African Bowhunt With Tony Dukes
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Hunt Info | Hunt Equipment

DAY ONE:  Wildebeest, Impala, Duiker, Monkeys & Steenbok

The African morning greeted me with an overwhelming clarity and crispness. I was surprised to be shaking off a chill from the open air ride in the Land Rover as I settled into our "hide" (the African name for a blind) with my professional hunter Riaan Ras. I checked my draw through the shooting window and organized camera and stuff as the sun started to cast it's first shadows.

First visitors to the water hole were birds.  The first blue, iridescent blue starling with electric gold eyes followed by a gray lorie, called "go away bird" by the African hunters as it will loudly broadcast a hunter's presence when aware of such.  They look like a long tailed parrot.  Hornbills decorated the grey thorn brush with color and sounds assuring me I was in Africa.

8:30  A female warthog and her young skirt the water hole as if they were late for something. These are funny creatures to observe. I'm thinking I should have worn warner clothes, I will tomorrow for sure.

9:30 A steenbok, a dainty, deer looking little antelope, with diminutive horns crossed a clearing on the far side of the water. This is one of the animals I'd assumed I wouldn't consider taking. After witnessed this craft little antelope, my thoughts had changed, this too would be a neat trophy, due the same respect of his larger cousins.

10:30 Something familiar, I notice a flick of an ear, and a glimpse of brown. I feel like I'm whitettail hunting now. Ten minutes later revealed two impressive looking Impala bucks, followed by another twenty does, fawns, and smaller bucks. Riaan points out the one buck is exceptional. He is leading the herd into water in a most confident manner. I take a photo and reach for my bow. (Impala photo.) 

The impala snort and explode in a dead run! I thought, "they can't be this wary!" I was a little relieved to see that a herd of Wildebeest on their way to water had be the source of their unexpected departure,  Riaan assured me the impala will return since they were unable to water. I told him I could wait and that my main interest was a kudu. There were two pretty nice wildebeest bulls in the group. I watched as they noisily watered. 

Lesson #1. When in Africa and a good trophy appears that is when you shoot him! This would be seared into my conscious as my hunt progressed.

10:45 Three warthogs make their comical approach to the water. Game movement seems to be picking up as the sun heats of the parched South  African countryside. It is winter here and the peak of their seasonal drought, making water holes the optimal place to hunt as well as a view through leafless brush that would soon be gone with the first rain of summer.  A view that allowed me to see the impala buck making his way back to the enticing water. 

This time the largest buck, again in the lead stops on a rise and begins to rake the small bushes with his horns just as a whitetail buck does. He enjoys this ritual for over ten minutes not allowing the herd to drink. Finally he raises his head and proudly strolls toward the water, leading thirty nine impala behind him. There is one small area that is over thirty yards, and this is bowhunting so that is where he goes. I look at Riann with slight disgust. He informs me the impala will not come closer and that I will most likely not see another buck that good my entire trip. 

He asked "can you hit him from here?" 

I told him I thought I could but I hadn't planned on shooting any animals that far. As I've matured in my bowhunting I don't take many long shots any more although I've managed some dandies in the past at a longer distance.  Today it just doesn't seem like the thing to do, regardless of my confidence. Never say never, I thought as Riaan said shoot him! Once again I heard the slightly british accent echo in my ear, "SHOOT!" 

With that the arrow was silently on it's way as Riaan videod.  "Crack!" The herd disappeared in an alarming rate except for the buck, he was dead in his tracks.  The proud, regal buck lay glistening on a carpet of red dust, the shot was a measured 52 yards, with a significant wind, the magnus stinger had cut completely through the spine like a hot knife through butter, my first African animal was on the ground! I was speechless and those of you that have met me that is something equally incredible to behold!

Tony Dukes with his first African game, an impressive Impala buck.

My guide looked shocked, as he had not heard the bow, neither had the impala. I would quickly come to realize the value of a quiet shooting bow, gone now would be the days of animals jumping the string to the sound of a launched arrow.

The first day's hunt was a myriad of activity. Wildebeest, impala, duiker, monkeys, steenbok, laced with constant warthogs made up the rest of the day as the temperature rose to a blistering 85 degrees back to 40 at the red sunset. My first day in Africa. I'd seen over 200 critters, heard a leopard, and taken a 24 inch impala. I was astounded. Sleep did not come easy as the excitement of the next day ran through my mind, canceling out the wear of the long  flight from Atlanta.

NEXT: Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Hunt Info | Hunt Equipment

Sponsors For The 2003 African Bowhunt
A note of appreciation to the sponsors that backed me on my first African bowhunt. (TonyDukes): 
Alpine Archery (bow), Magnus Broadheads (broadheads), Sims Vibration Laboratory (limb savers), Pro Release (release aid), Eze-Eye (arrow wraps), Montana Black Gold (bow sight), Bododle (arrow rests), LaCross Boots (rubber boots), Nikon (binoculars), Robinson Outdoors (Scent Shield) , Game Tracker (arrows) and Freddie Bear Sports (Sticks N' Limbs camouflage), and Bowhunting.net.