Have an opportunity to hunt in May or Sep of 2010, and wasn't sure how well May would work. Have hunted in Sep and liked the dry leafless look for hunting. This will be a bow/rifle hunt. Any opinions, suggestions, experiences would be appreciated. Thank you. Eric

No snakes in May and you get the first crack at the animals!!!

Spinedoc,

May and June are my very favorite months to be in RSA. Animals are pressured but a little if at all, more true trophies on the ranches, the rut is going on or ready to start. The bush is alive! To me that means perfect.

May can be pretty darn chilly. Make sure you have warm clothes. Cruising around in the back of an open safari car can be "brisk" in the mornings, especially if you travel to another ranch. Gloves and a skull cap will be worthwhile to have in your kit. I've enjoyed a hot thermos of coffee in the Land Crusier, too. Layering is a good idea since by midday, you'll want to shed a sweater, etc.

My last trip to Africa was late May 2008 in RSA (Limpopo) and then to Zim. Very pleasant!

Anytime in Africa is good, even in the hot and rainy months. Digging out of bogs builds charactor.

I agree with JudgeG about the morning chill but it warms up fast. My wife and I went in late april and got to enjoy seeing it green and grassy.

the sooner the better so you can start saving for your next trip

/

Spinedoc.it depends on what you looking for and which area you going to,May can still be very very thick in the bush and we had alot of rain this year in the limpopo province.It can make it diff to spot animals.Sept for me is the best time for Kudu hunting.The bush is thin and makes spotting game easier.At the same time in MAY game seems to be a less sckitish.If you hunting in a area with lots of open grasslands then it doesnt really make a diff.

It can depend on what part of the country you are in, some parts will still be very thick, others not, it really is area dependent

Spinedoc
Scott450 is right, especially if you are sitting over waterholes with the bow. We still have water all over the place. I personally enjoy September in Limpopo.
JL

quote:

Originally posted by ALF:
How's hunting in South Africa?

"Moerse lekker !"

ha ha ha ha ha ha

Thanks for the great replies guys. We will be hunting within a few hours of JoBerg I believe, I have to get the exact location from my PH, hopefully it will be dry by then. I have heard kudu can be tough to spot with the green leaves, but my concern is more hunting over water holes with my bow. I do like the idea of non pressured animals though.

If you are hunting mostly with the bow, the later in the season (september) would probably be better. Less water on the ground forcing the animals to concentrate at established water holes.

I've hunted in the vicinity of Ellisras twice, during late May and early June. It was absolutely fantastic weather, leaves were starting to turn color (especially the Tambuti which were a bright red) and fall, it was cool in the AM and warm (ranging toward hot for a Canuck) in the PM, the impala were rutting hard....I don't think you could time it better actually.

piele my ou

IOW may is great!