Lessons from an African Bowhunter

Softcover, 95 pages.

This book is a basic guide to bowhunting certain groups of Southern African animals, with special focus on some of the toughest species to get. It has advice on equipment, tactics, and a few stories and personal experiences. But even after reading the book, please make sure you clarify things with your outfitter. Be careful when you plan your safari over here. It is imperative you speak with your guide and know what is expected of you and what you expect of him to make your hunt a great one. This is the first important step in setting up a great hunt.

I have met some awesome people along my hunting trails and, though still young I have had a blessed, wonderful, and fun life. I hope to share some of my experiences and knowledge with you, the reader, hopefully to give you some pleasure and, if you are coming out here to Africa - a few good tips to make your hunting safari one of a lifetime. So many folks find that after their first trip to Africa, if it was a success, they get “The Bug”: Once Africa is in your veins, you just have to return again, and again and again. —Strang Middleton

From the Introduction:

"My bush days started when I was still in diapers, going on trips with my dad and grandfather doing anti-poaching in the Kafiie National Park of Zambia, and hunting the surrounding concession areas. I still have a picture somewhere of me sitting on a buffalo's boss, being held by my grandfather, on my first buffalo hunt! My early introduction to hunting and wildlife management has proved invaluable to me. In turn, I have started my son Josh, at a young age too!

While growing up I was always trapping, hunting with a sling shot, fishing and living off the wild. I would spend the whole day hunting and gathering, and my folks would not see me from dawn till dusk. We (my African friends and me) would only hunt, trap or catch and eat species that were edible, from insects to birds to snakes and even field mice... not to mention any other small mammal we came across. And imagine my mothers horror when at the age of six I manufactured a muzzle loader. One that worked I might add! After the first shot, she came flying out of the house and gave me the hiding I fully deserved, in the clearing powder smoke! I had learnt this trick from a poacher my father had caught some years back and turned into an honest man working on our tobacco farm and game ranch.

Before I continue, I would like to be very clear on something I feel strongly about. When bowhunting for any dangerous game animal - be 100% sure that your PH is a seasoned bowhunting guide. He should know when a shot is good, when a shot is bad, and when a shot is partial and will allow a second arrow. Bear in mind that you are hunting an animal that can and will kill people, especially when it is wounded. Many bowhunters will put pressure on a PH and tell him that if he shoots their animal with a gun, they will not pay for the trophy. This is bullshit! As a client, you employ a PH to do a job. Part of that job is to ensure that when a client screws up - whether it be a bad shot, bad equipment, or circumstance - he is obliged to deal with that situation so as not to endanger his group or other hunters after them. I was nearly killed once by a surprise attack from a huge buffalo bull in an area where someone had stuck an arrow in his guts and not managed to destroy him. It was swept under the carpet. But when I came past that carpet, I had to kill him at eight paces in full charge!

It is not fair or right for a client to expect a PH not to back him up, as it puts a lot of innocent people in real danger because of his screw-up. Please folks as a bowhunter, you must trust your PH and ask him to back you if the shot is bad and a second shot is unlikely - he must be the judge of this.

We are bowhunters, we are proud of this, and this is why we hunt this way because it is closer to nature, and it gives our quarry a fairer chance. Be fair to those animals and, more importantly, be fair to fellow bowhunters by not leaving a bad name in the woods."

Strang Middleton is a seasoned bowhunter with 30 years of experience in the field as a PH. Clients are welcome to hunt dangerous game and antelope with bow or rifle under his guidance. Strang hunts in some of the best safari areas in Zambia with great success on lion, leopard, elephant, hippo, crocodile and buffalo, these being his main focus.