Elephant Bow Hunt

[Huntforever]

Has anyone hunted an elephant with their bow ? If so what was your bow setup?

 

[Killingtime]

Best bow setup is a 500ne

 

[Huntforever]

500ne??

 

[MacJenkins]

I personally think it’s a stunt. They deserve better IMO.

 

[Huntforever]

MacJenkins

Honestly, I didn’t ask for your opinion and frankly I don’t care to hear it. Please go and hijack another thread.

Thanks

 

[MacJenkins]

MacJenkins

Honestly, I didn’t ask for your opinion and frankly I don’t care to hear it. Please go and hijack another thread.

Thanks

Cool, hope you can find a hunt where the PH will back you up with his own bow.

 

[Killingtime]

500ne??

500 nitro express I was joking around. On a serious note I’d imagine you would want a bow in the 90+lb drawer rating and a seriously heavy arrow with a bevel or two blade cut on contact. I’m a huge archery fan but honestly have never considered dg with one. A elephant seems dangerous enough without adding a bow to the mix. I wish you luck sorry I can’t help more

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

You’re going to want an 80-90lb bow. Heavy grain arrow, single bevel fixed 2 blade broadhead. You’re somewhat limited in places you can hunt. Your arrow build needs to be designed for deep penetration so you can get at least 18-24” of penetration to hit the heart.

My recommendation is Strang Middleton in Zambia. He successfully hunts several elephants every year with a bow (on his own and with clients). He’s one of the best archery PH’s in Africa but won’t just take anyone for an Archery Elephant. Feel free to PM me, I can connect you with him and show you some of the bulls he’s guided archery hunters to in the last year or two. After that it’s between the two of you.

 

[Huntforever]

I have been lucky enough to have already taken a hippo, leopard, croc and buffalo with my bow. I already have my bow and arrow setup. I was looking for some 1st hand advice or suggestions on a specific broadhead someone has used. I’m currently leaning towards 250 grain Ironwill Single blade buff series but would like some 1st experience with an elephant.

Please PM me if you feel more comfortable

 

[PeteG]

You’re going to want an 80-90lb bow. Heavy grain arrow, single bevel fixed 2 blade broadhead. You’re somewhat limited in places you can hunt. Your arrow build needs to be designed for deep penetration so you can get at least 18-24” of penetration to hit the heart.

My recommendation is Strang Middleton in Zambia. He successfully hunts several elephants every year with a bow (on his own and with clients). He’s one of the best archery PH’s in Africa but won’t just take anyone for an Archery Elephant. Feel free to PM me, I can connect you with him and show you some of the bulls he’s guided archery hunters to in the last year or two. After that it’s between the two of you.

This.
Good advice to speak to Strang.

 

[Brandon.Gleason]

Take a read at this thread, if you haven't already:

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

Mar 31, 2025

I know there are several bow hunters here who have wanted to get their elephant with a bow. Sadly, it hasn't been allowed in South Africa, and Namibia for a long time and more recently Botswana and Zimbabwe took them off the list for bow hunters. Most recently, I heard Mozambique has also stopped allowing bow hunts on elephants. This leaves just Zambia and Tanzania as options, as well as Cameroon.

I am headed out to Zambia in July to finally get a chance to take an elephant with a bow. While there, I will also be going for hippo and croc, to bring me to 5/7 of the D7 with a bow. Time to...

• mrpoindexter
• Replies: 271
• Forum: Bowhunting Africa

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As many have said, securing a permit to legally hunt one with a bow is limited.

 

[Huntforever]

Brandon,

Thanks for sharing the thread with me. I did read this thread during he’s hunt. He’s actually a friend of mine.

 

[buck wild]

As noted Poindexter on here did it and I'm certain that Tom Miranda did it back 20 yrs ago or so. He was first person I ever saw on TV kill one with a bow.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

You can reach out to Mike Fell and likely get some first hand intel from PH standpoint. I was texting with him yesterday and he was in Cameroon getting ready for a bow ele hunt…believe starting today. But certainly expect he’s carrying a BIG double to back up.