Bow Hunting poll about first African animal

snowbeast said:

Impala are prone to string jump, so try get your bow silenced.
I have two booked this year. One for my brother in law with a rifle and one for me with a bow. Where in Namibia are you planning t hunt?

Click to expand...

Hi Snowbeast,

I haven't nailed that part down yet. I've requested information from several outfitters in Namibia and have only received responses from three out of seven. I have a few more on my list to contact, but it's really about where my friend and I can find the best value between the animals and cost. I haven't completely ruled out South Africa, but I'm drawn to Namibia for this first time hunt.

I'm not looking for cheapest, but want the best value, and that's not necessarily the most expensive. Since this is our first time to Africa, we're doing this more as a guys trip and recon trip for the wives. My wife's a geology nut, her previous career, and wants to go at some point, but not without me doing the initial test of the trip. My biggest issue is that my friend is stuck on only one animal, kudu. I know him, and he won't kill anything but that. So his side is for one animal, while I'm open to taking different species.

lrntolive

Lrntolive,

Just out of curiosity, what has you drawn to Namibia for your first African safari?

firehuntfish said:

Lrntolive,

Just out of curiosity, what has you drawn to Namibia for your first African safari?

Click to expand...

Fire,

Just the more I read about the country, the bow hunting legacy of the bushmen, and how the PH's need to be licensed for bowhunting kind of drew me to it. Not that there's anything wrong with South Africa. Actually, until I started doing more research, I was set on South Africa. Also, the more video's my wife and I watch about Namibia, the more she is interested in going. She's more interested in the rocks, caves and geology. I guess the cave drawings and such have her interested in Namibia.

lrntolive

Lrntolive said:

.............. I've requested information from several outfitters in Namibia and have only received responses from three out of seven. .................

Click to expand...

It is holiday season at the moment. Give a few weeks leeway at this time of year.
After mid January, I'd start to wonder if you do not get a reply.

I did get both of my primary animals on my first hunt in August of 2013. The Kudu was 56 inches and the Oryx was but 36 inches. Both of which were taken with a gun. I had dreams of taking most or all of my animals with a bow. I was also fortunate enough to come across a 16 and 1/2 inch Bush buck that I was able to stalk and take with a bow. What a thrill that was! I was then able to take a warthog and a really nice Blue Wildebeest after that, both with a gun, to wrap a nice 3 1/2 day hunt. On my second safari, in 2015, I went with a different outfitter, I went with a bit of an open mind as to the animals I would take and the way in which I would take them. I started out with a really nice red hartebeast and then an Impala with a gun. Then I saw a Blesbok that I stalked to within 45 yards and took it with my bow. I then chased Zebras all over 40,000 acres for 3/4 of a day and then went to another ranch and was able to take a beautiful female with the gun the next day. then I took another nice warthog from a watering hole with a gun. Then I spot and stalked a 32 inch waterbuck that was really nice with a gun. I then spent 2 days looking for the only Sable on the ranch, he had 38 inch horns. I was able to take him with a gun as well. Then I went to another free-range area and took another Impala for the guides wife. She wanted one with ahead shot so as not to ruin any meat. Boy what good liver that was around the campfire that night along with the tenderloins from the Impala and Blesbok all cooked with their Brai seasoning. Then came the 3 Baboons, shooting them out of the trees. After a total of 16 animals and 11 species, I am hooked. I still want a nyala, steenbok, roan, lion and water buffalo. I will be back.

BRICKBURN said:

To answer your questions.



the bow was delayed so I did not have it for the first 9 days.

Yes I got my main trophy species with the bow.
View attachment 51839
View attachment 51838



11 - Not all with the bow though.



Spot and Stalk with the Bow. Subsequent hunts I have done the blinds and spot and stalk.




6 with the bow and 24 in total.

Click to expand...

Brickburn ; Hey Bud, What bow are you shooting? I'm in the market for a new one! I'm finding it tough to find one (at the right price) and with a 32 " draw length!
I'm wanting to shoot some comp archery again! So looking for a 60lb draw weight!
My old 120 lber is busting my chops!

