Hunt over water; Shoot from truck

[Ontario Hunter]

As for hunting water, what’s the difference between a water hole in Africa, and calling moose at the side of a swamp. Lots of pronghorns shot near water on the prairies as well. For me if it’s legal, hunt, have fun and enjoy the table fare.

FYI I don't call moose or bugle elk. I personally don't think it's ethical. Nor do I shoot bears over bait. Others can have at it, but not for me. All of the moose and most of the elk I shot were tracked in snow. That requires special skill to get close enough for a shot.

 

[sureshot375]

Shooting from the truck is just that, shooting. It’s not nearly as rewarding as a proper stalk. Getting out of the truck and walking a few yards to shoot isn’t much better.

Riding around shooting things from the truck doesn’t make for an enjoyable safari.

I did do a drive by on a wildebeest recently. We needed biltong. It was purely a matter of getting some meat. I flubbed the shot and had to track the thing for 3 miles to finish it.

Water is different. Not my favorite way to hunt, but a viable option. Great way to kill a kudu on your lunch break.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Some jurisdictions it is illegal to shoot from a vehicle. Make sure you know where you are and what the law is.

Choose your hunt.

Tracking from water is a tried and true tracking method.

Baiting: with water, salt, lucerne, citrus, etc. Some species, (carnivores traditionally accepted, other species may feel like a Boma hunt)

Decide how you want to hunt. Tell the PH. Have fun hunting.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I really don’t have a problem with either but I don’t want those methods to be the majority of my hunt. If you are riding on back of truck and see a big kudu at 50 yards on back of truck I’d take it. Sitting at a waterhole at lunch time can be a better experience than heading back to camp. Sitting at a waterhole on a day you couldn’t find tracks to follow is better than sitting at camp as well. It just depends I have no issue with either depending on the overall hunt and the area I’m hunting. On a game farm I probably have no interest in either now other than a warthog. If an opportunity presents itself in addition to the regular hunt in an unfenced or wild area I’m taking it.

As always, very well said. I don't like shooting from a truck. I had this conversation with both of my RSA PH's last summer and we stalked. I've only shot 2 warthogs over several safaris and both have been while stalking.

I've bow hunted over a waterhole taking a waterbuck and impala. I've frequently sat at a waterhole for lunch but haven't shot anything while doing this. It's more to enjoy the view and game watch. Several countries don't allow hunting while sitting over water. Zimbabwe comes to mind in certain areas.

As for shooting from the truck, I've done it a couple times and found it's not for me. What I'm okay shooting from a truck is if we need to collect some bait for a Leopard or something, baboons, jackals, or predators.

 

[318AE]

I’ve learned there are many different traditional hunting methods, based on the game and the environment. They including tracking, spot and stalk, different types of blind or high sit hunting, baiting, driven hunts, hunts with hounds etc; each best suited for a specific context. I’ve often heard criticism of different methods, absent an understanding of their tradition or context (”I’ll never hunt from a blind” or “I’d never hunt over bait”). I generally prefer the more active methods myself, but respect them all, in their traditional context.
I don’t know hunting from a vehicle to be a traditional method, but don’t begrudge those that do. On the other hand, I don’t understand how hunting over a water hole is much different than hunting over bait, which is quite common in many areas.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I’ve learned there are many different traditional hunting methods, based on the game and the environment. They including tracking, spot and stalk, different types of blind or high sit hunting, baiting, driven hunts, hunts with hounds etc; each best suited for a specific context. I’ve often heard criticism of different methods, absent an understanding of their tradition or context (”I’ll never hunt from a blind” or “I’d never hunt over bait”). I generally prefer the more active methods myself, but respect them all, in their traditional context.
I don’t know hunting from a vehicle to be a traditional method, but don’t begrudge those that do. On the other hand, I don’t understand how hunting over a water hole is much different than hunting over bait, which is quite common in many areas.

Well said ... not shaming or condemning anyone for their method of hunting. As long as it's legal go for it. I personally like trying different hunting methods and traditions. When I lived in the southeast I met people who hated dog hunters and others who loved to hunt with dogs. I never had the opportunity to try it but deer hunting with dogs is definitely on my list of things to try. There's a lot of history, tradition, and culture in it which I think gets lost on many.

