Hard hunting

[JGH]

How satisfied have you been with the intensity of hunting effort in South Africa?

I'm planning a first safari, and I may be giving in to preconceived notions about "ranch hunts." How challenging can an East Cape hunt be? What are some reasonable expectations?

A better question: What is the range of difficulty that an outfitter can work within?

I want to expect challenging hunting, busted stalks, physical effort, and pride in a well-placed, hard-earned shot.

Follow up question: How best to open this topic with prospective outfitters? Will they like this? Or is more challenge just harder work for them?

I'm guessing that raw acreage and indigenous (vs. imported) game species have strong associations with challenge intensity.

 

[375Fox]

I think that’s a tough question to phrase when talking with outfitters. I think it’s more difficult when you don’t know how to compare a safari to a hunt in North America. I’d suggest looking for younger outfitters that are still eager to hunt not the large outfitters running a volume business. I often ask for all American references from previous season and call them on phone. I don’t just ask if they enjoyed their hunt. I ask questions about the hunt, outfitter, PH, how hard they work, if they put the same effort into end of hunt after the main species are collected as they did at the start, what time they leave camp, etc. Talking to references gives me a better idea of the outfitter then I ask outfitter follow up questions. Usually hunters are eager to talk about their hunts and will tell you a lot more than you ever thought to ask.
There is a big difference in a Limpopo ranch hunt compared to hunting eastern cape. I’ll likely never hunt Limpopo again, but I’d gladly hunt eastern cape. I find eastern cape is much less commercialized. Also the farms are much larger and much more diverse landscapes. You can be on coast one day with thick brush and deep valleys and in the open Karoo or mountains a few hours later.
I’d base an eastern cape hunt around kudu and bushbuck. Leave it more open so you don’t give outfitters a bad impression, but say you want to really work for your trophies and put in some physical effort. See what they say and who you want to look into further. We actually have some good east cape sponsors for this site KMG, LJ, few others if you look at sponsor list.

 

[ftrovato]

I think hard hunting is situational dependent on, size of concession, terrain, ambient temp, thickness of bush, are the animals farm raised and what are the hunters expectations.

I'd be explicitly clear of what type of hunt you're looking for and get the right property and PH that can meet your expectations.

In the end, it's your money and they are in business to meet customer expectations or refer you to someone that can.

Last, personal referrals go a long way too.

 

[D-Orcutt]

One of the questions you should ask your outfitter is how much truck time driving around looking for game vs on foot, just the experience of walking through the bush seeing and spooking game was one of my favorite parts of my hunt. Being younger and in shape helps give the outfitter the option of reaching areas others may not be able to reach.

 

[JGH]

Being younger and in shape helps give the outfitter the option of reaching areas others may not be able to reach.

I like this idea, i.e. being the client who can drop into an area that other clients don't see.

 

[bakerb]

It’s also going to depend on the species. I hunted the Eastern Cape and it could definitely be hard if you’re hunting bushbuck or kudu or zebra or other wary animals. Blesbok and stuff like that is going to be easier. I didn’t see that they were very switched on

 

[JGH]

It’s also going to depend on the species. I hunted the Eastern Cape and it could definitely be hard if you’re hunting bushbuck or kudu or zebra or other wary animals. Blesbok and stuff like that is going to be easier. I didn’t see that they were very switched on

Great question that I should have included in the OP ...

Which species are most likely to be wary, and difficult to hunt?

Which species are the least difficult?

 

[375Fox]

I like this idea, i.e. being the client who can drop into an area that other clients don't see.

Just keep in mind. It’s going to be private land. There will be roads. It’s not a Mule deer or an elk hunt with one tag in your pocket. Expectation is generally around an animal a day and that’s what pricing is built around. Outfitters can take you into some more difficult valleys or a further ridge than some clients, but the vehicle is still going to get used daily to reach different spots and you’ll return to camp each night for a great meal. It’s not a North American hunt so don’t try and mold it into one. Every region and country in Africa hunts a little different. I really enjoy seeing the different methods and learning from the PHs.

 

[375Fox]

Which species are most likely to be wary, and difficult to hunt?

Which species are the least difficult?

The species that make a good hunt to me are kudu, bushbuck, gemsbok, hartebeest, impala, zebra, springbok, warthog, black wildebeest, zebra, and any of small antelope.
Sable and Nyala can be very docile on farms.
A free range eland is the top hunt in Africa to me, but they can become very docile on farms also so it really depends.
Eastern cape is not a classic buffalo hunt to me and I’d look elsewhere for a more traditional buffalo hunt.

I like kudu and bushbuck in eastern cape because of glassing required. I like black wildebeest because they can be crazy and live in wide open, so not always easy getting a shot. Maybe not for everyone but I think Vaal rhebok and mountain reedbuck are a very unique hunt also due to where they live.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

Most outfitters can tailor the hunt to fit your desires and expectations and capabilities if you spend the time to communicate with them what you want. The young, hardy outfitters who are also the lead PH will be more energetic and willing/able to do what you are looking for. Just know this, all South African hunts are going to be on a high fenced game reserve. Some are larger than others and the large ones will enhance your experience. The species you hunt also affects the experience. For example: Kudu, even behind a 12ft high game fence are "Free Range" because they can jump any game fence and simple go wherever the hell they want to. That is part of what makes a Kudu hunt so special. They can be really hard to hunt. Same is true of Baboon, Warthog, and most of the Tiny 10 because no game fence can hold them, so they are indigenous to their area.

