Andre with Blue Wildebeest

The past weekend I went with some friends to hunt in the Limpopo Province. I decided to do some bow hunting while my friends took up their rifles. We arrived on Thursday at the lodge and the afternoon I shot this good Blue Wildebeest with a perfect heart shot. The bull ran for about 150m before going down, I used a Concept 99 bow, with 125grain Spitfire mechanical broad-heads, draw length 31.5″ set at 74 pounds.

On Friday afternoon I shot a warthog also with a heart shot and it went down after only 50m. The weather wasn’t very good on Saturday and the animals didn’t come to the blinds and the rifle hunters only shot 1 Blue Wildebeest the whole day.

Saunders Group - Bruce,Ryker,Shane,Steven and Karen.

The Saunders group arrived in our Limpopo camp just before midnight on Monday 15 June and after having a meal they went to bed in the early morning hours. The first morning was spent in camp and after discussing the basic plans for the hunting safari and sighting rifles and bows they went hunting yesterday afternoon.

They saw a lot of animals to start their first day of hunting in Africa and Steven hunted and killed a big beautiful Blue Wildebeest bull with a double lung shot from his bow. The shooting distance was 20 yards and the bull went down after about 120 yards. The trophy quality of this big bull is very unique with the horns going backwards against the skull and then curling down. Steven’s wife Karen accompanied him on the hunt and took a few pictures of other animals the saw from the blind.

They all went hunting early this morning of 17th and we will wait and see what the day brings.

Steven with Trophy Blue Wildebeest

Ryker and Bruce

Ryker and Bruce

Yesterday I went out bowhunting in the blind overlooking a water hole. There was a great number of different game including warthogs, blesbok, kudu, impala, and other species. Due to the successful game management of the World of Africa Outfitters, there were many trophy-sized kudurangingfrom a rack length of 46-50 inches seen in just one day. Today due to the superb location of many different hunting blinds, there were many opportunities to shoot big game. I shot at a trophy impala, but still after a fatal shot and the blood covered arrow to prove it, we still couldn’t find the animal, but since the World of Africa Outfitters has many different hunting spots, I bagged an even bigger one that evening. Not a bad start for the first full day of hunting. 

Shane with Trophy Impala

With one of my trophy’s taken, next on the list was a 50″ or better Kudu. This has animal is the main reason I want to come to Africa. After seeing several Kudu’s the trophy I had been waiting on finally showed himself. Patience is key to bow hunting. My guide also confirmed the same thing “be patience is the key to success” When my 53″ bull came close enough, the shot was good enough to drop to 600 pound bull in 40 yards. A life time of memories under the African Skies. 

Shane with Kudu

On my second day of full hunting the 18th of June in Africa, I scored on the animal I wanted most, a Greater Kudu. It was a late afternoon hunt, I had seen this Kudu before but he never gave me a shot. This time was different, at a range of 20 yards my shot was true. It has been a dream of a life time to come Africa, after three days two animals down and 2 to go.

Steven and his Kudu trophy

My good luck continued when I hunted a huge 30″+ Trophy Waterbuck bull on Saturday. This is a truly magnificent once in a lifetime trophy and will score very high in the record books. 

Shane with Trophy Waterbuck

On Monday Steven finally got a good Zebra Stallion, he always wanted to hunt this African Trophy. The shot was a bit back, but the Zebra went down after 300 yards.

Steven with Zebra

I went out the afternoon of our last hunting day and shot a old Trophy Blesbuck Ram. This was the final animal hunted on my first Africa Hunting Safari.

