sneaking up on game

[Jeff Kruse]

So my question is? How hard is it to sneak up on the african game- Zebra, Kudo, wharthog, blue wildebeast?
What is everybody doing over there for camo?
Jeff

[SHS]

Hi Jeff

It would depend on the area  as well as type of habitat. In a lot of instances were you can get close enough to African game with the bow you would find that there is no shot due to brush.

I have taken the following species by manner of walk and stalk with a compound bow.

Zebra (55 yards)
Blesbuck (65 yards)
Blue Wildebeest (28 yards)

In short I think you would stand a chance but it takes time and a lot of patience as I am sure you know well.

Warthog might be your best bet because of very poor eye sight just make sure the wind is right and you should be able to get right up there.

Kudu unless it is a tame kudu I would say chances are slim to none to get one on foot with the bow.

Best Regards
Louis van Bergen

[calgarychef]

It's not easy stalking any animal anywhere, you're better off finding a travel corridor, trail etc, and being there first.  I had some success pretending to be a pig and I got to within a group of warthogs, it worked once but never again with the same group of hogs.  I admire your question though, it shows you want more out your hunting experiences than is often offered.

[Jeff Kruse]

The way we do it here in Alaska is, we will try to find a high spot where we can see, and then when we spot a a few caribou we try to head them off and set up in front of them for a close shot.
I have heard the game in Africa is a lot harder to get up close to.
Jeff

[TheBow_Hunter]

Hi there Jeff

Spiral makes some valid points !
My personal opinion, you have the best chance with a Warthog - Poor eyesight but be advised, his reflexes are razor sharp ( as are his tusks ! )
Kudu, ?? well our Creator gave him HUGE ears, and believe me, he uses them !! Highly unlikely to get a shot at one on the stalk.
My advice - try them all! I managed an 8 yd ( yes, eight yards ) shot on a Black Wildebeest, who mistook me for a tree, so anything is possible.
1. Good Gilly suit / Leafy suit
2. Use the wind, use the wind, use the wind !!
3. get a good pair of stalking boots - pref flat sole with felt soles -
4. Muffle ALL your kit with tape.
5. Keep your face and hands covered, they say antelope cant see colours ?? well, its not them ure going to be worried about, our bushveld has many eyes, and believe me the birds and primates will spot you and have u busted in a heartbeat !
6. Move like a cat - at an ABSOLUTE snails pace, keep in the shadows - psend more time standing still / crouched than walking

Hope this helps bud ! If you need any help, give us a shout !

[Jerry Russell]

I have been successful taking many species of North American big game via spot and stalk. I took these skills to Africa and was fed a big old helping of humble pie. Those animals are wired completely different and there is rarely one animal to get close to. Stalking bear, caribou and moose is like stalking a blind and deaf animal in comparison to Africa game. Having said that, don't let the challenge stop you from trying. It is something I do every time I am there and I spend a great deal of time trying every trip over. It is WAY more exciting than sitting in a blind and a great way to experience that wonderful land.

Good luck

Jerry

[tradtusker]

As above lots of good points. Terrain can make a lot of difference, each has its pros and cons.

It 'IS' possible though, Iv stalked and killed Turkey, Whitetail and Elk in the US, but have no experience with the others in the USA, so can't compare them, but on a whole Africa is bit harder I would say, a lot more predators and the game is really wired most of the time, they don't drop their guard much.
Iv killed most of the African plains game available to me, walk and stalk, and to be honest there are not many that are easier then the others.

Of the Above, Zebra are hard, your best odds are when they are moving, they will form a line and if you can predict where they are going and get there fast enough you can have them come past you.

Kudu, you'l want to find a bull by himself in the ideal situation feeding, if there are a herd of kudu cows, its 10x harder. Patience is the key with the Kudu.  

Warthog you can stalk if you catch them feeding, better if in long grass, as above reactions are lightning fast!

Wildebeest are hard, again try find a mature lone bull, wildebeest are territorial and will have middens and dust baths in their territory, if undisturbed they will also bed in the same small area for days, they will often bed by midday out of the heat, that can be a good time to try for a stalk.

For the most part camo is camo. I like to have a lighter brown and a darker green options to suit the bush Im most likely to be hunting. Covering your face it critical, I use face paint.

leather boots with flat soles are critical.