Questions from a rookie.

[Rusty]

I will be hunting Africa this year with my bow. I will be prettty much limited to Impala. Here is my main question: How do Impala compare to whitetail deer for wariness, sense of smell, hearing, eyesight, etc.? The PH said I may be in a blind or in a treestand. Is camo important when hunting impala? I have killed whitetails for years, but I am not sure how to approach this new game.
Thanks
Rusty

 

[BRICKBURN]

Rusty, If the property is hunted hard at all the Impala will make Whitetails appear slow and plodding.
The closest comparison would be the jumpiest Whitetail you have run in to.

You will tell very soon when you arrive how alert they are when you see them approach. If the blinds are not rested and hunted hard you will see the result when they bolt at the slightest sound.


There are some other threads on how jumpy Impala are.

http://www.africahunting.com/bowhunting-africa/9462-string-jumpers.html

http://www.africahunting.com/hunting-video-clips-watch-instantly/6568-bow-hunting-spiral-horn-safaris-video-clips.html


Camo, possibly in a tree stand or walk and stalk. Otherwise, not really.

In a blind: wear black.

 

[Rusty]

Rusty, If the property is hunted hard at all the Impala will make Whitetails appear slow and plodding.
The closest comparison would be the jumpiest Whitetail you have run in to.

You will tell very soon when you arrive how alert they are when you see them approach. If the blinds are not rested and hunted hard you will see the result when they bolt at the slightest sound.


There are some other threads on how jumpy Impala are.

http://www.africahunting.com/bowhunting-africa/9462-string-jumpers.html

http://www.africahunting.com/hunting-video-clips-watch-instantly/6568-bow-hunting-spiral-horn-safaris-video-clips.html


Camo, possibly in a tree stand or walk and stalk. Otherwise, not really.

In a blind: wear black.

Thanks!!!

 

[TimSharpe]

Impala only? Come on...you got to save up for a few other plains game species!! At least add a big warthog!!

 

[mudslinger]

Brickburn gave some great advice, but I would add, if you are going that far and spending that much money on flights, then I would definitley make the most of it and shoot some more animals. Just beware, Africa with a bow is very addicting!

 

[davidhein]

Don't go for speed on your bow, keeping it dead quiet will get you much further than a fast arrow on these string jumpers! Guaranteed. I keep my bow between 270 to 280 fps, but its like a whisper, and its worked well for me. Try keep your shots on impala within 20m when you hunt from a blind, after this distance the impala have time too react as they are at their sharpest when around the waterholes or feeding spots.
Otherwise enjoy it! And add a big warthog at least, maybe a blesbuck too if they have. Most of all enjoy it!