Post by: Witherstick on July 04, 2022, 12:51:15 PM
First, I can’t say enough about Sofala Safaris. Louis along with his family and crew run an unbelievably top notch outfit so well suited d to the tradbow crowd that I couldn’t do it justice here. But, I will say that he looks especially forward to hosting traditional archers although the operation is open to every type of hunter. Sofala understand how important the hunting experience is to the Trad group. Seriously, I would invite anyone even remotely interested in hunting Africa to reach out to us. There are many good outfits in South Africa, but we can tell you why you’re going to want to go to Sofala.
Second, Scott Mitchell of Timberhawk Bows built us two wonderful Odyssey longbows for our trip. Mine was #59 and my Wife’s #49. The people at Sofala couldn’t believe just how quiet we had them shooting while maintaining good speed. Plus the takedown feature allowed us to back them easily.
Our arrows were made with larch shafts and grizzly two blades from 3 Rivers. Mine weighed 620gr and hers were 610gr.
We were able to pack everything together into two large duffels. We even took backup bows and an arrow case inside of each duffel bag. Again anyone wanting more info on how to pack can reach out to either of us anytime.
Have to say that both South Africa and Sofala Safaris way exceeded expectations. Got to give a shout to Mike Yancey for his endorsement of Sofala to me a year ago.
Finally, I want to say that I am very proud of my wife becoming the first female traditional archer to take an animal at Sofala with her wildebeest. I was proud of my Impala ram too, but her success was more than icing on the cake
Post by: Witherstick on July 04, 2022, 12:53:06 PM
Post by: Witherstick on July 04, 2022, 12:54:18 PM
Post by: Witherstick on July 04, 2022, 12:55:20 PM
Post by: GCook on July 05, 2022, 12:02:30 PM
Was animal numbers and movement good? I'm hoping to take a couple of extras along with what the package is.
Post by: Witherstick on July 05, 2022, 12:52:55 PM
Mike is the real deal. You are going to see why he speaks so highly of them. I know my Wife and I have joined the group of people who speak so highly of Sofala.
You are going to have an unbelievable experience. Can’t wait to hear of your trip
Post by: GCook on July 05, 2022, 08:36:17 PM
Post by: Terry Green on July 11, 2022, 10:38:00 AM
Post by: Terry Green on July 11, 2022, 10:42:06 AM
Post by: GCook on July 11, 2022, 11:07:48 AM
Post by: Witherstick on July 11, 2022, 11:45:06 AM
Terry, absolutely forgot to mention the food. It is amazing. You won’t go hungry. We actually put a little weight on.
Post by: GCook on July 11, 2022, 11:52:28 AM
Post by: huckbuck on July 11, 2022, 12:21:50 PM
Post by: Mike Yancey on July 11, 2022, 12:57:41 PM
We used a type M converter.
Terry, absolutely forgot to mention the food. It is amazing. You won’t go hungry. We actually put a little weight on.
Terry knows, he's been there with me! It is amazing and will be even better this because Louis's brother Marinus is going to be there cooking. He is amazing!!
Post by: Witherstick on July 11, 2022, 01:43:56 PM
Post by: Witherstick on July 11, 2022, 01:45:10 PM
Post by: Witherstick on July 11, 2022, 01:52:03 PM
Post by: Witherstick on July 11, 2022, 01:53:19 PM
Post by: Bisch on July 11, 2022, 01:57:54 PM
Congrats on your critters!!!!
Bisch
Post by: beemann on July 11, 2022, 02:54:47 PM
Post by: GCook on July 11, 2022, 06:29:44 PM
Then Mike put up that group hunt post. Dunno why but just had something saying this is it.
Good business year going so I have the extra funds, timing with other planned hunts around it was right . . .
I'm excited and nervous and . . . .
Thanx Mike!!!
Post by: KAZ on July 11, 2022, 06:53:47 PM
Congratulations & Well Done. :clapper:
I made it to Namibia last year and I’m already considering when I can make it back… :pray:
Post by: BillyJack1975 on July 11, 2022, 07:00:28 PM
Post by: Witherstick on July 11, 2022, 07:14:13 PM
Seriously, those going with Mike are in for an unbelievable adventure. Those considering going to Africa owe it to themselves to check with Sofala.
Post by: Witherstick on July 11, 2022, 07:19:02 PM
I can’t believe that my wife and I waited until our late fifties to make this trip. But better late than never.
