastime I share with my husband and children. My 12-year-old daughter has already hunted nine animals from eight different species. It brings me so much joy and is a great honor to make them part of the hunting experience. We teach them the values one should have to hunt with respect. I also hunt for charity, where we donate meat to orphanages. As a family, we love game meat and enjoy preparing a delicious game roast that leaves people licking their fingers!”
When hunting isn’t on the agenda for the day, the family explores the bushveld by driving around, holding target competitions with an air rifle, and sharing great stories around the campfire—with a marshmallow or two for the kids. “What’s important to me is making time for each other. In today’s fast-paced life, one must slow down and prioritize family time. The bushveld calls me to spend quality time together as a family,” says Tarina.
Tarina’s daughter, Mieke, is proud of her perfect shot. On either side of Tarina stand her son, Andru, and her husband, André.
A True Hunting Enthusiast
“I love being part of nature as a hunter. Finding the animal and ensuring the right shot placement is an adrenaline-filled experience. When I take down my buck, I always take a moment of silence out of gratitude for the opportunity.”
Tarina hunts two to three times a year and has ventured into the wilderness in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, the Free State, the Northern Cape, Limpopo, and even Namibia.
One of her most memorable hunting experiences was the day she pursued her Rowland Ward Barbary sheep in the mountains of the Northern Cape. “The terrain was extremely tough—slate rock where your shoes just slip, Black Thorn trees cutting through your clothes. It was summer, scorching hot, and I drank water straight from streams along the way. After much blood and sweat, I finally got the opportunity to take a shot. But then the real challenge began—getting the Barbary sheep out of those mountains. That alone took over an hour. The reward was immense. I had taken down a trophy animal that made all the effort worthwhile.”
The Rowland Ward criteria for a Barbary sheep is 26 inches, but Tarina’s measured 32 inches—a truly remarkable trophy.
One of her lifelong dreams is to hunt a buffalo one day. The dangerous game aspect of this Big Five animal excites her, as the experience is truly unique.
Scimitar – Barkly West, Northern Cape
Women Can Hunt Too
Tarina is passionate about encouraging women who are interested in hunting but may feel hesitant to take the first step. “If you’re curious about hunting, take that first step and book a hunting trip with someone who will make the experience enjoyable for you. I can highly recommend the wonderful team at Pronk Hunting Safaris—they will ensure you have a fantastic time. You can even rent a firearm from them if you don’t have one available.”
She highlights that the Pronk Hunting Safaris team consists of knowledgeable and friendly experts in both exotic and common game. They can help plan your entire hunting trip, with meals and accommodation usually included in the package—offering a comprehensive experience that eliminates any uncertainty or worries.
Tarina adds: “The bushveld experience is simply fantastic. It brings a sense of calm and peace amid our fast-paced lives. You can truly disconnect and become one with nature.”
Sable Antelope – Barkly West, Northern Cape
With everything life has to offer, you’ll almost certainly find Tarina in the bushveld. Her heart beats khaki, and she prefers a good cup of coffee by the campfire over a kettle in the city.