 

[HankBuck]

First, I want to thank everyone who has responded to my other posts as I plan my first hunt. You have been a wealth of information and I am most grateful.

For this post….
I would like to get a feel for what’s acceptable/sporting on two topics…
1) Hunting over water
2) Shooting animals from the truck

- Is the choice purely one of preference or is there a sportsmanship flavor as well (which can also be tied to preference)?
- Does it depend on the species you’re hunting?….i.e. - Kudu versus warthog
- Does it vary by outfitter?…meaning some will do it and others won’t “allow” it?

My gut tells me I don’t want to finally be going on an Africa hunt and then shoot a critter from the truck, BUT if the kudu of a lifetime is out 250 yards from the truck, does that make it sporting?
It would seem to me that being able to stalk up on anything IS the “hunt” (and the sport)?

Curious what your thoughts are and…as always…your experience will help me decide.PapaPaint: to your point about “Preference

PapaPaint: to your question ”Preference or Sportsmanship” it think they are one and the same, everyone defines their own idea of Sportsmanship although There are some common agreements. Assuming the ”law” allows shooting from a vehicle - it is personal choice. Now, my opinion: I would NEVER shoot anything from a vehicle (unless it was attacking the vehicle and safety was involved) …even if it was a World Record animal and totally legal - I would Not shoot from a vehicle because it would take away from any feeling of satisfaction or joy I would have (but I would ‘hop out’ and try to establish an opportunity). Hunting over water? I might be ok with that especially if it was “a natural water source”. I have hunted Mule Deer and Antelope out West and was often near stock tanks (water) but hard to avoid them because there is at least one every mile or so, they are important for cattle and also help the deer & antelope — it’s a legal and generally accepted practice for bow hunters (or anyone) to hunt near or over stock tanks - I’m fine with that but it could be a borderline compromise of some hunters “ethics” But recognize this - hunting on most ranches out West involve being near “stock tanks” and they are a part of wild animal travel patterns and a reason for their “home range” so the influence of “stock tanks” is a factor and only the distance the Hunter is to them can be controlled. I’ve also sat on a tank per guides recommendation and never saw anything = BORING !!

 

[WAB]

There’s one vehicle hunt I’d like to do, Tiger from a machan!

 

[uplander01]

I insist on walking a lot, wouldn’t accept it any other way at this point in my hunt career. I have done it once and will never do it again. If a person is disabled that would the exception imo. I’m sure there are people that aren’t disabled but just fat and out of shape….i leave that to them and the ph to sort out.

 

[62flint]

Personally riding around shooting from a truck on dry ground is not sporting, Driving down a road in the back of the truck to shoot a animal standing less than 100 yards of the side looking at you just isn't for me, neither is hopping off and "stalking" 100 yards or so before shooting. Also if the animal is just standing there 100-150 yards out looking at me not really concerned, that is not too sporting to me either.
Now I have used a truck as a elevated stand to see over brush, but it had not been moving for a while. it was just a elevated platform and it was just me in the truck. ( be aware of local laws in the US. Some areas prohibit shooting from motorized vehicles} I also was not shooting trophy animals.
As for hunting over water, its a form of bait. especially in dry areas. I like hunting over water holes simply because you can watch a variety of animals come in. But I do not shoot many animals over waterholes or bait.
These are questions you yourself will need to wrangle with. You may need to do something once that you will say later I did not like that and will not do it again. ( kind of like a 3am decision in a bar)

 

[Rare Breed]

There’s one vehicle hunt I’d like to do, Tiger from a machan!

now your talking!!!!!

 

[Doubleplay]

FYI I don't call moose or bugle elk. I personally don't think it's ethical. Nor do I shoot bears over bait. Others can have at it, but not for me. All of the moose and most of the elk I shot were tracked in snow. That requires special skill to get close enough for a shot.

So you decoy ducks and geese and don't call moose or elk?
Calling moose or elk is a very exciting form of hunting and there's no guarantee of killing an animal and gives you better chance to judge the animal.

