Bow Hunting in Namibia

Due to Namibia's natural habitat, types of game and seasonal changes in vegetation, bow hunting requires the highest standard of hunting skills and ethical behavior.

BLINDS:

Bow hunting from blinds is preferred during the Namibian winter months, June until August and the drier months September and October.
The majority of hunting takes place from permanently constructed blinds i.e. ground blinds, tree blinds and temporary pop-up blinds on game trails. Animals have to be within 20 m -30 m from waterholes and salt lick stations, relaxed and unaware of the hunter. Normally only "side-on" shots are taken.

SPOT AND STALKING:

his method is preferred during the green season months, February until May as sufficient cover exists and the green bush is softer on the foot and reduces noise while stalking.
Spot and stalk hunting is also used for the "more difficult" game species or those that do not frequent waterholes
Due to the difficulty of achieving the above criteria, bow-hunting in Namibia is technically a highly selective sport and requires above normal self-discipline and physical fitness. Surrounding game species are disturbed very little and are often not even aware of the hunt that is taking place.

ARROWS:
Arrows can be made out of:
 - Wood, fiberglass, carbon or carbon compounds and aluminum
 
BROADHEADS:
Broadheads must:
 - Consist of at least two fixed cutting blades
 - A minimum cutting edge length and width of 1 inch (26 mm+).
 
PLAINS GAME:
Namibia offers a large variety of plains game species for trophy hunting. These include the following with the minimum Bow energy restrictions:
 
Small game
Rock-rabbit (hyrax), Rabbits, Porcupine, African Wildcat, Caracal, Black-backed Jackal, Damara Dik-Dik, Steenbok, Duiker, Klipspringer, Springbok, Lechwe, Blesbok, Bontebok, Bushbuck and huntable game birds.
Energy less than 33.9 joules (25ft/lbs)
Weight less than 22.68 gram (350 grain)
 
Medium game
Chakma Baboon, Warthog, Black-face and Southern Impala, Nyala, Spotted Hyena and Cheetah
Energy less than 54.24 joules (40 ft/lbs)
Weight less than 25.92 grams (400 grain)
 
Large game
Gemsbok/ Oryx, Kudu, Red Hartebeest, Roan antelope, Sable antelope, Tsessebe, Waterbuck, Blue and Black Wildebeest, Hartmann's Mountain Zebra and Burchell's plains Zebra, Cape Eland and Giraffe.
Energy less than 88.13 joules (65 ft/lbs)
Weight less than 29.16 gram (450 grain)
 
DANGEROUS GAME:
The following Dangerous Game species CANNOT be hunted in Namibia with the Bow: Elephant, Hippopotamus, Crocodile, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard
Energy less than 100 joules (75 to 80 ft/lbs)
Weight less than (600 grain)
Brodhead less than (300 grain)
 
BOW HUNTING SAFARI EQUIPMENTI recommend bringing one well tuned bow of draw weight not less than 55lbs to 70lbs. You will be hunting all African plains game. Also bring extra strings and cables and if you can a small bow press. A good supply of arrows and others spares that will help you. A range finder is a valuable tool for to range distance to your unfamiliar environment, also a binocular. Camouflage clothes will be accepted and a combination of colors depends on the environment. Lightweight boots will be good for spot and stalk. Brodheads with two or three fixed blades and mechanical should be very sharpen.