Shane with Blesbuck

 After three hard days of Kudu hunting and passing up several smaller bull we keep searching for that Kudu bull that was going to be our show piece back home. After passing on a couple of 48″ bulls we were head off the mountain and ran into the 4th animal on our list. It was luck more the skill, I wanted the Kudu so dad took the Nyala, not much of a shot for him but he was thrilled with the 300 pound bull.  We took the next day off the ride the elephants ( it’s like straddling a VW bug) and to the game park. We saw two leopards. Day six of our hunting trip brought highs and lows. The Kudu I had been hunting the past three days showed himself with two other bulls. The PH got everything setup in the heavy bush. It was the longest shot I had ever taken 250 yards. The shot was true but the big Kudu did not go down. We tracked it for a mile in the bush. At one time we had 9 people looking for my Kudu. Night came and we had to leave. We had no luck the next day as we searched the 14,000 acres. Still no luck. We called it a day and left the farm. Another farmer had ask us to shoot a wild hog or the baboons that was getting into his feeders. So after the 5 days of hard Kudu hunting, some easier hunting was needed. This baboon came off the mountian to the farmers feeder. The baboon was making making a gluten of himself until my 270 put an end to the raiding. We got 3 of our 4 animals we came for but lost our Kudu.

Ryker,Bruce and Phillip

Hello, my name is Ryker and I’m a 17 year old from Nashville, Tennessee. The lodge is only one step shy from a resort, and being in the northern part of South Africa makes that seem fantastic. There is no real way to express how nice and caring the staff is. The PH’s always ask if you need anything during a meal, always congratulate you after your kill, and always have a warm welcoming smile even at 5 in the morning. The hunting is fantastic, there was plenty of game and there will always be a PH to fit your specific hunting style. You will always have a tracker/skinner with you and your PH, and never underestimate your tracker because he is worth his weight in gold. I wounded a kudu this trip, and we searched the mountain high and low. Not only did my tracker Jacob walk up and down the mountain countless times, but also went to the effort to get 4 extra trackers from the nearest village to help us. After your hunt, you return to camp right after dark to find yourself welcomed by a nice cozy fire with dinner almost prepared. The dinner was centralized around the local foods of South Africa, but still a gourmet meal nonetheless. There is no other word to describe the experience other than addicting. At the end of this trip, we already have decided to make a second trip. Again I say, I’m a 17 year old. I have been from Europe to Alaska and this safari ranks at the top of my list of things I have done. I strongly suggest that you buy that plane ticket and share your safari experience with World to Africa Hunting.

Ryker and Friend

The Saunders group are leaving in the morning to visit a Wildlife centre and interaction with African Predators like cheetah and wild dogs. They are then going to the airport to get a flight back home. We really enjoyed their company and will have memories to last a life time!! Thank you for your friendship and we hope to meet soon around a camp fire under the African Sky. From all the staff at World to Africa Hunting we hope you have a good trip home.

Ethical bow hunting practices as followed by WTA include hunting of specific animals only -including steenbuck, duiker, impala, springbok, rhino, elephant, giraffe, and more with bows and arrows which meet specific standards. Should the animal be wounded, ethical bow hunting practice will mean that you will allow the outfitter or hunting expedition leader to shoot it and thus show mercy to the animal. Before taking a shot, you should enquire from the hunt expedition leader what the best kill shot will be and ensure that nothing obstructs the path of the arrow to ensure that the animal is killed with the first shot rather than having it suffer. Ethical bow hunting also extends to the photo taken afterwards. Never stand or sit on the animal and first clean the animal to ensure that blood is not visible on the photo. A person that follows ethical bow hunting principles will not participate in the sport of canned hunts and will preserve nature.

Due to a documentary a few years ago which severely damaged the image of hunting as a sport in South Africa, new bowhunting regulations were also introduced in 2007 of which effect would only be from June 2008. For the first time ever specific bowhunting regulations would also apply in South Africa. With the new bowhunting regulations stipulating that hunters may no longer hunt leopards, elephants, lions, cheetahs, and brown hyenas as a few examples using bows, some controversy followed. Hunters felt that since hippo and buffalo may be hunted with bows, that the above animals should not be excluded or that for instance hippos should also be excluded. With bowhunting regulations changing it is important to stay within the legal boundaries of what can be hunted. Ethical hunting practices must be followed at all times.

Bowhunting the Bushbuck

Only males have horns, which usually spiral once and are fairly straight, parallel to one another, and up to a half meter long. Females are usually a lighter brown than males. Both sexes have white spots and stripes, the patterns of which vary geographically.  When hunting in Africa you will find that Bushbuck are variable in colour throughout their range, with colour ranging from bright chestnut to dark brown. They are elegant, robustly built antelope standing slightly taller towards the rump than the shoulders and appear to run “hunched up”.

