Noobs

[DoubleLunger]

Good day all! I'm a bowhunter X 7 years. Whitetail is the primary source of accomplishments here on the east coast of the US. So a fellow friend of mine from work and I have been discussing a free range African Safari bow hunting trip in a couple years. We have been wondering if anyone can point us in the right direction as far as what type of game is exciting(and affordable) to hunt for archers. Especially for our first time in Africa.
We are also wondering what to do to prepare as far as archery equipment(i.e. broadheads, pounds per pull, etc).
And of course.....good guide services that just kinda get you the best bang for your buck(no punt intended on whitetails).
We both hunt mostly whitetail deer in Eastern USA.
Thanks all
PS I'm sure you've heard these q's many times on here and for that I do apologize

 

[razorsharptokill]

@Limcroma Safaris has many satisfied clients.

 

[DoubleLunger]

Thank you Razor. Do you by chance know of a website or email address?

@Limcroma Safaris has many satisfied clients.

 

[CAustin]

Welcome to AH. I suggest you set a budget. Then look through the websites of some of the sponsors here to get and idea of what fits into that budget. Impala, Blesbuck , wart hog , baboon are not expensive.

Take a look down the right side of this page and at the top of the page and touch one if the sponsor icons. These will take you to their websites.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Start by using the search function and you will see plenty of information on several of your questions


Welcome
To -AH

Read some hunt reports. That will give you a feel

 

[spike.t]

hi welcome aboard

 

[Bhfs300]

We are also wondering what to do to prepare as far as archery equipment(i.e. broadheads, pounds per pull, etc).

Hi
I am guessing that east coast Whitetail means shots 30 and less?
Your archery equipment for Whitetail should work great for plains game some places want fixed broad head.
If I were you two and want to do spot and stock. I would not make a set list of animals.
There are a bunch of animals that are in the $200 to $500 range. Go out and see what you have a good stock on till you use up your budget. You shouldn't take hunting out of hides for that special trophy that is the one you can't go home with out.
I would start shooting out to 50-60 yards since you might have to take a longer shot when stalking them. Hunting out of a hide for that special trophy most shots willl be in 25 yard range.
Tom

 

[cpr0312]

Welcome aboard! Best of luck in the planning, lots of good info here

 

[G Skinner]

Go enjoy .... take what Africa offers you . Most outfitters will allow you to switch animals . Try to find a PH who has bow hunting experience . Hides can get boring but will offer you your best chance at calm animals ..... Please don't shoot outside your comfort zone .... you draw blood you may wind up paying anyway . As has been said cut on contact broad heads maybe the norm . I cranked and shot my bow at 70 lbs for a year before I went to Namibia .... it is not necessary for most plains game , but if an Eland or Kudu comes along you may want to take the opportunity .... Good luck and play safe !
Glen

 

[Josh Neal]

I myself was/am in the same situation your in. mostly hunt whitetails and NA Big Game. I did endless amounts of research and looking through this site, as well as hours and hours on youtube. We ended up booking with Limcroma Safaris. Ive heard nothing but the best from them. I was able to reach out to several previous clients, and also their PHs to get a good feel for what to expect. I wanted to primarily hunt watering holes so we planned our trip for SA winter (July). We also made sure to book for the dark moon. They have very competitive prices, and large amounts of concessions, and beautiful lodging. My Whitetail setup will do just fine for everything I intend to chase (Kudu, zebra, oryx, impala, baboon, warthog, etc).

Good luck in planning, its been extremely fun and the anticipation is KILLING me!!!

 

[siml]

Welcome to AH, there several outfitters on here that are experienced in bow hunting. The amount of water on ranches is a big factor for bow hunters.

 

[petrusg]

Welcome to AH, most of the outfitters on this site would be able to help you

 

[BWH]

Welcome..... Yes, I would layout a budget, animal hit list, # of days desired & distance want to travel. There are a ton of great outfits on here. Some have specialties or geared up for certain type of hunting/clients. Definition of "affordable" is very subjective.....$10k to one guy is $100k to the next. Good luck!

