Is it considered unethical to hunt watering holes from hides? I'm 58yrs old. I hunted Zimbabwe and Namibia thirty years ago with a muzzle loader for planes game and was sucessful. This time I'll take my 30-06 and probably 7x57.I'm a teacher and would like to hunt Namibia again when I retire in 5 or 6 yrs. When I hunted before we drove glassed and walked/stalked our game. I don't think that my health would allow me to walk nearly as much as when I was younger. Shooting from a vehicle has never done much for me. I've done it but I'd rather not. On the other hand blind/hide hunting is my SOP. Also I would like to shoot an Eland cow, if it is cheaper than a bull, for a european mount. Is this possible? thanks, capt david

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Is it considered unethical to hunt watering holes from hides?

How would it be different than sitting there with a bow? If that was all my health would allow then that is what I would do. I agree with you shooting from a truck never turned me on. We did it in far west Texas. But I got to the point I just didn't shoot and helped the young kids.

captdavid,

Ethical hunting is more of a state of mind than a set of rules. As long as no laws are broken and no one gets hurt, how you hunt is up to you. I don't know what kind of health problems you have, but I will be 59 in May. I walk 4 miles carrying a safari rifle at least 3 days a week, and ride a stationary bike on alternate days for at least ten miles. There are plenty of members on AR who have "toughened up" for an upcoming hunt, with some surprising results. I'd give that a try before you convince yourself that you can't hunt like you used to. If you have a medical reason that you can't get in shape, then by all means hunt however you need to . Good luck and good hunting however you do it. I had cervical fusion with cadaver implants 4 years ago, and major open gall bladder surgery last September. I am headed for Tanzania in September.

On my hunt two summers ago, we lunched at waterhole blinds and ended up taking 2 warthogs that way. My son's gemsbok wasn't really a blind hunt, since we saw the bull as we were moving towards the blind. A friend and his son did much of their hunting from a blind since the son had sprained his ankle just before the hunt.

Coming from a German tradition, our PH had no problems with blind/waterhole, but we shot nothing from the truck, which was my request as well. We walked/stalked about 10 miles per day, and a mid-day sit down in a blind with a great meal was a nice break. Outfit was Kamanjab Trophy Hunters, H. von Bach, PH. Mims Reed 'Hunters HQ' put the trip together. I recommend this outfit without reservation. Bob

There are some countries (tanzania is one) where game may NOT legally be shot at permanent water holes. Several arguments are possible. On ranches in other countries that intentionally set up artificial waterholes--it would seem those waterholes should do enough good to allow hunting them. It would not be unethical to hunt these holes IMO.

My experience is that ph's will do what is necessary to facilitate hunting for a client who has physical issues. Namibia is a wonderful hunting destination in Africa at this time. Its prices are more than competitive and the variety of species available is broad.

If I were you, I'd make my plans ASAP because the prices are only going to increase. Do what you can to improve your level of fitness. You will enjoy your hunt more and its good for you!

I am 65 and hunted Namibia this past year taking a elephant over 90#s, a 57.5" kudu and a killer dik dik. None were at water holes, and none were from the vehicle. You can do it. I highly recommend Vaughn Fulton. You can Google him and his Classic Safaris in Namibia. Kudude

If I'm not mistaken Shooting at a waterhole is against the PHASA Code of Ethics.

Not that all PHASA members have ever read it or use it.

Why do Bow Hunters need to shoot from a blind at a waterhole? All I ever hear is what great hunters they all are and how using a rifle is cheating.