G'day guys,

Well a mate of mine sent me to this site and firstly, from reading a few threads on here I can say there is a hell of a lot of info on here that I'll be sure to make full use of. My thanks in advance guys.

Im currently 6 weeks out from my second trip to Namibia to take my partner there (she has yet to travel to Africa) to do the tourist thing firstly, and then we are heading for a 7 day plains game hunt, my second and Karens first. Yes, Im a lucky guy to have found a gal that likes to hunt! I'll be bowhunting and she will be rifle hunting in other parts of the property.

This trip is pretty much all planned out for the 2 1/2, 3 weeks we will be there, but that has not stopped me planning and doing my homework on my third trip that I want to do in say... 2016 roughly.

What I am wanting to do guys, and hence why I was pointed to this site in the first place, is that I'm wanting to do a bow hunt on primely Bushbuck, with Nyala and Kudu a close second. I think they call it a 'Spiral horn package' from what I've read online thus far?

I think I may have read way to many hunting books from the 'hey days' on African hunting as such and way to many articles on Africa full stop... but I'm wanting to do hunt more so with the focus on spot & stalk hunt over sitting in a blind. I have done that style of hunting, and yes, I shot two good warthogs... but what I really enjoyed was stalking a Steenbok, on foot and bow in hand. I shot him from 38 paces and was a day I'll not forget in a hurry!

(If I can sort out how to post pics on this site I will do so)

I don't need 5 star living accommodations, although I'm sure that is just how it is in most hunting camps these days, nor am I loaded with cash either. Im after a hunting operation that will be happy to let me spot and stalk, ambush if the situation allows and when I need a break, maybe sit in a blind to let the game settle down again and to take photos etc... then head out again, be it with a tracker or PH.

I have hunted with my bow for the last 15 years and it has taken my to NZ, the US, Canada and Africa. I have also hunted my fair share of aussie soil as well and I kinda think I know what Im doing when it comes to shooting a bow, that being a recurve... not a compound. What I'm saying here guys is that Im not one to be slinging off arrows wounding game a chancy shots. That gets expansive.

So far I've been pointed to hunting around the Limpopo area as it seems Bushbuck are thick on the ground somewhat? I'm also looking at doing a 14 day hunt so I can have plenty of time to settle in and tune into my environment and get the feel of the place.

Would there be any opinions on Mozambique maybe?

As a side note also guys, I'm ok with roughing as well. As mentioned above Ive been around a bit and to me, I'm after an adventure... something different if that makes sense. I also spent 9 years in the Infantry so I love to even do a back pack style hunt, but i know there would not be to many operations willing to cater for that option.

Cheers guys, and sorry for the long winded post.


Regards,

ak.

Given that you shot a steinbok at 38 yards with a bow, my hat is off to you. You are a great shot. I did two years of bowhunting in Namibia, and then three years of rifle hunting in Tanzania after that. Going again next year and bushbuck is high on my list. Haven't connected yet. They are truly difficult. IMHO

Hi Al

We can do that hunt for you in a 100% free range concession in KZN. We are widley regarded as having the best free range spiral horn area in South Africa and hunt over 60 000ha there. We average over 28" on Nyala and have take 54-60" Kudu there too.

We have 100% success rate on Nyala, Kudu and Bushbuck in this concession.

The concession is on the Umkomazi River and has a comfortable lodge just off the waters edge.

If you are keen to bowhunt and backpack I am looking for someone to take me up on my 10 Day walk and stalk backpack bowhunt for a free range Auodad in the Eastern Cape.

Please drop me a mail and we can chat about some options.
ian@venturesouthoutfitting.com
Kind regards
Ian

G'day Al!

First. I respect your desire and wishes to bow hunt and stalk these animals. It's a very serious challenge. I've bow hunted for 30 years....

The KZN area in Southe Africa is no doubt a good (actually great) area as posted above, particularly for Nyala.
Mozambique Coutada 9, Mokore Safaris, has fantastic spiral horns in truly "wild Africa" and are great for superior trophy quality of all three species...
There are many quality outfitters and areas where you can hunt them..

But, as a fellow bow hunter I can tell you the challenge of spot and stalk is rather extreme on these species and why they are typically hunted from a blind!!!
I choose to use my gun in Africa, because for me personally, I feel the investment in both time and money is to great not to..
It's 100% success with firearm with great trophy quality, blind hunting 90-100% in a top area! and spot and stalk will be probably 20% for Multi species IMO...
These animals are switched on in Africa brother...

Poyntman,

Thanks for your reply mate, I appreciate your input greatly. I'm not one to doubt that collecting all 3 would be a very hard hunt, and as you mentioned, a low % rate of actually doing it.

What I'm after is the ability for me to do so and what I'm thinking is that I spot & stalk for a few days, see where that takes me, then maybe set up for an ambush if we know a Bushbuck is about that particular area, then maybe use a blind if we have scented up the bush if things arnt falling into place for a day or so, then head back out on foot again... if you now what I mean mate? I want to mix it up is what I'm getting at.

On my last hunt I only shot 3 animals in 7 days. Two good Warthogs, both from a blind and my Steenbok that I did on foot. And I am happy and comfortable in doing both styles of hunting.

What I'm NOT after guys is a pen type hunt where the water trough is closed off to animals in darkness and I'm dropped of with my lunch in the "Kudu Pen" to allow me to shoot my Kudu, in my freshly pressed cargo pants... its not what I'm after.

I want to taste some of the old school Africa and earn my animals. Here in aussie we mainly spot & stalk all our deer, hogs and water buff on foot...its how we all mainly hunt. Very little game gets shot from blinds and tree stands here, why I do not know... its just how we hunt.

