Wednesday, November 4, 2009

South Africa Hunting – the Most Alluring Prospect for Hunters Worldwide

When new and seasoned hunters from various parts of the world come across the opportunity for South Africa hunting, they waste no time in cashing in on that chance. South Africa which is considered megadiverse for its wide variety of plants and animals has been heaven for both professional and amateur hunters. You’ll find everything in this rainbow nation: predators like lions, leopards and hyenas, plain animals like Cape buffalo, gemsbuck and kudu along with a large number of birds and snakes. When you talk about South Africa hunting, it generally points to Big Five or Plains Game hunting. The Big Five includes the lion, the African elephant, the Cape buffalo, the leopard and the rhinoceros.

Now, we’ll look at the factors that contribute immensely in making South Africa the most popular hunting destination in the world.

South Africa has the required infrastructure for a great hunting experience in the form of 7 million hectares of National and Provincial Parks, animal reserves and ranches. All these areas produce a huge resource base of wild animals for uniform distribution throughout the country.

South Africa hunting is all about great deal of professionalism shown through the successful management of the conservation authorities. There is also the Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa that makes South Africa hunting a memorable and safe experience. Sound regulations are in place too for controlling the professional hunting industry.

When you seek variety of animals for hunting, South Africa is second to none in this world. It has a wide range of huntable trophy animals for both novice and veteran hunters. Each animal carries a specific price tag depending upon the difficulty to hunt them down.

There are many South Africa hunting service providers that offer hunts all around the Southern Region of Africa. The specialty about their service is they take individual requirements and experience into account. In order to ensure safeness during your hunting expedition, all safaris are guided by experienced professional hunters. An unforgettable South Africa hunting is in the offing with a wealth of other activities to complement it.

Source: Article Base
Africa Hunting Safaris

Posted by russelsprt at 09:32:15 | Permalink | No Comments »

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Which Animal is the Most Challenging to Hunt?

There are many animals that present great challenges to the skills of hunters. Among those animals in the United States that are most often described as extremely difficult to hunt are such elusive prey as the bull elk and trophy deer. Those who live in places where they can hunt mountain lions will almost always explain how hard those are to shoot, because they are nearly impossible to even find in the first place. But what all of the various hard to hunt prey have in common, as you may have already figured out if you are an experienced hunter, is that they are tough to track and locate.

You cannot shoot what you cannot see or find, so generally speaking the hardest and most challenging animals to hunt are the ones that are rarely seen by humans. To get a bead on these animals it may be necessary to go out and spend many hours and days waiting and watching for them, which can strain the patience of all but the most determined and tenacious of professional hunters.

Any prey that tends to stay away from humans, has powerfully perceptive senses to detect hunters from a long distance away, and is endowed with natural camouflage will be extremely challenging to hunt. In order to chase them down it may be necessary to enter into dangerous situations or hike deep into the wild - while hauling along sufficient camping gear and hunting equipment.

In Africa, for example, where the vast wild regions of the continent offer the most exotic and diversified wildlife and where the safari hunting expeditions are world famous, one professional hunter was asked to name the top contenders for the status of “hardest animals to hunt.” Based on his years of hunting experience he put three types of prey that have one thing in common - they all inhabit the treacherously difficult rainforests of Africa. Just traipsing around in any rainforest can be a hardship, and to go into the rainforest during a wet season and try to track down animals while managing to camp, keep reasonably dry, eat, and survive is next to impossible for many people.

Amp-up the challenge by putting hunters into one of the most dense and wild rainforests in the world and you will automatically have a very strenuous hunting environment. The forest hog or boar grows to a frightening size in those kinds of wilds, and the African forest buffalo - another tricky animal to hunt - is both shy and clever.

Then again, even those animals that are relatively easy to find and track down may be the most difficult to hunt if the person doing the hunting creates extra hurdles to add to the sportsmanship and challenge. Take, for example, the hunting of a rabbit. Most hunters find them very easy to kill with a small caliber rifle like a .22, and they are usually even easier to drop with a basic shotgun. But try to approach within striking distance using only a bow and arrow, a slingshot, a blow gun, or a spear and suddenly the hunt gets much harder. It is easier to miss the target, and once you scare the prey away it is harder to catch it and kill it. For that reason many hunters will use a variety of weaponry - especially simpler and more old-fashioned types of weapons - to make the hunt more difficult, more fun, and even more exciting and satisfying.

