Tack selection for Cape Buffalo

[USAmedic]

Hi all,
I have seen on some RSA outfitter's sites fairly strict requirements to hunt Cape Buffalo, such as minimum draw weight (80 lb), arrow total weight (700 gr), point weight (200 gr), and kinetic energy (80 ft/lb). Are these national, provincial, or outfitter requirements?

 

[BRICKBURN]

The numbers you have quoted are a little low on arrow weight. Otherwise, you are set.
It is really good guidance.

Use enough gun = Use enough Arrow.

Dr. Ashby did the REAL arrow lethality testing on Cape Buffalo.
It was illegal to hunt with a Bow in KZN.
This changed it all.


In KZN you need a special permit to hunt with a Bow. It is still a prohibited method of hunting.

This is the likely source of the info you are getting:

RSA
No.34326 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 27 MAY 2011
Norms and Standards for Hunting Methods
7 d) Buffalo
(i0 kinetic energy should not be less that 80ftllbs; and
(il) arrow weight should not be less than 750 grains; and


Another suggestion:

RG Wilson
7.5 grains/lb draw mass
Two Bladed
Min 28mm width
95 lbs for Buffalo

 

[Norwegianwoods]

The draw weight is not so important. It is the KE and total arrow weight that counts.
The draw weight on a bow alone says rather little really.
It depends on the bow design, draw length and draw weight.
I have a 70 lbs bow with 31" draw length and shoot 615 grain arrows at 260 fps. This gives me 92 KE and .71 momentum.
It is the momentum generated from the speed and arrow weight combined with a sharp high quality broad head that gives you the penetration potential you need for Cape Buffalo.
I will have no problems to add the total arrow weight up to 750 and still have plenty over 80 KE and even more momentum than I have now.

In fact I plan to use that when I am going to hunt Asian Water Buffalo In Australia next year

 

[USAmedic]

Thanks guys. That was exactly what I needed.

 

[Paolo Mauritania]

One question for compound shooters, I know that manufacturers advertise IBO rated speed, which is determined under "laboratory" conditions at a certain established criteria.
In real life how do you guys check what is the actual speed for heavier arrows at shorter draws and possibly lower weight within the range of the bow. I curious because when someone shows up with a bow that's rated at a certain speed with his own arrows which are likely heavier than the IBO test sample, who's supposed to check? I can show up with my 80# LB (~195 fps) and a 850 grains arrows, yet is any official supposed to check or any document supposed to be presented?
According to the formula I should have with my LB:
KE = 71.69
M = 0.73 slug

 

[G Skinner]

Try this calculator ...I find it pretty close with my average on the crono. http://www.backcountrybowhunting.com/articles/calc/

 

[Norwegianwoods]

One question for compound shooters, I know that manufacturers advertise IBO rated speed, which is determined under "laboratory" conditions at a certain established criteria.
In real life how do you guys check what is the actual speed for heavier arrows at shorter draws and possibly lower weight within the range of the bow. I curious because when someone shows up with a bow that's rated at a certain speed with his own arrows which are likely heavier than the IBO test sample, who's supposed to check? I can show up with my 80# LB (~195 fps) and a 850 grains arrows, yet is any official supposed to check or any document supposed to be presented?
According to the formula I should have with my LB:
KE = 71.69
M = 0.73 slug

Different archery calculators can give you an idea about your numbers, but usually they are getting a bit off when going to a heavier arrow.
This is a decent calculator, but it also doesn't take into the account that a bow transfers energy more efficient to a heavier arrow than a lighter one.
http://archerycalculator.com/estimate-bow-speed/

 

[slad68]

Hi all,
I have seen on some RSA outfitter's sites fairly strict requirements to hunt Cape Buffalo, such as minimum draw weight (80 lb), arrow total weight (700 gr), point weight (200 gr), and kinetic energy (80 ft/lb). Are these national, provincial, or outfitter requirements?

Most of it has to do with regulation, each province in South Africa has it's own set of rules. Here is a guide as to what is required when hunting in SA
http://www.lbgsafaris.com/files/Norms_and_Standards_for_Hunting_Methods.pdf

I curious because when someone shows up with a bow that's rated at a certain speed with his own arrows which are likely heavier than the IBO test sample, who's supposed to check?

One good or maybe bad (depending on how you look at it) thing about Africa is there are so many rules and regulations but no manpower to implement them. No official will check your equipment before you go hunting, but it is up to your Outfitter/PH to provide you with the best information and guidance possible.
KE is just one of the tiny things I would worry about
Arrow selection
Broad Head
and
Bow combination is what I would look at first, before considering KE or Momentum

 

[CAustin]

Go get one with your sticks and please file a report after the hunt! You are going to get up close doing this way so be ready for you heart to beat its way out of your chest.

 

[Paolo Mauritania]

Most of it has to do with regulation, each province in South Africa has it's own set of rules. Here is a guide as to what is required when hunting in SA
http://www.lbgsafaris.com/files/Norms_and_Standards_for_Hunting_Methods.pdf

One good or maybe bad (depending on how you look at it) thing about Africa is there are so many rules and regulations but no manpower to implement them. No official will check your equipment before you go hunting, but it is up to your Outfitter/PH to provide you with the best information and guidance possible.
KE is just one of the tiny things I would worry about
Arrow selection
Broad Head
and
Bow combination is what I would look at first, before considering KE or Momentum

This is the answer I was looking for, long bows' builders don't use IBO speed and I'm a big fan of reasonable speed but high momentum, now I know how to tackle the issue, experience and sense of hunting responsibility (...and self preservation), Thanks Bosman.
PS: Thanks also to everyone else

 

[jeff]

Paolo, look up what Dr. Ed Ashby has to to say on stick bows ,arrow weight and momentum, also see his recommendations on broadhead design.

 

[Paolo Mauritania]

Jeff,
I'm already sold on Dr. Ashby conclusions and studies and single bevel broad heads design (I use, amongst others the grizzly 185 grains with the wood arrow's insert of 75 grains), thanks for the tip anyway.