Lrntolive said:

Fire,

Just the more I read about the country, the bow hunting legacy of the bushmen, and how the PH's need to be licensed for bowhunting kind of drew me to it. Not that there's anything wrong with South Africa. Actually, until I started doing more research, I was set on South Africa. Also, the more video's my wife and I watch about Namibia, the more she is interested in going. She's more interested in the rocks, caves and geology. I guess the cave drawings and such have her interested in Namibia.

lrntolive

Click to expand...

Fair enough... I was not implying that you had anything against South Africa... I was only curious because in our previous conversation, you struck me as a pretty serious bow hunter who was dedicated to doing as much spot & stalk as possible on this first hunt. As a serious bow hunter myself, I can relate to the type of hunting experience that you are looking for....

Licenses aside, I would recommend finding an outfitter/PH who is actually also a bow hunter. Many African outfits offer bowhunting, yet very few provide the experience, and set-ups necessary to ensure the highest chances of success for their bow hunting clients.

In any case, I hope the wife decides to join you... I think she will enjoy the experience on many levels. I doubt I share the same level of interest in the geology and history of it as she, but we have visited some sites in RSA where the first bushmen have cave paintings, most of which depict hunting with bow and spear. As a hunter, it was pretty interesting.

Ole Bally said:

Brickburn ; Hey Bud, What bow are you shooting? I'm in the market for a new one! I'm finding it tough to find one (at the right price) and with a 32 " draw length!
I'm wanting to shoot some comp archery again! So looking for a 60lb draw weight!
My old 120 lber is busting my chops!

Click to expand...

Canadian made bow, so it might be a little less expensive than the US variety, (given current exchange)
https://apaarchery.com

Make: APA INNOVATIONS
Model: BLACK MAMBA XL 7.0
84# Draw weight

The limbs can be changed out easily and you can decide what weight you want.
Original limbs were adjustable between 40 and 70 pounds.

Mine is an older bow. (I don't need the latest and greatest)

firehuntfish said:

Fair enough... I was not implying that you had anything against South Africa... I was only curious because in our previous conversation, you struck me as a pretty serious bow hunter who was dedicated to doing as much spot & stalk as possible on this first hunt. As a serious bow hunter myself, I can relate to the type of hunting experience that you are looking for....

Licenses aside, I would recommend finding an outfitter/PH who is actually also a bow hunter. Many African outfits offer bowhunting, yet very few provide the experience, and set-ups necessary to ensure the highest chances of success for their bow hunting clients.

In any case, I hope the wife decides to join you... I think she will enjoy the experience on many levels. I doubt I share the same level of interest in the geology and history of it as she, but we have visited some sites in RSA where the first bushmen have cave paintings, most of which depict hunting with bow and spear. As a hunter, it was pretty interesting.

Click to expand...

Dan,

Yes, the spot and stalk is still a request I have put into every outfitter I have contacted. That could be one of the reasons I have not received many responses. Also, I spoke to my taxidermist about bow hunting Africa as he just returned from South Africa earlier this summer. He recommended I take the advice of the PH as to the best bow hunting method for the area, whether it be sitting a waterhole, tree stand, spot and stalk, etc.

I must say that all the reading from the site and advice from people like yourself have assisted me greatly in my search. I'm not finished with selecting an outfitter, but should have a decision made in the next month or two. I'm going to meet with a few outfitters at the Denver ISE. That will most likely solidify my choice.

lrntolive

Lrntolive,

Reputable outfitters should respond to your inquiries in a timely manner even if they cannot accommodate your requests... No excuse for that, but I digress...

