Bowhunting RSA?

[DesertMuleDeer]

I have a rifle hunt booked for my daughter and myself in the Limpopo for 2014. My daughter has decided she prefers bow hunting to rifle and I am thinking of calling to see if the operator would change the hunt to archery. My concern is I've always been a big fan of spot and stalk and all the videos I've found of this and other operators' bow hunts in this region have been from blinds.

Is it even possible to successfully hunt this region on foot with a bow or is hunting from a blind just the way it's done? Given that my daughter is newer to hunting, would it even be advisable for her to try to spot and stalk there?

 

[bluey]

gday desertmuledeer
welcome and enjoy the site
have you considered doing a combo hunt ,both riffle and bow ,take both out with you and see what the situation suggests mate .
walk and stalk is possible and done all the time ,but l know when l was in Limpopo in may 2010 if l had both with me it would lifted my experience up a couple of notches .
it was a great hunt hunt in every sense but l blew many stalks and when artemis wasn't smilling on us it got plenty frustrating but each success was much sweeter for it .
talk to your out fitter and p.h . im sure you fellas can get something sorted out .
hope you and the girl have a great trip mate

 

[firehuntfish]

DesertMuleDeer,

The Limpopo is a fantastic place to stalk simply for the reason that is has the most diverse terrain and the best variety of game animals in all f the provinces... Certain species have characterisitcs that lend to be more stalkable than others, but any reputable outfitter that truly has the clients' wishes in mind will spot and stalk any species you prefer if that is your desire.

That being said, the main reason most outfittters have their clients spend the majority of their time in blinds/hides is that hunting them offers the the biggest variety of species. Most clients, especially first time African hunters, have a wish list of trophies that they would like to fill in a fixed amount of time. Hunting the blinds will afford the most realistic opportunity at taking the desired species in a given time frame. However, If you are realistic about putting in the time and patience nesessary to stalk your game, I'm sure a good PH will accommodate you in your requests to spot & stalk as much as you like. Keep in mind that the prime time for bowhunting is June, July, & August which are the driest months. The vegitation is gone and the visibility is good for both you and the animals. The animals will be forced to water, and they will be much more challenging to spot and stalk given the better visibility.

 

[DesertMuleDeer]

We are going in early August next year. I will probably call the booking agent and see if we can switch to bow, which is her preference. The operator is Limcroma, which seems to do quite a bit of bow hunting.

 

[bluey]

if you are aiming at walking em up with archery equipment id be trying to get there in may as there will be heaps of cover as in leaves on all the prickle trees and lots of grass on the ground .
at least there was in 2010 in may . and it was bloody hard to get in on them with this in our favour .
in august id be thinking more along the lines of combo .
but what ever you do and when you do it it will be unforgetable and you will definitely earn every trophy .
don't forget to do a report about five minutes after you get back .

 

[G Skinner]

Something else to consider is the PH will go 2 on 1 with the rifle and 1 to 1 with the Bow hunter , at least this is how it was with me in Namibia .
Glen
GOOD LUCK AND PLAY SAFE !

 

[SafariA]

It will probably be tough to spot and stalk in August . As pointed out earlier by someone else this is the prime tome for bowhunting. Spot and stalk would be better early season when you still have a lot of cover .. You also must have the ability to maybe shoot a little further .

I have had bowhunters stalk with good success but I prefer early season for stalking .... Good luck on your venture . Limcroma is a well established outfit with a good track record !! You should have a blast !!!!:victory:

 

[Grady]

I would have to agree with bluey...Take both a bow and rifle. If you each take a bow and rifle that will definately give you better options. I just recently returned from my first safari in the Limpopo area (July 13) and was able to take 3 (Kudu, Blesbok, Impala Ram) witht he bow and 3 (bushpig, Impala Ewe, Blue Wildebeest) with the rifle. I spent the first 3 days with bow only and took the Kudu and Blesbok. Followed by the bushpig in the morning (rifle) and Imlala Ram (bow) in the evening and then the Ewe on the last day. I was also with my father who was rifle hunting only (Impala Ram, Blesbok, Warthog, Blue Wildebeest). For our first safari it was a great option. Our outfitter (Ibamba Safaris) was able to accomidate us both. The only problem that I had with taking both was the extra baggage. (2 hard cases) For my next safari I will purchase a combo rifle/bow case (with wheels) for the trip. One more thing, with the bow, make sure and practice out to at least 50 yards. 2 of my bow kills were (Blesbook and Impala) were in the 40 to 50 range with the Kudu at 39 yrds. I regularly practice shooting at a pingpong ball out to 30yrds and softball sized nerf ball out to 60yrds. While I would never take a shot that long (60 yrds), I have the confidence that comes with lots and lots and lots of practice.

 

[Jordan]

I am in the process of planning the same hunt with bow and rifle but I have elected to carry my bow and borrow the rifle. Most all of them will wave the fee for the rifle you just pay for the ammo. It eliminates the hassle of paperwork. The added time at the airport to clear your gun and less baggage.
Just a thought.

 

[DesertMuleDeer]

Bows and bring a rifle looks like the way it's headed. I have a nice 7x64 that either of us could shoot if needed.

 

[Bobpuckett]

Welcome to AH DesertMuleDeer! You've been given a lot of good advice from a lot of good people and I think you've got the right idea if you prefer using your own rifle then carry them both. I myself am thinking of taking my crossbow on my next african trip. Good luck and as bluey said 5 minutes after you get back post us a report with lots of pics. :laughing: Have fun you and your daughter will love it.

 

[pappy62]

My daughter and myself bow hunted with Limcroma last year and had a great time. My plan was to start hunting from blinds then try spot and stalk as time permitted but a wildebeast who wouldn't die ( a day and a half later) and a bad shot on a wart hog(a half day) took too much time. I'm going back in 2 years and I'm going to make it a point to set aside a couple of days for spot and stalk.
Talk to Hannes about how you want to hunt. They'll set up your hunt pretty much any way you want.