In the Tabs below You will find knowledgeable documents to read
- Lion Hunting in South Africa
- AFRICAN FIREARM HUNTING REGULATIONS
- AFRICAN BOW HUNTING EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS
Lion Hunting in South Africa
Hunters who pursue the mighty lion in South Africa are in for a once in a lifetime experience.
The African lion may not live up to his erroneous reputation as ‘King of the Jungle’, but he is without question the King of all African predators! While in many circles, the buffalo is considered the most dangerous of African game, the lion is probably the best known, most respected, and feared member of the Big Five. He is the largest of the African cats, weighing in at between 400 and 500 pounds. He stands nearly 4 feet at the shoulder and measures about 10 feet from muzzle to tail.
The lioness is somewhat smaller in stature, but what she lacks in size she makes up for in ‘mean’. The lioness is often much more aggressive than the male of the specie, and she does most of the hunting. Both the lion and lioness can make for extremely exciting hunts. This member of the Big Five deserves your utmost respect. He is extremely nimble and fast, able to cover 100 yards in 3 to 4 seconds.
As with all dangerous game hunts, shot placement is important when hunting lion. A good quality soft (Swift A-Frame or Barnes) in a .300 caliber will readily kill both a lion and a leopard. They are not thick skinned and are susceptible to hydro-static shock, sometimes dying immediately with a well-placed bullet. They are extremely dangerous when wounded so make sure your first shot counts. Most places require a .375 minimum for all dangerous game; the bigger the better.
We hunt our lions on 7157 hectares (17685 acres) with no internal fences. The lodge is situated in the middle of the 7157 hectares. You can start hunting the moment you leave the lodge in the mornings. In addition to the lions, we have a lot of plains game available. We hunt the lions by Track and Stalk method. Once you find tracks, you will investigate the tracks to determine if they are fresh tracks. Your Professional hunter will then have a brief discussion with you and the rest of the hunting party.
You will approach slowly and circle around the lion until you have the wind in your favor and the sun from behind. Get closer to about 25-30 yards from the lion and position yourself on a clear shot. Your Professional hunter will put up the shooting sticks and instruct you to take aim and wait. As soon as you, your PH and the your back up shot are ready and everyone’s sights are locked on the lion, the PH will tell you to relax, take a deep breath and shoot when ready. Remember shot placement is everything at this point. Adrenalin will be pumping as never before and it is now up to you to lock your scope onto the lion and pull the trigger.
Regardless of where you hit the lion, immediately reload, fire another shot and reload again. The PH and backup shooter will shoot the lion in the event of a dangerous situation should the lion attack. Once you have the lion down, your body will be shaking from excitement and adrenalin! Your dream of hunting a lion in Africa will finally become a reality! We trust that your lion hunt with us will be one of the best hunting experiences of your life!
Please note! Prior to the hunt it will be made clear that regardless of who shoots the lion in an attack, it will be considered your trophy lion.
Each male lion’s price is determined by the quality of its mane. The older lions with full dark mane are more expensive than the ones with sparse or blonde mane. The older the lion is the more mane will grow behind the shoulders.
AFRICAN FIREARM HUNTING REGULATIONS
FIREARM HUNTING IN NAMIBIA
You will first go through immigration where you will need a letter of invitation from the outfitter. Then you will proceed to baggage claim to get your luggage and then on to the police booth to obtain your firearms permit. You cannot fill out the form in advance! You must fill out the permit application in front of the police officer. There is no charge for the permit.
You will need your CBC Form 4457 as proof of ownership. You will also need your Passport, the address where the hunt will take place in Namibia, your return airline ticket with flight number and date, and your firearm details including caliber, serial number and type and quantity of ammunition.
A maximum of two firearms and 60 rounds of ammunition for each rifle are allowed to be temporarily imported. No handguns or semi-automatic rifles are allowed. Black powder rifles may be imported, but it is illegal to import black powder or caps. These items are available from dealers in Namibia.
FIREARM HUNTING IN SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa requires you to obtain a permit to temporarily import your firearms into South Africa. First of all, you must have CSB Form 4457 signed and sealed listing the correct serial numbers of your firearms.
Then, you will need a copy of the eight-page SAPS 520 form filled out in black ink and with block letters only! Do not sign this form! It must be signed in their presence!
You will need a copy of your passport
You will need your return plane tickets to your country of origin
You need a letter of invitation from the outfitter. It should list the address you can be reached at (Immigration asks for this) This letter should state where the hunt will take place, the caliber of weapon needed for the hunt and a statement that the weapon will only be used for hunting purposes. It should state the period of the hunt and what type of hunt it will be – Big Game, plains game, bird hunting, etc.