Part of what makes a Tiny 10 hunt fun is the fact that they are wild, free range critters that come and go all the time. Also, ask your PH about night hunting. It is legal on private land and can be a hoot. I hunted both Duiker and Bushbuck at night and had an amazing experience doing that. Some of the smaller cats can be had that way too. I learned that in the cold night air the roar of a big Simba can carry for miles. That was interesting when you are stalking in pitch dark with no light but the millions of stars. You can see nothing at first, just walking blindly to the sound of your PH up ahead. But after 10 min your eyes begin to adjust and it is like the scene from Avatar when they put out the torches and the forest came alive. You can see in the dark and it is amazing and then a Lion roars off in the distance and sounds like it is right behind you. An honest OMG moment.

As for Limpopo, it can be great fun but you need to ask detailed questions about the available game concessions. I hunted one concession in the Waterberg Mountains of Limpopo that was 16,000 Hectares. That is almost 40,000 acres. It was on a high mtn escarpment and was rugged, wild, huge, and it took us three days of hard hunting just to get a shot on my quarry and we never came close to covering it all. The scenery was breathtaking with 500ft cliffs with the trail running along the rim to waterfalls tumbling down the cliffs. Places that looked like humans had never set foot upon. You almost expected to see a dinosaur feeding in the bushes. I loved it. We once had a troop of Baboons come boiling up the cliff from below us into the road not 30y from the Bakkie. That was crazy. Another day, we spotted a small herd of Kudu cows and were quietly glassing for a bull when a Troop of Baboons were roosting up in the trees on the cliffs above us and were barking and hooting at us.

A good outfitter will make it as hard or as easy as you want. Animals that are native to the area are more rewarding than those which must be transported in. For example: Gemsbok in Namibia or Kalahari is better than one that was dragged up to Limpopo. Ask the outfitter if he owns the concession you will be hunting or if he only has hunting privileges? Most hunts are spot and stalk. Drive, and glass but once found, dismount and stalk. Those can be the most rewarding. Also ask about the terrain and cover on the concessions you will hunt. Some are very open and others can be very dense. I hunted a concession in Free State once that was flat grassland much like Kansas. I hated it. The hunting mind you was good but very difficult due to lack of cover. Made stalking tough. Some of the places in Eastern Cape, while not so flat can have patches with less cover. The PH I use has a new concession in Namibia that is 150,000 acres and is adjacent to a large game park. That is where I want to go next but I am still getting info about it from the PH. My PH is in his 30's, was a former Pro Athlete and owns his own outfitting firm but also does his own hunting with the help of other employee or contractor PH's as needed. But, he always hunts with his clients.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

The species that make a good hunt to me are kudu, bushbuck, gemsbok, hartebeest, impala, zebra, springbok, warthog, black wildebeest, zebra, and any of small antelope.
Sable and Nyala can be very docile on farms.
A free range eland is the top hunt in Africa to me, but they can become very docile on farms also so it really depends.
Eastern cape is not a classic buffalo hunt to me and I’d look elsewhere for a more traditional buffalo hunt.

I like kudu and bushbuck in eastern cape because of glassing required. I like black wildebeest because they can be crazy and live in wide open, so not always easy getting a shot. Maybe not for everyone but I think Vaal rhebok and mountain reedbuck are a very unique hunt also due to where they live.

I agree about Sable and Nyala being too docile and easy to approach. Giraffe, also and I will not hunt them for that reason alone. Nyala challenging simply because they live in thick cover and instead of running will freeze. That makes them hard to find. Also agree about the Blk WB being crazy. I love hunting any WB. I think many species are so sentient that they can sense when you are hunting them vs just admiring them. Zebra especially seem to just know when to run. I am on the fence about Eland. I have never hunted one but have observed many. May put one on my list for the next hunt.

 

[Elkeater]

I am not an Africa expert. Been there once. We went to Limpopo. Compared to western US big game like elk and mule deer all of it was easy. Which since I had my 9 and 10 year old kids with me was a good thing. I will say I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Couple of things to keep in mind. I think species hunted comes into play. Impala? Easy. Bushbuck? I never did connect. Zebra? Tough. Daughter got one I never did. Warthog? Luck of the draw to a certain degree as they come and go as they please. I think it depends on expectations and the outfitter. Sounds like you probably don’t want to hunt Limpopo though from my limited experience. Maybe eastern cape? From what I’ve seen on here and on videos the eastern cape seems like a tougher hunt.

 

[RLD]

How satisfied have you been with the intensity of hunting effort in South Africa?

I'm planning a first safari, and I may be giving in to preconceived notions about "ranch hunts." How challenging can an East Cape hunt be? What are some reasonable expectations?

