Noobs

[DoubleLunger]

@DoubleLunger, I'd recommed looking at flight costs, daily rates, possible equipments costs (cases, luggage, etc.) and estimated shipping for dip/pack and transfer back to the US first. These add up to quite a bit of change. Once you've squared those away, you can find out how much you have left/need to save for all the dream animals you want.

The other problem you'll find from all the Africa veterans on here is that they say the bow hunts there can be opportunistic. Meaning the exact animal you want may not come by on the first trip to Africa. Because of this, I've left my list open for my May trip to Namibia. I do have a wish list, but I won't be disappointed if they don't show. That's hunting.

I forgot to mention that my buddy and I will be doing mostly spot and stalk bow hunting. We know it'll be tough, but we hunt for elk this way in Colorado, so we want to try it in Namibia. I'll be taking plenty of video and pictures, so you'll be able to see it on here this summer after we return.

Here's my gear list in case it helps:
PSE Decree 70#
24 Gold Tip arrow with broadheads (Total weight 492gr)
Two different sets of broadheads (G5 Striker Magnum and NAP Killzone Max)
Tru-ball Fang 3 thumb release (And a back-up)
Quiver
Nikon Prostaff Rangefinder
Nikon Monarch Binos
SKB Two bow case (TSA Approved locks)
Archery tools (Allen and Torqs wrenches, string level, multi tool, extra parts, etc)
Shot placement book (Made this myself from images on this site. Thanks AH!)
Knee and elbow pads for crawling (Again, only because we are spot and stalk hunting)
Scent killer spray (unscented)
Camo, including face mask and gloves
Two good pairs of boots
All the camera gear and attachments

Oh boy! I don't think I could find anything as close to this for a proper packing list! I think I might be a bit light in the grains of my arrows. But this may vary with the type of game I choose to pursue. I'm currently launching 375 gr total with a 100gr fixed slick trick broadhead(easily changed), with Black Eagle Spartan arrows and Nocturnal knocks....all at 70lbs. works great for whitetail. In fact they rarely know what hit them(asked one one time while he was collapsing under my stand. Just not sure what I should bump things up to.....heavier arrow or broadhead?
I also shoot a Truball thumb release(max pro).
Thank you not only for the great info but for getting me fired up for this hunt as well. Oh, and please send any footage

 

[DoubleLunger]

For serious bow hunting, you need to check out Limcroma Safaris. All the PHs are bow hunters. I have never seen an outfitter so well prepared for bow hunting. They also encourage you to get out of the blinds and do some stalking. The rooms, the lodge, the food, and the trophy quality is all top-notch! Lots of Africa outfits offer bow hunting. Very few are actually set up properly to do it right.

For some reason this name stands out to me! Gotta website?
Thanks

 

[DoubleLunger]

Dries Visser has a shot placement video that is excellent, it show actual hunts and then critiques the shot placement n most plains game.

Got vid?

 

[DoubleLunger]

Very good videos ! Archery is about how close not how far .
Thanks Glen

Amen! It's about how you propose...not what you propose with.........said the woman of my dreams

 

[DoubleLunger]

The problem with many outfitter is they don't have but 3-5 hides and the animals quickly become hide shy with much hunting pressure. Outfits like Dries Visser, Limcroma, and Bushmen safaris have 15-25 hides on tens of thousands of acres to hunt.

Thanks,
I'll check them out as well.

Let the stick fly my friend

 

[DoubleLunger]

Welcome... I think I referred you over from Monster Muleys? This is a good place to start your planning. Lots of good folks on here.

Randy

No Sir,

Not aware of "Monster Muleys". Thanks. I feel as if I'm at the right place

 

[HuntingGold]

Welcome just the same!

 

[jeff]

Dobber,

Thank you. Man I'm really learning so much about my next best adventure via this site. I'm starting to figure out that "high fence" isn't all that bad due to that most of those high fences I may never see during a long trek of chasing game. As long as I'm not sitting on twenty acres vs never being able to see the other side.

Thanks much and happy hunting

Even a relatively small property of 3000 acres is almost 4 and 3/4 square miles. Most people would think that was a good size ranch to hunt muleys on and if it has some topography that even makes it larger if you stretched it flat.

 

[DoubleLunger]

This post will probably raise the ire of some, but that is ok. I've been hunting White tails in Michigan for 60 years with a bow My 10 year old Mathews set at 70 lbs. still cranks out 300 fps over a chronograph. I'm worried that at 40 yds. a deer can jump the string. I'm shooting from well concealed ladder-stands 22 ft. up, using the wind to my advantage, wear scent-loc clothing and use HS sprays. I've got to be doing something wrong. Or am I? On another AH thread there was a discussion about Wart Hog jumping the string on 25 yd. shots. Is the reaction time of the antelope species in Africa more than twice as long or said another less than half as fast as a Wart Hogs?

I'd like some of the PHs post their bow hunting success rates for spot and stalk vs still hunting from a hide or blind. As they say, you are never too old to learn something new.

I've had deer jump the string at twelve yards. Fast little finicky boogers! I think that any animal of prey as well as predators can and have been known to jump the string. I've seen black bears jump it on video. I think the best way to go is to ask your guide what to expect. As far as solving your issue with whitetails goes.....I aim for the center between the deer's "elbow" and the mid center horizontal line(a pic would make more sense). In otherwords..halfway between the mid center horizontal line of the deer and where the front leg makes it's first bend towards the read of the animal. Sorry for any confusion. I aim here on whitetails not only in case they jump the string but to put my treestand 45 and above downward angle into place. It's a safe mark. If they don't jump the sting then you have a better chance at a heart shot

 

[DoubleLunger]

Welcome just the same!

