First Trip To Soth Africa "HELP!!!!"

[longrange17]

In July of '05 I am making the trek across the big pond on a seven day hunt.  I am wanting to know if anyone has any ideas on any good resources for shot placement on the type of game I will be hunting. (Oryx, Warthog, & Impala)  I plan on doing this with bow and arrow also.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[PeterV]

Hi there,

Planning and preparation for your trip is clearly (and rightly so) a priority on you mind - a lot of the fun involved in such a trip begins before even leaving for safari! - I'm sure you will find it to be an interesting process.

A good source for shotplacement guides is the African Hunter Magazine which has published a few versions - I think you may be able to order these via their website at http://www.african-hunter.com/Default.htm

Most folk in your position have similar requirements and for this reason our Hunters Guild offers a range of services and information to it's members.

Good luck with you planning exercise and I trust you will have a great safari!

[JJHACK]

Peter,  howzit boet? Dis lekker te se jou skryf!

Folks we have one heck af a resource here in Peter. I have known him for many years and he is certainly one of the good guys where it comes to Africa hunting information!

As far as shot placement get the pocket guide called the perfect shot by Kevin Robertson. That is the end all book on African big game shot placement.  He does not talk a single word about archery but the info is spot on for shot placement and the photos and drawings are unmatched anywhere by anyone on this topic.

[longrange17]

Thanks for the info guys,  I will be picking up a copy of Kevin Robertsons book.

[PeterV]

Hi JJ,

Nice to talk to you again - my son and I have recently returned from Botswana region and the Limpopo valley - we did a recce trip to check out some hunting areas - the region is very lush and green following some good rain which bodes well for the 2005 season - plains game will be in great condition. The bush was so thick and lush that my son and I were able to stalk to about touching distance on most species - we had a bunch of fun getting real close just to check over the trophy quality. By the bye - the Ellisras, and northern bushveldt areas are also very very lush - kinda like Kwa Zulu Natal in mid-summer.

Must add that this has been the first time in a number of years that I have bumped into snakes in the bush - we came across a black mamba of over 8 foot which really caught our attention - and later one evening found nice sized rock python crawling across the track - my son and a collegue and I tried to catch hold of it while it was "spotlighted" by a friend on the back of the 4x4 who choose to tun-off the spotlight as we grabbed hold of said snake - left  a bunch of us doing the highland fling in the dark tall grass while trying to part ways with the snake - needless to say we were not exactly impressed.
 
I agree wholeheartedly with your suggestion about "The Perfect Shot" by Keith Robserson - probably is the definitive book on the topic for African game - I do recall that Safari Press and Zimbi books had it available on-line.

PS - hows your 458 Lott doing?

Totsiens

[JJHACK]

The Lott is restig comfortable in Hibernation right now. She should awaken in another month or so to prepare for the seasonal duties in RSA. I spoke with my partners wife yesterday and she said the same about the bush. It's a green as she has ever seen it and all the game is very fat and healty.

Too bad about the exchange rate it has become a deal breaker for several potential hunters this season. Where are the good old days of 7 to 1?

If you really want to have a good idea on what to prepare for you can also buy the book: "Africa the first time" I wrote this for new hunters to South Africa. Its a good book packed with interesting nformation. You can find it at my website, Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.