Traditional Bow Hunting

[Zack Young]

Hey guys about 6 months ago I've started archery and have an Interest in bow hunting. How ever I'm not really into compound bows. No offence to those out there who shoot compound bows but to me they seem to easy. Any ways I shoot a 50 lb. 64 in. Longbow with a 33 in. draw. So my question is this; how feasible is traditional bow hunting in Africa? Is 50lbs enough what broad heads should be used Is my bow to long or to short (too short yeah right) what arrows are preferred? My marksmanship needs some work but any and all information is helpful.

 

[dg2]

If you have a modern 50#/33" trad bow it is more than enough power assuming that your arrows are flying straight. The biggest animal I have seen cleanly killed with that kind of poundage was a big cape eland bull. So it is enough for all plains game animals for sure.

It is all about having properly tuned bow and arrows. And as always sharp high quality cut on contact 2 or 3 blade broadhead like VPA etc. And heavy arrows, something like 11-12 grains per # (550-600 gr).

I think that nowadays many outfitters build bigger hides that can accommodate longer bows. It is always best to ask beforehand.

I have always used wood arrows with my trad bows, but I think it would be good idea to start with carbon arrows.

When you can consistently (90 %) shoot something like 6" groups from 15-20 yards in field conditions you are good to go. If you plan to hunt from a blind then you must practise shooting from inside blind. Especially for instinctive shooter it can be very confusing to shoot from a blind if you have not done it before. It is best to practise all possible hunting scenarios back home before leaving.

Be honest with your shooting ability and don't exceed your max range.

Good luck!!

 

[Norwegianwoods]

I agree with everything dg2 said.

 

[BRICKBURN]

..............My marksmanship needs some work .................

Work on that and you will be hunting soon enough.

 

[htx519]

Zack,

dg2's info is right on the money...!

We host several traditional archers each season, and you can expect to have a very challenging and rewarding experience hunting Africa with traditional equipment.

To emphasize on a great point that dg2 mentioned, make sure that the outfitter you choose is experienced with accommodating traditional archers. There are definitely special considerations that need to be made in terms of hide and stand construction and location. Even when spot & stalking, a PH experienced with the unique requirements of a traditional archer are vital.... As an avid bow hunter myself, I can assure you that these elements will play a key role in your opportunity and success in Africa.

Over the years, Hannes and I have spent countless hours in the bush hanging stands and constructing hides specifically with our traditional archers in mind, and each season, we make changes and improvements accordingly.

Best of luck to you!

 

[G Skinner]

Zack
Check with local clubs in your area and shoot 3D ... it is very enjoyable and great practice .
Glen

 

[35bore]

I've been busted several times now on whitetail stalks using my longbow. Missed a doe last year. Still fun, a lot of fun to stalk an animal that close. Going to try a blind/hide this year, have the perfect spot.

To you question though, I plan on taking mine next hunt to Africa (same #age as yours)

 

[Ole Bally]

A challenge I found guiding foreign clients is that they tend to misjudge ranges and animal sizes in Africa. No offense meant, but the majority of say US clients shoot at deer sized targets mostly and when confronted by say a zebra they have difficulty in the excitement of things to range them correctly.
Traditional shooter have this problem amplified by not having sights at all.
I agree with the sentiment...stay well within your proficient ranges or face tracking for many many hours under the african sun!

 

[Powdermaker]

I agree with DG2 as well. If I was going to Africa, I would use grizzly stik arrows and the Nanook single bevel broad heads.....expensive , yes, but very good quality!

http://www.alaskabowhunting.com/GrizzlyStik-950br-Safari-Package-P425C84.aspx

 

[jeff]

Just curious on how tall you are as a 33 inch draw is extremely long. Most people with a draw that long would be over six ft. six. Having taken about 75 big game animals and 18 different species with a stick bow, I believe if you are going after plains game you will do fine with arrows between 5oo-600 grains and a good cut on contact broadhead not overly wide.
Penetration is rarely a problem, arrow placement is the key!

