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Old 05-10-2004 | 07:55 AM
  #5  
hasie
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2
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Default RE: bowhunting in South-africa

Hi Eljando,



South Africa is probably one of the easier countrys in Africa to hunt in as far as Language (English goes far in SA) and logistics are concerned (airports ,transport and hotels ).

Most of Hunting over here is done on privately owned Ranches or Game farms as we call them. These are ranches from about 2500 acres upward that are fenced to keep game in, and poachers out

There is a very small percentage of these game farms that cater for bow only, a slightly larger Percentage catering for bow and rifle hunting and a very overwhelming percentage of Game farms catering only for Rifles. The Bow is also still very "new" for most game farmers, and when visiting here make sure your PH (professional Hunter) is proficient with the bow....Be careful some guys say the are but once you throw some technical jargon towards them, you can quickly tell if he is lying. Ask something like what bow do you shoot and then ask what the brace height is.

Best time of the year to hunt is from around now to end of August. This is our winter and it's also dry season. It is then when animals visit watering holes more often, and as most of the hunting is SA is done from Hides at watering holes this really makes for some exciting times. I've had times where there are so many animals at a hide that you can't take a shot...And this happens often

When this happens in SA we joke and say someone left the arc door open.

Walk and stalk can also be done BUT your success rate drops allot. I love stalking, but if I really need the animal I will rather sit in the hide.

Some really good advise I can give for when you hunt from the hide is to rather wear a black shirt/jersey as some of our camo’s tend to be too light and this does give you away sometimes. Blinds are dark inside and if you wear something light any movement will give you away.

As far as bows are concerned. A bow that generates about 70-75 lbs of kinetic energy will be sufficient for hunting most plains game. Also if you shoot mechanical broad heads, make sure that it is allowed on the farm where you are hunting as some farmers do not allow them.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST ASK YOUR PH ABOUT SHOT PLACEMENT. IN African game the vitals are a bit more forward that American game. And soothing too far back is a common mistake made by visiting hunters.
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