Equipment required for bow hunting of the Bushbuck:

Bushbuck are categorized as smaller game but are very dangerous when wounded and will not hesitate to attack a hunter.

Bows: Any bow that is able to achieve 50 or more foot-pounds of kinetic energy.

Momentum: Should be 0,35 or more.

Arrow weight: To ensure a successful hunting experience arrow weight including broadhead, fletching, nock, shafts and inserts should not be less than 400 grains for hunting Bushbuck in Africa .

Broadheads: Use strong, well constructed two or three blade broadhead with a broad cutting diameter that will cause the animal to bleed out quickly. High quality mechanical points will also be effective as this animal is not that big in size.  

Shot placement as the key to successful hunting of the Bushbuck:

Shot placement is the critical success factor.  Even with the best equipment a poor shot on the Bushbuck will most definitely lead to a long and many times unrewarded follow-up! And in this case life threatening.

Frontal and quartering-towards shots are not advised when hunting this animal.

Broadside and quartering-away shots are advised when hunting the Bushbuck with a bow – see the red marking on photo which is indicative of a well placed shot.

Shots of more than 30 yards are definitely not advisable.

A hunting experience in Africa/South Africa will not be the same without the truly beautiful eye-catching Bushbuck trophy in your trophy room!!     

Some of the bow hunting terms that you will come across when you book a bow hunting safari in South Africa are shared below.

AMO speed rate

It is the standard used for evaluation of the speed that the arrow travels. The bow will be set for 60 pounds and the draw will be 30 inches for bows weighing 540 grains to determine the speed. We talk about fast speed if over 240 feet per second and slow speeds if the arrow travels at a speed of under 220 feet per second.

Blunt arrow

Another bow hunting term you will often see in regulations pertaining to bow hunting of plains and small game in South Africa is that of blunt arrow or tip. It refers to the tip of the arrow which is normally only suitable for hunting smaller game.

Grain

It should be noted that 700 grains are equal to a pound and we use the term to refer to the weight of the arrow or the arrow tip.

If you don’t understand any of the bow hunting terms used in the regulations or at our site, please contact us to ensure that you make use of the correct equipment for bow hunting of specific animals in South Africa.

Bowhunting of the Red Hartebeest

The Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus) is a grassland antelope found in West Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa. It is the only animal classified in the genus Alcelaphus. The word ‘hartebeest’ comes from the Dutch words ‘hart’(heart) and ‘beest’(beast/animal). The Red Hartebeest is a large, reddish-fawn antelope with sloping back and long narrow face. Both sexes have heavily ringed horns. Of the 12 subspecies described in Africa, the Red Hartebeest is the only one which occurs in South Africa. Due to its re-introduction onto game farms and nature reserves, it has a wider distribution today.

Equipment required for bow hunting of the Red Hartebeest:

Red Hartebeest are not as big as Eland and Wildebeest but also have solid muscle and bone structures. Even though the skin is not as thick as that of the African Buffalo or Giraffe when hunting Red Hartebeest in African/South Africa the hunter must ensure enough arrow penetration to penetrate both lungs.   

Bows: Any bow that is able to achieve 60 or more foot-pounds of kinetic energy.

Momentum: Should be 0,4 or more.

Arrow weight: To ensure a successful hunting experience arrow weight including broadhead, fletching, nock, shafts and inserts should not be less than 500 grains for hunting Red Hartebeest in Africa .

Broadheads: Use strong, well constructed two or three blade broadhead. High quality mechanical points will also be effective as this animal is not that big in size.  

Shot placement as the key to successful hunting of the Red Hartebeest:

As already mentioned shot placement is the critical success factor.  Even with the best equipment a poor shot on the Red Hartebeest will most definitely lead to a long and many times unrewarded follow-up!

Red Hartebeest are tough animals well muscled in the forequarter with a heavy bone structure.  Frontal and quartering-towards shots are not advised when hunting this animal.

