Spot and Stalk for Bushbuck and Nyala in South Africa

Has anyone done a spot and stalk bowhunt for Bushbuck or Nyala?

I am thinking of trying this next July in South Africa and didn't know how tough it would be to get close enough to a bushbuck. I do not want to sit at a waterhole and wait, so I thought I would try spot and stalk for these 2 trophies.

Thanks

Would be interesting.
I got close enough to both trophies on my hunt at Leeukop Safaris for bow shots.
The Bushbuck is the tougher of the two for sure.
Drop them a line. I know at least three of them bow hunt themselves.

Both can successfully stalked, their preffered natural habitat lends itself to getting close enough if you take things slow and carefully. I have taken both on foot and would suggest going with an outfitter with experience in hunting these species ON FOOT, as opposed to sitting over a waterhole as many are accustomed to. Also ensure that the area your outfitter is in has good numbers of both. I would strongly suggest going to an Eastern Cape outfitter.

It is most definitely possible! Go with a outfitter that has tight control of his property or adjoining properties he hunts and you will find they in suitable habitat. There are excellent quality to be found in South Africa. They can be skittish if the property is hunted hard. Nyala is generally easier to hunt than bushbuck. A big bore gun is not needed to hunt them. But sometimes it important to be able to make a quick shot, a long shot or a very carefully aimed shot. They seem to hug the bushes at times. I'm not saying they won't be in the open, it all depends on where you are hunting. I will probably bring my 7mm Rem Mag...and I think anything over a 30-06 is over kill on them.

They are a real treat to hunt!!!

E, he is crazy enough to want to bow hunt these guys.
No guns buddy he wants to get close up and personal on a stalk.

East Cape will have more access to those Bushbuck in numbers that's for sure.

My bad, bow hunt them....that's a dilema! Well book a 10 to 20 day trip and find some truly unpressured property in the East Cape of Kwazulu Natal.

Be very physically fit. Have some super quiet clothing and shoes and practise long distance shots. Hell it can be done...but you'll have to be patient.

Explain to any outfitter what you are trying to accomplish!

Mallard14, I hunted hard on foot for a nice bushbuck this July-Aug along the Limpopo River for better than 8 days and although I saw many and had a number of opportunities, I did not connect on shooting one with my bow. I did discover one thing though, we found that a slow push by a tracker some distance away worked well to move them past me for possible opportunities. They were very keen on spotting anything out of the ordinary even in the dense riparian thickets where they hang out. I started wearing a lightweight leafy suit top to be more concealed and it worked well! I had ewes and young ones come right into me, one even running over my foot. If I had more time I'm sure I would have taken one. They are extremely wary within their brushy haunts so be prepared. The number of bushbuck we saw along that 3 mile stretch of Limpopo with several Pivet fields adjacent to the river thickets was amazing. I would estimate that one existed for every 150 yds of river. They will stay secluded most of the day being very active feeding at night and heading to feeding areas late afternoon 4-5 PM and back again early in the AM (out until maybe 8AM). Occasionally, you can find one coming to a water source away from the river and sit a blind...(how most guys arrow one). Pushing them very gently is IMO a good option, but do not position yourself too close to where you expect them to be holed up or when they do bust out they be coming by you at Mach II. Positioning yourself at least 200-300 yds from their liar is a better plan, in order to give them a chance to slow down to a walk or to pause when in range. I am obsessed now and hopefully will get another chance to connect. By the way, with a rifle instead of bow, I would have had my Bushbuck ram within 5 minutes on every one of those 8 days. Nyala like the same habitat, and can be just as difficult on foot, but they are a bigger target!

Spot and Stalking Nyala

The Nyala in the picture below was hunted with me in Natal earlier this year. (Sorry for the quality of the photo - I'll upload a better one later)



Although hunting this way is quite a challenge; we were lucky and got this one on Day 2 (which was just as well as it started snowing the following day and the animals disappeared.)

So we moved up to the Northern Cape in search of some other species that were also on my client's list...


(fair enough - this Copper Springbok was hunted from a blind)

Hunting Bushbuck by walking and stalking is even more of a challenge than Nyala. Having said this, it is certainly not impossible...



Like others said - picking someone with good areas and experience in this way of hunting would be important.

I know someone who fits the bill BTW.

I really appreciate all the input and advice. Seems like it should be an exciting and difficult hunt.

mallard14 said:

Has anyone done a spot and stalk bowhunt for Bushbuck or Nyala?

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I have been fortunate enough to have been successful in stalking and taking both animals with a bow. Both species will be a challenge, but in my experiences a bushbuck will definitely be the most challenging of the two.

Most bow hunters who share your same goals do not want to dedicate the time and patience that is required to be successful stalking a bushbuck. Targeting them from a hide at water holes is also limited as they are nocturnal feeders for the most part and they rarely come to water in daylight hours especially when they commonly live and bed close to water. Our best success for our bow hunters comes from hunting from tree stands strategically placed along travel corridors and the edges of crop fields where they come to feed from the river bottoms. We hunt them early morning and at dusk when they are on the move.

As AZ-Rich has alluded to, prime bushbuck habitat in the Limpopo province is the thick, heavily jungled river bottoms where your line of sight will be greatly limited. A painfully slow stalk with lots of careful glassing will be necessary to create shot opportunity. An experienced outfitter who can offer the right habitat to support healthy numbers of bushbuck will also be a key factor in your success. If you are a skilled stalker who is willing to dedicate the necessary amount of time, your goal is certainly achievable, but it will most certainly be challenging.

Stalking nyala with a bow is a completely different situation. Nyala are more tolerant of human presence and certainly more visible in their preferred brushy cover. I compare their mannerisms to that of a mule deer or antelope. They are often curious and will hang around longer than they should to see what you are. They often stop to look back at their pursuer which ultimately leads to their demise. Be prepared to shoot out to 50-60 yards. That's usually about as close as you will get before they decide to bolt. Again, an outfitter experienced in guiding stalking bow hunters will be a huge factor in your chances for success. Good luck on your hunt!

In my 45 plus years of hunting Africa Id say most PG was shot with bow or rifle using the spot and stalk method off and on during the course of a day, just another successful method of hunting..