Canoga Creek Conservancy
South African Big Game Bow Hunting Opportunities
BOWHUNTING with  Canoga Creek Conservancy's Kubusi Safaris

The eastern Cape with its great diversity in landscape and game is a true bowhunters paradise. There
are probably few regions in Africa that can offer as much to the bowhunter. Due to the many different
huntable species of game, many different forms of bowhunting techniques can be applied in order to
successfully harvest a trophy.




Still Hunting:
Many parts of the eastern cape are ideal for this form of hunting. Forested Mountain Gorges, Riverine
Thickets, and small densely vegetated valleys make this the preferred form of hunting. Animals restrict
themselves to gametrails or man made paths and clearings, and use these almost daily to and from
feeding and resting areas. Walking very quietly along trails in the early mornings and late evenings can
often prove to be a productive method for hunting species such as: Mountain Reedbuck, Bushbuck,
Kudu, Common and Blue Duiker aswell as Bushpigs and Monkeys. In high grass along river edges one
can often “bump” into Bushbuck at several meters giving the bowhunter just enough time to shoot. Many
of the above mentioned animals are very territorial and therefor have rather predictable patterns of
movement within a certain area. This also makes it possible to hunt one particular animal over several
days in a rather small area.









Spot and Stalk:
Spot and stalk is also a very productive way of bowhunting. .Mountain meadows, Acacia Veld, and  
grassy clearings are often the preferred habitat for species such as Impala , Blesbok, RedHartebeest,
Warthog, Blue Wildebeest, and Zebra.. Being a rather hilly and vegetated region, most parts of the
Eastern Cape make good stalking grounds. Game can often be observed from high vantage points with
binoculars giving the hunter ample time to plan a stalk. Closing the distance from several hundred meters
to under forty can often be very challenging and requires a fair amount of skill and patience, especially
the last fifty meters. Bring kneepads! You will often be required to remove your shoes for the final closing
in push.


Blind and Bait:
Most animals can be hunted at blinds or at bait. Bushpig are mostly nocturnal, and unless one is very
lucky and bumps into them in an area where they are undisturbed, or during full moon, hunting them
other than over bait is very difficult. From treestands over a carcass or corn and fruit is the best method
for these pigs.
The Eastern Cape can get very dry and therefor animals come to drink at waterholes, streams, and
riverbanks. Hides and blinds at these points often prove to be the most successful way of harvesting
most animal species. This is a legal method of bowhunting in South Africa. Though stalking remains the
essence of bowhunting, hunting from a blind over water or bait, allows the bowhunter to observe many
species of birds and other wildlife, and be selective as to which trophy he plans to harvest. Distances
seldomly exceed twenty-five meters.
Walking for long periods of time, under Africa’s sun can be very exhausting for overseas hunters not
used to African weather conditions, and blind hunting is at times a pleasant and relaxing alternative.



Equipment:
Africa’s game is often considered tougher than most European or American game. Bows should have a
minimum draw weight of 50 pounds (depending on the size of game hunted) and sturdy broadheads with
as large a cutting diameter as possible is recommended. Zwickeys, Thunderheads, Muzzy’s, Bears, and
Satellites are favourites.
Archery equipment is often not available outside big cities so it is advisable to bring necessary spares i.
e., release, broadhead blades, bowstring, nocking points, etc.