If you have all of these items, your wait should be minimal and you will be on your way shortly. (Keep in mind that in peak season, the planes are full of hunters and you may incur a substantial wait, as other flights may be arriving simultaneously)
FIREARM HUNTING IN ZIMBABWE
Most safaris in Zimbabwe start from either the airport at Harare, Bulawayo or Victoria Falls. Visas and gun permits are issued at your arrival airport. The main complicating factors will be transiting through other countries en route to Zimbabwe. If transiting through South Africa, it is best to remain in transit prior to boarding a plane for Zimbabwe. If you must stay overnight in South Africa, then you will need to comply with South Africa’s Firearm importation procedures. The best routes through Europe to minimize your firearm hassles are with KLM through Amsterdam or with Swissair through Zurich. Both of these airlines fly to Johannesburg, where you can catch a flight to your destination in Zimbabwe.
Upon Arriving in Zimbabwe, you will first purchase an Entry Visa Stamp for $20 US. Then you get your passport stamped. You will collect your luggage and then fill out your firearms permit. You will need your firearm serial numbers for this, so keep them handy. They may look over your firearms and ammunition, but you should be on your way shortly. When leaving, you will be charged a $20 exit fee, but this is normally included in the airfare ticket costs.
Firearms Regulations
Smallest caliber 7mm Minimum energy (muzzle velocity): 1350 Joule for springbok, duiker etc. 2700 Joule for hartebeest, wildebeest, kudu, gemsbok, eland etc. 5400 Joule for buffalo, elephant, rhino etc.
Hunting Firearms & Ammunition
We would like to encourage you to read Craig Boddingtons’ Safari Rifles 2, as it gives valuable background information especially for first time hunters to Africa on caliber and ammunition suitable for all types of African game.
Make sure you are fit as this will enhance your shooting ability. Secondly, make sure you are familiar with your rifle and the ballistics for the particular ammunition you are about to use. Use one type of ammunition for the game intended to shoot. (Do not mix your ammunition) Practice as much as possible i.e., shooting from different positions, but most importantly offhand shooting and the proper use of shooting sticks.
One rifle for Plain’s game and Leopard: Any of the .300’s, 8mm, .325 WSM, .338’s and .375’s.
One rifle for Dangerous thick-skinned game: Minimum caliber allowed in Namibia; any of the .375’s, then any of the .416’s, .450’s, .458’s, 460 and .470’s.
Recommended bullets for Plain’s game and Leopard: Barnes X/TS, Swift A-Frame, Woodleigh and Trophy Bonded Bear Claw. (Rapid expanding bullets for cats are recommended)
Recommended bullets for Dangerous thick-skinned Game: Barnes Banded Solids and Woodleigh Solids
Best times to hunt:
The best times to hunt are during the dark moon face as animals tend to move a lot more during the day to feed in comparison with the full moon face when they feed at night and rest up during the day.
The best time for elephant and buffalo hunts is normally during the drier months i.e., July through to November. Best times to hunt for crocodile is during the African winter months i.e., July and August when the water is cold and these reptiles tend to sunbath more frequently and for longer periods on the sandbanks.
The best months for hunting are from end April through to beginning of October for Plains game.
AFRICAN BOW HUNTING EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS
Two of the most popular bowhunting destinations are Namibia and South Africa. Concessions in Namibia must be approved by the government as bowhunting concessions, and the Professional Hunter (PH) must also be licensed to lead bow hunts! Namibia does not allow dangerous game to be hunted with a bow.
South Africa allows the use of crossbows and no special license is required to guide bowhunters for African animals. South Africa also allows dangerous game to be hunted with a bow and also with a crossbow. Several concessions in South Africa are limited to bowhunting only, and by limiting hunting to bowhunting, the animals are less alert and more adapt to come into waterholes without being on high alert!
Zimbabwe requires that a $1500 permit be purchased in order to be able to hunt dangerous game with a bow. Currently, a video of the hunt is also being required if a bow is used, so budgeting for a video camera operator is also necessary when planning a dangerous game bowhunting safari in Africa.
BOW HUNTING IN NAMIBIA
The following minimum restrictions are in place in Namibia:
Small Game such as Bushbuck, Duiker, Klipspringer etc: 25# KE and 350 gr arrows min.
Medium Game such as Baboon, Cheetah, Warthog, Nyala: 40# KE and 400 gr arrows min.
Large Game such as Kudu, Zebra, Eland, Gemsbok, Wildebeest: 65# KE and 450 gr arrows min.
The concession you are hunting on must be certified as a bowhunting concession and your PH must be licensed as a Bowhunting PH.
No Dangerous Game May be taken by bowhunting in Namibia!
Crossbows are not legal in Namibia!
BOW HUNTING IN SOUTH AFRICA
The following Minimum Equipment restrictions are in place in South Africa:
Small Game such as Bushbuck, Duiker, Klipspringer etc: 25# KE and 350 gr arrows min.
