Where are crossbows legal in Africa

[Kenneth McMillan]

I am thinking about using a crossbow as well as a bow and rifles for hunting in Africa. I know that Nambia and Zambia do not allow crossbows and that some parts of South Africa allow crossbows. So where else outside of these allow hunting with a crossbow.

 

[IvW]

Not sure which some parts of South Africa you are referring to as in the Act no crossbows are permitted for hunting in South Africa.

You might be able to apply for a special permit(if you can motivate why you want to use a crossbow) from the Nature conservation authorities in the province you intend hunting before arriving on your hunt.

One of the limitations is the minimum length of the arrow which has to be 19.68 inches, many crossbow arrows are shorter.

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: BIODIVERSITY ACT, 2004 (ACT NO. 10 OF 2004)
No.34326 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 27 MAY 2011
NORMS AND STANDARDS FOR HUNTING METHODS IN SOUTH AFRICA
Permissible bows for bow hunting
6. The following are acceptable types of bows for bow hunting-
( a) longbow;
(b) recurve bow; and
(c) compound bow.

Minimum requirements for bow hunting
7. 1) The minimum requirements to hunt specific categories of wild or allen animals by means of
bow and arrow are the following-

a) For wild or alien animals of a small size. including gamebirds, small carnivores, hares, hyraxes,
rabbits and pygmy antelope, the-
i) kinetic energy should not be less that 30ft/lbs; and
ii) arrow weight should not be less than 300 grains;

(b) For wild or alien animals of medium size, including reedbuck, impala, blesbuck, warthog, bushpig,
springbuck and nyala, the-
i) kinetic energy should not be less that 50ft/lbs; and
ii) arrow weight should not be less than 380 grains;

(c) For wild or allen animals of large size, including wildebeest kudu, gemsbuck, zebra, waterbuck,
sable and hartebeest, the-
i) kinetic energy should not be less that 60ft/lbs; and
ii) arrow weight should not be less than 415 grains;

(d) Cape buffalo, the-
i) kinetic energy should not be less that 80 ft/lbs; and
ii) arrow weight should not be less than 750 grains; and

(e) Giraffe, the-
i) kinetic energy should not be less that 90ft/lbs; and
ii) arrow weight should not be less than 750 grains.

(2) In addition. to the requirements contemplated in sub-paragraph (1) the following conditions
apply with regards to the use of mechanical broad heads-
( a) for species contemplated In sub-paragraphs (1)(a), (1)(b) and (1)(c), 5% additional kinetic energy is
required;
(b) broad heads must have at least two cutting edges; and
(c) the minimum permitted arrow length is 50cm.

 

[buck wild]

They are crossbow hunting on TV in SA all the time Maybe under that "special permit" PHs have for international hunters

 

[IvW]

They are crossbow hunting on TV in SA all the time Maybe under that "special permit" PHs have for international hunters

So they do and they also hunt with air guns...

Like driving without a driver's licence, until you have a motor vehicle accident...may I please see your driving licence Sir?

 

[Limcroma Safaris]

Laws and regulations for hunting can be a bit confusing in RSA. The regulations under the Biodiversity Act/Norms and Standards do not pertain to privately owned land in most circumstances. Hunting with bow and crossbow is perfectly legal in most provinces on privately owned land which will be the majority of the land you will likely hunt with your outfitter in RSA.

Hopefully, all reputable, well-established outfitters will know and follow the laws pertaining to their particular provinces, and they can advise their clients accordingly. Checking directly with them would be your best source of information.

 

[Hunting Sailor]

Laws and regulations for hunting can be a bit confusing in RSA. The regulations under the Biodiversity Act/Norms and Standards do not pertain to privately owned land in most circumstances. Hunting with bow and crossbow is perfectly legal in most provinces on privately owned land which will be the majority of the land you will likely hunt with your outfitter in RSA.

Hopefully, all reputable, well-established outfitters will know and follow the laws pertaining to their particular provinces, and they can advise their clients accordingly. Checking directly with them would be your best source of information.

So does this mean the minimum caliber does not pertain on private land? I.e .375 for Buffalo?

//Gus

 

[Limcroma Safaris]

Hello Gus,

Just as with the "minimum requirements" listed in the Norms & Standards for bow hunting RSA, they technically should apply. However the reality is that no game warden is going to be waiting in the bush with a scale to weigh your arrows and draw your bow weight while you are hunting a privately owned concession in RSA.

In all honesty, most enforcement of these "requirements & regulations" lies with the ethical responsibilities of the outfitter you will be hunting with. Any outfitter allowing their client to hunt a buffalo with less than a .375 or pursue plainsgame for that matter with a bow & arrow combination not suited for a safe, ethical kill is irresponsible in my opinion and does not have the safety or best interest of the client in mind, all legalities aside...

 

[Hunting Sailor]

Hello Gus,

Just as with the "minimum requirements" listed in the Norms & Standards for bow hunting RSA, they technically should apply. However the reality is that no game warden is going to be waiting in the bush with a scale to weigh your arrows and draw your bow weight while you are hunting a privately owned concession in RSA.

