Author Topic: What to hunt? (Read 4850 times)

Bear Hunter · « **on:** December 20, 2003, 10:14:00 PM »

I know it will be way down the road before I head over there to hunt but have always wondered this anyways. For a first timer (and it would be a once in a lifetime thing) what animals would you hunt? Are any of the dangerous game animals good for hunting for a first time?

Nick

Rick McGowan · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2003, 11:11:00 PM »

Nobody will recommend it for the first trip. The big five or six are really all specialized hunts and with the exception of leopard require specialized equipment. Its better to get your feet wet with plains game first and remember that a 100# wounded bushbuck or bushpig are considered by many to be dangerous game! Rick

Dsturgisjr · « **Reply #2 on:** December 21, 2003, 01:04:00 AM »

I agree with Rick. The price goes up quite a bit on the dangerous game too. Also I'm not sure about a once in a lifetime African hunt. Everyone I've ever went with has been back or is planning a return trip. Don't put it off long if there is any way you can swing it. Life is short.

Bear Hunter · « **Reply #3 on:** December 21, 2003, 01:04:00 PM »

Thanks for the advice. I have a couple "dream hunts" to do here in Alberta first, before I head over there. (Get a rocky mountain bighorn with my stickbow

)

Nick

Twang · « **Reply #4 on:** December 21, 2003, 07:49:00 PM »

What I discovered is that when hunting a waterhole, you are not making the choices as to what to shoot. What ever trophy class species stands broadside at 15 yds is the quarry du jour - at least it was that way for me as a first timer.

Twang

Rick McGowan · « **Reply #5 on:** December 22, 2003, 08:49:00 AM »

Probably my least favorite thing about Africa is the "menu" hunting. Its to much like grocery shopping. For most of us we have to watch how much we spend and you end up with the trophy fee list going, well" I can afford this and this and this, but not that, unless I shoot this first, then I can only afford three of those" etc.. Rick

Dsturgisjr · « **Reply #6 on:** December 22, 2003, 08:33:00 PM »

Rick said: Probably my least favorite thing about Africa is the "menu" hunting. Its to much like grocery shopping.

I try to stay out of the $able aisle myself.

Rick McGowan · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2003, 08:17:00 AM »

Last time I was over there, two other hunters were trying to get a sable and couldn't see one, I couldn't chase them away, wasn't tempted though!
Passed on the roan bull also. Rick

8th Dwarf · « **Reply #8 on:** December 23, 2003, 03:28:00 PM »

The most popular animals seem to be the most visually impressive. Kudu is number one in almost everyone's book. A 55" or bigger Kudu is one of the most magnificent sights one can see in Africa.

Gemsbok is next. Warthog is something NO bowhunter can turn down. A big Impala is a must. Then you consider the other stuff...Zebra, Wildebeest, and the list goes on.

I second Rick. Don't wait too long and do your homework. I have seen a lot of photos of guys with 45" or smaller Kudu. There is no reason, IF YOU HAVE DONE YOUR HOMEWORK, that you can't wait for a bull well over 50". I see a LOT of bulls over 55" on every hunt. The same thing applies to other animals.

I have a rule... I won't book with anyone who doesn't own his own land. If you book with Professional Hunters who lease "concessions", you can bet that other hunters are using them, too. This usually means over hunting. I also look for LARGE blocks of land. The smallest place I have hunted there is 30,000 acres. My PH also owns another 60,000 acres not far away.

Too Short

Rick McGowan · « **Reply #9 on:** December 23, 2003, 07:58:00 PM »

A big bull sable is about impressive as it gets, in fact I think if you look up "impressive" in the dictionary it has a picture of a big bull sable. Even after that trophy fee though is the price of the full mount! Ric

Steve M · « **Reply #10 on:** December 25, 2003, 08:43:00 PM »

Kudu, Gemsbok, Impala, Springbok, Warthog and Wildebeest are the main plains game animals most guys go after. With 40 some species of plains game to hunt nailing down a detailed list is chalenging and of course once you're there the list will change as shot opportunities arise.

My first trip was intended to be for 5 or 6 animals but I ended up with a dozen (different species),lol.

Never say "Once in a lifetime trip to Africa". Ten bucks say's you'll go back for more! I'm headed back in May.

