8'th Dwarf Eland advise

[Dsturgisjr]

Hey Paul, Got any advise on hunting eland? I really want one of those big boys. Thanks, Denny

[Rick McGowan]

I want one really bad also, probably the very next animal on my Africa want list. One evening we had five cows and a huge old bull coming to water, the cows all came and milled around in the water hole, the bull just kept walking in a straight line. Another evening we heard the ankle bone clicking and got ready THREE big bulls, two of them HUGE came to water, the biggest one came down to drink 16 yards away head on, I was just waiting for him to turn, when a %$#@$%$^% gemsbok decided that he wanted that water hole to himself and ran them off. By the way I had another gemsbok do the same thing with two potential record book wildebeest. Rick

[8th Dwarf]

Well, Denny, I am no expert, but I did take a huge, old Bull.  I shot him from a tree stand with a Great Northern Critter Gitter.  I heard the clicking for 5 minutes before he came in.  He drank and dicked around for another 5 minutes before he turned to go...twang-thunk!  This 2,000 pound critter broke several trees right off on his death run.  

I have had others come in, but never had them do the broadside trick that was without problems.  I think the biggest problem is that they are seriously nocturnal.  Quite often, I will stay in a water hole blind past shooting light, waiting for a ride.  I'll hear the clicking back in the brush.  I have heard that Ha Nore has a bunch and they tend to be less nocturnal.

I have tried stalking them, but they always seem to be in the deepest Mopani, right along with the Buff.  Tough to get an arrow through that stuff, let alone walk quietly.

My best advice is to keep booking hunts and sooner or later you'll put it together.  Try coming to Kuduland with us.  There are a bunch of them there!

Too Short

[Rick McGowan]

That was at GKS where I had my experience. The part I didn't tell you was that my ph was so upset that we didn't get a shot, that we went back to that same blind the next evening hoping the bulls would show up again and we stayed until it was pitch black inside the blind, although still light outside. This was after we had chased off a 9' black mamba, which he said would not come back. The next day another hunter and ph sat in that blind in the morning while the mamba came in the window! Makes you think. Rick

[Dsturgisjr]

Thanks Paul. I remember seeing a picture of you with a dandy eland bull. Does Kudu Land have a website?

[Brute killer]

I assume   this  is it, Dennis.

[Don Thomas]

Awesome critters... I would remind you both of the notes on shot placement I outlined in a recent issue of TBM. Like gemsbok, their vitals are high and forward. If you saw the picture of the entrance hole on the gull I killed, you wouldn't believe he required a long recovery and second arrow. Despite their size, they aren't all that tough to penetrate, so I now recommend taking them at least slightly quartering away. Don

[deathwind]

On my first trip to South Africa I managed to take 2 eland bulls. The second bull I didn't really plan on shooting but he was so large I couldn't resist. Like Don said, penetration wasn't that hard on them. I shot the last bull quartering away from about 15 yards and buried the arrow to where you could only see the very tip of the nock. He ran about 20 yards away from me to where I couldn't shoot him again so I had to just sit and watch the arrow do its work. That bull stood on his feet for over 5 minutes. I could see where I hit him and couldn't believe he wasn't dropping. They are tough animals. I've only shot one moose but I but the eland right on the same level as them as far as toughness goes. If I was smart enough to post a picture I would but I haven't got a clue.  

[8th Dwarf]

Yeah, Denny....  They do have a web site and I assume that it is  www.greaterkudulandsafaris.co.za    I should have it with me, but can't seem to find it in my files.  I tried a Google search and didn't come up with it.  If you find it, let me know the entire correct address, if you wouldn't mind.

Too Short

[Dsturgisjr]

http://zwsafaris.com/kuduland.htm  

Tried a search, came up with this. Is this the right spot Paul?

[8th Dwarf]

Denny...it's supposed to be greaterkudulandsafaris.com   They had trouble with their web site and I contacted them yesterday.  They had no idea it was down and I just got an email from them that it will be back on line today...Monday in the U.S.

Too Short

[jonsimoneau]

I killed an Eland this year with a 55lb. recurve that Ricky Welch built for me.  2 blade eclipse and a heavy arrow shaft.  My bull only went 35 yards and was down and out.  I agree with Don.  You pretty much have to shoot them through the front leg on a broadside shot.  Quartering away shots are probably better.  While I felt confident in the shot, and the outcome was good, shooting one with a bow that light could be considered stunt work by some people, but I will tell you that my arrow would have passed through if it had not lodged in the offside shoulder.  Ed Fry also killed one, and he used a 52lb. recurve and got a complete passthrough!  The taking of my eland will never escape my memory.  It's just amazing you can kill an animal that large with a bow.  It was one of those shots where my arrow went exactly where I wanted it too.  Not to get too graphic but I was amazed at the amount of blood after the shot.  Beautiful, crafty animals, it's amazing they are so hard to get a shot at when you consider their size.  Some people say they look like cattle, but I can assure you Eland are not livestock!

[paleFace]

Jon's eland:
     
   

[doctorbrady]

Denny,
Didn't you kill a great big bull at Ombengu?
A big bull eland is still at the top of my African wish list, so I guess I will just have to keep going back   .

[Joseph]

When I shot my Eland I hit it about 2 inches up and 2 inches to the left of where Jon shot his.  The arrow centered the heart but didn't touch a lung.  Worked out good though.  He only went 40 yards and then stood there lookng around for a minute or so and tipped over.  He bled out internaly.  The arrow cut a rib going in and out and lodged in the off side shoulder.  I think the film is some of what Tom used for the TG DVD.  Joseph

[Dsturgisjr]

This is an old thread. I took the advise and shot a couple eland. Watched both of them tip over. They are cool and very good to eat.


 

Brady, sounds like a great reason to go back!

 

[Roger Norris]

Geez those are huge animals...

[jonsimoneau]

Roger, trust me pictures of Eland do not do them much justice.  They are HUGE!