I agree wholeheartedly with your taxidermist about taking the advice of the outfitter/PH as to the best hunting methods given the conditions and the animal being hunted. Not too long ago in a similar thread, I explained that most first-time African hunters have a long trophy list and a limited amount of days to hunt. With that in mind, using hides, blinds, and tree stands at water sources, game trails, or even over bait piles is absolutely the most effective way to get the most shot opportunities. In all honesty, a lot of western bowhunters not used to hunting from hides and stands turn their noses up at this... That's' unfortunate, because it really is a lot of fun. Trust me, hunting from a hide or stand is still no slam dunk. It's much more challenging than it looks on video.

That being said, a few hunters, like you and me, still request to try and spot and stalk during their safaris. Given the many variables necessary to spot & stalk successfully, many outfitters and PHs do not encourage this. However, there are certain species of animals that are more spot & stalk friendly than others. Nyala, bushbuck, duiker, steenbok, warthog, and blesbok to name a few are very stalkable assuming that the hunter has some experience doing this. For clients that are willing to put in the time, crawl through some acacia thorns, and understand the limitations of success, I highly encourage them to get out of the blinds and try spot & stalking. In my opinion, any true bowhunting outfitter with experience and confidence in their abilities should encourage you as well.

I think having the chance to speak with your prospective outfitters is an excellent way to determine if they are the right fit for you, especially as a bowhunter. I wish we could meet you in Denver. I would welcome the chance to talk some African bowhunting with you.... Thorough communication = happy safari clients! Best of luck with your research.

BRICKBURN said:

Canadian made bow, so it might be a little less expensive than the US variety, (given current exchange)
https://apaarchery.com

Make: APA INNOVATIONS
Model: BLACK MAMBA XL 7.0
84# Draw weight

The limbs can be changed out easily and you can decide what weight you want.
Original limbs were adjustable between 40 and 70 pounds.

Mine is an older bow. (I don't need the latest and greatest)

Click to expand...

Nice looking toy!

Ole Bally said:

Nice looking toy!

Click to expand...

It does the trick. Let us know when you get refitted and shows what you can do with it.
It can be your first African animal with the new bow.

Went to SA Limpopo region with Kirabo. Great animals and very good PH's we killed everything we wanted and had many great trophies just hanging out infront of us everyday. Had a very strict list and first time I saw a nyala it died. oops day one and list went out window! Herd of Blue Wildabeast came in 30 minutes later and when you see how beautiful they are up close and your PH tells you how to judge them and why this really big one is a trophy, well you kill it. Now your two animals down and haven't touched your list yet. My advice is wait till you see them. Kudu was my top and looking back probably the impalas and Gemsbuck were the most exciting. I thought my PH was going to have a heart attack when I shot a jackel with my bow he was so excited with that one. The bow hunting at Kirabo was a truly awesome adventure and if your wives go they will take them to the parks or Sun City while you hunt, you will see many animals and pick the time in Aug Sept where it has been dry many months and if you can get no moon week everything came in to the waterholes. We took a day of bird shooting and went troutfishing with flyrods outside Joburg for a day. I suggest get a package and take a credit card with space for a few extras, Black Sables taunt you but they are a bit more than a Kudu! Last remember dipping shipping and customs, and mounting. Wives spend that kind of money without any problem so at least you'll have something to show for it.

Lrntolive, I hunted with agagia in Namibia this past June , the owners are bow hunters, blinds are set up over water holes dark and plenty of room, plenty of animals. not sure, but I think you can spot and stalk if you want.
the kudu population has been hurt in a lot of Namibia, you my want to ask the outfitter if they have a hunt able population of trophy kudu before you book. www.agagia.com . Forrest

kathy said:

Lrntolive, I hunted with agagia in Namibia this past June , the owners are bow hunters, blinds are set up over water holes dark and plenty of room, plenty of animals. not sure, but I think you can spot and stalk if you want.
the kudu population has been hurt in a lot of Namibia, you my want to ask the outfitter if they have a hunt able population of trophy kudu before you book. www.agagia.com . Forrest

Click to expand...

Kathy,
Thanks for the heads up about the Kudu. I'll make sure to get this information from all the outfitters I interview.