Hunting Methods?

[LBR]

From watching videos and what I have read (because I've never been to Africa)

It seems alot of the antelope are taken at water holes and it is very closely related to the likes of say... Texas Whitetails on a feeder.
 

Stole that quote from Lance on the "String Jumpers" thread.  I've never been, but have read a lot about it and talked to quite a few folks, and that is the primary reason that I've chosen Australia over Africa for what may be a once in a lifetime hunt (for me anyhow).  I don't hunt over bait--just not my cup of tea--and from all the accounts I can gather that is the main hunting method in Africa--sit, sweat, and wait.  One fellow compared one of the animals he shot to shooting a cow--he plans on going back, but won't take this one again.

Now, before I get roasted, I know there is more to it than that, the animals are very alert, nothing is guaranteed, etc., and I'm not slamming folks that go--I'm sure it's a rush and all, and you can't understand it until you experience it.

What I was wondering is if there are alternative methods to hunting African game with any reasonable chances for success with a bow?  Lots of critters over there I'd love to try for one of these days, but as I see it right now I don't care a thing for hunting over a water hole.  Seems to me that it's more of a test of your shooting skills than hunting--animals got to have water, and I reckon supply is pretty limited there?

If I'm wrong, straighten me out.  If I'm right, what other methods are there?

Chad

PS  The animal at the top of my list is baboon, then hyena, gemsbok, kudu, and maybe duiker.

[Don Thomas]

In terms of statistics, you're probably right... most bowkilled African plains game animals are probably taken over water. But that's a little like saying most whitetails are taken from treestands. If it isn't your cup of tea, there are certainly alternatives. I've done plenty of stalking in Africa. From the start, I told myself I'd spend at least half my time stalking and never regretted it. Nowadays, it's even more, and I've deliberately spent time in places where stalking is emphasized, like Zambia. The best stalking I ever experienced was on the Save and Turgwei Rivers (Humani) in southern Zim. Two great species -- bushbuck and bushpig -- thrive there, and stalking works very well for both. Unfortunately, Zim is a mess right now and I can't recommend it as a destination until they sort out their problems. But I've also spent time stalking in Namibia and RSA. Be prepared to be humiliated... the game is incredibly sharp. But there's tons of it, so opportunities abound. The baboon may be one of the hardest creatures in the world to stalk with a bow, by the way, and hyenas are either uncommon or protected in much of southern Africa. If you really want to stalk, I'd recommend warthog, bushpig, bushbuck, impala and duiker as prime quaries. Cheeers, Don

[LBR]

Thanks Doc!  Of all the stories I have read, and people I have talked to personally, I've heard very, very little about stalking game.  I wasn't sure it was even a feasable alternative because of the game being on high alert all the time.  

As far as being humiliated, well.....I'm used to that    .  I have definate plans for Australia and a water buffalo, but if things work out I might just have to start saving up for Africa.

One of the reasons I want to try for a baboon is the challenge--I'd heard they are a devil to even get a shot at, and very tough to kill.  That, and I just don't like the buggers for some reason--I even avoid them when I take my son to the zoo--seem to be some nasty critters.

Thanks for the information,

Chad

[Don Thomas]

The locals agree with you, Chad. The baboon is probably the only animal in Africa generally hated by everyone I've met there. I've passed up many shot oportunities at them from blinds, but really enjoyed stalking them at Humani. Never any doubt when the stalk was over... they'd tear up into the trees screaming and throwing things at you. And I can spend hours just watching them...Don

[8th Dwarf]

On my first trip in 1978, I took more animals stalking than I did over waterholes.  I love to stalk and on windy days, that's my main way to hunt.  I did shoot one huge warthog so close that the arrow head was in him before the feathers had left the rest....TRUE STORY!  If you'd like to hear it some time, let me know.

Too Short

[LBR]

Now we're talking!  Honestly, I'd wondered why renowened hunters like yourself (Dr. Don and Too Short) would stick yourselves in a blind over a water hole--doesn't seem like it would be much of a challenge to you.

Too Short, I'd love to hear it!  I got to know though--were you  under the warthog when you shot?  Sorry, couldn't resist.....    

Chad

[herb haines]

a lot of outfitters don't like clients waundering off by them selves as they are responsible for you and if you end up dead they loose their lively hood .
Paul and Denny do your outfitters PH's allow you to hunt alone or do you have the Ph and a couple of trackers along on a stalk ?--- herb

[Dsturgisjr]

Stalking is something to definitly check out with your PH or booking agent. Different rules apply at different locations in my experiences.

