big game hunting with bow

If you’re a bowhunter, you may have seen stories on TV about hunting in exotic locations, but have you ever considered that you could make your own trip to places like Africa, Alaska, or even as far as New Zealand, just go Hunting It may seem too far away or too expensive, but those who have felt the thrill of exotic big game hunting often can’t wait to return again and again.

Traditionally used as a term to refer to hunting of Africa’s big five (lion, elephant, cape buffalo, leopard, and white rhinoceros), the term “big game” is now used to include a wide range of large animals in Africa. and all over the world. , including tigers, antelope, elk, bear, and bison.

Big game hunting has a long human history. Cave paintings depict early man hunting mammoths in groups with spears or rocks. Two of the most popular hunting methods, using a tree stand or a spike and stem, are popular with big game gamers. Shutters can also be used at certain times of the year, usually in the dry season when animals visit watering holes more often.

In Africa, there are up to ten species of big game available at any one time, and you can expect to shoot around six animals during a ten-day hunt. You may not realize how much variety you will find in both the animals and the experiences. In addition to the ones you hunt, there are other exotic animals that you can simply enjoy being so close to.

Africa also offers a wide range of climates and terrains to give you the best experience available. Some private shooting ranges are set up specifically for bowhunting and therefore provide the best quality of play and conditions available. The main bowhunting season runs from late May through September/October, with July and August being the most popular months to visit. This is because these are the driest months, so the animals visit the watering holes frequently. Many of the animals go into heat from late May through June, so this can also be an exciting time to hunt.

Many visitors are surprised to discover how modern the infrastructure and accommodation are in some African countries, providing all the comforts of home. Other hunts are also available for those who wish to experience ‘old Africa’ and hunt in a more rugged environment, including hunting and tracking on foot. The climate and terrain of the African mountain ranges make them ideal for bowhunting with either method. Many groups and agencies now offer specialized big game tours. These tours often include guides who are highly experienced in hunting big game and the type of animals in your particular area. They also often have their own blinds or blinds installed in the perfect places.

Before you prepare to leave, remember to check the minimum equipment requirements with your tour group. If you haven’t already, you should be comfortable taking photos from hiding places and elevated positions. Shots can be made from about twenty yards, but follow-up shots can also be made from over thirty yards. When bow hunting in Africa, accuracy is definitely key.

Another awesome place for bowhunters, and an easier trip from the continental US, is Alaska. If you’ve never visited before, the scenery alone is worth the trip. From snow-capped mountains and glaciers to blue waters and incredible tundra in the summer, you’ll want to make sure you bring your camera. You may want to consider more than one trip to take advantage of all the different games available at different times and places.

One of Alaska’s most sought after big game animals is the grizzly bear. Here, they grow larger than anywhere else due to the abundance of food available, in particular salmon from the annual spawning. Bears average around 8 1/2 feet, but can be over 10 feet tall and weigh over 1,800 pounds. Longer daylight hours in Alaska make grizzly hunting incredible.

Grizzly bears are also abundant in parts of Alaska, and there is one area that is open for grizzly hunting year-round. The best time to visit the grizzlies is June, August and September. Alaska also offers moose and black bear hunting. Like the grizzly bear, the Alaskan moose is the largest available and has occasionally reached over seventy inches. Moose hunting can also provide the added thrill of traveling to the hunting grounds in airboats and powerboats.

During July through September, the tundra provides unprecedented access to hunt black bears. It is not uncommon to see more than forty bears in a single week in early spring. Other species available for hunting in Alaska include Sitka deer, ibex, dall ram, wolf, and wolverine (some may require additional licenses).

New Zealand is a destination many bow hunters may not have thought of, but it’s well worth checking out. In addition to spectacular scenery, it offers big game animals you may not experience anywhere else in the world, including deer, deer, wild boar, goats, bighorn sheep, and water buffalo. The main trophy hunting season is March through September, but bowhunting is available year-round, so there are plenty of opportunities for non-hunting members of your family or group to enjoy other activities as well.

Hunting in New Zealand can involve traveling over challenging terrain in all weather conditions, so you’ll generally enjoy a hunting trip here more if you’re fit and in good physical condition. However, many safari groups have alternatives available for those in need.

When you go on a big game bow hunting safari you will want to be very well equipped for any situation, perhaps more so than you will be hunting locally. Each area will have minimum regulations on draw weight, and crossbows are also illegal in many countries. There may also be restrictions on the materials and length of the arrows, as well as the type of broadheads used. Some broadhead arrows can only be used on particular species.

Once you’re on many of the guided safaris or trips, particularly in Africa, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to purchase any emergency bow gear or supplies. Therefore, it is recommended that you bring a good supply of arrows, bowstrings and any other spare parts you think you might need. Good camo colors for here are usually muted grays, browns, and yellows.

In addition to your bow and arrows, other recommended equipment includes an arrow hood to protect arrows while traveling, more than one trigger, gloves, arm guards, a face mask or point, a small set of tools to repair the bow on the gear, a sharpener, wax, lubricant, glue, a pocket knife, binoculars, a rangefinder, and a small day pack.

You may also want to consider a portal bow press, extra strings and cables, sights, arrow rest, sight, stabilizer, limb dampeners, silencers, shafts, vanes, nocks, weight tubes, and targets. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to buy replacement parts once you’ve arrived, and having a broken bow on the trip would be a disaster.

So the next time you see a big hunt on TV and wonder what it would be like to experience it, grab your computer and check out some of the safaris available. Many tour operators organize special bowhunting trips or group packages, making a trip to hunt exotic animals more affordable than ever.

One big game bowhunting destination you may not have considered is Australia. Like Africa, the country offers beautiful and diverse landscapes. Although big game hunting in Australia is generally limited to water buffalo, the hunt is a fantastic experience for bowhunters and a different trophy than many will experience. The remote location in the north means you can hunt in truly pristine wilderness. The animals are unpredictable and must be treated with caution, making for a challenging hunt.