What to shoot first?

I am going on my first trip to Africa next year. I bought a package of 7 animals. Kudu, gemsbuck, red hartebeest, steinbuck, jackel, warthog, and duiker. I have listed them in order of importance to me.
So the question is, if one of my "lesser animals" comes to my waterhole early in the day do I take that animal and risk scaring away a kudu or gemsbuck or do I pass and hope to take them later?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I am a firm believer in taking what the gods of the hunt send you. The shot that you pass on may be the only chance that you have on that animal. The only exception is if your PH says don't shoot, I can get you a better one. I still regret passing on a steinbuck because I might have chased away any zebra nearby. Near as I can tell, there were no zebra in that zip code that day so I ended up without either a zebra or a steinbuck. I got a zebra later but still haven't taken a steinbuck.

Sounds like you are bow hunting. So I agree with Terry, take what comes your way.

Thanks for the input. On a different note would you suggest having taxidermy done there or ship them back to the US? I don't know any taxidermists at all here in central Nebraska that do that sort of work.

Message

If you are bow hunting, I would have to agree with the others you take what is available on your list.

I also have my animals in a priority and provide it to my PH well in advance of my trip to Africa so that a game plan is in place for us to use.

Taxidermist work, now that is a difficult one...there are a great many in Africa that are very good and at a price less than in the states. The issue is shipping of your animals to the states...

do your research however, My preference is to find a great taxidermist in the states and have the raw product shipped here for tanning and mounting.

"What to shoot first" - My first response was going to be "the animal that stays still the longest". But, I now fully understand your question.

As a bowhunter myself, I would definitely suggest shooting the first animal that is mature enough and offers a good shot. If your hunt is sufficiently long and the area is really dry, you should see loads of animals even after you have "spooked" the area with a shot.

How long is your hunt?

Do you have your archery setup tuned? If you need anything, please feel free to PM me.

Message

Central Nebraska (go huskers) you say...

Look at Denver or Kansas City...both have great taxidermist for African game...

Turkey Creek Taxidermy
Award winning work, affordable prices.
http://www.turkeycreektaxidermy.com

Bill and Donna Wille have owned and operated Antler Taxidermy & Professionals of Africa in Meeker, Colorado since 1980. Their licensed studio provides complete "Worry Free Services".

• Crating and Shipping
• Custom Import Clearance
• Delivery of Museum Quality Mounts WORLD WIDE

- African Game Taxidermy/IMG 1216

Yes I am a bow hunter but have opted to hunt with a rifle instead. I figured for the "once in a lifetime" hunt I didn't want to take the chance of going home empty handed. I hope to make it back someday but let's face it, this is an expensive trip. I just want to up my odds of bringing home some animals.

I am going on a 7 day safari.

And yes James GO BIG RED

Message,

Let your safari unfold as it will. Take your PH's advise and take a good trophy as it presents itself.

I recommend you have your taxidermy done Stateside. Far less variables and less opportunities for mistakes if you have it done in the US.

Mark

Originally Posted by Message

Yes I am a bow hunter but have opted to hunt with a rifle instead. I figured for the "once in a lifetime" hunt I didn't want to take the chance of going home empty handed. I hope to make it back someday but let's face it, this is an expensive trip. I just want to up my odds of bringing home some animals.

I am going on a 7 day safari.

Take your bow along as well! You will only regret it if you don't. Africa (especially south Africa) is a bowhunters paradise. Seriously, take the bow.

Originally Posted by TerryR

I am a firm believer in taking what the gods of the hunt send you. The shot that you pass on may be the only chance that you have on that animal. The only exception is if your PH says don't shoot, I can get you a better one. I still regret passing on a steinbuck because I might have chased away any zebra nearby. Near as I can tell, there were no zebra in that zip code that day so I ended up without either a zebra or a steinbuck. I got a zebra later but still haven't taken a steinbuck.

DITO

I agree, if you like the animal in front of you take him when you can. Even when hunting animals as elusive as Stone sheep you dont pass on a good mountain goat unless you KNOW there are rams nearby.

Originally Posted by James.Grage

Message
Look at Denver or Kansas City...both have great taxidermist for African game...

Turkey Creek Taxidermy
Award winning work, affordable prices.
http://www.turkeycreektaxidermy.com

Bill and Donna Wille have owned and operated Antler Taxidermy & Professionals of Africa in Meeker, Colorado since 1980. Their licensed studio provides complete "Worry Free Services".

As a Taxidermist myself I looked at both websites and both are good but Antler Taxidermy has a defintite edge in quality.
When looking at mounts with ribbons on websites it is important to understand a couple of things. 1) There are several levels of skill at any given competition that all give out blue ribbons 2) Competition mounts often take several hundred hours to complete, commercial work does not. Look at the comercial mounts of a taxidermist, preferably those awaiting customer pickup, when deciding because that is the quality you can expect to take home.

Thanks for all the ideas guys. I still haven't decided on wether to take my bow or not but have definately decided on bringing my animals home for taxidermy.

I agree with the guys above, take the first good mature animal you see...especially if the PH is excited about the animal.

I have always followed my PH s advice.

I just returned from my first trip to Africa. My outfitter had suggested that, while I had a list of what I wanted the most, it would be a good idea to be open minded about other animals if a good one presented itself. I didn't follow his advice until the third day after I had passed on a really good mountain reedbuck and a great red hartebeest. I was a bit too cautious about what trophy fees were for the optional animals. I should have told the PH what limits I had on the money and then followed his advice. You'll have a steep learning curve, it is so different and exciting. Just talk with your PH, tell him what your limits are and listen to his advise. Good luck and post a report and photos.

Take your bow along and see how it unfolds. You won't regret it. If an animal you want comes into the waterhole, take it! My number one animal on my safari was a gemsbuck and my PH didn't specifically take me hunting for them, and we saw several the first couple days. Some of them I would have been very happy to take, but my PH made me hold off. Boy am I glad he did. I ended up taking a 36.5" bull on the 6th day. Listen to your PH they know what's going on.

nd