DIY African Bowhunting?

[Kusko]

I think I saw somewhere (youtube) where there was an outfit that a bowhunter could go to Africa, sit in a blind and hunt without a PH present. Can anyone remember who it is or am I off my rocker??

 

[jeff]

I think I saw somewhere (youtube) where there was an outfit that a bowhunter could go to Africa, sit in a blind and hunt without a PH present. Can anyone remember who it is or am I off my rocker??

There are a several bowhunting only outfits that do that , but it is frowned on by most outfitters and there has been several other threads here on AH where it started a %$#^ storm and I was called every thing but human because I have done several of these hunts.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Africa is a Continent with a huge variety of countries, provinces and thus laws.

In many places it is the law for the PH to accompany the international client at all times.
I have on occasion heard tell of Hunters that are left in Blinds alone on plains game hunts in RSA, Botswana and Namibia. Publishing that is not the brightest maneuver, legally speaking.
There may be some, once they get to know you, who may let you do what you are requesting.

 

[Mekaniks]

I have seen both sides of the debate... Legal, ethical and so on. For me personally at the end of the day, I want the PH sitting there when I take a shot, or not, at an animal that I ultimately may have to pay a trophy fee on. Lots of potential for finger pointing if something goes array.
One senerio that was brought up previously that I hadn’t thought about goes like this....
Hunter sits in a blind all day by himself, sees lots critters but nothing that he wants, no shots taken. Goes back to lodge that night and reports the days activities.
The next day one of the Ranch hands is in the same area and sees a wounded stud Kudu. Who shot it? And the finger pointing begins....

 

[jeff]

I have seen both sides of the debate... Legal, ethical and so on. For me personally at the end of the day, I want the PH sitting there when I take a shot, or not, at an animal that I ultimately may have to pay a trophy fee on. Lots of potential for finger pointing if something goes array.
One senerio that was brought up previously that I hadn’t thought about goes like this....
Hunter sits in a blind all day by himself, sees lots critters but nothing that he wants, no shots taken. Goes back to lodge that night and reports the days activities.
The next day one of the Ranch hands is in the same area and sees a wounded stud Kudu. Who shot it? And the finger pointing begins....

A simple arrow count before being left in the hide solves that.

 

[billc]

It may have been Tom Miranda you saw in a video. I think on the bow place he works with or is part owner he has been filmed like he is on his own. Not sure if the Ph is just around the corner or back at lodge.

Many reason why they don't let guys hunt on there own besides it being the law in most places. From it not being there on land to so many different animals to judge and know.

 

[Kusko]

I don't want to get into some giant debate. I did see somewhere that the outfitter dropped the client off with a radio and an animal chart. When the client shot, he or she called the PH and tracker to find the animal.

 

[billc]

Not trying to start a debate. Only person I have seen on video was who I said in my post above. I do think there is some bow only areas that will do just like you said and drop you off with a radio. I have heard of places doing that but not sure of names anymore.

Hope you find the place that works for you.

 

[firehuntfish]

I think I saw somewhere (youtube) where there was an outfit that a bowhunter could go to Africa, sit in a blind and hunt without a PH present. Can anyone remember who it is or am I off my rocker??

Hi @Kusko ,

As others have already noted, you will be hard-pressed to find an outfitter that will openly offer you the opportunity to hunt alone without a PH present. There are both legal and liability issues that the outfitter must consider in allowing this practice. However, I'm sure if you contacted enough outfitters privately, you would find one who will promise you anything to get your business. But, I would urge caution with any outfitter willing to offer this freedom to you sight unseen. You may not be doing yourself a favor in the long run by this.

The PH is there for two main reasons with the first being to ensure your safety, and the second being to expertly judge trophy quality. Many of the best trophy properties have strict management plans in place, and the PH's expertise and experience will ensure that your are shooting the correct animal. Leaving a first-time African hunter to judge his own trophy animals is pretty risky no matter how experienced the hunter may be. You cannot learn this from a book. It comes from glassing many hours at hundreds, if not thousands of animals of all shapes and sizes... Even the most seasoned PHs make a mistake now and again.

If you are concerned that the presence of a PH will lessen the overall experience, I can personally assure you that is not the case. The the benefits of a good PH's experience and encouragement far outweigh any negatives. Especially with spot & stalk opportunities, the PH will obviously judge the animal for you and offer some final advice, but will ultimately leave you on your own to close those final yards for the shot. Nobody will be holding your hand at the moment of truth in a hide or on a stalk.

As Brickburn also mentioned, it is very likely that some outfitters will give more independence to repeat clients who they have grown to know and trust over many hours in the bush hunting together.

 

[BRICKBURN]

....... I did see somewhere that the outfitter dropped the client off with a radio and an animal chart. When the client shot, he or she called the PH and tracker to find the animal.

That is the process I’ve heard about. Or a mobile phone call.

 

[Hunter101]

I have hunted both ways with a PH and without. the only mistake that I made was on a gemsboks. I shot the biggest of the 3 that came in turns out they was immature. I later on made up for it and killed two great older bulls. I took several nice trophies on my own and only messed up on judging the gemsbok. I passed up a giant of a blue wildebeest wish now I would've put a hole in that sucker, but already took a trophy one. I passed up several animals to fine the right ones to shoot. By passing up game and not getting to excited is the key. The right ones will show up just before dark. Study video and photos helps plus hunting over water you got time to judge. Hunting with a ph does make for a great adventure and most of them are very cool to hunt with and you can learn a lot

 

[Nkawu]

Bow hunted alone in RSA and Zim.

 

[sonnyn913]

Bow and gun hunted alone in RSA

 

[BRICKBURN]

Bow hunted alone in RSA and Zim.

Think you had an advantage of an address and residency in RSA.

 

[BRICKBURN]

.................Leaving a first-time African hunter to judge his own trophy animals is pretty risky no matter how experienced the hunter may be. You cannot learn this from a book. It comes from glassing many hours at hundreds, if not thousands of animals of all shapes and sizes... Even the most seasoned PHs make a mistake now and again. .........

I agree, it does not come from a book, beyond identifying the species.
I have the ultimate respect for PH's who can judge trophies accurately. The amount of time I spent judging trophies of all sorts is incredible to even have developed rudimentary skill.
Kudu are my judging nemesis. One more reasons they have such mystique for me.
Everybody makes a mistake. If you happened to be hunting on a per inch property this could be a rather costly mistake.