All the animals I've shot on video in Africa have been at waterholes with no camera man. Hard to video yourself when stalking; if only I could teach a Bushman to run my camera. Almost impossible when we don't speak the same language. Funny how we don't seem to have any problems just hunting though. Bowhunters can conquer the comunication gap.

[LBR]

Denny, I can imagine that put a new twist in the game!  How in the world did you manage to get the camera set up at the right angle?  

Herb, I never even considered that--makes sense.  When I went on my moose hunt last year in Northern Ontario, we were unguided, but well informed.  The outfitter gave us lots of great advice, but we were on our own once we hit the woods.  The only bad thing was our options if we had encountered a cow moose with a calf--no tags for cows--and they are considered very dangerous.  We could take an air horn or whistle and try to scare it off, or just pray--lol.  Thankfully we didn't have to find out which worked.  Found out moose are responsible for more injuries and deaths than bear up there--made you think!

Chad

[herb haines]

Chad ,
lots of things in Africa that can mess with a North American . usually hunts are from June to sept and that is fall and winter and there should be no snakes but some times the snakes must not know . also if you are where there are any of the big five or near a river that has hippos or crocks .creates a big stink when a PH gets a client chewed stomped bit or dead .
all you have to do is take one look at a pic of a Cape Buff looking at you .like you owe them a lot of money and if you can't pay they will have satisfaction .------ herb

[Rick McGowan]

"should be no snakes", yeah they told me that one too! I only saw two black mambas, the smaller one was nine feet long!

[herb haines]

:D  yep!!!

[8th Dwarf]

I LOVE to hunt water holes!!!!  I don't know about the "Renowned" part, but I get to see so much game and watch the most incredible animal behavior that it blows me away.  I don't shoot a whole lot of stuff....just love to see it all.

I generally hunt alone.  When stalking, I will take a tracker with me about half the time.  I have a favorite named "Sam" and his eyesight and sense of game nearby are beyond describing.

Naw...I wasn't under him.  He was directly UNDER me!  I watched him scouting out this Warthog hole.  He looked it over thoroughly, nodded "Yes", and backed into it.  I snuck up from behind and peaked over into the hole until I could see one tusk and whiskers.  I came to full draw, aiming straight down, and stamped my foot...ONCE!  You wouldn't believe the noise and the dust!  Hit him right between the shoulder blades and punched out the center goodies between the lungs.  He was about twenty inches from my bow hand when the arrow hit him!

Great memories....

Too Short

[Don Thomas]

I'm with Paul... water holes are a ton of fun and the game is so sharp that it isn't nearly as easy as it might sound. My advice is to do a little of everything and shoot when it feels right, with no preconceived notions of how "easy" anything is until you have experienced it. And as Denny points out, you may not be able to wander off on your own. Plan on having at least a tracker accmpany you. Some of them are among the best hunters I've ever met and you can learn a lot from them. As Denny points out, language is rarely a problem when you are out hunting. Don

[8th Dwarf]

Don brought up a point I had forgotten to make.  I have learned an AWESOME amount about tracking from Sam, the tracker!  The things he has taught me about tracking and game behavior have made me a better hunter no matter where I am hunting.  

We will never understand how these trackers do it.  You see, we live on TOP of our environment.  They live IN their environment!  I have seen Sam stop when tracking a Cape Buffalo and just KNOW that it is there in front of us when there is no sight of it and no reason to assume so from the tracks.  They can SENSE things that we would never feel.

It's a tremendous learning experience.  

Too Short

[Don Thomas]

Agree with Paul. African trackers vary considerably in their ability, just as we do. But the best -- Sam at Kuduland, Sain at Humani, the Bushmen in Namibia - have to be seen to be believed. I've spent years trying to get inside the heads of the Bushmen to figure out how they do it.  Consider the opportunity to hunt with any of the greats a highlight of the trip. Don

[lcoast]

Interesting about the trackers. When I started guiding in British Columbia back in the late 60's i was fortunate to work with a couple of Indian guys that were that way. Unreal how they could find game and know what the animal was gonna do before the animal even did it. They probably weren't as good as the Africans but they would sure put most North American to shame.

=keith=