Giraffe Bow Hunt.

24 October 2009.

Regular client and friend Johnathan Bowden joined us on a Lowlands Hunting Safaris first, a Giraffe bow hunt! With great excitement and a little trepidation. Johnathan was very well prepared and we had done all our home work. Shot placement and Jonnys bow equipment had been carefully scruitinized and adapted for this safari.

Jonny was shooting a 83 pound Bowtech Tribute with Easton arrows and German Kinetic broadheads. An ideal kit for Giraffe hunting.

Our first day in the bush arrived and it was spent stalking and approaching the animals, feeling them out and teaching ourselves how to bow hunt one of these giant beasts. A task we soon realised was to be alot harder than previously anticipated. These animals seemed to soon realise they were the target of our hunt and to get into range for a clean shot became more and more difficult.

So the first day drew to a close with out success but we had learnt a great deal and our confidence was up for day two.

Being late in the year, we had to carefull as summer heat was a problem. These animals have sensitive skins and skinning in the bush in the heat can lead to hairslip. However ever precaution was to be taken in this regard.

Day two dawned and at 4am we  were on the road to Mtontwane Game Ranch the concession of choice for Giraffe hunting. We arrived and began scouting for Giraffe. It was not to long and we located a good bull in a thicket, ideally set up for a bow hunt! The excitement was fairly clear for all to see.

We bagan the stalk and covered some dead ground down a river bed. Slowly and quitely as these animals have brilliant hearing and eye sight. We came out the river bed the first time and could not locate the animal. We back down and moved slightly further down the river bed and came back up through the thicket riverrine bush. I paused and lissenened and looked. There he was just his horn tips visible. He was close and sensed us. With a low growl he began to move off. We rushed up on him and emediately saw he was perfectly set up. I readied Jonny on his knees and he came to full draw!! Fever pitch!! I ranged the animal he was 25m. Perfect. However Jonny was not perfect, the buck fever had taken over and the bow was visable shacking!!! He let down! Unable to make the shot.

The Giraffe began to move again and we were in hot pursuit. He had seen us but could not recognise the threat due to our leaf suits. We closed in with Jonny infront of me. Again he stood. We set up I called the range. 35M 35M 35M. Jonny drew and the arrow seemed to float in slow motion towards the Giraffe. It hit perfect!!! Money shot!! Penetration not brilliant but enough. 22inches.

We erupted in excitement and uforia!!

Well Jonny had achieved a brilliant bow hunt. The Giraffe ran a couple hundred meteres and colapsed. It was absolutely perfect!

This is a lesson in what effect good preperation and planning has on the succesful outcome of the hunt.

Well done Jonny a job well done!!