New to everything

Hi,im new to the forum and to hunting.My first hunting trip is coming up in august.Im hunting impala and still deciding if the second animal is warthog or blesbok.

Originally Posted by Shannon

Hi,im new to the forum and to hunting.My first hunting trip is coming up in august.Im hunting impala and still deciding if the second animal is warthog or blesbok.

Welcome to AH Shannon!

Looking forward to your hunt report and pics.
As you are a newbie to hunting - do not be shy to ask questions here on AH.
No sceptisism here on this forum - just fellow hunters with years of experience and tons of tips.

What rifle / cal are you going to hunt with?

Welcome! I bet you will shoot more animals than you think on your first trip!

Originally Posted by TOM

Welcome! I bet you will shoot more animals than you think on your first trip!

For sure! This might be the only time you go to Africa!...(lol yeah right) I say hold out for a monster and shoot that one. If its a warthog then fine. If its a Blesbuck then fine. But either one will be great!

Hi Shannon,
Welcome to AH. I agree with what Tom said.

Best Regards
Marius Goosen

Welcome to AH Shannon!

Well Shannon with that light list I wonder whether you are already in Africa.
Good luck on your hunt. At least you have left yourself some options on what you might take.
Welcome.

Shannon...welcome to AH...I see you are from South Africa..

you will have a great time and take many pictures and enjoy your self...

in your daily travel you will see game and you will be able to make decisions during the hunt and even make changes to your trophy list...

When you have the chance to see the game on the hoof and look them over closely you will have to be guided by your pocket book and what animals to go after and what animals you will leave for future hunts.

You will by like the new kid in a candy store with 10 dollars to spend and you have so many choices to look at...which one do i pick...

above all else have fun...just let it flow and being new know your limits and take shots that you are comfortable with...

Hi Shannon, Welcome to AH!

Welcome to the forum, Shannon, the best of luck with your hunt !

Welcome to AH Shannon! Be sure to take along a good Camera even if you only decide to take the two monsters that you're after, with a camera you can shoot 100's more while your doing your spot and stalk.

Thanks for the warm welcome.Ive decided to take a warthog and impala.As for the calibre and rifle ill only be finding out this wknd.We hunting in the limpopo region,Ive heard theres BIG impala and warthog in limpopo.I was invited on this five day trip by my uncle and dnt even know the farm we going to.Ill get all info soon.What more advice can you guys give me?

Originally Posted by Shannon

What more advice can you guys give me?

From my side before you take your shot:

your breething should be as normal as possible....
your aim be straight and unwavering.... dont shoot unless you are 120 % sure of the impact point
visualise the impact on your point of aim...
gently 'push' the trigger (don't pull)...the shot should surprise you
keep your eyes open... a lot of fresh hunters (and some older ones...) close their eyes just before they 'push' the trigger

If you are hunting with someone else's rifle - take a few practise shots before the hunt and familiarize yourself with the trigger pull, (push) the scope or open sights, the feel of the rifle and the kick... You do not want to go hunting and be a total stranger to your rifle...big mistake.

And then...last but not least - ENJOY IT MATE !

my 5 c

Good luck!

Shoot straight. Only squeeze (push) that trigger when you are ready to do so.
Good luck on your trophy Impala hunt.
Enjoy Limpopo.

Thanks for that bit of advice FHM3006.Ill definatly be taking my time before shooting anything.We going to the range in the next week or so and then again the wknd before the hunt.We going for five days, so plenty of time to take that big impala and warthog.

What kind of distances do you usally shoot impala and warthog from?

Shannon the distances you shoot from are usually restricted by the hunters shooting ability (marksmanship) not just the game and terrain.

If you can shoot accurately at 50 yards that is the distance you should use. If you can shoot longer distances with consistent accuracy then go ahead.
Also, a motivator for accurate close in shooting is the fact that, if you wound game you are going to pay for it anyway.

Get stealthy and stalk in close its more fun and challenging.

Originally Posted by BRICKBURN

Shannon the distances you shoot from are usually restricted by the hunters shooting ability (marksmanship) not just the game and terrain.

If you can shoot accurately at 50 yards that is the distance you should use. If you can shoot longer distances with consistent accuracy then go ahead.
Also, a motivator for accurate close in shooting is the fact that, if you wound game you are going to pay for it anyway.

Get stealthy and stalk in close its more fun and challenging.

Shannon
I second Brickburn's advise - what makes any hunt truly memorable is that buck or w/hog you stalked for hours to get really close to and have sent your shot with confidence. Shoot / practice at different distances - and you will find your personal limit - every hunter have it's own personal limit-setting in distance he feels comfortable with.

Remember the pics after the hunt!

Thanks again,i would like to get in quiet close so as not to wound and lose the animal.So as far as stalking the animal,i got no problem,patience comes naturally to some one who hunts snakes inthe spring.As with stealth ill have to practice a bit,im realy clumsy.

Ill post pics,if not just to brag.

Snake hunting????? Why in the **** are you hunting snakes? What snakes?
(You will note my phobia of snakes in my comment)

Welcome,Shannon.

Many years ago,before my first hunt,my Father said 'Son,be prepared to accept that you may not like hunting or may not want to be a hunter.If you do choose to become a hunter, promise yourself that you will be honest,ethical and treat the animals,that you are privileged to hunt,with respect.If you do this,you will make me proud.'

I believe I made him proud,and all the rest came naturally.Enjoy your hunt and keep us in the loop..!