Rocco, Bowhunting is legal in most of South Africa’s provinces, although restrictions may be imposed according to species. Requirements may also be imposed for the standard of equipment to be used. Bowhunting in most provinces must be done under special permit which needs to be arranged in advance by your hunting outfitter. Also provinces have different regulations regarding bowhunting dangerous game. Bowhunting Elephant is legal in some provinces of South Africa. Because there is no central location where all of the provinces rules and regulations are posted, you should ask your hunting outfitter to supply you with the latest regulations before booking a bowhunting safari.
Minimum Equipment Requirements for Bowhunting in South Africa
• Big Game
Bow Kinetic Energy 80 ft/lbs
Arrow Weight 700 grain
(Elephant, Rhino, Hippo, Buffalo)
• Medium Game
Bow Kinetic Energy 70 ft/lbs
Arrow Weight 550 grain
(Kudu, Eland, Oryx / Gemsbok, Hartebeest, Wildebeest, Zebra, Giraffe, Sable Antelope, Roan Antelope, Waterbuck, Tsessebe, etc.)
• Small Game
Bow Kinetic Energy 40 ft/lbs
Arrow Weight 400 grain
(Warthog, Nyala, Springbok, Impala, Blesbok, Duiker, Steenbok, Ostrich, Caracal, Black-Backed Jackal, Game Birds, etc.)