Good hunting,
Steve

tonto · « **Reply #11 on:** December 26, 2003, 12:02:00 PM »

think im taking my boy over in 2005 come along we will get ya hooked bad.

Its funny what animals will get under your skin. I just cant get into elan,gemsbok or waterbuck. "[moon]"

some of the top wants. But give me a springbok a black wilderbeast a hartebeast and id make the trip for just a huge warthog with the bow.

Had ostich at the blind everyday until I couldnt hold back on a HUGE male had to do it they was scaring the other animals away :D

Twang at Work · « **Reply #12 on:** December 26, 2003, 02:30:00 PM »

A waterbuck, eland and nyala are going to be around the same price and among the more expensive - $1,500 more or less depending on the outfitter.

A sable is ridiculous, maybe $20K, I've heard. Roan are expensive too.

Kudu, gemsbok, wildebeest are $700-900 usually.

Impala, whog, and the smaller ones duiker, steenbok, etc around $200.

tonto · « **Reply #13 on:** December 26, 2003, 02:41:00 PM »

if you want a sable RSA isnt the place I could have taken one in Zim for $2500 cheapest ive heard in SA is around $10000 and that was a few years ago.
Dean

8th Dwarf · « **Reply #14 on:** December 26, 2003, 03:12:00 PM »

One thing I would recommend for SURE....stay OUT of Zimbabwe. I don't care what you hear from some dude who thinks it's safe to hunt there. IT IS NOT!!! You stand a very good chance of being cut up by some 15 year old kid with a Panga right now. And it's going to get worse, trust me.

Where I hunt, the price tag on Sable is $5,500. That's a big chunk of change, no question about that, but if you want one, that is not a bad trophy fee.

Too Short

tonto · « **Reply #15 on:** December 26, 2003, 03:34:00 PM »

too short
i was in zim in sept. Hunted 14 days and spent 4 days in Vic falls. I never felt threatened and all people (black and white) were very polite. I met over a 1/2 dozen people on my way in and out that also had no problems. Have emailed almost a dozen who also had great hunts in Zim. I hear Harare is much worse if you come and go that way. In the bush all was quite the locals were quite happy to see a hunter as it meant meat would follow. But you are correct you could be in danger at anytime, But that goes for most places in Africa. It is a good thing most think Zim is so bad as it makes for some great deals for us FOOLS. The throphy fees on my buffalo and elephant were less than $1000 more than the sable you quoted.(which is a great fee for a sable) I am not sure how bow friendly Zim is as it takes special permits and such. I have no where near the knowledge you have and doubt i ever will as i spent most of my hunting budget for years to come. :( This is not meant as an arguement against you. I just didnt want to come across as a "dude" covering up problems in Zim. So I rolled the dice no snake eyes this time maybe next.
Dean

crane · « **Reply #16 on:** December 29, 2003, 06:27:00 PM »

I think Ron Oliver is still booking for Cawston. That would be about an hour or so from Bulawayo(sp). The last sable price I heard was 2750. As Paul says, that may be a roll of the dice.Cawston is about 30,000 acres and being that close to a major population center ....Bob Butler.

herb haines · « **Reply #17 on:** December 29, 2003, 10:10:00 PM »

read the news from Zim every morning over coffee ,pretty sad and a lot of farms where there were animals to be hunted have been stripped for food .also a possible case of ebola at Victoria Falls could really put a damper on things if it turns out to be ebola ansd if anyone else gets it will surly cut into the hunters going into Zim .-- herb

Rick McGowan · « **Reply #18 on:** December 30, 2003, 10:25:00 AM »

It was just a couple months ago when the US raised its travel advisory for Zim., again. Its up near the top now, what a shame.

herb haines · « **Reply #19 on:** December 30, 2003, 11:37:00 AM »

before they took to farms from the white farmers there were 1.4 million cattle in Zim of specialized breeding so they could survive there 110 years of breeding now there are less than 125 thousand .
people are hungry so they are eating bush meat and also there are some of politions bring in hunters from RSA ect and killing off the game for profit . a lot of the rhino which were being protected are gone to poachers . sad state of affairs and there is no end in sight --- herb-- always wanted to hunt Humanie

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