For the hunters that has hunted with the bow in Africa as well as those that would like to hunt with the bow in Africa when you have a 10 day hunt.

Question:
What way do you prefer to bow hunt in Africa for plains game???

Choices:
Pop Up Hide
Elevated Hide
Pit Blind
Tree Stand
Spot and Stalk
All of the above

 

Well I've only been over once but here's my comments.

I'd use anything that didn't give me too much advantage. Sounds like "hunter suicide" doesn't it? I'd use a treestand on the way to a waterhole but not directly over one, I love hastily built pit blinds, spot and stalk is fun but not quite productive enough for me as my range is limited. I really like calling animals and would use that a lot-but sadly it doesn't seem to be understood in Africa yet.

I'd also want more than 10 days as bowhunting takes a lot more time than the rifle does.

the chef

I prefer a pit blind or a ground level hide... I like the shooting angle much better than an elevated hide. Most pop-up blinds are not tall enough for me (tall and shoot a long axle-to-axle bow).
Andy

I like a variety, it can get pretty boring sitting in the same type of hide every day. Ten day hunts aren't to bad, but a longer hunt needs some change of scenery. Spot & stalk really isn't very productive, especially if you limit yourself to shots under 30 yards, but it is still nice to ATTEMPT it.

1st Rule in Africa...Never limit your options!!

It totally depends on what you are hunting and where. Walk and stalk is certainly rewarding WHEN it comes off.
Blinds, pit blinds and tree stands all have their place and uses and depend on the quarry and vegetation...and most importantly, how well they are constructed and positioned. I would go with ghostbird though if I had to choose a favourite. The pit blind allows a shoulder level shot at most game and takes out the error that elevation can create

I got a chance to see the various blinds and hides where we hunted. I really liked the pits, as the floor level put the 12"x18" slits at natural bow level for me at six-foot-two.
I would think, if you bowhunt that way, you need to have a 50 yard pin and be able to make accurate use of it.

Rich
DRSS

quote:

Originally posted by zimFrosty:
1st Rule in Africa...Never limit your options!!

It totally depends on what you are hunting and where. Walk and stalk is certainly rewarding WHEN it comes off.
Blinds, pit blinds and tree stands all have their place and uses and depend on the quarry and vegetation...and most importantly, how well they are constructed and positioned. I would go with ghostbird though if I had to choose a favourite. The pit blind allows a shoulder level shot at most game and takes out the error that elevation can create

Yes, that is the fun about hunting with a stick and string in Africa...

Not one day hunting is spend the same way, tree stand, spot and stalk or a pit blind...

All very challenging and effective ways to bow hunt.

Many pop up blinds are not large enough for me to draw my bow. I don't have any problem hunting out of ones that are big enough.

When the wind is fickle and shifty I much prefer hunting elevated. I believe this helps disperse and control scent issues better. The shooting angles are tougher from an elevated position but not impossible.

I like the ground if conditions warrant it.

Honestly, I'll go where the game are and I will hunt from where I have to. My preferences take a back seat to what is most productive at the time. I'll endure discomfort for a chance at a good animal.

Spot and stalk is tough with a bow but very rewarding.

You are 100% correct...

All our permanent as well as temporary blinds we use on our concessions are more then big enough to cater for "Big Guys" as well as traditional bow hunters...

My safari operation uses all types however, the pit blinds tend to be "snakey" so we try not to use them if possible. Once you've had a few mambas crawling around with the clients you'll begin to have problems. I killed three mambas in pit blinds in just one season. I also had one crawl into my pit blind and rest itself over the door opening. Exiting the hide required great caution. For safety reasons, I prefer ground level hides or elevated hides.

Ken Moody

Dang Moody,, I am terrified of snakes,, especially Mambas! I think about it everytime I get in "ANY" blind in Africa. I have hunted in all types but pop-ups over there. The reason I like the pit blind is sometimes when the wind is swirling you get a little help keeping scent down,, but,, I like the angle of the shot,, lower entry hole is a better blood trail,, the trajectory of the arrow I think is better for a good quick kill, get that slight quartering away shot and put it just behing the front shoulder bone,, WHAM! animal down... I do ask my tracker to help stow my gear in the blind and I have been known to chunk a limb on top of the stand and make some noise before entering,,, It doesn't keep them out but at least maybe I am giving them a chance to keep away from the mess I am going to make when and if I see one!

Yes, from a purely hunting perspective the pits are the best. They are much cooler, better for scent control, etc. From a safety perspective they are snakey. Snakes come in because it's cool inside and because pit blinds usually attract small rodents which they prey upon. One time we killed a 12 foot mamba in a hide and took it back to camp. When one of the clients saw it he refused to hunt from any of the pit hides and he couldn't take heights so he had to do his entire hunt from above ground hides. People are funny about snakes, especially mambas.

hehehe, SNAKEY, hehehe, Its funny when its someone else! I've got several photos here of a big black mamba crawling AWAY from the blind I was in. Its "several" photos, because even with the wide angle lens, I couldn't get the entire snake in. This was the morning AFTER we stayed in that blind til black dark waiting for three big bull eland to come back. I commented to my PH about how that mamba could have been right in that hide with us the night before and he said, nah, he's probably got a hole right here somewhere, we didn't find no hole. The next day a different hunter and PH went to that blind and came back shakey and pale at lunch time. They said one of them looked out the window and saw the mambas tail, they busted out the door as its head came in the window. They had to go back though, they left all their stuff, bow and gun included inside the blind. I'm not that nervous about snakes, but I wouldn't be in that blind again in the dark, if I was guaranteed a shot at the world record eland!

My favorite pit blind where I hunted the last time in Namibia, the owner killed a large black mamba by it before I arrived. He showed me the picture of it and i still hunted there. I kept telling myself it was irrational to be so paranoid about it,,, but I was nervous as heck in there,, and all pit blinds. I voted pit blinds due to the hunting aspects. We don't have many pit blinds where I hunt here in Texas, the rattle snakes like them a bunch as well,,, yep! scared as all get out by them as well.