Bow Hunting Advice

[expony]

Heading to SA in May for my first African Bow Hunting trip. any advice on equipment?

 

[Ian B]

Equipment

Expony
The only advice i have is to practice with what you will take along. Contact your PH and ask what sort of blinds you will use and then go and simulate the shots.

One common mistake is for first timers to Africa to suddenly go and buy a monster of a bow and try to pull 80lbs, "because African game is Tougher", this is a fallacy and leads to more woundings as a result of poor shot placement. Your 60lbs deer rig that you split arrows with is what you want to take along with you.
Beyond that your clothing and arrow selection are most important, you need to be comfortable in the blind, so take clothing which can be comfortbaly dressed up for cold mornings and stripped down for midday heat.

Arrow selection and most importantly the broadheads is one of the most debated things out there. My opinion is to go with simple solid performanance. In my opinion fancy fails, so stay away from mechanical heads, go with solid fixed broadheads with replaceable blades like the Muzzy or similar style, they simply don't fail.

One last consideration is that if you shoot a standard bow like a bowtech or mathews you will find parts easily, if not then bring basic spares along with you, cables, string, fancy cam attachments, etc. this is an investment as well as an adventure, don't let it go sour by cutting corners on your equipment. Ask your PH if there is a bow press too if you need one in the unlikely event of a repair needed. Also make sure it will fit your bow.
What equipment do you use now?
Good luck
Ian

 

[expony]

Thanks for the info.

I am currently shooting:
70lb. Diamond Black Ice.
G5 Montec Broadheads
Easton Full Metal Jacket Arrows

 

[Skyline]

That is all good advice. I have guided a lot of bow hunters here in Canada over the years and that advice holds true for here as well. Ian your comment about practicing from positions that simulate the situation they will encounter while on their African hunt is a good one and one that is often ignored. Ditto the use of a fixed broadhead and stay away from the mechanical broadheads.......I have seen the mechanical broadheads fail a number of times in the field.

Expony I would also suggest you spend a good deal of time familiarizing yourself with the required shot placement on the African game animals you are going to be after. My experience is that most North American hunters tend to place their shots too high and too far back.

 

[Ian B]

excellent Setup

You have got all you need to hunt any of the African species and from what I have heard those Montecs are the business. Get in some practice time and you will be on your way. If you are interested in an interactive shot placement CD then get hold of David Sutherlands one. It is the best out there and available in the US. Dead On - Interactive Shot Placement Simulators
Go check it out, that together with a cool nerve will see you flying back with great memories and a bag full of trophies
Good hunting
Ian

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

expony, you can also check out the shot placement guide on this website, it is not interactive but it is free, click here to view it. I am working on a bowhunting shot placement guide right now specifically for bow hunters, it should be posted in 3 to 4 weeks, well before your trip... great advice from Ian and Kelly.

 

[Ian B]

Great diagrams

Jerome
Great diagrams, I have been meaning to congratulate you on getting such clear images. Once you can look at an animal and see the organs moving within it through your minds eye, then you can truly start to place your shots with accuracy.

Good hunting
Ian

 

[safari hunter]

Ian, that's very zen, you are "at one" with the heartbeat... but I know what you mean!

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

thanks Ian, it took me some time to put the shot placement guide together but I am very happy how it turned out and I think that the bowhunting shot placement guide will be a good addition...

 

[Ian B]

Zen indeed, now I know that you get exactly what I mean.

For those of you who are new to the site I would like to say a quick thanks to Jerome for the hard work and dedication he has put into the site.
As it stands now this is already 2 + years of work from his side and the man is still doing his bit every day. Thanks Jerome, it is much appreciated.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

The bowhunting shot placement guide is now posted, click here to check it out. For questions, comments or pictures relating to bowhunting shot placement, visit the bowhunting forum by clicking here.

 

[Yukon]

Great advice. We shot through netting (similar to that used in a Double Bull Blind) that was placed over the shooting windows on our ground and elevated blinds. If you are doing the same, make sure that the cutting diameter of your broadhead is the same or larger than the vanes. This is not equipment related, but use Scent Lok clothing or another brand. Those of us that used this had many more opportunites and shot larger animals.

 

[expony]

The bowhunting shot placement guide is now posted, click here to check it out. For questions, comments or pictures relating to bowhunting shot placement, visit the bowhunting forum by clicking here.

wow great stuff!!

 

[Andries]

I have hunted with a few bowhunters that were using Scent Lok and I am convinced that it worked. Joe Byers use it all the time.
When you practice make sure that you practice with all your hunting gear on. If you are going to hunt with with gloves and a face mask, practice with it. Put everything on that you are going to use in the blind and practice with it.
Practice also a bit while sitting on your knees, you never know when you may need to take a shot like that.
Good luck.
Andries.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

That's great advice Andries, something to think about, if one person is going to use the Scent Lok, everyone in the hunting party needs to wear it as well...

 

[expony]

how important is scent lok when hunting out of a hide?

 

[Andries]

Smell always play a very big role when you bow hunt. If the wind is in your face or blowing away from the animal, it's not a problem. It does not matter how good the hide is, if the wind is wrong the animal will smell you. I experience that elevated hides work a little better in a bad wind.
The best is to move to a hide were the wind is good. The most common thing to do in a situation were you got to stay in a blind were the wind is in your back is to burn animal dung next to the blind. Zebra or cow dung work good.
I do not say you must wear Sent Loc, but it work and will help you in that situation you don't want to be in.
Enjoy it.
Andries.

 

[Thunder head]

If you have 2 bows take both.
You can get the cable type bow press. Its small, packs easy and works just fine. Could be a life saver. Take extras if you have them. I broke a site pin in the middle of nowhere one time. I had an extra pin in my tool kit. I marked the location of the old one, put the new one on. Pulled out a judo point and was back in buisness in just a few minutes. Add some dental floss to your kit. I tied in a new peep site in a guys bow on a weekend hunt before.

You got some good advise on practice. When shooting from your knees or a chair. Practice keeping your back straight like your standing up. It will increase your accuracy. If you have any 3D targets put a small round sticker straight up the leg and 1/3 rd up the body. This will simulate the sweet spot on most african animals.

 

[Gerhard]

Hope to get a good hunt report at your return.

Enjoy the hunt.

 

[expony]

well the "bow hunting" part of the trip did not go as well as planned... my bow arrived in one piece, which was the most important part. I only had 3 shots at animals with my bow: gemsbuck, impala, nyala (the shot on the impala was a complete miss ) The main animal I wanted to shoot was an Eland but the opportunity never presented itself, I did however take a nice gemsbuck and nyala. So as the days past I decided to use my PH's rifle to make sure I went home with a few more trohpys in the bag. That being said I was hunting with my dad the remainder of the trip so we took turns with the gun, so I was a little limited in opportunities. Can't wait to go back, this trip was way to short.