Broadside and quartering-away shots are advised when hunting the Red Hartebeest with a bow – see the red marking on photo which is indicative of a well placed shot.

Shots of more than 30 yards are definitely not advisable.

A hunting experience in Africa/South Africa will not be the same without the truly beautiful eye-catching Red Hartebeest trophy in your trophy room!!     

Bowhunting of the Burchell’s Zebra

During your African hunting experience you will hear that the Burchell’s Zebra is many times referred to as the “pajama donkey”.  The Burchell’s Zebra belongs to the horse family with tracks typical to that of a horse. Its general colour is white or buff with starkly contrasting dark brown or black stripes.  It is very difficult, especially when hunting in the African/South African Bushveld to distinguish between the sexes. However males usually have slightly thicker necks.  During your South African/African hunting experience this is the time when size is not realy important, as even a rug mount of a sub-adult is eye-catching in its beauty.  

As the hide is the trophy in this animal it is of the utmost importance when hunting the Burchell’s Zebra in African/South Africa to ensure professional and thorough skinning and field preparation.

Equipment required for bow hunting of the Burchell’s Zebra:

Burchell’s Zebra are big animals with solid muscle and bone structures. Even though the skin is not as thick as that of the African Buffalo or Giraffe when hunting Burchell’s Zebra in African/South Africa the hunter must ensure enough arrow penetration to penetrate both lungs.   

Bows: Any bow that is able to achieve 60 or more foot-pounds of kinetic energy.

Momentum: Should be 0,4 or more.

Arrow weight: To ensure a successful hunting experience arrow weight including broadhead, fletching, nock, shafts and inserts should not be less than 500 grains for hunting Burchell’s Zebra in Africa .

Broadheads: Choose a broadhead of strong construction and high mechanical advantage. Recommended broadheads for hunting Burchell’s Zebra in Africa are Zwickey Diamond, Delta or Eskimo, Magnus, Grizzly or Thunderheads. Appropriate weight of broadhead used for hunting Burchell’s Zebra in Africa is 125 grain or more.  

Shot placement as the key to successful hunting of the Burchell’s Zebra:

As already mentioned shot placement is the critical success factor.  Even with the best equipment a poor shot on the Burchell’s Zebra will most definitely lead to a long and many times unrewarded follow-up!

Burchell’s Zebra are tough animals well muscled in the forequarter with a heavy bone structure.  Frontal and quartering-towards shots are not advised when hunting this animal.

Broadside and quartering-away shots are advised when hunting the Burchell’s Zebra with a bow – see the red marking on photo which is indicative of a well placed shot.

Due to the slow reflexes of the Burchell’s Zebra the hunter should not be to concerned that it will “jump the string” when hunting the Burchell’s Zebra. However, shots of more than 30 yards are definitely not advisable.

A hunting experience in Africa/South Africa will not be the same without the truly beautiful eye-catching Burchell’s Zebra rug-mount!!     

shot placement on Eland

The Eland is the world’s largest antelope. Males have twisted horns which are thick and tightly spiralled, growing up to 25″ in females and to 50″ in males. Eland belong to the spiral horn group as kudus, nyala and bushbuck. Eland are found in grassland, mountain, sub-desert, acacia savannah and miombo woodland areas.

Hides are a uniform fawn color with some vertical white striping on the upper parts. A dewlap, thought to be an adaptation for heat dissapation, hangs from the throat and neck. A short mane occurs on the nape, and males have long hairs on the throat. They are the world’s largest antelopes, together with giant eland which are actually about the same size. Females have a tan coat, while males have a darker tan coat with a blue tinge; there may also be a single white stripe vertically on the sides. Males have dense fur on their foreheads and a large dewlap. Both sexes have horns, about 65 centimetres (26 in) long and almost straight. The female’s horns are longer and thinner the male’s. They “are very agile and can easily jump a 1.5 m fence from a standing start”

Equipment required for bow hunting of the African Eland:

Eland are big animals with solid muscle and bone structures. Even though the skin is not as thick as that of the African Buffalo or Giraffe when hunting Eland in Africa the hunter must ensure enough arrow penetration to penetrate both lungs.

