Broadheads

[ACE (in CT)]

It sounds to me as if the OP is brand new to Bowhunting. I‘LL suggest a really sharp, strong fixed blade, professional help with tuning, and lots and lots of practice.

African PG for a brand new bowhunter is an interesting choice.

You should shoot enough to be very confident in your shooting because you pay for anything you draw blood on.

I used Slick Trick 100 gr my first trip and Iron Will 2 blade single bevel the second time. The 2 blade penetrated much better and I plan to stick with those. Good luck!

 

[SamF]

Hi everyone
I would just like to clarify that the arrows I have been using are gold tip hunter xt 400s. Not sure if these are alright to hunt with or if any of you have any suggestions. I apologise for the confusion I have caused as I wrongly interpreted the 400 label to be grains. I am a newbie and have just started using a bow. Thanks for all the feedback so far, really appreciate it

 

[Uncompahgre]

Find a local pro shop who can guide you with your setup, get your bow tuned, offer shooting lessons, etc. I personally prefer fixed blade broadheads over mechanical on large animals such as elk, but that is just me.

 

[archer36]

Hi everyone
I would just like to clarify that the arrows I have been using are gold tip hunter xt 400s. Not sure if these are alright to hunt with or if any of you have any suggestions. I apologise for the confusion I have caused as I wrongly interpreted the 400 label to be grains. I am a newbie and have just started using a bow. Thanks for all the feedback so far, really appreciate it

The stiffness of the arrow is what matters here. If you are going to use a 100-125 gr head, you are fine. Going over 150 will only weaken the spine and cause less accuracy. If you are hunting animals that are deer and elk size, you will be fine with an arrow of a total weight under 500 gr. If you are hunting bigger critters, you have to bump up your arrow weight but just doing it with a heavier point is not the best approach.

 

[ACE (in CT)]

Sam, have you done a lot of Big Game hunting before you started shooting a Bow? The reason I ask is that it's pretty unusual to jump directly into bow hunting with an African Safari. Is there a reason you have decided against a rifle? I'm mostly a Bow Hunter myself, and have only been to Africa twice (RSA for PG),so I far from an expert, but I think if someone is just getting started shooting and hunting with a bow, I'd suggest a few seasons and several animals before they take on Africa. If they are shooting a crossbow the learning curve is much shorter.
Anyway, whatever you decide to do, practice a lot, and study the anatomy of these very special animals. I'm sure you'll have a great time.

 

[SamF]

Sam, have you done a lot of Big Game hunting before you started shooting a Bow? The reason I ask is that it's pretty unusual to jump directly into bow hunting with an African Safari. Is there a reason you have decided against a rifle? I'm mostly a Bow Hunter myself, and have only been to Africa twice (RSA for PG),so I far from an expert, but I think if someone is just getting started shooting and hunting with a bow, I'd suggest a few seasons and several animals before they take on Africa. If they are shooting a crossbow the learning curve is much shorter.
Anyway, whatever you decide to do, practice a lot, and study the anatomy of these very special animals. I'm sure you'll have a great time.

I have been a rifle hunter all of my life, but recently after shooting a friend’s bow I decided to give it a try and I’ve really been enjoying it. I am very keen to try shoot something with it this year but I’ll be taking the rifle along just in case. Also I live in South Africa so am quite used to the game.

 

[BenKK]

I have been a rifle hunter all of my life, but recently after shooting a friend’s bow I decided to give it a try and I’ve really been enjoying it. I am very keen to try shoot something with it this year but I’ll be taking the rifle along just in case. Also I live in South Africa so am quite used to the game.

That’s awesome! You’ll be addicted! There’ll be highs and lows on a never ending journey of learning. Keep us posted! I hear Magnum Archery is a pretty awesome pro shop in South Africa.

 

[SamF]

That’s awesome! You’ll be addicted! There’ll be highs and lows on a never ending journey of learning. Keep us posted! I hear Magnum Archery is a pretty awesome pro shop in South Africa.

