Bow hunt Africa

I am very excited to bow hunt in Africa

My husband and I are going to Kuvhima Safaris in 2014 bow hunting. I am new bow hunter (just finished my second year) and would like any tips on bow hunting in South Africa. I do not hunt with a gun.
Thanks.

Welcome to the greatest place to chat about hunting Africa.
Since I am new to bowhunting my self I leave it to other to give you advice.

Go have fun Packsy.
Look forward to your hunt report.

Originally Posted by Packsy

My husband and I are going to Kuvhima Safaris in 2014 bow hunting. I am new bow hunter (just finished my second year) and would like any tips on bow hunting in South Africa. I do not hunt with a gun.
Thanks.

Hi again Packsy, is it that you don't like guns or just have never hunted with one? don't rule guns out unless you just have plenty of time and money on your hands I like hunting with bows as well I've got a Darton that my friends keep telling me I need to update I love that Bow 314 fps at 60lbs but I can't hit a Kudu at 200 yards with it. my hunt in 2010 9 animals in 7 days with a rifle. another hunter was coming in to do the same hunt with a bow I talked with my PH to see how his hunt went and after 3 days and the animals not wanting to come in to the water hole or bait he changed to a rifle that he borrowed from my PH and his hunt went well. If it's just that you've never hunted or did a lot of shooting with a rifle you've got till 2014 get with your husband and start out with a 22LR setup some small targets and see if you can whup up on his butt that makes it fun and just work up to a bigger gun unless you just can't stand hunting with guns, I would just hate to see your first hunt to Africa not be your dream come true after spending thousands just to get there. Now don't get me wrong Do the bow hunt but don't rule out the gun I've know a lot of gun hunters go to Africa and thier outfitter talk them in to trying the bow and they loved it. Who knows give it a try.

Packsy,

Welcome aboard!

My advice would be to remain flexible and go with ZERO expectations.
By doing so, even the worst event/encounter will seem like the best!

There is nothing wrong with hunting exclusively with the bow-if that is what you want to do. The real trophy will be, and has always been, the experience. I, honestly, have more respect for those hunter who work hard and stick to their guns (bow in your case). It shows me they're not willing to settle...anyone can settle. You can always go back (most of us do).

You will have opportunities, if you are willing to take them. Listen to your PH...again, let him/her know you are willing to be flexible.

Have fun...wish you the best!

Thanks for the advise I really appreciate it.
I will go with low expectations so I am not disappointed, but I will NOT hunt with a gun. It is not that I have never shot a gun or that I am afraid to shoot one. I used to shoot when I was young with my brother and dad all the time. I have a very personal reason for not wanting to hunt with (or even shoot) a gun now.
I plan to work with my weights, practice a lot before we go. I know my limitations and will only take a shot that is 30 yards or less (preferably 15-20 yards). Stretch and I will be hunting together, so he will be there to help me remain calm and take a good shot.

With the right outfitter (I have the one), you can have as good if not better success than a lot will with a rifle. I have found a PH and outfit that not only has the trophy animals, but plenty of them. Small groups on 10 day hunts and a limited # of hunters per year. He manages his concessions for quality and quantity. I could fill a couple dozen pages on the successes of our 2 hunts. Just let me say this, 2 people in 2008 shot 17 animals and 4 returned in 2010 and brought back 28 animals. Booked again for Sept 2012 for either a lioness or lion for 2 of us and more plains game for the others. Check out the picture thread for some shots of my animals. I make nothing off promoting this outfit, I just know what he has to offer for a dedicated bowhunter. All he hunts on his concessions is bowhunters, no rifles. 100,000 acres+ of concessions and a family run outfit. Most of his shots are around 20 yards at water or you can do spot and stalk if you want. Out of the 7 animals i shot in 2010, all will probably go Gold in SCI with 3 possibly in the top 10 and one possible top 5 for bowhunters. let me know if you would like more info.

Thanks for the offer of a recommendation, mudslinger, but we already have our hunt booked with Kuvhima. But, I am thinking there will be return trips where we may be looking at different outfitters.
Your photos are awesome!!

Packsy, just get ready for the thrill of a lifetime. Africa was way beyond my wildest dreams and I am sure it will be with you and your hubby. Good luck on your hunt!

Good luck Packsy. I went on an archery safari in 2010 and have been trying to figure out how to get back ever since I left.

