Ready to start planning my second trip to Africa. I'm contemplating a bow hunt this time but am a bit concerned with boredom setting in while spending several hours in a hide. First Safari was a traditional (very successful) spot and stalk rifle hunt. Really enjoyed seeing the sites, county, animals, etc. Being close and using a bow from a hide is appealing though. Those of you that have done both....pros/cons? Which did you enjoy most? Will have to use a crossbow due to an injury.

Whisstle

I would suggest that you have an open mind about how you approach this hunt.
Bowhunting in SA is generally sitting in a blind and taking a lot of animals.

If you want to walk and stalk then you have to be open to the fact that you may only take 20% of the animals you would have if you were in the blind.

A combination approach may be best.

I was greatly pleased to recently have a hunter approach me who is all about the hunt, he will be glad to take a few good animals, but is more concerned with living up to the standards he imposes on himself.

What I am getting at is that each of us has his own ideas of what the hunt should be. Its your hunt and your money. So if you take the time to think about what it is that makes you tick, and its legal to do it, then go and enjoy that hunt to the best of your ability. Just make sure you are clear about your expectations when you discuss it with your PH.

Good luck
Ian

It depends on the species you would like to hunt with the crossbow.

Then the concession where you will be hunting and the time of the year.

I enjoy both rifle and bow hunting as each has its own challanges.

I will be spending 3-4 days in a blind or tree stand in the next week or so.

I take a good camera and spend a lot of time taking photos of birds and non target species coming in to the hides.

Good book on the kindle also helps to pass the time.

It all depends on what you want to hunt and what you want to experience while hunting.

Do both. I have taken rifle and bow toSA on several occasions as some days I want ro sit inj a hide, but not for 10 days

I always do both. I take my bow and rifle. On a ten day hunt I will usually hunt with the rifle 2-3 days and bow hunt the rest. It makes it nice to break up the time sitting in a hide with a little walk & stalk with the rifle.

I call it a Hybrid Safari - and we offer them for sure

We offer EXCLUSIVE bow hunts, no rifle hunting, on my own land. It is never boring really, there are animals visiting the hides on an hourly basis. I specialise in some fun stuff out of these hides like Bushbuck, Bushpig, Mountain Reedbuck, Klipspringer to name a few hard to get archery animals.
The blinds are crossbow friendly, NOT ALL ARE!

Then we also rifle hunt approx. 250,000 acres around our Infinity Lodge. Great country and scenery, with a lot of hills and mountains, and deep valleys. Wide variety of Plains Game.

Would love to host you, but you probably know where you are going?!

Best times are June through to September!

Drop me a line at:
charl@infinito-safaris.com or look us up on Facebook at Infinito Safaris

Good luck with booking this Sir!

Cheers,

I have done one rifle and three bow safaris. The rile safari was a total bust. No shots in seven days except a 250 yd running shot at a baboon.
The bow safaris have been great. Planning another at this time.
I never got bored sitting in blinds for long periods. There is so much game and birds to see that that was as great as the shooting.
And I am sure that safari outfits will accommodate some spot and stalk hunting with a bow, if you want.

i am leaving in just under 2 months for my first safari in RSA with my dad. i'm finally taking him on a hunting trip. we will both be taking our bows, but renting rifles if need be.

I have never been on the continent of Africa. I am a little concerned watching some videos here and there that the blinds may be near a large bait pile or a pile of fresh hay/grass. if this is the case, i'd rather spot and stalk with my bow and come home with fewer animals. if i see something i just have to have, then maybe i'll pick up the rifle.

i'm not so concerned with collecting trophies, as i am having a great hunt. shooting off the truck is a no-go for me personally, no matter the animal. (wounded or dangerous situations obv different)...

I will let you know how ours turns out in september when we're back, doing the combo type hunting.

One step better....Handguns!!! Already done the Dangerous 7 with my handguns. Going back in 2 days for 3 of the Big 5.
Last elephant was 12 yards in full charge. Best adrenalin rush I've had since my rhino at 3 FEET!

Whisstle,

My wife and I have done both. We just returned last year from RSA and we both used our crossbows.

From our perspective... Pros: Up close and personal with the animals. You get to see a lot of interaction and behavior between different animals and species. Numerous bird sightings (if you are into that). Shot distance. Possibility of seeing some of the smaller antelope. Great camera opportunity.

Negative: Long hours overlooking the same landscape. Could be extremely warm depending on outside temperatures and blind design. Some blinds are tighter than others so, it may be uncomfortable after long periods. You may lose out on a few hours of hunting (early morning before animals start moving/late evening depending on safe shooting/tracking light). Possibility of not having a shot opportunity even though the animal is within range. TSA (you still may need to deal with them [I brought our two crossbows in a rifle case. No problems with the TSA inspection. RSA police wanted the typical handout when we were leaving.]).

Feel free to PM. I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Cooperjd,
Some but not all of the archery outfits use bait (hay) at water holes. I have hunted both and don't have an issue with it.
You might want to check with your safari outfit and make sure they understand your expectations.
Have a good safari!

Ive done both.

We sat in the blind from daylight to dark (except for loading animals) several days. There were animals at the water or in site almost the whole time. I was never bored. I took lots of great photos and saw lots of behavior you wouldn't otherwise see.

Would I do it again? Only in an area that has dangerous game present. If that's important too you there are some areas like that out there.

Thanks for the ideas, suggestions, opinions, etc.

Infinito...No final plans just yet....

df06,
since i've never been, i do not want to assume how things will be too much until i get there and see it. but i have emailed the company with my ideas for what i think i would like on my hunt. however it works out i'm sure it will be a great time, i'm just happy to finally be going over to the dark continent with my pops, it's something we've been dreaming about for a long, long time.

Cooperjd,
You will never be the same, trust me.

quote:

Would I do it again? Only in an area that has dangerous game present. If that's important too you there are some areas like that out there.

Thunder Head,

We were fortunate enough to have Cape Buffalo roaming the concession. It's amazing how big they are when they cross within 5 yards of the blind. One evening our PH had to chase them away from the blind so, we could hunt Bushpigs from it.

I also had Cape buffalo, many of them, within 20 yards of my blind. That was exciting.
Later at another blind I shot one.

I did a combo bow/rifle hunt in Botswana. I did not want to sit in the same blind over the same waterhole, looking at the same animals as Joe Blow from PA did last week. That just doesn't seem like the type of real hunting experience I was looking for. That being said, I appreciate that there are different viewpoints on this and I am not trying to flame. I loved the Botswana hunt. All spot and stalk. Daily opportunities at game. Are you going to have multiple chip shots at trophies every day if you spot and stalk? Probably not. But you'll be hunting, not just sitting and waiting. I would inquire about spot and stalk bow hunting opportunities. Contact Neil Shore and company (I think it's Bow Hunting Safari Consultants) and discuss with them.