Thanks really looking forward to it, also in Pretoria this weekend so will pop into magnum archery. Will let you know how it goes

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

Archers edge is best bow shop in my opinion

 

[Stetsonham]

I have been a rifle hunter all of my life, but recently after shooting a friend’s bow I decided to give it a try and I’ve really been enjoying it. I am very keen to try shoot something with it this year but I’ll be taking the rifle along just in case. Also I live in South Africa so am quite used to the gam

Bowhunting is the worst and the best all at the same time! Can’t wait to see your first successful kill, good luck

 

[SamF]

Archers edge is best bow shop in my opinion

Went to archers edge, it was amazing, had really good service and I’d highly recommend them. Ended up getting 125gr grim reapers and I’m going to get my local pro shop to help me with tuning. Thanks everyone for all the help and advice.

 

[rookhawk]

well it seemed like this thread went sideways thanks to local bow shops recommending and brainwashing based upon what they sell rather than what should be used.

A good arrow for Africa involves these kinds of components not sold at bowshops:

Ethics archery inserts
Ironwill, Tuffhead, German Kinetics, and other high quality 200gr-400gr heads
160-200 spine arrows (due to their weight) e.g. Sirius Archery
18%-30% FOC

Ignoring that advice, just shoot any old whitetail arrow which is what the bowshops and half the respondents are recommending. A lot of wounded animals are going to be the result.

 

[375er]

well it seemed like this thread went sideways thanks to local bow shops recommending and brainwashing based upon what they sell rather than what should be used.

A good arrow for Africa involves these kinds of components not sold at bowshops:

Ethics archery inserts
Ironwill, Tuffhead, German Kinetics, and other high quality 200gr-400gr heads
160-200 spine arrows (due to their weight) e.g. Sirius Archery
18%-30% FOC

Ignoring that advice, just shoot any old whitetail arrow which is what the bowshops and half the respondents are recommending. A lot of wounded animals are going to be the result.

THIS! First thing I've heard today that makes any sense!

 

[375er]

Went to archers edge, it was amazing, had really good service and I’d highly recommend them. Ended up getting 125gr grim reapers and I’m going to get my local pro shop to help me with tuning. Thanks everyone for all the help and advice.

No. Only if you are hunting the tiny ten and Springbok.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

The stiffness of the arrow is what matters here. If you are going to use a 100-125 gr head, you are fine. Going over 150 will only weaken the spine and cause less accuracy. If you are hunting animals that are deer and elk size, you will be fine with an arrow of a total weight under 500 gr. If you are hunting bigger critters, you have to bump up your arrow weight but just doing it with a heavier point is not the best approach.

Deer and Elk are very different in size. Elk are 2 to 4 times the weight of a deer. Bulls can and do exceed 700 lbs, deer 150 to 200 lbs, occasionally a bit bigger. Getting a pass through on a deer is fairly easy, an elk, not so much. Granted, the OP mentioned smaller African animals, with the exception of kudu. I moved from 500 gr total weight with a 125gr G5 Montec 3 bladed BH to a 650 gr total weight arrow with a 200 gr fixed 2 blade, single bevel. The heavier BH helps to increase the FOC.

 

[rookhawk]

Deer and Elk are very different in size. Elk are 2 to 4 times the weight of a deer. Bulls can and do exceed 700 lbs, deer 150 to 200 lbs, occasionally a bit bigger. Getting a pass through on a deer is fairly easy, an elk, not so much. Granted, the OP mentioned smaller African animals, with the exception of kudu. I moved from 500 gr total weight with a 125gr G5 Montec 3 bladed BH to a 650 gr total weight arrow with a 200 gr fixed 2 blade, single bevel. The heavier BH helps to increase the FOC.

I wouldn’t shoot a gemsbok with less than a 650gr arrow. Agree with all you’ve stated.

Elk are big, but not that tough. A kudu, oryx, zebra, or wildebeest has much more tenacity.