Eland

[Herdbull]

I know south Africa is having some issue. I hope you all get to go some time. Here is an article about my Eland hunt posted from my website.  Mike

https://www.herdbullproductions.com/copy-of-chasing-solitude-1

[Steve O]

You are just a sucker for anything as big as a moose 

My favorite meal over there always seems to be Eland. Would love to try the Lord Derby someday.

[Bow man]

Love the story Mike. Tracey and I are heading there in early Sept 2019. I still have to decide between an eland or a kudu. May decide when in the blind and I see what comes in

[acolobowhunter]

Good photo - I am going in Aug of this year.  Although Eland is not on my current list, hope I get a chance to get a shot at one.

[Herdbull]

The big bulls look very impressive, you will decide when you see one. Ha Ha. BTW The anatomy on eland is a bit different and vitals are not pushed as far forward, so you can relax a bit and stay off the shoulder. In the South Africa winter is when most folks hunt, the dry season causes much stress and animals lose weight compared to rainy season summer. The shoulder blades tend to be outlined well. The gemsbok seem to be the most forward vitals and with higher hump of shoulder give us the most challenge in staying tight and watching for shot angle.  Have fun. Mike

[Herdbull]

Eland VS Kudu

[hybridbow hunter]

Kudu vs eland

[Herdbull]

Nice animals and a good depiction of eland as well as kudu.

[acolobowhunter]

Great photos!  If I may ask, what was your equipment?  Poundage on your bow and arrow weight?  Also broadheads used??

I am sure excited to be going in Aug of this year.  Any special tips for special items to take along - flying information - customs clearance?  Anything special to avoid or watch for?

[acolobowhunter]

My flight has all been confirmed from Denver - Kennedy - Johannsburg - Windhoek (Namibia).  About 16 hr flight across the ocean, that I am not looking forward to!
Will see some of the national parks for a few days before the 8 day hunt begins.  Maybe that will allow some time for jet lag to wear off.

I will be shooting a 70 lb recurve, with goldtip shafts with a total weight of 650 grains.  Using 200 grain Rocky Mt. Cuttroat single bevel broadheads.  Also taking some Zwikee broadheads with steel adaptors that are about 225 grains.  Taking 2 dozen arrows and an extra set of bow limbs.  Might take an extra bow as well.

[hybridbow hunter]

The fedora longbow is 58# at 31" arrow finish weight was 685 gr including 300gr Wide 3 blade ( 1 1/2" diameter big Jim BH made by vpa). It worked fine on eland cow ,kudu , blue wildebeest and smaller ( warthog springbuck and blesbok)
The recurve is a Border bow from Scotland HEX 6.5 ( their top of the line limbs in 2011) 61#@31" and same arrow weight but BH was 2 blade Magnus 160 gr and 125 gr steel adaptator. On last eland ( actually it is a livingstone eland and not a a cape eland like the others) it was a RER recurve 58# @31" same arrow and VPA 300 gr 3 blade ( standard 1 1/8" diameter) and 50 gr insert so arrow was in the 720 gr.


I reported 2 of the trips here. This summer will be my 11th trip there with trad gear. I am crazy about bow hunting Africa ( I hunted RSA, Zimbabwe , Botswana , Namibia)

http://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=124158.0


http://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=124279.0

[Herdbull]

I used 65# Tall Tines 2219 arrows with Tuffhead for eland, and an Abowyer brownbear for kudu. Arrows weigh between 750 and 800 gr. Mike

[acolobowhunter]

I think I have enough bow (70#) and arrows at 650 gr including 200 gr. broadheads.  The only think I have been told is: I might have problems shooting from a blind with my 62" recurve.  Some think a 58" bow would be better, but at this point I have been shooting this bow for over 30 years and don't want to switch bows at this point, as I am going in Aug of this year.  Will just have to see how it goes.

[hybridbow hunter]

Most of all my bows are 64" recurve and I am 6'3"/210#. Some really tiny blinds can be an issue but most are built at least for 2 people. You just need to tell your ph to put you in the largest blind and you will be fine

[acolobowhunter]

I understand.  Hope the blinds have enough room for the wife to be in them as well, as she is doing the photos and video of the hunt.  Still about 3 months away, but thinking I should start packing and see how much room I have in the baggage, gun case and backpacks. Ha

[hybridbow hunter]

You can give the ph the lenght of your strung bow and he can check with a stick handed vertically at the level of his shoulder of same lenght if blind are roomy enough and select the best one for you or fixed some of them for you

[acolobowhunter]

Good idea, I will do that.

[acolobowhunter]

Just sent the outfitter the strung length of my bow (58"), so he can check the blinds for shooting clearance.

Thanks for the tip!