 

[Bos en Dal SAFARIS]

Welcome check your pm

 

[David Middleton]

Check out Kiraboo they have great blinds and you can spot and stalk outside Thambazimbi SA Jaco was a great bow hunting PH and Bossie who hunted with my buddie was one of a kind. Very good prices on set number of animals but you can switch animals if you see something. Consider it like this cost for 10 days hunt might be 2000 which pays for pick up, stay meals, buy the way it's usually 10 star compared to most US hunts. Then there will be a price list for each animal say 2500 Kudu, 450 impala, 500 Blesebuck, 400 Warthog, 1100 Zebra, 1000 Wildebeest . While hunting you take all these animals and replace say your Wildebeest with a Waterbuck(2250) so you hunt would be 9200. If your going familiarize yourself with price list because you might not have a lot of time to consider when your PH is falling over himself with some animal you've never seen let alone know how to judge. As most guys here will attest first most shoot way more than expected and second you will start planning your return visit and your next list by the second or third day there. It's easy to get carried away but you have to remember other costs now like dip and pack, shipping, reentry to US and Fish and Game, we had a contact importer John Doliff in Boston but sure you would use Baltimore. Then Taxidermy which most of them who do African game can set you up with prices and finish costs per animal. I went with Dennis from Artistry of Wildlife saw on this site in Michigan, if I did it over would have shipped straight to him from Boston, I unpacked crate because of excitement to show everyone, and you need a physics PhD to get the stuff back in box. Those are the costs and you can look around for deals on stuff but I would plan the best time to be there depending on where you go. August is near end of very dry time and not many leaves or grass, and everything comes to water eventually. We picked the time where there was no moon these animals still fear being eaten by lions and such so no moon they come to water during day. Make sure place has multiple blinds for wind which is everything there. Each blind had an hide on opposite site of water so we could switch up if needed. Good luck and plan hard I used same set up as whitetail killed Kudu, Wildabeest, Gemsbuck etc no problem, I think 50 yards shot stalking was farthest but most were within 40yd. Flights from NY or Atlanta direct cost a little more but look at 1200 to 2500 for flights. Find a bow range with video shoots for African game, different kill shot zones than what your used to.

 

[navar]

Welcome to the site Sir,
Hope you enjoy the preparation of your trip. If you need any help, please let us know as we can assist on the matter. We have few concessions hunted exclusively with bow and one of our own farms.
I´m a passionate bow hunter and specialices on walk and stalk hunts here in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, so if you would like to try down here, you are more tan welcome. Don´t hesetate on contacting us.

 

[DoubleLunger]

Welcome to AH. I suggest you set a budget. Then look through the websites of some of the sponsors here to get and idea of what fits into that budget. Impala, Blesbuck , wart hog , baboon are not expensive.

Take a look down the right side of this page and at the top of the page and touch one if the sponsor icons. These will take you to their websites.

Thanks CAustin. I am certainly interested in a lower budget package to include some of the cheaper species to hunt(i.e. warthog, impala, etc). I will look into the sponsors on the right.
Much appreciated and happy hunting

 

[DoubleLunger]

Thanks! Good to be here

hi welcome aboard

anks

 

[DoubleLunger]

S

Hi
I am guessing that east coast Whitetail means shots 30 and less?
Your archery equipment for Whitetail should work great for plains game some places want fixed broad head.
If I were you two and want to do spot and stock. I would not make a set list of animals.
There are a bunch of animals that are in the $200 to $500 range. Go out and see what you have a good stock on till you use up your budget. You shouldn't take hunting out of hides for that special trophy that is the one you can't go home with out.
I would start shooting out to 50-60 yards since you might have to take a longer shot when stalking them. Hunting out of a hide for that special trophy most shots willl be in 25 yard range.
Tom

Sounds like great advice and I thank you. I generally practice at 60yds just so the 30-40yd shots are a cakewalk. And yes, mostly 30 yd shots here for us whitetail hunters. I wouldn't want to take a shot on anything farther than 40yds. I'm thinking that perhaps a handful of dollars can be saved by picking and choosing the lower costing species.
Thanks Tom

 

[DoubleLunger]

Those

Welcome to AH. I suggest you set a budget. Then look through the websites of some of the sponsors here to get and idea of what fits into that budget. Impala, Blesbuck , wart hog , baboon are not expensive.

Take a look down the right side of this page and at the top of the page and touch one if the sponsor icons. These will take you to their websites.

Those four species are practically what I had in mind.
Thanks again