MIKE KEENY – The product of a family that has been immersed in hunting and the outdoors for generations.
His American grandfather, Frank Keeny, immigrated to South Africa in 1910 to start a career in the Johannesburg gold mines. As soon as he was settled, he wasted no time in enquiring about fishing and hunting opportunities in South Africa. These enquiries lead him to a Free State farm where he met his wife. His inherent love for hunting, fishing and the outdoors was passed on to his sons and this tradition is still burning strong in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mike was born in 1966 and by the age of three he was tagging after his dad (Nelson Keeny) on fishing and hunting trips. His family would take annual vacations to different National Parks and Game Reserves in Southern Africa.
Having the privilege of growing up on a farm, Mike’s bush skills have been honed from before school going age. At first he started with a catapault and later a pellet gun and fast progressing to hunting rifles. He hunted his first impala at age 10 and by the time he was 15, Mike was guiding hunters on his father’s game ranch.
After finishing school and completing two years of military service, Mike went on to study Nature Conservation and qualified in 1990. He then joined his father’s stock farming business which included running the hunting on the family game ranch. After his father passed away in 1997, Mike took over the management of the family game ranch and in 2001 he became a licensed Professional Hunter followed by becoming a licensed Hunting Outfitter.
At present, Mike resides on Shabalala Game Ranch with his wife Nerina and his three children, Michaela, Nicholas and Nathan where they run a hunting, as well as a game breeding operation.