Thank you!

 

[navar]

Hey guys!
I agree is quite important to carry your rage finder in every hunt as few meters mistake on your judgement can end up on a wounded buck running arround. Said that, is not always time to use it, specially while hunting on foot. I always try to range couple of times to make sure of the right distance, as sometimes range finder misread with all brunches on the way.
About the succses rate on walk and stalk versus hunting from a hide. I must say is being a long time since last time I used hides while hunting for myself ( unless huntting with my traditional bow), as it got to a stage that became boring for my and got impatient. I´m trying to think now of any wounded animal .....I think on my whole bow hunting career here in South Africa, I only left one wounded animal ( Gemsbuck) that we recovered later on with the rifle. So succses from a blind in quite hight.
In the other hand, we have walk and stalk. Different story!!!! I have being hunting exclusively on foot with my bow for the last 4 years and I go out very often ....I must say, the results has change dramtically, hahahaha. Even knowing the hunting ground quite well and animal behaviour, getting a buck down became a real challenge. Thats what I really enjoy about it.
The great thing here is that you have so many different species and density, that while walking arround the farm, you will always bump into something and get a chance of making the aproach. Getting within 70 to 60 yards is fairly easy, but to get to efective bow range......you work!
I have had days of getting 2 bucks down and many many days of no realising an arrow and some days of realising 3 or 4 arrows and going back home empty handed. But the fun you get out of it, is just worth it.I will give it a 20 to 25% succses rate.
Easiest animals to aproach on walk and stalk in this área, i will say warthog and duiker, followed maybe by bushbuck and impala. I find quite tricky the Kudu and Zebra.
But walk and stalk with bow and arow......is the most exciting thing!!! I still sacke like a kid when drawing my bow into a buck.

 

[DoubleLunger]

As far as footwear goes, I hear that a soft soled hiking boot or sneaker is the way to go. Any recommendations on a particular shoe?

 

[Adrian]

Ask ten different hunters and you'll get ten different answers.
Some folk prefer a trainer or lightweight trekking shoe, others prefer a more substantial hiking boot.
The Courteney style are popular and combine the best of both worlds.
Ankle support needs to be taken into consideration as well as the thickness of the sole.
A training type shoe will allow thorns to pass through more easily than a thicker soled hiking boot.
I wear a thicker soled leather hiking boot and steer clear of synthetics and membrane materials. I also wear short ankle gaiters. Less likely to get a thorn through the leather and less dust incursion into my socks and between toes.
As long as you're comfortable and happy wearing your choice, it matters little what anyone else thinks if you're happy.

 

[DoubleLunger]

Ask ten different hunters and you'll get ten different answers.
Some folk prefer a trainer or lightweight trekking shoe, others prefer a more substantial hiking boot.
The Courteney style are popular and combine the best of both worlds.
Ankle support needs to be taken into consideration as well as the thickness of the sole.
A training type shoe will allow thorns to pass through more easily than a thicker soled hiking boot.
I wear a thicker soled leather hiking boot and steer clear of synthetics and membrane materials. I also wear short ankle gaiters. Less likely to get a thorn through the leather and less dust incursion into my socks and between toes.
As long as you're comfortable and happy wearing your choice, it matters little what anyone else thinks if you're happy.

Thanks Adrian,
I have been browsing different brands on here and it seems as the most popular brands are certainly high priced. I did discover the Irish Setter Soft Paw Chukka Casual Shoes seem to not break the bank yet they have good reviews. I'm on the market for something durable, comfortable, with a soft sole for spot and stalk. What brand are you using?

 

[Adrian]

I wear Lowa boots almost exclusively for work and for hunting and have Lowa trekking shoes for everything else.
They're comfortable straight from the box and have served me well in all applications.
I don't know if you can get them easily in the States though but I'm sure an Internet search will tell you more.

 

[DoubleLunger]

Excellent thank you

 

[Velo Dog]

D.L.,

A few hours after we talked about sneaky shoes yesterday, I had a moment of clarity.
Perhaps the present day US (or any other country's) military desert issue / hot weather boot might work for what you need, including decent price ?
Look in sportsmansguide.com and / or midwayUSA.com, plus any other surplus web site.

Cheers,
The Geezer.

PS:
I'm still wearing my original pair of Courteny brand "safari" shoe (ankle high, leather uppers, soft lug rubber sole).
But I bought them when they were I think $150., incl. shipping.
Now I believe the're selling for around $250. and as good as they are, they're not worth $250.

 

[DoubleLunger]

D.L.,

A few hours after we talked about sneaky shoes yesterday, I had a moment of clarity.
Perhaps the present day US (or any other country's) military desert issue / hot weather boot might work for what you need, including decent price ?
Look in sportsmansguide.com and / or midwayUSA.com, plus any other surplus web site.

Cheers,
The Geezer.

PS:
I'm still wearing my original pair of Courteny brand "safari" shoe (ankle high, leather uppers, soft lug rubber sole).
But I bought them when they were I think $150., incl. shipping.
Now I believe the're selling for around $250. and as good as they are, they're not worth $250.

Thank you much. Sound advice. I'm not in a hurry to get anything so I don't plan on getting junk or anything that's going to prevent me from being comfortable.
I do have a $100 gift card for Cabela's to help get me something good

 

[Velo Dog]

Thank you much. Sound advice. I'm not in a hurry to get anything so I don't plan on getting junk or anything that's going to prevent me from being comfortable.
I do have a $100 gift card for Cabela's to help get me something good

Cabelas usually does have a decent hunting shoe selection.

 

[G Skinner]

Often something as simple as pulling a pair of wool socks over your boots is enough to help deaden sound .
Glen