Post by: rastaman on July 12, 2022, 10:13:06 AM
Post by: Terry Green on July 12, 2022, 10:39:37 AM
They would come beside of of the huge water reservoir tanks to a certain spot to stop and survey they watering trough. Just barely around the crest of the reservoir tanks was the perfect bush that was now behind them and not of their concern. It was a perfect set up, and all I could is watch over and over.
Post by: GCook on July 12, 2022, 06:22:46 PM
Post by: Witherstick on July 12, 2022, 06:48:30 PM
Terry, I don’t think they aren’t as restrictive on how you hunt any longer. They have a gentleman coming from Europe that doesn’t want to shoot from a blind or elevated at all. They are going to try to accommodate him
Post by: Terry Green on July 13, 2022, 03:25:31 PM
I had a blast regardless.
Post by: GCook on July 14, 2022, 02:24:30 PM
I'm sure he'll post something on it after his hunt.
Post by: BillyJack1975 on July 14, 2022, 10:23:04 PM
He told me he also booked a hunt in September with Sofalas! Dude can definitely shoot, you might get a chance to visit with him Gary.
Looking forward to hearing about y’all’s adventure!
Post by: Bamboozle on July 15, 2022, 08:43:50 AM
Post by: Witherstick on July 15, 2022, 08:57:09 AM
Post by: GCook on July 15, 2022, 11:54:57 AM
We used a type M converter.This type?
Terry, absolutely forgot to mention the food. It is amazing. You won’t go hungry. We actually put a little weight on.
Post by: Witherstick on July 15, 2022, 12:08:07 PM
This is the one that we used. Now, I will say that we stayed in the chalet. I don’t know whether an adapter is already available in the house.
Post by: Skates 2 on July 16, 2022, 07:52:39 AM
Post by: ShadeMt on July 16, 2022, 08:49:32 PM
Post by: GCook on July 21, 2022, 09:01:57 AM
Looked like I expected however them critters is jumpy. Got me worried now.😃
Post by: Terry Green on July 21, 2022, 09:19:16 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AEPMrQgxLQ&t=6s
AIM LOW on Impala
Post by: Witherstick on July 21, 2022, 09:24:41 AM
Keep your shots close and get your bow shooting as quiet as you can.
Post by: GCook on July 21, 2022, 09:27:26 AM
Cook, did ya see this one?I have now! They are as bad as a hill country doe at a feeder for reacting to the string drop. So I guess I'll work on aiming low. :archer2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AEPMrQgxLQ&t=6s
AIM LOW on Impala
Post by: Ryan Rothhaar on July 21, 2022, 01:29:26 PM
R
Post by: Mike Yancey on July 21, 2022, 04:01:19 PM
Here is a good one.
Post by: KAZ on July 21, 2022, 07:01:57 PM
Impala and warthogs will both jump the string on you. Warthogs are nothing like the feral pigs I've killed - I shot my big warthog while he was on his front knees drinking at less than 10 yards and he started to roll away from the arrow even that close while drinking.
R
I totally agree, my big warthog was closer to 17-18 yards and it was drinking. Dropped a fuzz and started to wheel… Impact a fuzz high but drove up in the goodies and he burned it out of there. I’m pretty sure most everything there has a propensity to move, just the larger animals are a little slower. I have video of everything and I assure you every animal’s muscles sprung for action whether they made progress or not… I shoot heavy arrows and a quiet bow. :campfire:
Post by: Bisch on July 21, 2022, 08:13:25 PM
Impala and warties are jumpy for sure!!!!!
Bisch
Post by: Mike Yancey on July 21, 2022, 08:28:06 PM
Kudu are my favorite.
Post by: Mike Yancey on July 23, 2022, 04:32:34 PM
I have two flint tipped arrows loaded in my arrow box for September and if another Impala gets close I will let it fly.
Post by: GCook on July 23, 2022, 04:44:10 PM
Post by: Witherstick on July 23, 2022, 05:47:55 PM
Post by: GCook on July 23, 2022, 10:07:21 PM
We are already planning our return.I hear tell that's one of the dangers of going.
Going back!
Post by: Terry Green on July 27, 2022, 12:25:42 PM
I got a chuckle out of the guide saying "one shot" after the warthog got perfectly skeward. :smileystooges:
Post by: Mike Yancey on July 28, 2022, 04:00:21 PM
I think the Gemsbok is one of the most beautiful animals in Africa. They are super tough and a real trophy with Primitive or Traditional bow's.
