Fourth trip to Africa, first time I bow hunted in Africa. Had an amazing time, really too much to write about. Hunted from tree stands, ground blinds, pit blinds and spot 'n stalk. Weather presented a bit of a problem, two cold fronts came in and each one stuck around for a day or two. In Namibia, one successful strategy is to ambush animals coming (or going) to water - with cold weather it limits your chances.
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Jackal
I didn't go all the way to bring back a varmint, but it was the first animal that presented a shot opportunity, so I took it. Actually, it was a good way to get settled - although the shot was only 22 yards, it gave me a bit of confidence and I new my bow was (still) tuned and all components were working. It'll make a nice looking hide in the trophy room.
I didn't go all the way to bring back a varmint, but it was the first animal that presented a shot opportunity, so I took it. Actually, it was a good way to get settled - although the shot was only 22 yards, it gave me a bit of confidence and I new my bow was (still) tuned and all components were working. It'll make a nice looking hide in the trophy room.
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Warthog
Would have liked a bigger warthog, but the weather....they just weren't coming in much. I made a great shot (double lung) and it ran, in a straight line, for about a hundred yards. Is was still alive when I approached, so I nocked another arrow. Before I could draw, it tipped over dead under a thorn bush. Tough animal.
Would have liked a bigger warthog, but the weather....they just weren't coming in much. I made a great shot (double lung) and it ran, in a straight line, for about a hundred yards. Is was still alive when I approached, so I nocked another arrow. Before I could draw, it tipped over dead under a thorn bush. Tough animal.
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Red Hartebeest
Some people don't really appreciate the interesting looks of this animal, but in real life, it's a striking animal - and much bigger than it appears. This was my only "marginal" shot, from and pit blind. It came in quicker than the other animals, and it's awesome color/coat and large size kind of took me by surprise. I must have lost a bit of concentration, because my shot was a little further back than I would have liked. It went quite a ways, probably a quarter mile or so before it died. Nice wide, heavy bases - good trophy.
Some people don't really appreciate the interesting looks of this animal, but in real life, it's a striking animal - and much bigger than it appears. This was my only "marginal" shot, from and pit blind. It came in quicker than the other animals, and it's awesome color/coat and large size kind of took me by surprise. I must have lost a bit of concentration, because my shot was a little further back than I would have liked. It went quite a ways, probably a quarter mile or so before it died. Nice wide, heavy bases - good trophy.
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Kudu
This was an amazing animal to get with a bow. It's a larger than average size (54") and a great representative of the species. It's stayed out of range for over two hours with another mature bull and a smaller one. Finally a cow and her calf came in to drink and that pulled this big bull in. At first I couldn't get a shot off because the cow and calf were behind this bull (all my shots had been pass thru's). When the cow and calf finally moved I calmed down and drilled this bull. I was even able to watch it go down about 70 yards away.
This was an amazing animal to get with a bow. It's a larger than average size (54") and a great representative of the species. It's stayed out of range for over two hours with another mature bull and a smaller one. Finally a cow and her calf came in to drink and that pulled this big bull in. At first I couldn't get a shot off because the cow and calf were behind this bull (all my shots had been pass thru's). When the cow and calf finally moved I calmed down and drilled this bull. I was even able to watch it go down about 70 yards away.
owtdors
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Congratulations on your trip and trophies!!!
When you get the chance, would like to hear more about accommodations, PH, and number of days hunted. I have hunted in South Africa with a rifle but would really like to head back to Africa with a bow.
Looks like you had fun!! :archer green:
Craig
When you get the chance, would like to hear more about accommodations, PH, and number of days hunted. I have hunted in South Africa with a rifle but would really like to head back to Africa with a bow.
Looks like you had fun!! :archer green:
Craig
Last One
I was thrilled with all the animals I was able to get, especially the kudu and the gemsbok, but this blue wilderbeest was probably the most exciting and I'll tell you why: It was the last evening of my hunt and I really wanted another animal, preferable a impala, zebra or blue wilderbeest. Unfortunately, time was running out and the wind just wasn't right and it was too late to move to anotehr spot - so it didn't look good, In fact, while I was sitting in the tree stand, I started counting my blessing for the animals I was able to get. Then with about 30 minutes of light left, my guide spotted a lone wilderbeest about 150 yards out from our waterhole and he was heading straight for us - just happened the be the most cautious wilderbeest in Africa. This bull approached with extreme caution, circling and checking the wind with every step. It was nerve racking! Mt palms started to sweat as I picked up my bow and started to think about how great it would be to end my bow hunting safari with a blue wilderbeest kill. We were losing light fast and this wilderbeest still wouldn't commit to the water hole - he sensed something wasn't right, but eventually his fear gave way to his thirst. At literally the last legal shooting light, the wilderbeest came in from my left and slowly lowered his head to drink. I did all I could to calm myself, concentrate and make a steady shot......and that I did! I drilled him through both lungs and held my breath while climbed down and began to track him. With darkness all around us, we found him a little over 200 yards away - very tough animal. A perfect thrilling ending to an incredible African bow hunting adventure.
I was thrilled with all the animals I was able to get, especially the kudu and the gemsbok, but this blue wilderbeest was probably the most exciting and I'll tell you why: It was the last evening of my hunt and I really wanted another animal, preferable a impala, zebra or blue wilderbeest. Unfortunately, time was running out and the wind just wasn't right and it was too late to move to anotehr spot - so it didn't look good, In fact, while I was sitting in the tree stand, I started counting my blessing for the animals I was able to get. Then with about 30 minutes of light left, my guide spotted a lone wilderbeest about 150 yards out from our waterhole and he was heading straight for us - just happened the be the most cautious wilderbeest in Africa. This bull approached with extreme caution, circling and checking the wind with every step. It was nerve racking! Mt palms started to sweat as I picked up my bow and started to think about how great it would be to end my bow hunting safari with a blue wilderbeest kill. We were losing light fast and this wilderbeest still wouldn't commit to the water hole - he sensed something wasn't right, but eventually his fear gave way to his thirst. At literally the last legal shooting light, the wilderbeest came in from my left and slowly lowered his head to drink. I did all I could to calm myself, concentrate and make a steady shot......and that I did! I drilled him through both lungs and held my breath while climbed down and began to track him. With darkness all around us, we found him a little over 200 yards away - very tough animal. A perfect thrilling ending to an incredible African bow hunting adventure.
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8am in Etosha
If you have the time, make a trip to Etosha, one of Africa's best places. These two were simply walking on a empty dirt road when we drove up in our rented truck. He was the alpha male of a pride of eleven lions we watched that morning - he was probably trying to breed her. We watched and slowly followed them for about 150-200 yards. Really exciting morning.
If you have the time, make a trip to Etosha, one of Africa's best places. These two were simply walking on a empty dirt road when we drove up in our rented truck. He was the alpha male of a pride of eleven lions we watched that morning - he was probably trying to breed her. We watched and slowly followed them for about 150-200 yards. Really exciting morning.
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DLS
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Nice report. You picked an interesting time of year to hunt, not a lot of people go when you did. What did you think of the temperatures in that area? I like the fact that you took mature animals, that hartebeest is especially nice and I like the kudu's configuration a lot.
Those elephant bull photos are great!
Those elephant bull photos are great!
