First Archery African Hunt

Originally Posted by PBPD83

Thanks, I know even if I dont get anything I will breing back a lifetime of memories.
PBPD83

Just the abundance of game that you will see will be breathtaking

. Take a camera or two and enjoy the hunt...

Thanks, I have several deer with my 308 and black powder but the archery kill has been hard to come by

Originally Posted by mudslinger

PBPD83, what outfit and when are you going for your first safari? Sounds like your dedication to this sport will serve you well on your first safari. I am going to throw another BH into the equation, a Smoke Ramcat. The 125 grain comes in with a 1 1/2" cutting diameter. 3 blade fixed head that flies like a dart, is razor sharp and cuts some wicked holes. I used the 100 grain on my trip over in 2010 and took 5 animals with them. they are going with me on my lion hunt in Sept.

I will be leaving JFK on Sept 7th will be hunting with Taylor Safari's. I won this hunt when I entered a contest put on by "Shiver Shield"maker of cold weather clothing.

Originally Posted by PBPD83

Thanks, I know even if I dont get anything I will breing back a lifetime of memories.
PBPD83

If you dont get anything you might be the frst one ever. I think the question will more likely be how many can you get before your wallet gives out.

Ha! Exactly!

You can't beat Slick Trick and that includes the price.They are sharp,simple and holds well.I don't like the 'Magnum", it does tend to be 'hard' to tune with faster bows, but if you stay under 300fps you should be ok.Enjoy the hunt.

I'm going to gererate some contoversy here, but I believe that srtongly in this reply that this must be said....I have been bowhunting a long time, and I try to keep an open mind when it comes to the overwhelming choices of archery equipment available. I also hunt Africa exclusively with a bow, and I have been fortunate enough to take over 50 plainsgame animals with a bow and arrow. Also, I have seen the successes and failures of countless other bowhunters while in Africa.

My experiences have taught me this....Any heavy duty, fixed blade, NON-MECHANICAL, broadhead that flies well is a good choice. STAY AWAY FROM MECHANICALS LIKE THEY ARE THE PLAGUE! I don't care who makes them, or how many celebrities endorse them, mechanicals do not perform well on the majority of African game. The outfitter that I hunt with will not allow the use of mechanical broadheads, and I applaud them for it. I'm suprised that there are many outfitters out there that still do.

Most mechanicals have light, flimsy blades which can bend, break, delfect, and fail to deploy. Additionally, mechanicals expend an enormous amount of energy, if they open correctly, resulting in shallow penetrations. No one here will argue that the anatomy of African game is different. We are talking about heavily boned, thick hided, animals that in my opinion are inherintly tougher by nature than most North American game animals. Your shot has to be nearly perfect, and the arrow must go deep, or you will end up needing to leave your trackers a bigger tip.

Have there been hunters who have taken giant African animals with a Rage or similar style broadhead? I'm sure there have been many... But, unfortunately, there has certainly been at least as many wounded and lost due in part to a mechanical broadhead failure. If anyone reading is a mechanical broadhead fan, it is not my intention to offend you. I use mechanicals here at home for turkeys. For small game, they are usually dependable, and they serve their purpose. But, I would never use them again on a deer....I'm sincerely trying to save anyone bowhunting Africa the stress and worry during a hunt that should be the trip of your life...

Leave the mechanicals at home... If you must bring them, keep them for shooting guinea fowl and other varmints.

I couldnt agree more!

Originally Posted by firehuntfish

I'm going to gererate some contoversy here, but I believe that srtongly in this reply that this must be said....I have been bowhunting a long time, and I try to keep an open mind when it comes to the overwhelming choices of archery equipment available. I also hunt Africa exclusively with a bow, and I have been fortunate enough to take over 50 plainsgame animals with a bow and arrow. Also, I have seen the successes and failures of countless other bowhunters while in Africa.

I would like to say thanks for all the advise/suggestions. AfricanHunting.com is a great sight. It has a world of information that I think anybody going to Africa or any other place to hunt should sign in and learn. I had not given a lot of thought about a bow case except a solid one until I found a thread on bow cases, then one on arrow speed, kinetic energy and more and more. The more I read and the more pictures I look at the quicker I want September to come. I will continue to visit this site long after I return from Africa. There are a lot of great people here.

Thanks/Randy

Originally Posted by firehuntfish

I'm going to gererate some contoversy here, but I believe that srtongly in this reply that this must be said....I have been bowhunting a long time, and I try to keep an open mind when it comes to the overwhelming choices of archery equipment available. I also hunt Africa exclusively with a bow, and I have been fortunate enough to take over 50 plainsgame animals with a bow and arrow. Also, I have seen the successes and failures of countless other bowhunters while in Africa.

My experiences have taught me this....Any heavy duty, fixed blade, NON-MECHANICAL, broadhead that flies well is a good choice. STAY AWAY FROM MECHANICALS LIKE THEY ARE THE PLAGUE! I don't care who makes them, or how many celebrities endorse them, mechanicals do not perform well on the majority of African game. The outfitter that I hunt with will not allow the use of mechanical broadheads, and I applaud them for it. I'm suprised that there are many outfitters out there that still do.

