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I know there can be no precise answer, but I have a question about likely shooting distances for various game. I am doing my first safari, a plains game hunt in Namibia in June. I broke my leg (moving a treestand) last September and am still recovering--specifically I walk slowly and with a slight limp and may still be in that shape in June. I am interested in Gemsbok, Kudu, Wildebeest, Warthog, maybe an Impala. Practicing from sticks, I feel I need to be within 200 yards to make an ethical shot. Which plains game animals are easiest to close on? Thanks. | ||
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You might try asking your PH or host the same questions. Good luck and please share stories and pictures with us when you return. Where are you in Florida? We're moving to Tampa is July. | |||
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All my shots were from 30 to 200 yards for 8 animals in Namibia. Check with your PH to know . | |||
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I suggest you practce shooting offhand on one leg. | |||
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Your PH is the best guide as he will not let you take shots that are difficult,i.e.he will manouver you to be as close as possible to the game.However the average distance is between 50 to 150 yards.In my case at least that was the case. | |||
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Northern or Southern Namibia? There's quite a difference in the brush cover, which makes some difference in how long expected shots might be. Generally, Southern Namibia is more open and shots are longer. A native Namibian and former PH who now lives in Texas tells me that his experience is that some Europeans have difficulties in Southern Namibia because they are unaccustomed to 200+ yard shots. Conversely, hunters from the Western U.S. tend to do just fine there with the longer shots. The brushier areas of central and Northern Namibia (which is where the most popular hunting areas are located) offer some bit closer shooting than the very open plains-desert of Southern Namibia. | |||
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I like the one-let suggestion. I will certainly talk to the PH and rely on him to get me as close as possible. Just interested in some of what you have experienced. I am practicing off sticks and can shoot within a 9 or 10 inch circle at 200 yards, but that is without having walked up a good oxygen deficit first. I am hunting about 90 km outside of Windhoek. | |||
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Swampcat, Your shooting sounds right on target...If you are shooting a .300 to .338 class cartridge they will give you lots of energy and hence lots of structural damage on impact..Over 200 yds you should be able to sit and get a real stable shooting position... Have the Ph hunt your way slow and all will be fine... great safari and make the shot...  Mike | |||
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Swampcat I have hunted in Namibia a couple times. Most shooting is around 200 to 250 yards. Take a tip from me and take a range finder for those long shots and know your rifle. Don Lietzau 1-907-688-6946 Don Lietzau's Outdoor Adventures 20508 Mark Circle, Chugiak, Alaska 99567 | |||
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Definitely ask the PH. Saying hunting Namibia is like saying hunting Texas. Is that the East TX piney woods, South Texas brush country, or Western plains. I've seen pictures of the open Kalahari; but I hunted central Namibia, and almost all shots were less than 100 yds. Caleb | |||
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Our PH in Namibia said the shots would be about 100 yards and that he didn't let clients shoot over 150 yards... Our average shot for two of us was about 200 yards. In fact I don't think any of my shots were under 200 yards. Thank goodness I didn't believe him when he said to be ready for 100 yard shots. Kyler | |||
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Each animal may present a different scenario, but I would heed the sound advice given: 1. Take a rangefinder, a decent brand. 2. Know your rifle at varying ranges, and lastly, if it were me, I'd be dead on at 200: know where your hitting at 250, 150, 100 and 50 yards. Most likely I would expect 200 yard shots. Gemsbok: usually on open plains and wary. Kudu: normally found in broken bush. Very wary and can be difficult when closing under 300 yards, so stealth and wind play a big role. Wildebeest: Black; open plains: Blue; open or bush country. Warthog: easy to slip within 30-50 yards under cover but if you get to your point of impact, take steady aim and fire. They are "low to the ground" animals so shooting sticks are a big help. Impala: open edges of the plains or in heavy bush. Shots can be close or long range. Most game will be wary, as they know the scoop on hunters, but expect the unexpected. Good hunting, LDK Gray Ghost Hunting Safaris http://grayghostsafaris.com Phone: 615-860-4333 Email: hunts@grayghostsafaris.com NRA Benefactor DSC Professional Member SCI Member RMEF Life Member NWTF Guardian Life Sponsor NAHC Life Member Rowland Ward - SCI Scorer Took the wife the Eastern Cape for her first hunt: http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6881000262 Hunting in the Stormberg, Winterberg and Hankey Mountains of the Eastern Cape 2018 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4801073142 Hunting the Eastern Cape, RSA May 22nd - June 15th 2007 http://forums.accuratereloadin...=810104007#810104007 16 Days in Zimbabwe: Leopard, plains game, fowl and more: http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409 Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6341092311 Recent hunt in the Eastern Cape, August 2010: Pics added http://forums.accuratereloadin...261039941#9261039941 10 days in the Stormberg Mountains http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7781081322 Back in the Stormberg Mountains with friends: May-June 2017 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6001078232 "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running...... "If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you." | |||
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Sometimes, conditions aren't as desirable, or a wounded animal offers a very long shot-- know where to shoot at 350-400 yds. Good Luck!! Steve "He wins the most, who honour saves. Success is not the test." Ryan "Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the vote decide everything." Stalin Tanzania 06 Argentina08 Argentina Australia06 Argentina 07 Namibia Arnhemland10 Belize2011 Moz04 Moz 09 | |||
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Weather for the hunting year may play a big part in shooting distances. In dryer years water hole hunting can make for much closer shots (20-100 yards). In wet years animals are more dispersed making water hole hunting less effective and may require longer shots. GLRodgers | |||
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Shooting distances vary a lot in Namibia depending on the type of area you are hunting, 100-300 yrds should be a good ball park. Good Luck on your hunt. Ahmed | |||
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Two years ago, I hunted in Khomas and Kalahari area, tested the rifle on the following distances 200/300/400 meters, never shooted over 200 meters. I used a 9.3x62 with 250 and 286 grains bullets. For example the zebra was shot at about 180/200, in the same area the kudu was well under the 100 meters. Personally I prefer when I have the opportunity to get near the game. bye Stefano Waidmannsheil | |||
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I don't know; I zeroed my 30-06 for 200yds before I left and my longest shot was about 125yds. I was shooting high just about all the time until we returned to the range and rezeroed for 100 yds. Of course, the shooting high could have been operator error. I, too, was hunting about 90-100 miles from Windhoek, a bit south of Gobabis | |||
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I used a 338 Win Mag TBBC, ranges where 75-200 yards for ten animals in RSA. You may have farther shots in Namibia When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults! | |||
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