08 who is going

[Brent Hill]

Thanks for the info.  I had already decided against hunting eland or zebra because I thought my set up was on the light side.  Will my setup work for warthogs, gemsbock, kudu or any of the smaller animals?  If not, how can I bump up my arrow weight without affecting my spine.  I shoot 29 inch 35/55 Gold tips with about 250 grains up front (125 grain bh and 125 steel inserts).

[jonsimoneau]

Brent, you have plenty of bow for the species you mentioned.  If you are going to bump up your arrow weight, you may have to use a different shaft.  Grizzly sticks are great, as well as arrow dynamics. I would not hesitate to use either bow, I would just get a heavier arrow. On my first trip over, I shot a 52lb. recurve, and used 700 grain grizzly sticks.  Had no problems whatsoever, even on Kudu.

[Brent Hill]

Thanks for the info.  I have a few months before my trip and with the support of my wife (ha ha) I may have to invest in a new arrow setup.   Second question, anyone have experience with black mambas ?  I live in Texas and have never feared rattlesnakes.  They even taste good.   I'm only a little nervous when I see a cottonmouth slither past me while I'm fishing.  But I hear that these mambas may actually be dangerous.  I know that the winter in Africa during july but we still see rattlesnakes in November.  What are your thoughts?  (I'm new to this whole e-mail / internet thing and really appreciate your input and this website in general)

[SOS]

I'm going for my first trip with Ken Moody in late August.  

Brent, have you tried weight tubes?  They do pretty well with out impacting spine too much.  Search PowWow on weighting arrow threads.

For my 50lb longbow, I went up in spine so I could chunk 350 grains on the front for about a 660 grain GoldTip with Grizzlies on the front.  Good luck, have fun, and leave a few critters for me!  Steve

[Brent Hill]

Since I wrote last, I've been worried sick over the arrow weight issue.  ( I have also been packed for the last month and I still have 1 and half months to go)  I just put in some weight tubes this weekend and got my arrows up to around 560 to 580 grains but my heavier arrows seemed to be dropping more that usual at 18 yards.  So I did some tinkering.  I weighed each arrow / tube combination and cut off a portion of each tube to get each combination to 560 grains for each arrow.  I then put some powerbond on the ends of each tube and glue them into the shaft away from the knock end.   This combo seems to fly better but I am not exacly at the 600 grain mark.  I'm obviously concerned about penetration, but I want to maintain accuracy.  But before I bore you with my inner strugle, we are getting to hunt in Africa so it can't be that bad.  Thanks for all the help and have a blast.

[tradtusker]

Brent
Don't get yourself to worked up about your set up.
it would be nice if you could hit 600gr, but its more important your arrows are flying prefect out of your bow and your hitting the animal in the right place.
Most of the smaller antelope are pretty thin skinned and if wait for the right shot and keep within your shooting limitations you'l have no worries at all with your set-up. Iv seen kudu taken with 35lb compounds and light arrows.

[LEOPARD]

Brent,

As Andy has mentioned above, your setup should be fine. Shot placement and a well tuned bow/arrow combination are the key to a successful safari, more so than getting your arrows up to 600g!    Good luck with your hunt and enjoy!  :D

[Brent Hill]

Thanks for the input.  Everyone has been very helpful.  I wish I knew about this webpage years ago when I started this crazy obsession.

[ncsturkey]

Namibia with Dries Visser in September.  My third trip in as many years.  The addiction has the best of me.  I do not go because I choose but because I must.  Rod

[paleFace]

Andy & Rob going to miss being in camp with you guys. I am still working on a few things but it doesn't look like i will make it. i'm super bummed as i was really looking forward to hanging out with you guys.  i will let you know if anything changes.

hey Jon good talking with you today, let's make it happen next year for sure.

for anyone else that thinks it will be their once in a lifetime, like Jon said, fat chance. it's addicting.  you WILL be drawn back to Africa....