Medium Game such as Bushpig, Kudu, Warthog, Nyala: 40# KE and 400 gr arrows
Large Game such as Zebra, Eland, Gemsbok, Wildebeest: 60# KE and 450 gr arrows
Buffalo and Giraffe: 80# KE and 700 gr arrows
Crossbows are legal in South Africa
BOW HUNTING IN ZIMBABWE
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ZIMBABWE IS NOW CHARGING A $1,500 PERMIT FEE TO HUNT DANGEROUS GAME WITH A BOW IN ZIMBABWE!
Class D Game such as Warthog, Impala, Bushpig, Sitatunga: 56# and 468 gr min.
Class C Game such as Kudu, Crocodile, Zebra, Gemsbok: 71# and 624 gr min.
Class B Game such as Lion, Giraffe, Eland: 77# and 702 gr min.
Class A Game such as Elephant, Buffalo, Hippo: By special permit only!
If allowed, Cape Buffalo requires an 80# bow and 700 gr arrow
Cheetah Hunting in Namibia
We have a high Cheetah population and excellent trophy quality. Cheetah hunting is challenging because a Cheetah’s territory is vast and they are constantly on the move. A Cheetah only eats freshly killed meat so they don’t respond to baiting as is commonly done for Leopard or Lion. However, if you happen to come across a freshly killed antelope killed by Cheetahs, the chances of the Cheetahs coming back to eat their kill is very high, even if they have seen or smelled you. This is a very fortunate encounter situation and a well-placed simple makeshift hide should be quickly put together on the spot for an opportunity to see them return to their kill within a pretty short period of time. Suffice it to say that Cheetah hunts are mostly done on an encounter basis, it does take a bit of luck to encounter them. Some tracking can also be conducted although the Cheetah is a particularly challenging animal to track for a variety of reasons. Hunting can also be done from a blind at a waterhole or known areas frequented by Cheetah’s territory such as particular plains, play trees and scat rocks which can tremendously increase the chance of a successful Cheetah hunt.
There is no particular time of the year that is necessarily considered better to hunt a Cheetah as Cheetahs are present throughout the year since their territories are often located in areas where there is a rich supply of wild game and water. A Cheetah hunt in combination with plains game hunting requires a minimum of 6 full hunting days (7 nights in camp). Hunting Cheetah with a bow is legal in Namibia, although it is very difficult to do as it requires both skill and lots of luck. Hunting at night in Namibia is prohibited however since Cheetahs are diurnal, more active during the day than night, it is the perfect situation to hunt one. In warm weather, they move around mostly during the early morning and late in the afternoon when the temperatures are cooler; however, one can truly be encountered at any time during the day. A Cheetah’s Day is dedicated to hunting and trying to stay cool when it gets very hot.
Should the opportunity at a mature Cheetah present itself, one will usually have a very small window of opportunity to take the shot, as they do not normally stick around for long. The interaction can be so brief that it may be difficult to discuss much with your PH at that time, so the discussion of certain potential circumstances should be sorted out beforehand to avoid any missed opportunities or confusion. The client must be prepared and ready to shoot to seize the opportunity when it presents itself. Both male and female Cheetah are hunted in Namibia, the male is usually slightly larger than the female, but there are no major differences in appearance between the male and female cheetah. It is very difficult to differentiate between the two and aside from being able to see the testicles of a male Cheetah there is no reliable method of judgment. Even if time allows, not seeing the testicles does not necessarily mean that it is a female as their broad and heavy tail very often conceals their testicles. Shooting distances will vary greatly depending upon the environment but a 300 yard (300 meter) shot on an open plain should not be out of the question should one be comfortable with it. Cheetahs are not very hardy animals so a caliber for plains game such as a 7 mm (.284) caliber along with a good bullet should do just fine.
Cheetah Hunting Permits and Rules
Although it is legal to hunt a Cheetah in Namibia, the United States, as well as some other countries, do not permit the importation of a Cheetah hunting trophy. Canada, many countries in South America, Mexico and most countries in Europe, such as Spain, France and Russia will permit the importation of a Cheetah trophy. An application for a predator trophy hunting permit must be submitted to the Permit Office of the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) 14 days before the hunt commences. A copy of the passport of the trophy hunter must be attached to the application for a predator trophy hunting permit. Predator trophy hunting may not take place during the period between 30 minutes after sunset on any day and 30 minutes before sunrise the following day and artificial light is prohibited. Only free roaming, self-sustaining and adult predators may be hunted as trophies with a minimum skull measurement of 27 cm for a Cheetah. Hunting Cheetahs with dogs is prohibited in Namibia.
