If you were to do a plains game bowhunt in SA, who would you book with and why? Good Kudu and Gemsbuck are the primary goals. Must be a big concession with real wild born animals.

I recently booked with Bushmen Safaris for 07. Its a bowhunting only concession of about 25,000 acres. Its been bowhunting only since 1985 and there are no cattle. One of the things that really sold me was the fact that they only hunt the dark phase of the moon. That means low pressure of 4-6 hunters per month! Trophy and daily rates were very reasonable. You can look them up at www.bushmensafaris.com.
Hugh

Well,

It really depends on exactly what different species your looking for, the trophy quality, the size of the ranches, PH attitude toward clients, amenities of camp, etc.

If big Kudu and Gemsbok are really what you have in mind (don't know if you've been before, if you haven't you'll probably change your desired species list about 20 times prior to arrival), the Limpopo Province will probably be a good bet -- it is brush country, naturally has genetically bigger Kudu than some other areas of RSA, and has a very large variety of species available to hunt.

I've had very good luck with an outfit named Dumukwa Safaris, along the Limpopo River near the town of Alldays. He runs a great operation. It isn't bowhunt only -- but he knows what a bowhunter needs, is great at setting up blinds (including portables) and is a fantastic stalker. Bowhunted with him in 2002 -- had a fantastic time and took 11 animals in 10 days, all but 1 were SCI Gold, including a 57 1/2 Kudu. Have since sent many friends, and all were very satisfied. I'll be headed back there next week to dart a Rhino and take some additional plainsgame. One great thing about Dumukwa is the ability to hunt completely wild Bushbok along the Limpopo River -- it is a challenging spot and stalk hunt, but a blast. They have a pretty good 10 day package deal as well. Check them out.

On another note, although slightly more expensive, the biggest bowhunting operation that I've hunted on was Greater Kuduland Safaris operated by Howard Knot. Believe it is 35,000 plus contiguous acres -- don't know of any bigger. Had some great animals including Sable and Buffalo. Saw huge Kudu, and took a Gold Medal Gemsbok (actually, I hunted with Dumukwa on Howard's property for the Gemsbok). They actually cater to the traditional archer, so blinds are set up for close shots.

If you have any more specific questions send me a PM.

Drop Neil Summers at neil@bowhuntingsafari.com note. He books for a variety of Bow Hunting operations in SA (And elsewhere in Africa). I've hunted Melorani Safaris (They book exclusively through Neil) in Northwest Province twice (2003 & 2004) and couldn't have been happier with my experiences. Stewart Dorrington, owner / operator of Melorani Safaris, is the current president of PHASA. He is very knowledgeable regarding bow hunting and Melorani is a bowhunting only operation.

Check out our website, www.sportsmanssafaris.com

Greater Kuduland has two properties, the one near Alldays is 35,000 acres. The other near Tshipise, which I think is near 100,000 acres now? They do allow rifle hunting, but not in the same areas or at the same time as bowhunting. They do have elephant, rhino and buffalo on this property.

Clive-Did you hunt for Angus Brown in the mid 90's?

quote:

Originally posted by eyedoc:
Clive-Did you hunt for Angus Brown in the mid 90's?

Eyedoc, I think YoungPH works for Clive.

Clive Perkins, the owner of Sportsman's Safaris, did indeed work with Angus until, I believe 2003. I hunted with him in 2001 and 2004. Great guy!!