What do you recon is the best time to hunt a mixed bag in Eastern Cape?
Have been adviced to go for april or may by a couple of interesting outfitters.. I trust them just wanted to check a bit around..

Anders,

I hunted eastern cape in July first two weeks and it was cold had frost every morning...
See if you can find out when rut is for the animals and they will be moving...
Great time of the year bring gloves..Be able to shoot out to 300yds. Have a great trip...

Mike

I have hunted the EC for the past 7 years, and agree, bring a Bipod to use for 300 yard shots prone.

Anders,

I hunted in the Eastern Cape [south of Craddock] in late March/early April in 2003, it was still pretty warm [not hot] every day - very nice hunting. I reckon late April and May would be perfect!

I was there for all of August this year and even though the mornings and evenings got chilly it ended up very nice every day.

I'd go early in the season if I had the choice, but any time will work. Enjoy it.

Les

**Disclaimer -- I was born an raised in SD, so nothing in the Eastern Cape was as cold as a winter there. I'm thick skinned and don't get cold easy**

I hunted the Eastern Cape a couple times.

In 1999, hunted it in August. Temps were cool at nights, and there was frost in the mornings a couple times. I slept with a hot water bottle at the foot of the bed on a couple nights. Needed a stocking cap, slept in long johns, etc..

In 2002, hunted in early May (Mother's day). Temps were pleasant, didn't need the long johns, though the stocking cap was good for riding in the back of the truck. They had a portable heater for the rondvalls, but never used.

I enjoyed the early season hunt for a couple reasons. First, the vegetation was "green" and the flowers, etc.. were a nice diversion from the gray of August. Second, the game wasn't as "spooked" in that it was early in the season and had not been hunted as much as those that were alive in August. I also think that resulted in better trophy quality as well. Finally, you don't have to pack the extra clothes (long johns, wool socks, etc) in May.

Were I to hunt there again, I would look towards April/May.

Brad

Thanks for the input!
I`ve only hunted Africa later in the season before and would really like to try a hotter and greener southern Africa..
My only worry is the vegetation. Could this case trouble, you think? I will try for cape grysbok and maybe also blue duiker. The rest will be bigger..
Another worry is the shooting distances which I am not fully used to. I think I can make good shots as long as I have some time and get`s into a steady position. Must start extra practice very soon..

I will be going to the E Cape late March/early April-06 .I am being told we will be the first hunters in the area -06,and to bring lite jackets.

Sean

Anders, for the two you mentioned you won't have to worry about long distance shooting hell you can't see those little guys at a long distance. Fact of the matter is if you have a drilling it would be great for them. I hunted in the fall Sept-Oct and it was great not too much cover as the areas for the little guys is very thick so it is better without the veg.

That`s what I thought as well, Die Ou Jagter.. More afraid of the Vaal Rhebok. I plan on bringing a .30-06, because I don`t own a flatshooter. So I need to start reloading some handsome bullets that will fly as straight as possible. And the range finder must be in a easy accessable pocket..
Practice with bipods/sticks from sitting and prone position. I`ve understood that Vaal Rhebok terrain is very open, but still has got vegetation that can make a prone position shot difficult..
My outfitter told me not to worry about vegetation for the small ones during April. There were threes there that don`t shed the leaves, so difference thorughout the season is not too big..

Anders
A .30-06 is plenty flat shooting enough for the hunt you are planning. Zero it at 250 yards, and you can take confident shots up to 350 yards, the max. I believe the average hunter can shoot anyway. On very close shots, less than 150yards, you just aim for a heart shot, and normally end up shooting just over the heart, into the lungs. 150y-300y, aim in middle of shoulder, and for the odd furter shot, aim slightly higher. Part of the fun is getting closer anyway, so why do you want something more flatshooting than the 06?

I hunted the EC in 2002 near Alicedale and Pearstown. It was Late July, pretty chilly mornings, but days were very pleasant. Had one day of rain that shut us down.

Shots ranged for me from about 75 yards to 175 which I am told is pretty close shooting for there.

It is a nice place to hunt. Pearstown area hunts were in unfenced, wild areas.... all animals free ranging..... that was a treat

Before we managed to decide, april is fully booked, so now we`re looking at late march (20-30) or maybe one opening in july.
When`s the rainy season in this part of RSA?
Anyway such an early hunt (march) can affect our hunting? I`m a bit concerned..
It`s supposed to be pretty hot (30-35C). How`s the humidity in this area. I mean there is difference in heat. You have "dry and wet heat". I not a fan on high temperatures..