Dangerous Game Hunting
Hunting rifle calibers for hunting dangerous game as buffalo, elephant and hippo starting with .375 H&H in general. Even if the .375l is named a dangerous game round, it is considered to be the minimum caliber in most African countries by law. Other big bore rifle which we would like to recommend within the legal requirements are for example: .416 Rem Mag, .416 Rigby, .425 WR, .458 WM, .458 Lott, .450 Rigby, .450 NE, .470 NE, .500 Jefferey, .500 NE. All of these named calibers are much more suited to dangerous game hunting. These calibers are having slightly to more heavy recoil than the .375. It is a matter of training to get used to the recoil of dangerous game rifles. We strongly recommend visiting a shooting range frequently with your African big bore rifle and fire a sufficient number of rounds. Do not shoot from bench only but get used to the more practical shooting positions like from shooting sticks and even off-hand. Shooting from a bench or stable rest is mainly not possible in the bush. Also take in consideration that shooting from vehicles is not allowed.
For bullets we recommend using designs specially made for dangerous game. Some situations will need the use of solids where others need soft nose types of ammunition. Most companies with high reputation in the dangerous game field will provide bullets in both specifications. Important is the same point of impact for both bullet types. Well designed bullets are available from Hornady, Barnes, Nosler, Swift, Trophy bonded, Woodleigh and some more left unnamed now. Stay away from experiments with unknown brands. Do not expect your trophy animal to go down with the first shot. Follow up shots may be necessary and should be a part of training at the shooting range.
Bear in mind that dangerous game animals like Lion, Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, Crocodile and Hippo are far from being defenceless. All these animals can kill you with ease. And always keep in mind an African saying: It`s the dead ones that will kill you.
Leopard Hunting in Namibia
For the trophy hunter who has been seeking this exclusive member of the Big Five. We begin baiting and setting up hides in key locations a couple weeks before your arrival in order to stimulate the Leopard activity and increase your chances of taking your Leopard.
By the time you arrive for your Leopard hunt, there will usually be good Leopard activity at the baits. We try to maintain the cat(s) on the bait, sometimes if baiting is done for too long a leopard may lose interest for some time, only to come back later. We observe and gauge all aspects prior to the hunt to keep the Leopard’s interest going to maximize success and trophy quality.
The better months for Leopard hunting are April through November, although Leopards are present and can be hunted throughout the hunting season. The minimum of 12 hunting days (13 nights in camp) required. Our clients also enjoy combining their Leopard hunt with plains game hunting which is not always possible with other Leopard hunting safari outfitters.
Leopard Hunting Permits and Rules
The United States, as well as some other countries, require a CITES permit for the importation of a Leopard hunting trophy, which ideally should be applied for before the Leopard hunt takes place.
An application for a predator trophy hunting permit must be submitted to the Permit Office of the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) 14 days before the hunt commences. A copy of the passport of the trophy hunter must be attached to the application for a predator trophy hunting permit. Namibia does not allow bowhunting Leopard as dangerous game species cannot be hunted in Namibia by bow.
Predator trophy hunting may not take place during the period between 30 minutes after sunset in any day and 30 minutes before sunrise the following day and artificial light is prohibited. Only free roaming, self-sustaining and adult predators may be hunted as trophies with a minimum skull measurement of 32cm for a Leopard. A female Leopard may not be hunted as a trophy. A predator may be stalked, tracked or ambushed, but dogs or horses may not be used to hunt it. A Leopard may be baited, but a live animal may not be used as bait.
Discounted or Wait List for our Leopard Hunts
From time to time, we offer exceptional discounted Leopard hunts on cancellation hunts or unfulfilled Leopard tags later in the season. Should you be interested to be on our discounted or wait list for our Leopard hunts, send an email to at info@artemisjagd.com When a Leopard hunt becomes available, we will send out an email notifying all of the hunters who have joined the list and it will go to the first person who books the hunt.
WINGSHOOTING – NAMIBIA
Namibia is home to some of the world’s finest sporting birds
Namibia has 20 different huntable game birds, some of the most popular to hunt are Burchell’s Sandgrouse, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Red Billed Spurfowl, Helmeted Guinea fowl, Rock Pigeon, Cape Turtle Dove, and Mourning Dove.
Doves and sandgrouse are hunted and ambushed over waterholes. Helmeted Guinea fowl, the most widespread upland game bird and Francolin is hunted by walked-up, flushing them in the dry river beds and open grassland areas.
Quail the smallest of the game birds are nomadic and migratory, a driven hunt flushing them in open grassland areas, quail inhabit the same terrain as Guinea fowl and Francolin – their numbers largely depend on the Namibian rain season!
However, only two birds of each species may be hunted. During the official hunting season for game birds, which depends on the game bird species, more than two can be hunted.