• Bows: Any bow that is able to achieve 60 or more foot-pounds of kinetic energy.
• Momentum: Should be 0,4 or more.
• Arrow weight: To ensure a successful hunting experience arrow weight including broadhead, fletching, nock, shafts and inserts should not be less than 700 grains for hunting Eland in Africa .
• Broadheads: Choose a broadhead of strong construction and high mechanical advantage. Recommended broadheads for hunting Eland in Africa are Zwickey Diamond, Delta or Eskimo, Magnus, Grizzly or Thunderheads. Appropriate weight of broadhead used for hunting Eland in Africa is 125 grain or more. Mechanical broadheads are not recommended.

Remember: When hunting the Eland in Africa that it is the world’s largest antelope. Therefore, when hunting the Eland in Africa correct shot placement is the critical success factor!

Shot placement as the key to successful hunting of the Eland:

As already mentioned shot placement is the critical success factor. Even with the best equipment a poor shot on the Eland will most definitely lead to a long and many times unrewarded follow-up!

Eland are tough animals well muscled in the forequarter with a heavy bone structure. Frontal and quartering-towards shots are not advised when hunting this animal.

Broadside and quartering-away shots are advised when hunting the Eland with a bow – see the red marking on photo which is indicative of a well placed shot.

Due to the slow reflexes of the Eland the hunter should not be to concerned that it will “jump the string” when hunting the Eland. However, shots of more than 30 yards are definitely not advisable.

Hunting the Eland in Africa is a true test for the bow hunter and his/her hunting equipment. An Eland trophy, hunted with bow, presents realy well in the trophy room of any hunter!!

Hunting of the African Blue Wildebeest: Bow hunting equipment & shot placement

Blue wildebeest are large African bovids with robust muzzles and cow-like horns. The horns are long without ridges and the males’ horns are thicker with the appearance of a boss. Wildebeests have short hair covering their bodies, and their colour ranges from slate gray to dark brown, with males darker than females. There are black vertical stripes of longer hair on their backs. Wildebeests also have black faces, manes, and tails. The different subspecies of wildebeest vary in colour. Connochaetes t. johnstoni is the largest subspecies and the western white-bearded wildebeest (C.t. mearnsi) is the smallest. Connochaetes t. mearnsi is the darkest group of wildebeest and C.t. albojubatus is the palest. Connochaetes t. taurinus individuals are slate gray in color, the origin of the common name “blue” wildebeest.

Equipment required for bow hunting of the African Blue Wildebeest:

• Bows: Any bow that is able to achieve 60 or more foot-pounds of kinetic energy.
• Momentum: Should be 0,4 or more.
• Arrow weight:To ensure a successful hunting experience arrow weight including broadhead, fletching, nock, shafts and inserts should not be less than 500 grains.
• Broadheads:Choose a broadhead of good construction and high mechanical advantage.

Remember: When hunting the Blue Wildebeest in Africa remember that it is referred to by many hunters as the “poor man’s buffalo”.  Reason for this has very definitely to do with its toughness!  Therefore, when hunting the Blue Wildebeest in Africa correct shot placement is the critical success factor!

Shot placement as the key to successful hunting of the Blue Wildebeest:

As already mentioned shot placement is the critical success factor.  Even with the best equipment a poor shot on the Blue Wildebeest will most definitely lead to a long and many times unrewarded follow-up!

Wildebeest are tough animals well muscled in the forequarter with a heavy bone structure.  Frontal and quartering-towards shots are not advised when hunting this animal.

Broadside and quartering-away shots are advised when hunting the Blue Wildebeest with a bow – see the red marking on photo which is indicative of a well placed shot.

Due to the slow reflexes of the Blue Wildebeest the hunter should not be to concerned that it will “jump the string” when hunting the Blue Wildebeest. However, shots of more than 30 yards are definitely not advisable.

Hunting the Blue Wildebeest in Africa is an amazing experience and every bowhunter should have it written down as a must-do hunting goal!!