Most mechanicals have light, flimsy blades which can bend, break, delfect, and fail to deploy. Additionally, mechanicals expend an enormous amount of energy, if they open correctly, resulting in shallow penetrations. No one here will argue that the anatomy of African game is different. We are talking about heavily boned, thick hided, animals that in my opinion are inherintly tougher by nature than most North American game animals. Your shot has to be nearly perfect, and the arrow must go deep, or you will end up needing to leave your trackers a bigger tip.

Have there been hunters who have taken giant African animals with a Rage or similar style broadhead? I'm sure there have been many... But, unfortunately, there has certainly been at least as many wounded and lost due in part to a mechanical broadhead failure. If anyone reading is a mechanical broadhead fan, it is not my intention to offend you. I use mechanicals here at home for turkeys. For small game, they are usually dependable, and they serve their purpose. But, I would never use them again on a deer....I'm sincerely trying to save anyone bowhunting Africa the stress and worry during a hunt that should be the trip of your life...

Leave the mechanicals at home... If you must bring them, keep them for shooting guinea fowl and other varmints.

Originally Posted by Diamondhitch

Something sharp and straight with no gimmicks that is tuned to your bow. Enough said.

I stand by that statement as well.

Thats right, I quoted myself. LOL

Originally Posted by PBPD83

I would like to say thanks for all the advise/suggestions. AfricanHunting.com is a great sight. It has a world of information that I think anybody going to Africa or any other place to hunt should sign in and learn. I had not given a lot of thought about a bow case except a solid one until I found a thread on bow cases, then one on arrow speed, kinetic energy and more and more. The more I read and the more pictures I look at the quicker I want September to come. I will continue to visit this site long after I return from Africa. There are a lot of great people here.

Thanks/Randy

Your right, you would be hard pressed to find a better bunch of guys.

PBPD83

I am sure that you'll have an awesome experience and come back with trophies that you never even knew that you wanted... As for broadheads you could be reasonably confident, that all info shared is good and accurate it now depends on how well it can all be tuned and shot placement.

Have agreat time and post pictures upon your return.
My very best always

Originally Posted by Jaco Strauss

it now depends on how well it can all be tuned and shot placement.

I know no matter how good, how sharp, how big the whole if the broad head does not hit its mark they are all the same. Could it be that many hunters are trying to get an edge with wider broad heads to compensate for poor shot placement due to lack of practice. I was told that I should be able to hit a golf ball consistently at 30 yds. I don稚 know if I will be that good but it won稚 be for the lack of practice.

thanks/randy

Originally Posted by PBPD83

I know no matter how good, how sharp, how big the whole if the broad head does not hit its mark they are all the same. Could it be that many hunters are trying to get an edge with wider broad heads to compensate for poor shot placement due to lack of practice. I was told that I should be able to hit a golf ball consistently at 30 yds. I don稚 know if I will be that good but it won稚 be for the lack of practice.

thanks/randy

Tuning is far more than a way to get broadheads grouping nicely. An arrow that strikes its target straight with all the energy travelling down the center of the shaft will outpenetrate a slightly wobbling arrow by a huge margin. Think of it like striking an object with a knife straight on as opposed to of you have the knife slightly cocked. Even a better example, if you get struck by a peice of paper even almost imperceptibly crooked it will harmlessly bend away but if you keep the spine of the paper perfectly straight it is strong enough to cut into your hand. It is exactly as important with arrow penetration, efficiency beats brute strength hands down.

Well it has been a while since I have posted anything, but wanted everybody to know that I had a GREAT 10 day hunt this past September with Taylor Safaris in Limpopo Provence. I was useing a Missions Venture bow @ 60# useing Muzzy 100gr 3 blade Broadheads. They worked great. I took a 31 1/2 inch wildebeest, Kudu, 2 Impala rams, Gemsbok, Jackal and a warthog. The Muzzys worked great. I am now waiting for my trophies to make it to Poplar Bluff, MO USA from Field and Stream Taxidermy.

Sounds like you had a great trip and were very successful. Now where are the Pics and tell us a story along with that. thanks Bruce

Yes please. Stories and pics! I would love to see the wildebeest!

sound like you had a blast share that wildebeest pick. would love to see it.

regards

Hi,
Last year was my first trip to Africa. I used a similar bow. I took a Blesbuck, Impala, a killer Eland and a 40 inch Gemsbok. My advice is a fixed blade you have confidence in. Sharp cannot be sharp enough. Whitetail have paper hides in comparison with African plains game. Penetration is a mother. The fact that African game vitals are so much further forward than North American game makes penetration even more difficult and vital. This year I am going back (hopefully for a monster kudu) I will be taking a Matthews Heli m , I fell in love with that rock hard back wall. The major change is that I am going to be using easton injexion arrows. I know they re expensive but the penetration is unbelievable. If I am going half way around the world to bow hunt the difference is minimal in the big picture. Good luck my first trip to Africa ruined my life. I can think of little else. I will probably go every year till I am too old to pull a string.

happy hunting-Jerry