Two pieces of advice that you can't go wrong with:
1. Always listen to your PH - I did and it really paid off.
2. Study the archery shot placement photos here on AH. And when I say study, I mean study so much that when you close your eyes you can still see the picture. You won't regret it. Put a well placed arrow in the bread basket and they will fall.

Good luck. Let me know if you have any specific questions. I am not an expert, but have bowhunted all my life and would be glad to help if I can.

nd

Oh Packsy one other thing be sure to take a good camera with plenty of disk space the views and the wildlife are unbelievable, Your going to love it. the only sad part is we're going to have to wait until 2014 to read your hunting report. feel free to post some pics of your other trophies. looking forward to your input.

Hey Packsy,

Why not a thread about the routine and the daily grind leading up to the hunt? Pics of the bow. arrow. broadhead selection, etc. Give us an idea as to how you are preparing! We can help build the anticipation! Moreover, one of us might see a detail a firsttimer would overlook.

What say you?

Have you picked a time of year for your hunt? The dry season, May through October, is best if you're hunting over water. However, airfares take a significant jump upward from June through August-considered the high season. You can save yourself a minimum of $500 if you hunt before or after the high season. $500 can be used on another animal verses the same seat on a plane.

Have a great trip!

I like your idea. That sounds like a lot of fun and a great way to build the fun

Well then, let's get this puppy rolling! Bow pics....arrow selection...broadhead...workout regiment, etc. Tell us what you are going to do!

In an effort to maintain form, muscle, and practice, I will challenge you to a weekly shoot consisting of 32 arrows per session. Half must be shot from 20 yards and the remaining half from 30 yards. We'll keep score for fun (honor system)-a shot inside a quarter is 12 points and a shot inside a circle the size of a baseball is ten points. Anything outside these two circles counts as zero (aim small miss small, a miss is a miss, period). Give me your weekly score and I'll enter it into an Excel spread sheet. It will be fun to watch improvement. We might even toss in a few twists! Perhaps, one week, all the shots must be from a sitting position...

Maybe we can get a few of the bow junkies here to join us?

I will be hunting plains game and cape buff in July. Such a challenge will be added incentive for me as well.

Do you want to give it a go?

Originally Posted by iamyourhuckleberry

..... We'll keep score for fun (honor system)-a shot inside a quarter is 12 points and a shot inside a circle the size of a baseball is ten points. Anything outside these two circles counts as zero (aim small miss small, a miss is a miss, period). .....
Do you want to give it a go?

I can't afford all the arrows you want me to break inside that quarter.

You see Brick, that's where you have to think outside the box. One arrow at a time will cause you to walk a total distance of 4800 feet-just under a mile. Your legs will benefit from the workout as well...We'll call it our "just shoot and move" archers program. Naturally, if you are fit as a fiddle, then you can employ a three or five spot target. Thus, reducing the travel amount by a third or a fifth...

I also propose the quarter size circle must touch the outer edge of the baseball size circle (like on a lot of 3-D targets). If you miss, you have the potential of missing points at together.

Good one, Brick
I have not robin-hooded an arrow yet, but I try to do it to my husbands
Huckleberry - I think that sounds like great fun. We usually don't start shooting until late spring, when the weather is a little better up here in NE Wisconsin.
I can get a pic of my bow on here, going to be trying a heavier broad head (you would have to check with Stretch on which ones )
I do an 10 minute exercise video in the morning, whatever I pull from the stack, from abs, legs, buns or arms. Then I do a stretching routine (including push-ups) with Stretch. Then when I get home at night I work our with my 10 pound weights. When it gets nice out I will start walking at lunch time at work, and we will start riding our bikes.
This is going to be a fun ride

Originally Posted by Packsy

Good one, Brick
I have not robin-hooded an arrow yet, but I try to do it to my husbands
Huckleberry - I think that sounds like great fun. We usually don't start shooting until late spring, when the weather is a little better up here in NE Wisconsin.
I can get a pic of my bow on here, going to be trying a heavier broad head (you would have to check with Stretch on which ones )
I do an 10 minute exercise video in the morning, whatever I pull from the stack, from abs, legs, buns or arms. Then I do a stretching routine (including push-ups) with Stretch. Then when I get home at night I work our with my 10 pound weights. When it gets nice out I will start walking at lunch time at work, and we will start riding our bikes.
This is going to be a fun ride

Wow Push-ups for a stretching routine, Oh Stretch there better watch it, if he shoots a bigger animal then you, you might kick his butt. I'm glad you guys are jumping right in that makes getting ready for your trip a lot more fun and a good learning Experience.