Bow Hunt Africa
Ready for some Bow hunting in Africa? If yes, a trip for the plains game should take place in either South Africa or Namibia. Both nations are reasonably risk-free and feature many reasonably priced Africa hunt packages. Make plans for your outfitter to meet you at the airport, and never travel out late at night in Johannesburg alone. I suggest you stay at the Afton Safari Lodge if you need a place to sleep in Johannesburg. Before moving on to the next leg of your journey, you will get a chance to get some much-needed rest.
You will earn the experience necessary to hunt Africa's dangerous wildlife by beginning your time in Africa with a safari focused on the plains game. The first time one visits Africa is a momentous occasion worthy of being savored and relished to the fullest. If you plan to jump into a Cape buffalo bow hunt, please give your PH your complete and undivided attention when hunting dangerous species. Letting some of the novelty of Africa wear off will help you concentrate better on the task at hand.
South African bow hunting and high fences
South Africa is about 95% high-fenced. The game is privately owned and controlled, and the outfitters are free to determine their hunting seasons thanks to the high fence enclosing the farms. Therefore, worries about "canned hunting" in the US should not apply to high fencing.
Many of these estates are anywhere from 10,000 to over 200,000 acres. It's possible that you won't notice the fence at any other time than when you're entering or leaving the hunting concessions.
Fences serve as a barrier for common plains game. Eland and Kudu are capable of scaling most African perimeter fences. Due to warthogs' incessant burrowing beneath the walls, leopards, bushbucks, and other small wildlife, such as warthogs, come and go as they choose. Attempt to hunt at least five to ten thousand acres in size on a concession. If the outfitter does not have a particular species on his land, he may take you to a concession held by someone else. Be careful to inquire so you won't be taken aback if you must travel several hours each day to reach the hunting concession.
There are fewer fences in Namibia, and the concessions are often more significant.
Archery hunting South Africa. When is the best time?
The seasons are reversed compared to those in the United States. The winter for us occurs during their summer. Late February to late October is the traditional month for hunting, with May through September being the most popular time. It would be best to go bow hunting in Africa between June and August. The following are some of the reasons why our summer months are the best.
- During the dry months, animals will gather closer to water sources.
- Leaves have fallen from the trees, making it much simpler to locate the game (spot and stalk will be more challenging now)
- A significant reduction in mosquitoes and other irritating insects.
- There is a reduced risk of contact with snakes.
- During the dry season, you should go hunting from a blind near waterholes to increase your chances of success.
If you plan on bow hunting using the spot-and-stalk method, the best time of year is in the spring, when the brush is more densely grown, and there is less noise from dry underground.
Spot and Stalk or Blinds for bow hunting in Africa?
Bow hunting in Africa is most successful from a blind located either at or close to a waterhole. It is not required to get up before dawn to play hunt because the game will generally arrive during the heat of the day. The morning and the middle of the afternoon are the busiest times at the waterhole.
Spot and stalking African game may be one of the most thrilling types of hunting, but you should go into the experience expecting to bring home fewer trophies than you would have if you had chosen to hunt at a waterhole.
Traveling in the truck and searching for game in Africa, you will have additional opportunities to explore and experience the continent. Even if the view you get from a tree stand or blind isn't the best, if you want to bring home a lot of trophies from your hunt, you should spend most of your time in one of those locations.
How much time should I plan for bow hunting in Africa?
The typical length of a package hunt is seven days. Because it is such a long journey to Africa, you should make every effort to go on a hunt that lasts for ten days. A ten-day bow hunt will keep you away from home for a total of fourteen days if you include in travel days. Considering that the cost of airfare during the high season ranges from $1,700 to $2,400, it is financially prudent to extend your trip by a couple of days. On average, you should anticipate harvesting anything from five to ten animals during a ten-day South African bow hunting trip. Those additional days are priceless if it's your only trip to Africa.
Required Bowhunting Equipment
For bow hunting elephant, you must have at least a 90-pound bow. The minimal weight for cape buffalo and rhino should be 80-pounds. Seventy pounds is ideal for both lion and eland.
For kudu, gemsbok, and wildebeest, 60# or more should do the trick. The minimum weight requirement for warthogs, impala, and other smaller animals should be at least 50 pounds. Don't forget to leave the expandable broadheads at home!
African wildlife is hardy, and several African nations forbid the use of expandable broadheads. Blood draws cost money in Africa. Why risk poor penetration when you may hit a bone? Bring a quiver and a minimum of sixteen arrows or more.
The right clothes for bow hunting in Africa
When driving to the blind in the winter, the weather is brisk at night and in the early morning hours when you are in the back of the Landcruiser. The temperature in the blind may be pleasant for the first couple of hours. Wearing apparel that conceals your movement can help you get the most out of your time while hunting from a blind. You are allowed to wear camouflage if you engage in stalking. Still, you should check with your outfitter beforehand because wearing camouflage clothes is frowned upon in certain nations and outlawed in others. Any earth tone or khaki green, tan, or brown is a good choice.
Should I bring my wife, girlfriend, or other significant other?
Yes, but you need to check that the blinds can fit a third person or that sufficient activities or detours are available to keep your travel buddy pleased. Spending time in Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and if you want to create a memory that the two of you will cherish and speak about for years to come, bring a friend along with you.
Parting Thoughts on bow hunting in Africa
Your first bowhunting experience on an African safari might be significantly disadvantaged in Africa. Remember that rather than sitting in a blind, you will view more of Africa while traveling in the truck and searching for game animals. You will be kept delighted by the view out the window of the blind, but if you spend every day imprisoned in a blind, you will lose out on some of the delights that Africa offers.
You may want to undertake some rifle hunting for animals that don't hang around the watering sites. If your outfitter is not a "bowhunting only" outfitter, you should be able to hire a rifle from them daily—usually around $50 to $70 a day, including ammunition.
Make it a point to inquire with your outfitter about any bow hunting-only concessions that may be available. In certain concessions, the animals will often be less startled, resulting in higher trophy quality.
Find a quiver that can store at least six arrows and use that. Having no more arrows to use is an awkward situation. The creatures of Africa are incredibly hardy.
I recommend that you not bring the mechanical broadheads into the field. Your outfitter will be grateful for it, and it may prevent you from wasting time by spending a portion of the day tracking an injured animal.
Maintain a shooting distance of fewer than 35 yards. Aim further ahead from where you usually aim when hunting the game of North America. Buy the book, The Perfect Shot by Kevin Robertson to see hold points on the African game. When the heat is on, we all fall back on the routines we've developed over the years. A shot was taken only a short while ago resulted in the loss of so many trophies.
If you miss the shot, get over it fast!
Wounding and losing an animal cost a lot of money, but you shouldn't allow that to stop you from having a fantastic safari overall. Instead, you could try to recover your confidence by shooting an impala or a warthog.
First and foremost, you shouldn't get obsessed with harvesting SCI record book trophies only. Hunters who travel to Africa frequently regret that they do not take the time to slow down, inhale deeply, and take in their surroundings. Put down the measuring tape and grab your camera instead. Relax and take pleasure in Africa. The situation could not possibly get any more ideal than this!
