Bowhunters left alone in their blinds

[TokkieM]

I don't only hunt Africa, Europe is just as challenging with numbers and opportunity as the US. I am pretty sure there are more people who know how to hunt than just Africans, but the Africans do most of the trophy hunting in the world.

because those numbers in SA are doable by anyone who has the money to do so in SA.

As for the money and hunting. Well I never said money makes you a good hunter but it does gives you the chance to hunt that many animals. That would be buying experience in most of those guys eyes and since they hunt more animals by your thinking that must make them better hunters.

Billc I am kind of confused here, so less hunting and spending less time hunting equals being a more experienced or better hunter compared to the person who dedicates his life to it? No wonder you know everything after a few trips to Africa buddy. You were the one questioning my experience and abillity, just like in a previous post. I do take it personally when after hunting Africa most of my adult life you seem to think my comments are BS. Numbers are called statistics, which is what skill is eventually measured with.

If you have a problem with me take it up with me on PM, you are picking the wrong places to try and bulldoze me.

 

[billc]

I guess you just don't get that I am not talking about just you or me. I am talking about hunting in general and hunters. Again I never said you were are wrong in your belief just stating some may not agree with your thinking just like you don't with mine.

I do after my trips to SA think I am a better hunter but for sure don't think I know everything. IF numbers and stats equal what makes a good hunter to you then your just not getting my points and that could just be me not saying it right. So I will just give up on this and wait for the next topic we can chat about.

 

[TokkieM]

Happy Hunting Billc, guess we are too much like two old Dagga Boys.

 

[billc]

Happy Hunting Billc, guess we are too much like two old Dagga Boys.

Same to you hunthard. We both must be ok though as we both seem to love the same thing and that is hunting.

 

[wapiti]

I'm booked with an outfitter that we just found out leaves us alone in a blind with a radio. We are paying $400 daily rate. This is my first trip to SA. I am not happy about this. It is too late to cancel as flights and down payments are paid and we are less than 6 months out. My booking agent didn't tell us about being alone. I contacted hunters who had hunted with him. Any ideas how I can handle this when I get there? This outfitter is well known and gets great reviews.

 

[billc]

Before you take any big steps why dont you just tell him that does not work for you and you want someone in the blind with. your paying for it so just say that is what you want.
He has as many clients I bet who would like be left alone. If not since you have tickets you could maybe find another place to go hunt but getting the deposit back maybe hard to do.

 

[shoulderman]

I agree with Bill C. You have six months to sort this out with the outfitter. If he has a good reputation and wants to maintain it, then it should not be a problem to get on the same page. It is a a question of safety for one. Next, it is a question of judging the animals and that is one of the many places where a PH is incredible\y valuable. Sorting out the right animal. Discussing arrow placement etc. Remember most antelope species have vitals more forward than our whitetail. You would hate to make what you think is a great shot and have it be a gut shot. The PH can walk you through this. With this being your first trip, you don't want to make a mistake simply due to inexperience. Your concerns are completely well founded and should be easy to remedy.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I'm booked with an outfitter that we just found out leaves us alone in a blind with a radio. We are paying $400 daily rate. This is my first trip to SA. I am not happy about this. It is too late to cancel as flights and down payments are paid and we are less than 6 months out. My booking agent didn't tell us about being alone. I contacted hunters who had hunted with him. Any ideas how I can handle this when I get there? This outfitter is well known and gets great reviews.

TALK TO THE OUTFITTER and state exactly what you want NOW. DO NOT WAIT.
Let them solve the problem long before you get on the ground.
Also chat with the agent and let them in on your specific needs.

Being one of those folks who does not care if I am left alone in the blind. This was one of my days. Blissfully alone and in the quiet.

http://www.africahunting.com/threads/botswana-bowhunt-diary-of-a-day-in-the-blind-kanana.12443/

 

[Lee M]

Thanks for the old link. Great read and a perfect day in the blind with a bow! Sometimes being alone is better. Certainly easier to keep quiet. Not everyone has the patience of a bow hunter and can enjoy the solitude. I shot today after seeing your Buff pics in the other thread. .

 

[wapiti]

Thanks for your help. I contacted the outfitter and they will sit with us. We can't wait until our hunt. July needs to hurry up and get here!

 

[jeff]

Thanks for the old link. Great read and a perfect day in the blind with a bow! Sometimes being alone is better. Certainly easier to keep quiet. Not everyone has the patience of a bow hunter and can enjoy the solitude. I shot today after seeing your Buff pics in the other thread. .

I had 3 different PHs last year spook game because of coughing, sneezing and peeking out of a natural brush hide. Two times they were females or small but I still like them around the hide as it's natural decoys that say everything is safe. One time though it was the target kudu that he screwed up and that was the only chance we had!

 

[siml]

@jeff , at times we need dislike option...not "like"...

 

[BRICKBURN]

Thanks for your help. I contacted the outfitter and they will sit with us. We can't wait until our hunt. July needs to hurry up and get here!

Sometimes you just have to press the right button.

 

[Lee M]

I haven't seen an outfitter who guarantees no coughing or sneezing yet

 

[billc]

Thanks for your help. I contacted the outfitter and they will sit with us. We can't wait until our hunt. July needs to hurry up and get here!

I was kind of figuring this is how it would go for you. Sometimes it just takes talking to the people to get back on track. Glad it all worked for you.

 

[jeff]

I haven't seen an outfitter who guarantees no coughing or sneezing yet

Yes but if you have a bad head cold maybe being in a cramped blind with the client isn't the best, I was afraid I'd catch it and ruin my vacation, not to mention the affect it had on the hunt!

 

[Lee M]

Agree. My comment had smiley faces that didn't show up when posted. More of a joke!

 

[Lee M]

I do have to comment on smoking however. I have never heard a non smoking guide, ph, hunter or outfitter in any country ever suggest that smoking is tolerated by any truly wild game animal. In general smoke is a scent that means fire (danger) or some other out of norm presence. Burning dung would be an attempt to add more scent to mask or cover human odor. But how often does dung burn on SA farms on a normal day? It never happened while I was there until a ph who smoked suggested this would cover his smoking smell. How could burning dung be perceived as a normal scent and be ignored by a wild animal? Something more domesticated I agree, but you could probably get away with human odor in that case. I primarily bow hunt, but have many decades of rifle hunting as well. When ur inside 50 yards it is a world of difference. The best scent is no scent. Cover scents are just adding more scent. Wind direction can also be just as important as minimizing scent. I've have had whitetails come to halt and bolt at 100 yards with bad wind. Yes there are times when you are successful when conditions are not perfect (scent wise) but that does not mean scent is tolerated and should be ignored. Especially if your passion is with a string and arrow. Cheers

 

[siml]

Lee, if you look at the more wild countries, Tanzania, Moz, where a lot of burning takes place, you will see herds of animals walking in smoke areas, they not one bit worried by smoke. We often burn elephant dung to keep tetsi flies away. I am sure animals in these countries are pretty wild. But I do get your point. When we tracking elephant, my trackers take it in turns to smoke, we able to keep the wind direction to our advantage.

 

[Lee M]

TMS. Agree. I could see a herd of animals "navigating" a burn site with minimal concern assuming they where familiar with their surroundings and they had an escape if needed. Especially in an area you mentioned.

But sitting in a blind or stalking a small group of animals or single animal and all of a sudden introducing cigarette smoke is not the same event.