 

[ruger375]

All well said, and all though I just returned from my second trip so I cannot claim extensive African experience, I do think Africa is a traditional bowhunters dream and a good safari outfitter should be able to set you up for several close opportunities. Two things for sure that helped me was a lot of practice shooting through narrow openings that simulate many of the traditional hides, it really does mess with your peripheral vision which is crucial to shoot well instinctively, and if your PH is ok with it, practice with judo or blunt points out of the actual blinds you are hunting to get a feel for what your up against.
I shoot a 53# Black Widow with 2 blade eskimo's tipping a 480 grain total weight arrow and was pleased with penetration on all animals up to a Kudu.
Can't wait for June of 17, going to try a Cape Buff on for size, albeit with my 67# limbs and 700+ grain arrows
Enjoy, there is no hunting like traditional bow hunting!

 

[Norwegianwoods]

Just curious on how tall you are as a 33 inch draw is extremely long. Most people with a draw that long would be over six ft. six. Having taken about 75 big game animals and 18 different species with a stick bow, I believe if you are going after plains game you will do fine with arrows between 5oo-600 grains and a good cut on contact broadhead not overly wide.
Penetration is rarely a problem, arrow placement is the key!

I agree.
And you don't need to be that tall to have a long DL
I use a 32" DL compound with a loop and release and I am 6'2 and this is the perfect DL for me.
A result of broad shoulders and long arms.
It is a pain to get shirts and jackets to fit well as most that are correct for my shoulder width and arm length are made for people being 100-200 pounds heavier than me..

 

[bbjavelina]

All good comments above.

I shot longbows and recurves for years until my shoulders suggested I try the compound. Never hunted Africa with traditional equipment, but have been 3 times with my compounds.

Walk and stalk with a trad bow should be no problem. The only "hang up" (pardon me) might be a quiver. For me, the easiest to get thru the bush is a Cat Quiver 1.

Some of the hides I've sat would not have worked with a trad bow. Just not enough limb clearance. The more you cant the bow, the more room you need. Keep in mind that a PH will be in the blind with you. Several days I've sat with two PH's (one being a trainee). Go a little crowded.

On our last hunt most of the blinds were pits with an FRP igloo shaped dome over them. To shoot trad from them you'd have to have stood well back from the shooting port which makes that little slit even smaller.

Our second hunt was with Limcroma. All but one of the hides I sat (on a neighboring property) would have worked well with a longbow.

If you can, I'd suggest getting your feet wet on local deer, turkey, or similar.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Zack Young]

Just curious on how tall you are as a 33 inch draw is extremely long. Most people with a draw that long would be over six ft. six. Having taken about 75 big game animals and 18 different species with a stick bow, I believe if you are going after plains game you will do fine with arrows between 5oo-600 grains and a good cut on contact broadhead not overly wide.
Penetration is rarely a problem, arrow placement is the key!

Jeff Im 6'1'' so yeah I got a pretty long draw. As well as an update I can hit a pie tin at 80 yards with about 60% accuracy.

 

[BigJohnx13]

Here’s some point to remember when you bowhunt in Africa. This is info from the SABA course. In the end you as a Bow hunter have to decide with your ability and equipment which will work best for you. As with firearms the same goes for bows, ask 10 guys the same question and get ten different answers because of personal preference and experience. What works for one guy doesn’t work for another.

Make your bow accurate and silent and you will have a very good chance. If you go walk and stalk go full Rambo camo including facemask and gloves. Good luck with your hunting.

3.1 As a general rule of thumb, it is proposed to shoot with the heaviest arrow that still attains about 240-250fps. A quicker arrow will not be a safeguard from string jumping (where the animal being shot at tries to escape when hearing the bow or arrow's sound),


3.2 NB. Which emphatically proves that 3 bladed broadheads are better than 2 or 4 bladed ones where lethality is concerned, unless penetration is needed, for which 2 blader’s are better, and unless you get pass-through, in which case 4 blader’s are better?


5.4 Kinetic energy

Category Small antelope’s Midsize antelope’s Large antelope’s

excl. Blesbuck excl. Kudu, Warthog excl. Eland, Gemsbok

Arrow mass(gr) 300 350 500

Arrow velocity(fps) 200 230 235

Kinetic Energy 25 40 60

Momentum% 27 36 52