I have worked through the photos I have and I would like to share a couple of thoughts about one of my favourite game animals I like to hunt with a bow...

THE IMPALA

The Impala is probably the most wide spread antelope in Southern Africa and if we take in account that they occur in relative high numbers and are not as expensive to hunt like other game species such as the majestic Kudu.

Come and join me in a Pit Blind.....

I like to get into my pit blind, elevated hide or tree stand before the sun comes up and I will in 95% of time not move from this blind until the sun goes down again unless I had a successful hunt.

Its about 09:30 and we have the first visitors to the blind,





Now is the time to be patient. Give them time to come in and relax.

Impala are very jumpy when they come into the water and with a lot of animals there is a lot of eyes and ears that can pick up either movement or sound coming out of the hide.

Look at this ewe



Dont move untill she relax or she will spook all the animals...

One of the frustrating things about impala is that they love to bunch up while drinking they will not give you a shot at all...



Give them time to drink and you might get a clean shot as they start to move off....

If not wait and enjoy the experience of all the animals so close to us...

Ahhh...

Here is a better chance.

That Impala Ram is standing perfectly broad side.



Do not take the shot!!!!!

Look carefully there is another Impala standing right behind him...

Wait....

Here is another ram coming in....



Do you see how he looks like a 100 meter sprinter in the blocks ready for the starters gun to fire....

Forget about taking a shot. He is on high alert look at that tail, its pulled in between the legs...

He is not relaxed at all and he will string jump you if you try the shot.


He will either duck the arrow or you will hit him very badly and you will be spending a lot of valuable hunting time looking for a wounded animal...

So lets see if he will relax and give us a shot or wait for the next Impala. Ram..

Here is a couple of nice rams....



Will you take the shot at the ram at the left?

He IS standing perfect.....


Maybe wait a bit lets see what he is going to do. They do not look to jumpy....

Okay there he goes he is walking around the other side of water...

Draw....

He is 22 yards away....



Take your shot....

and remember to follow trough ....

and enjoy the experience

Nice essay!

When my clients tell me they do not ever wish to sit on a waterhole I shake my head and tell them they making a major mistake. Even if one chooses not to pull the trigger/release the string, a waterhole is a simply Zen (really friggin' cool!)place to be and feel/experience the critters. None other like it.

Nice job on the photos and write up boss.

quote:

Originally posted by nkonka:
When my clients tell me they do not ever wish to sit on a waterhole I shake my head and tell them they making a major mistake. Even if one chooses not to pull the trigger/release the string, a waterhole is a simply Zen (really friggin' cool!)place to be and feel/experience the critters. None other like it.

Nice job on the photos and write up boss.

It is one of the best places to hang out relax and enjoy the Africa bush sitting at a water hole.

If you take an experienced guide or a couple of books like bird and animal reference books you are going to see a heck of a lot of animals and birds that you will not see while moving around on foot or vehicle.

Here is a couple of visitors....