 

[HankBuck]

FYI I don't call moose or bugle elk. I personally don't think it's ethical. Nor do I shoot bears over bait. Others can have at it, but not for me. All of the moose and most of the elk I shot were tracked in snow. That requires special skill to get close enough for a shot.

Ontario, does tracking Moose or Elk in Snow really require “Special Skill”? I’d say all it Requires is SNOW….so if bow hunting early season or hunting warm weather and hence “no snow” — only then would “tracking” really require “special skill”.

 

[Hunt anything]

So you decoy ducks and geese and don't call moose or elk?
Calling moose or elk is a very exciting form of hunting and there's no guarantee of killing an animal and gives you better chance to judge the animal.

I think calling any game is one of the purist forms of hunting, to me fooling any critter into thinking I’m one of their own or something they want to eat is as good as it gets. Be it a flock of cranes, waterfowl a whitetail buck or a coyote or bobcat.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Ontario, does tracking Moose or Elk in Snow really require “Special Skill”? I’d say all it Requires is SNOW….so if bow hunting early season or hunting warm weather and hence “no snow” — only then would “tracking” really require “special skill”.

The skill is getting close enough for a shot. Moose are solitary animals and if they hear anything on their track, they are gone and don't stop. Elk are a bit more vulnerable, being social animals. However, I'm typically on the track during the day when animals are bedded down. They pick their bed sites carefully to give them good observation and quick escape. Skill is knowing how to predict their behavior from tracks. I can usually tell when they are looking for feed or bed or if they are onto my presence. Govern myself accordingly. There's more to it than you think. A lot more.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I think calling any game is one of the purist forms of hunting, to me fooling any critter into thinking I’m one of their own or something they want to eat is as good as it gets. Be it a flock of cranes, waterfowl a whitetail buck or a coyote or bobcat.

How do you mimic the sound of whitetail browse? I don't call animals that are blinded by their rut hormones. Only one step above baiting in my opinion. I sometimes use a call when goose hunting but only sparingly to call attention to my decoys. Calling waterfowl is immensely overrated. It can hurt hunting more often than help it.

 

[HankBuck]

The skill is getting close enough for a shot. Moose are solitary animals and if they hear anything on their track, they are gone and don't stop. Elk are a bit more vulnerable, being social animals. However, I'm typically on the track during the day when animals are bedded down. They pick their bed sites carefully to give them good observation and quick escape. Skill is knowing how to predict their behavior from tracks. I can usually tell when they are looking for feed or bed or if they are onto my presence. Govern myself accordingly. There's more to it than you think. A lot more.

Ontario: You consistently over rate your skills and sell short the skills of others - whatever You Do seems to always to be self-rated as “superior”. Definitely you have some experience and maybe even shoot decently with average or better hunting skills. I’m sure you’ve taken some B&C records - or will say something derogatory about why “you don’t care about that” etc.. There are so many members on this forum with equal or greater experience & knowledge, they share their opinions openly and with a strong point of view - yet manage to withhold the judge mental know-it-all-tone that some others can’t resist. I enjoy hearing about your hunts and your opinions, especially on some firearms….the tone is usually ignored so as not to miss “the good”…and usually there’s some “good”.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Over water, off the truck, both short range? Amateur hour. I'm dialing in one of these hunts.
Probably go for the "Works". The minigun option looks interesting.

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[62flint]

Over water, off the truck, both short range? Amateur hour. I'm dialing in one of these hunts.
Probably go for the "Works". The minigun option looks interesting.

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That looks fun.
I wonder if they have the m60 option with paint it black or fortune son playing over the intercom???

 

[Hunt anything]

@Ontario Hunter , I’ve called in whitetail with plane old dying rabbit predator calls, I guess it hits their curiosity gene or something. I’ve rattled in whitetail as well and contrary to what many believe most of this is pre-rut and they are fighting for dominance. Not quite to the stage of hormone crazed yet.
You are quite correct on some waterfowl calling is a hindrance especially here on the gulf coast in late January when they have been hammered since September from the breeding grounds to here. Figuring out what works on any given day is a lot of the challenge.
You have your way and I have mine. Neither is right or wrong just different ways of trying to achieve the same goal.