In all honesty, most enforcement of these "requirements & regulations" lies with the ethical responsibilities of the outfitter you will be hunting with. Any outfitter allowing their client to hunt a buffalo with less than a .375 or pursue plainsgame for that matter with a bow & arrow combination not suited for a safe, ethical kill is irresponsible in my opinion and does not have the safety or best interest of the client in mind, all legalities aside...

Thanks for the quick comeback. I agree and understand the ethical, safety and responsible part. Just that if there are laws for some areas and not for others (private land) it could create a lot of loopholes and arguments for and against. I’m in the Eastern Cape which does not have (officially) Impala free roaming so there are no minimum caliber limits as far as I have been able to see. But for animals larger than Springbok it is 7mm... so it is difficult to know the law.

Thanks for clearing it out for us.

//Gus

 

[Hogpatrol]

Just an FYI, standard length for bolts used by the majority of U.S. crossbows is 20 inches.

 

[Limcroma Safaris]

Gus,

I think the only thing I made clear is that it can often be very unclear in RSA.

The government regulation and enforcement of permitting and documentation involved with private land hunting is actually strictly enforced. As an outfitter, you had better have your paperwork in order. As to what caliber to shoot and what the arrow should weigh is pretty much self-regulatory on private land, and nearly impossible to enforce. That again, goes back to the outfitters' responsibilities.

Many of these regulations, especially those that pertain to bow hunting are outdated, and need revision. Both the technology and understanding of the physics of bows and arrows has evolved and the standards applied to minimum bow & arrow requirements are no longer accurate. But, that's another topic altogether...

 

[Rikus savhs]

I am thinking about using a crossbow as well as a bow and rifles for hunting in Africa. I know that Nambia and Zambia do not allow crossbows and that some parts of South Africa allow crossbows. So where else outside of these allow hunting with a crossbow.

Not many places if you find a place it will be private not many people here like crossbows they more for rifle and bow hunting

 

[Hogpatrol]

Not many places if you find a place it will be private not many people here like crossbows they more for rifle and bow hunting

We had the same attitude and resistance to change here in the states until more and more hunters realized you could extend your yardage twenty to thirty yards beyond a compound. Either way, you still have to use the same hunting tactics. Where I hunt, crossbows outnumber traditional bows ten to one. Compound bow users are falling by the wayside like the stick bows did when compounds became popular.

 

[Rikus savhs]

Will speak to one of my safari friends tomorrow he will bhelpfull will keep you informed.

 

[Rikus savhs]

As I am from SA as far as cross bow and long bow is consernd you do not need a license for the use its only hand and rifles you need a temporarily license for . For some reason some game farms do not accommodate bow hunting but some do

 

[Rikus savhs]

So they do and they also hunt with air guns...

Like driving without a driver's licence, until you have a motor vehicle accident...may I please see your driving licence Sir?

Lol you are almost on the spot . Here they are very strict regarding the use and handling of fire arms and rifles. To prevent crime and accidents they push people to do the law test against use of a fire arm and practical competence to use a fire arm or rifle

 

[IvW]

Lol you are almost on the spot . Here they are very strict regarding the use and handling of fire arms and rifles. To prevent crime and accidents they push people to do the law test against use of a fire arm and practical competence to use a fire arm or rifle

I am not referring to the competency test with regards to firearms.

Their is the National Act which stipulates the requirements and then you have each province with their own rules and regulations.

For South Africans while hunting you can basically do what you want with regards to choice of weapons and use what you want. The authorities do not care or enforce anything. The only limiting factor would be the farm owner who may decide what he will and will not allow.

For foreign clients, the Outfitter and PH is responsible to ensure that the client hunts within these rules.

As an example, if it is illegal to hunt a Lion with a caliber smaller than 375 H&H or with a crossbow and you as the outfitter/PH allows him to hunt the lion with a caliber smaller than the 375 H&H or a crossbow, nobody will care and nobody will know. However things may go wrong, the Lion is wounded and ends up killing the client, you think nobody will care anymore? You could be held responsible for the death of the client and could face some serious charges apart from the fact that you may lose you licence.

Rather stick to the rules as they are in place for a reason.

You may however apply to Nature conservation for a special permit and if such permit is motivated correctly, they may well grant one.

 

[BigJohnx13]

Many of these regulations, especially those that pertain to bow hunting are outdated, and need revision. Both the technology and understanding of the physics of bows and arrows has evolved and the standards applied to minimum bow & arrow requirements are no longer accurate. But, that's another topic altogether...

Agree. The Law and recommendations is based on 1970/80 technologies. Many hunters take animals with much lower specs,not becauthey want to break the law, but the new below spec technology outperform the outdated in spec equipment

 

[Hogpatrol]

Agree. The Law and recommendations is based on 1970/80 technologies. Many hunters take animals with much lower specs,not becauthey want to break the law, but the new below spec technology outperform the outdated in spec equipment

Hmm. Here in the U.S. that sound strangely familiar.