Finally getting a shot at an elephant with a bow!!

[Frederik]

Wheels up tomorrow!! Heading to work in the morning for a few hours, then driving down to LAX to fly out to Doha and then on to Lusaka after an overnight in Qatar.

View attachment 697752
Two full archery rigs. Both Mathews Monster Safaris. One 70 lbs, the other 85 lbs. 3 dozen arrows, 650, 940 and 1250 grains (one dozen each) with 36 Broadheads, quivers, stabilizers, Garmin range finding sights. All in a brand new bow case that can hold them each with their own soft case as well.

View attachment 697753
Loaded weight: 50.8 lbs, so within 0.1 pound of airline limit. Will probably sticker it up when I get back - one for each country I have hunted in. (9 counting the USA, with Zambia making 10 and 2 more already booked in the next 10 months).

Best of luck to you and safe travels I know this will become an epic adventure!

 

[Daisy]

Can’t wait to hear about it and see pics.

 

[hoytcanon]

Good luck archery brother...
Choose your shot carefully and execute confidently.

 

[Slaton]

Awesome. I’m really hoping you have wifi in camp to keep us updated in almost realtime. Good Luck!!!!

 

[archer36]

Good Luck on your Safari!

In all honesty I've never heard of someone shooting a Croc with a bow but I'm sure you have done all the research.

HH

I think Pete Shepley, the owner of PSE Archery, did it.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Good luck and safe travels!

 

[mrpoindexter]

Best of luck to you and safe travels I know this will become an epic adventure!

So you were the one who jinxed it!!!

The adventure has already began. Qatar flight was just cancelled. Luckily I hopped online as soon as they announced it and booked another flight through United and Ethiopian leaving in 6 hours. Will arrive the same time but have an extra connection. Hoping they don’t lose my bags. Speaking of, still haven’t gotten my bags from Qatar. Hope to see them soon.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Well done getting yourself rescheduled.
good luck.

 

[DieJager]

I think Pete Shepley, the owner of PSE Archery, did it.

Steve Kobrine also did it.

 

[skydiver386]

I talked to Dorge Huang at Firenock about his Dragonslayer shafts and what it takes to hunt the really big ones with archery tackle. Although most of his gear is designed for crossbows, the principles are the same as compound and longbows. Lots of people have done Cape Buffalo with his gear, but so far no Ele.

I'd really enjoy hearing details about the gear you've put together and how it worked out.

 

[Schmidty]

Just getting into the thread now to stay abreast on this awesome hunt by mrpoindexter. Best of luck and good on you for pursuing your goal and staying true to what you want out of the experience!

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I think Pete Shepley, the owner of PSE Archery, did it.

Strang Middleton successfully guided an Archery Hunter 2 weeks ago to an Elephant, Croc, and Hippo in Zambia on a single hunt. All were 1 shot kills.

He’s got a very specific way to shoot/hunt crocs with a bow since they’re going to head for water after the shot.

 

[mrpoindexter]

The advice I have had on the croc is the get the lungs but not the heart. Hit the heart and they die too quickly and you lose them. Get the lungs and they will beach themselves to avoid drowning.

My rebooked flight through Ethiopian air didn’t work and I had to leave a full 24 hours later and Qatar added a connection through Vienna. Had some issues getting the bow transited from Austria airways, but I explained my concern to Qatar staff about having to make sure my bow was not delayed. When on the plane in Austria on my way to Doha, one of the. Baggage handlers for Qatar came onto the plane and walked up to my seat, introduced himself and showed me a photo of my bow case being loaded onto the plane so I would not have to worry. Hard to complain after that kind of service from people on the ground there.

I arrive earlier in the morning now. Hoping I can get some hunting in on my day coming in and not lose an entire safari day. Doha is a beautiful airport.

Had a meeting with the wildlife here. They were not too happy with me, but I told them they could either sit at the table or be on it. Then we all got along and took photos.

Next update tomorrow.

 

[mrpoindexter]

Can’t upload photos for some reason. Will add those from my laptop in camp.

 

[ftothfadd]

I might have missed it, but can you give a little information on your set up? Bow brand, draw length, arrow weight, broadhead of choice? Thank you in advance.

 

[DonPablo]

Strang Middleton successfully guided an Archery Hunter 2 weeks ago to an Elephant, Croc, and Hippo in Zambia on a single hunt. All were 1 shot kills.

He’s got a very specific way to shoot/hunt crocs with a bow since they’re going to head for water after the shot.

I'd be curious to know what that specific way is.

 

[hoytcanon]

I'd be curious to know what that specific way is.

He just told you...

 

[ChasingHemingway]

Cheering you on buddy!! You should touching down shortly!!

 

[BGGMKLR]

Not taking a rifle. If I have to do a follow up with a rifle, it won't count. Only need for a rifle is just to stop a charge. This will be done with a bow only.

With more than a wee bit of luck.
Best wishes
Spike

 

[DLSJR]

The advice I have had on the croc is the get the lungs but not the heart. Hit the heart and they die too quickly and you lose them. Get the lungs and they will beach themselves to avoid drowning.

My rebooked flight through Ethiopian air didn’t work and I had to leave a full 24 hours later and Qatar added a connection through Vienna. Had some issues getting the bow transited from Austria airways, but I explained my concern to Qatar staff about having to make sure my bow was not delayed. When on the plane in Austria on my way to Doha, one of the. Baggage handlers for Qatar came onto the plane and walked up to my seat, introduced himself and showed me a photo of my bow case being loaded onto the plane so I would not have to worry. Hard to complain after that kind of service from people on the ground there.

I arrive earlier in the morning now. Hoping I can get some hunting in on my day coming in and not lose an entire safari day. Doha is a beautiful airport.

Had a meeting with the wildlife here. They were not too happy with me, but I told them they could either sit at the table or be on it. Then we all got along and took photos.

Next update tomorrow.

Your comments about shooting in the lungs is exactly what I’ve been told, that a lung shot crocs will come onto land to avoid drowning.