Post by: Terry Green on July 28, 2022, 04:48:20 PM
I will add that the 3rd afternoon when the 2 zebras walked in was just crazy to see. I DEFINITELY knew I was in Africa then!!!
Post by: GCook on July 28, 2022, 04:49:58 PM
Post by: Friend on July 28, 2022, 10:22:42 PM
Post by: Mike Yancey on July 29, 2022, 06:06:49 PM
Here is one of the Warthogs that I took out there. I painted it when I got it back home.
(https://i.imgur.com/TDCVhcb.jpg)
Post by: GCook on July 29, 2022, 08:41:28 PM
Post by: rastaman on July 30, 2022, 02:39:25 PM
Post by: Mike Yancey on August 03, 2022, 02:36:56 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/tFyEwj1.jpg)
Post by: Witherstick on August 03, 2022, 07:28:36 PM
Post by: GCook on August 03, 2022, 08:56:44 PM
Post by: Terry Green on August 11, 2022, 10:56:24 AM
Post by: GCook on August 12, 2022, 07:20:46 PM
Fletching the last few arrows for the trip. Got some VPAs on some woods as well. Hoping to be fully packed, except for bows, by this weekend.
Post by: rastaman on August 13, 2022, 02:30:57 PM
>>>--------->
Post by: Bamboozle on August 16, 2022, 03:59:05 PM
Post by: Witherstick on August 17, 2022, 10:44:51 AM
I remember packing too. We were able to pack everything for both of us into just two duffels and a single carry on for each of us. We each had a backup bow in the others duffel as well as half our arrows
Post by: rastaman on August 17, 2022, 11:33:56 AM
Post by: GCook on August 24, 2022, 10:22:29 PM
Is it work taking a compact tripod and my Sony Handy cam? The tripod also will hold a phone to video or still pic with.
Post by: Mike Yancey on August 30, 2022, 11:57:47 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/98cGFNj.jpg?1) (https://i.imgur.com/P3rMcf3.jpg)
Post by: Witherstick on August 30, 2022, 12:05:18 PM
Post by: Mike Yancey on August 30, 2022, 12:13:51 PM
Last year everyone was afraid to go, we went. 30 plus hours both ways with mask but NO SHOTS REQUIRED only a negative test within 72 hours both ways. This year no problem and we will see more animals in a day that most in several years.
Foods not too bad either!
(https://i.imgur.com/6rk6BO9.jpg)
Here's a trip from a couple of years ago.
(https://i.imgur.com/OdNbu1y.jpg)
Post by: Witherstick on August 30, 2022, 01:01:18 PM
Post by: KAZ on August 30, 2022, 07:07:14 PM
:pray: :campfire:
Post by: rastaman on August 30, 2022, 07:17:58 PM
Post by: GCook on August 30, 2022, 08:35:24 PM
Post by: Witherstick on September 04, 2022, 08:46:01 PM
Post by: GCook on September 06, 2022, 10:55:35 AM
Post by: charles m on September 07, 2022, 08:14:00 AM
Post by: Terry Green on September 07, 2022, 09:10:30 AM
I'm anxiously waiting also!!!
Post by: Wudstix on September 07, 2022, 02:31:53 PM
Post by: GCook on September 07, 2022, 04:33:05 PM
One day left. Send a thought or two for good luck our way. Up in five and a half hours so good night and God bless.
Post by: rastaman on September 08, 2022, 09:46:46 AM
Post by: Bamboozle on September 08, 2022, 06:32:21 PM
Post by: GCook on September 09, 2022, 01:23:22 AM
Plus the PHs take the pictures and not all of us have access to all the pics. So if you want to see all of them you may have to visit the outfitter's page. I'm not sure if all of the hunters are on TG or not.
That said they are all people I'd share a camp with again.
Post by: Terry Green on September 09, 2022, 07:28:06 AM
Post by: kennym on September 09, 2022, 01:53:47 PM
Post by: Terry Green on September 09, 2022, 04:57:58 PM
Post by: GCook on September 10, 2022, 09:19:48 AM
Cook, you took me completely wrong. I never implied that you steal anyone's thunder. Not sure how you got the idea that I was talking about other hunters pics. Ive never suggested that here since we started in 03, not my style. I'll bow out now.No sir that wasn't my intention or thought from you. You said nothing I took personal. Just trying to explain my reasoning for not posting a bunch of stuff yet. I'm not the most socially capable individual. I don't always put things the way I mean them. Apologies.
Also found out not all are TG members.
We are back in Atlanta though.