A better question: What is the range of difficulty that an outfitter can work within?

I want to expect challenging hunting, busted stalks, physical effort, and pride in a well-placed, hard-earned shot.

Follow up question: How best to open this topic with prospective outfitters? Will they like this? Or is more challenge just harder work for them?

I'm guessing that raw acreage and indigenous (vs. imported) game species have strong associations with challenge intensity.

While I cannot speak to Africa, I have never had a problem being up front and direct with my guides about what kind of hunt I want. I would guess they would appreciate you being clear with them, as it will make you happier and help avoid misunderstandings later..

 

[D-Orcutt]

I like this idea, i.e. being the client who can drop into an area that other clients don't see.

We rode in the truck out to hunting spots and then walked, I really enjoyed the hunting off foot, but also enjoyed the ride back to camp to eat amazing food and a warm shower.

 

[dogcat1]

RSA is fairly straightforward hunting. It is not hard by most definitions. You hunt provider makes his money by you "wacking and stacking" so you will get plenty of opportunities to shoot a large variety of animals.
Hard? Probably caracal and Vaal Rhebok. They are very hard and tough to find. Virtually all of the rest outside heavily hunted bushbuck or kudu are easy and you will take them if you can shoot.

 

[Firebird]

This is a much too broad question and the answers are based on entirely too small personal experiences. It’s kind of like asking if pie is good to eat.
Pick a good ph with large properties and the species you most want to hunt and go have a great time.
Reading through the above responses I can make a case for and against every answer and so can every ph you ask.
In your shoes I would go to a hunting expo or two or three and meet the people and have conversations with them and let them sell you or discourage you in person.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

It can be as hard or as easy as you want.
This black wildebeest required an all morning very difficult very long stalk in very high plains (a bit of snow on a few of the hills). We were actually after another lone bull but popped over the mountain and happened onto this guy bedded in a low spot. Dropped him as he stood up at about 100 yards which is quite close for one of those. Required carrying it in a "sail" two miles to the truck. Then the farmer asked me to shoot a blesbuck for a wedding feast. That didn't require forty minutes. Blesbuck, impala, and springbuck are thick as gophers just about everywhere.

I love hunting this other high country property. 167K acres and only about a third is accessible for hunting. It's loaded with all sorts of game but can be thick. Even a fair number of Cape leopard running around (but not huntable).

This property was not large but very difficult to hunt. We spent most of the day stalking a nyala bull. It was the hardest stalk of all my African hunts. Eventually got him but at one point I joked we should have come equipped with parachutes. Steep is an understatement (this is looking across to opposite side of canyon where nyala were first spotted). Quite a variety of game but very difficult to get more than a glimpse.

Here we are hunting kudu. A small herd of gemsbuck was running at the base of far hill. Very rugged!

I shot my second gemsbuck on this HUGE property. They were in a very rugged section that reminded me of Montana's Missouri Breaks.

This is kudu country. I shot my third bull near the base of the taller mountain. Took two more days to finish the job. Very tough days!

This is my first kudu. Not a big property but rugged. We knew he was in the area and it didn't take long to get him ... just before dusk on the last day of my first safari. Very brushy and tough to get a shot. Typical for kudu.

Anyway, that will give you some idea what hunting the Eastern Cape can involve.

 

[K-man]

This is hard to see but there’s a klipspringer up there. And I’m halfway up the mountain. Not all east cape areas are this steep it really depends on the concession and the animals you are interested in

the truck from halfway

more of the countryside at the next concession.

 

[Rare Breed]

How satisfied have you been with the intensity of hunting effort in South Africa?

I'm planning a first safari, and I may be giving in to preconceived notions about "ranch hunts." How challenging can an East Cape hunt be? What are some reasonable expectations?

A better question: What is the range of difficulty that an outfitter can work within?

I want to expect challenging hunting, busted stalks, physical effort, and pride in a well-placed, hard-earned shot.

Follow up question: How best to open this topic with prospective outfitters? Will they like this? Or is more challenge just harder work for them?

I'm guessing that raw acreage and indigenous (vs. imported) game species have strong associations with challenge intensity.

Be careful about people telling you all SA hunts are not hard hunts because given I have been on no fence verses smaller acreage do not always tell the story. Two examples, I hunted with Tsala on their much smaller Limpopo property and hunted five hard days for my first buff up and down the Waterberg Mountains. With Game 4 Africa I hunted hard for my kudu again both properties were fenced but great hunts. I hunted with a nice outfitter but do not want to name them and had a great hunt on one of their properties but for the first time saw what a put and take looked like on another one of their properties and chose to take nothing from it. The key as with any outfitter/hunt is get references from AH members who HAVE hunted with them not the members opinion if they have not. I see too many AH members paint SA with a broad brush which has not been my or so many other AH members who have actually been on the hunt

 

[Firebird]

Here is a video I had made while in the east cape. You will see some of the mountains-a pin prick of what is available and get some idea of the hunting. What is tough or hard to one person may not be at all to another-