I just got back from South Africa on a bowhunt. We stayed at a very nice place , 10,000 acres and great animals; however, I really didn't get to see or feel "Africa". Because I was bowhunting I spent most of my time in an 8x8 cmu walled blind. I felt like I was in a cell.
The rifle hunters I was with however got to ride around the ranch, hunt on foot, and went to other concessions. Our concession had the best chances of game with a bow so they kept me there.
I regret not being able to see the countryside and regret not making time for Kruger Park.
Is there a place I can get a better feel of Africa and see more countryside rather than sitting in a blind all day?

Its kind of a trade-off : sit in blind and see game; see more countryside but get close to less game?

There is one solution, you will have to arrange another trip!We always try and encourage the hunters to go to the Etosha Pans when they are here.

DEW, next time insist your PH gives you an opportunity to walk and stalk a few times. Alternatively make sure you will have the opportunity of using a tree stand. Just make sure that the tree stand option comes with some shade or the vultures will be circling in the hot African sun for you and not your kill!!
I generally insist on walk & stalk even though the kill ratio is low. Best way is to mix it up so both you and the outfitter are happy. It is YOUR hunt after all!
JCHB

I cannot agree more. All options if not most options should be open to the client.Bow hunting is a specialty and is so much fun if done correctly.
We have come across so much in the bush while stalking. Once a group of Warthogs sleeping that you could tickel the little ones on the back with a stick. Then again a porcupine cleaning its denn, Ant eaters grazing and greeting each other, a baby Oryx that only a 2inch horns, and so much more. Once the PH landed with in a group of Eland bulls..the choice was not easy not to say the hunt!!

I agree on the spot and stalk, even though you typically won't get as much game.

You quickly learn that as you are stalking giraffe, you'll spook 5 different kinds of antelope who in turn spook the giraffe.

Still, it's a lot more fun!

I always arrange to hunt with my rifle for at least a couple of days during a bowhunting safari. This allows you to see the bush and gives you a break from sitting in hides all day.

Hi our bow hunters usually leave their rifle at home. We walk and stalk with the bow, sit in the hide or sit or stand in a tree hide. We do a great deal of walking and stalking with the bow hunters.If you PH knoows the game and the area is ideal for walk and stalk hunt their should be no problem to walk and stalk.

I have been 2 times with the same PH. We typically hunt from a blind. One day, I did do a spot and stalk. The difference from the passive method and actively stalking is tremendous.

The other thing si to talk to your PH and tell them what exactly you liked and didn't like. I have found most PHs want you to have a good time and come back.

My .02 worth.

Matt

Spot on.
We walk and stalk mostly as our bow Ph preferrs to walk. It all depends on the clients fittness too! We even shot a Blessbok on a walk and stalk!

I always recommend hunters to spend the morning from first light to about 9am walking and stalking in the bush. Then have breakfast and spend some of the rest of the day in a blind.

A very good way of stalking game in thicker bush is also to drive into the wind until you spot something in a stalkable location. Then have them drop you off and leave you until you call them in or until you walk your way back to the road at dark.

Its always a good idea to have a radio/phone and a gps on you if you are going to do this. Garmin makes some great compact GPS numw that can even lead you home at the touch of a button so people with no real technical ability can get home anytime.

Spend time in the bush, also take some time on your own just to sit and listen.
It makes the trip much much better
Good luck
HQ

I think the biggest mistake most do when they want to go to Africa to hunt with a bow is to book to few hunting days and have a to ambitious list of trophies they want to bring home.
I also think you should be less picky about the trophy size when stalking with a bow.

Usually the most efficient way to hunt with a bow in Africa is from a blind, but as you say, you don't experience much of Africa when you sit there all the time.

I am going to SA next year to hunt PG and I will focus on hunting with a bow.
I will book 12 hunting days.
I will do a combination of spot and stalk and sitting in a blind. And I hope I can get most of my animals while stalking because that hunting is closest to my heart.
I have a list of animals I hope to get, but I am totally ok with not getting all of them.

But I will also bring a gun I am going to use the last days of my hunt if the bowhunting has been very unproductive.
But I will be much more picky with the trophy size when using my gun