Hell... I don't know wether its legal or not but I'd be happy with just heading out stalking with a Tracker and the PH just touch base with me every other day or so. Kinda like..." So and so, take that crazy aussie bowhunter and see if you can't get him close to that ram w seen the other week down by the river"...? (Don't flame me guys if thats not the done thing...lol)

Ian, thanks also for your input... I'm liking that idea mate of your KZN concession and I'll look into your website and FB page, cheers mate. As for Aoudad... I've never honestly given that animal a thought!

G'day Ben, hope your well up there in NT cobber?


Thanks guys, I'm liking this already.


Cheers,


ak.

Best of luck to you! You have a great attitude towards it...
You will get some good feedback here and I suspect will see further reference to these areas...
Best of luck to you sir.... Aussie Aussie Aussie....Hoy, Hoy, Hoy!!!

Go to KZN or the Midlands. Many of these areas are large and totally free range. The Bushbuck is probably the easiest as they can be somewhat patterns based on living in a small area and being a creature of Habit. The Kudu and Nyala need to be spotted while sunning in the morning and then you need to move fast, with the right wind and approach to get within bow range before they move off to bed. A very difficult challenge for sure. Good luck to you.
I take the easy way out...300 Remington Ultra Mag.

Al,

KZN and the Midlands is your best bet. As Pontyman said taking a Bushbuck is your best chance, possibly Nyala by stalking; but most people get Kudu with bows out of blinds from what I've been told.

I take the easy way out and use a rifle; in fact I would advise you to consider this as a backup plan mate.

Have a great hunt in Nam'

Al,

I have a couple of ideas that I've PM'ed you about.

Mark

Al

The beauty of the KZN bushveld is that its pretty steep and provides plenty of lookout and ambush points.
You will need to make sure your legs and ankles are ready for it though.

On Nyala we regularly get into bow range. Kudu if you know what you are doing and have done your homework you can ambush them. Bushbuck are creatures of habit and you can plan ahead to get into range, but they also have the sharpest senses so make a formidable target. We have a few great steep sided river valleys that lend themselves to getting close to Bushbuck.

Warthog are targets of opportunity and there are lots of them. From suckling pigs that we can put on the spit to big boars. We have heavy pigs, not long ivory though. The rocky terrain keep their tusks short.
We will also have bushpig on bait so it will be a good chance to get one while you are there.

The area is not a DG area so you are welcome to walk and stalk alone. We just stay in Radio contact and hold off on a point within the general vicinity.
We help you with planning your route and know where we will find you at the conclusion of your walk, but you get to experience the hunt and the bush at your own pace.

The biggest danger you can face in these circumstances are snakes, but even they are a non event. In all the thousands of days I have spent in the bush I can count snake encounters on one hand and never ever felt threatened.

There are leopard in the valleys, but we only ever find tracks. We have had them come into bushpig baits, but most hunters make too much noise and they only come in after you leave.

The Aoudad option is a unique one. There is a population of them that escaped to a mountain that is difficult to access. They have bred well up there and they are a tough hunt. With a bow I would say you need at least 10 days open to succeed on an Aoudad with the bow and a large portion of that will be patterning them to setup in ambush. You will need a ghillie suit and scent control and a lot of patience.

You camp on top of the mountain and eat meager rations and drink purified water from a spring.

Lets chat when you have time.
Ian

G'day again guys,

Thanks for all the PM's and posts, I'll reply at length to all asap. Cheers.

Lets see now if my pics load...

Lets try this...


[IMG:left] [/IMG]

And one of my Warthogs...


[IMG:left] [/IMG]

And my last Wartie...

[IMG:left] [/IMG]

Nice trophies. You have a distinct advantage with a traditional bow outside of a blind in the thick stuff.

What sort of range are you comfortable with?

Not a bow hunter myself, but have a lot of respect for someone taking on the challenge of hunting in Africa with a recurve. Good luck to you!

Hi Al,

We have some good bushbuck here in Limpopo and have taken several with bow - the two below taken within 15 minutes after one another from a blind but there are opportunities to stalk them too here next to the river or in the valleys.





I hunt Nyala primarily in Limpopo and Kwa Zulu Natal. The one below was stalked in KZN (sorry for the poor picture quality).



And of course, Limpopo is Kudu Mecca... This one was hunted from a blind:



Feel free to contact me for information.

Best,

Thanks for your input Chris, I'll take a look into your webpage when I get some free time... work has its hooks into me again.

Ian, mate I am ok to shoot out to 40m, that being said, the closer the better. I practice out to 50m as I find it makes the short shots a shoe in.


Cheers guys,


ak.

I also emailed you too Ian.

Thanks Al,
Replied and looking forward to hearing from you.
Good luck in Namibia.
Ian

One of the best operators in Natal for free range kudu, nyala and bushbuck is Evan Couzens of Umziki hunting Safaris.... He knows the umkomaas valley like the back of his hand. In addition to the umkomaas, he has great pig hunting over bait. Send him an email he just shot a few really BIG bushbuck in the last two weeks

Small world. I was the guy who just killed that Bushbuck with Evan in the Midlands. It was a really old almost Black Cape Bushbuck. The longest horn was almost 18 inches. My buddy also killed a great Old Bushbuck with Evan that went over 16. You are right, no one knows that area better than Evan. He has been hunting there for almost 30 years.....and I only think he is 30 years old. He offers true Free Range hunting at its best, anywhere.

Bill, Evan sent me a photo of that bushbuck during your safari. Trophy of a lifetime.
Evan is a top class hunter and takes great care of his clients. Evan will be handling all of my South African hunts while I am hunting in Canada and Central Africa, a more trustworthy PH you will not find.