Earlier this year a few friends and colleagues decided to attend the advanced bowhunters course to qualify ourselves to hunt the Dangerous Six with bow and arrow, as well as to accompany clients to do so.

Our course was conducted on the farm of Danie van Jaarsveld in the Thabazimbi district. We were fortunate enough to be under the guidance of Oom Jan du Toit, father of professional hunting schools and the director of TOMAK Professional Hunting School.

Under the authority of Nature Conservation, Oom Jan has undertaken many tests at the time when bowhunting was legalized in South Africa and he wrote most of the legislation regarding bowhunting.

While busy with the lectures during the first afternoon, we were interrupted by Soly, one of Dane's trackers. He said he saw two blue wildebeest bulls fighting and one was seriously injured. Keen to tear  ourselves away from the course's theoretical side, we twisted Oom Jan's arm to investigate this incidence. In seconds we were all aboard Dane's bakkie and on our way to the scene of the fight. As we were driving down the dirt road, I noticed that somehow my bow, arrow and release had jumped on the truck as well.

We soon found the bull close to the road. His flank was stained with blood. With so many expert opinions available, it was quickly agreed that the injury was fatal. But he was not dead yet.

"Pity I did not bring my rifle," Danie said. "Not to worry," I chipped in. "I will do the job for you!" 

Danie gave me the go-ahead. As I grabbed my bow, I suddenly realizing what I have let myself in for. There I was, facing a wounded blue wildebeest bull with the world's most knowledgeable bowhunting expert and a bunch of know-all PH's as an audience. The pressure was on and I certainly did not want to fail my course!

The bull stood in a very dense blouhaak (acacia erubescens) trees. He began to walk away as I got off the truck. I kicked off my shoes and headed for a clearing that led into the bush. I swiftly made my way into the clearing. The bull was about 15 yards to my left and almost completely obscured by the trees. 

He suddenly changed direction and started to cross directly in front of me. I drew my bow and waited. As he entered the tunnel, I whistled softly. 

He stopped instantly and stared at me. I wonder how many things flashed through my mind at that stage. I ranged the animal at 20 yards and slightly quarter-facing me. Not the best shot, I know, but for the purpose of our meeting it had to do. 

The release was smooth and the arrow entered just above the right front leg. What followed I did not expect. 

The bull leapt forward and immediately charged me. I didn't stand around to chat and headed back as fast as I could -- general direction: the truck!

I could hear the branches breaking behind me at an alarming rate - and getting closer. I scurried in behind a large bouhaak thorn and froze. 

The bull stopped, turned around and went down ten yards from where I stood hiding behind the tree. On hindsight, I think the Africamo I was wearing helped me out, since the design is based on pictures of the bouhaak.

Only then did I start to notice the laughter from the experts on the back of the truck. They witnessed everything and had much to say that evening around the campfire -- getting wiser and wittier as the coffee got sweeter.

As I lay on my bed that night, I recollected all that happened. I had proof why the blue wildebeest is called "the poor man's buffalo". I also regained my respect for all wild creatures and promised myself once again never to underestimate any wild animal.

The bow I used was a Mathews Ultramax set at 70 lbs and drawlenght at 29 inches. I used a 30 inch Carbon Express 400 arrow with a 100 grain Muzzy broadhead. The arrow disappeared completely into the shoulder of the blue wildebeest.

For more African bowhunting adventures: www.africanbowhunter.com

Reprinted from AFRICA'S BOWHUNTER Magazine