Source: Article Base
Africa Hunting Safaris

Posted by russelsprt at 08:54:31 | Permalink | No Comments »

Thursday, August 6, 2009

How To Choose Your Hunting Rifle

Amateur hunters must give this subject a lot of thought because the hunting efficiency depends greatly on the used rifle. With other words, if hunters don’t own a suitable rifle for a particular type of hunting and to fit the hunting style, the results won’t show up very soon and in some cases, not at all.

The very first issue a future rifle owner must think about is the cartridge. Let’s take for example choosing a rifle for a deer hunt. Experts affirm that a 150 grain bullet is recommended for this type of hunting. To narrow the list, it is advisable to look for the most popular models, like the: .270 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .308 Winchester and others as well. What future rifle owners must know is that standard cartridges are uniquely named so the name of the cartridge indicates the dynamic and physical characteristics of the cartridge. Hunters mustn’t forget that in order to safely fire a cartridge, the rifle must accept that specific cartridge as it can’t fire other cartridges.

Next order of business, future rifle owners must think about the action. Basically, there are four types: bolt action, lever action, pump action and self-loading ( auto-loading / semi-automatic ) action. Single shot rifles come in the following types: break-open, rolling block, falling block, trapdoor and others as well. Of all of the above mentioned, the bolt action retriever has the simplest design which allows rifles to be loaded with more than just one single cartridge. It is also easier to maintain and is more reliable in comparison with other action types.

Stock materials are in most cases made out of wood ( laminated or not ), fiberglass or plastic. The rifles that have a wood stock material are generally made out of walnut due to the fact that it is sturdy; feels good in the hunter’s hands and it is also aesthetically pleasing. From all common stock materials, the laminated wood is the strongest and the most durable available but they are a little bit heavier than others. More and more popular among hunters are the synthetic materials basically because they are less expensive and less affected by moisture in comparison with the walnut stocks.

The barrel length varies from 18 to 26 inches but all lengths aren’t available on all models. When choosing the length, hunters must think about what the length implies: the stiffness of the barrel, the length, the weight and the bullet’s speed as it leaves the barrel’s end. If the barrel is longer it will so to say ” wiggle ” when the cartridge is fired which will have a huge impact on the accuracy. Shorter barrels are a little bit more accurate but for a hunting rifle the difference is basically insignificant. The disadvantage of a lighter gun is that the recoil is more powerful in comparison with the recoil on heavier rifles.

Most of the metal parts of a bolt action rifle are made of either carbon steel or stainless steel. Carbon steel has one major advantage and one major disadvantage. The major advantage would be that it is less expensive while the major disadvantage would be that it has the tendency to rust ( although carbon steel parts are in most cases treated in order to reduce the rusting risks ). Stainless steel parts resist very good to rust but are a little bit more expensive.

As you can see, there are many aspects a hunter must take into consideration before choosing the most suitable hunting rifle. One last thought, it is very important to think about the game you are about to hunt before choosing the rifle and also don’t exaggerate when buying, not too expensive but also not too cheap, somewhere in between.

Source: Ezine Articles
Africa Hunting Safaris

Posted by russelsprt at 13:24:24 | Permalink | No Comments »

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Namibia Tourist Information

Come lose yourself in a land as vast and big as the sky. A place where the mountains are made of sand and the plains stretch to an endless horizon.
Where the quiver tree speaks of the dawn of creation and the wild roams free from the intrusion of man. Come to NAMIBIA and find a land of never-ending discovery…!

  • CLIMATE

The best time to visit is during the cool, dry winter months of May to September. In summer, November to March, the landscape is verdant green, but expect high temperatures and heavy downpours.

Summers here are hot with daily highs of over 28° Celsius (82 ° F) between October and February; evenings are usually cooler. Winter days are milder, with maximum and minimum means of 20 ° C (69 ° F) and 6° C (43° F) in July, but early mornings and evenings are crisp with frost.

  • SIZE AND GEOGRAPHICAL SITUATION:

Namibia is situated in south-western Africa on the latitude of the tropic of Capricorn. In the north it borders on Angola, iMap of Namibian the east on Botswana, in the south on South Africa and in the west on the Atlantic Ocean. The Caprivi, in the far north-east of the country, extends as far east as Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Namibia has a surface area of 823 144 km². It is four times the size of Great Britain, more than twice the size of Germany, and larger than Texas.

  • TOPOGRAPHY

The country has many contrasting landscapes. Thorn-bush Savannah in the central highlands, dense bushveld, woodland Savannah’s and the endless plains of the Etosha Pan in the north, the majestic Fish River Canyon in the south, and finally the Namib, the world’s oldest living desert, in the west of the country, which borders on the Atlantic Ocean.

  • POPULATION:

According to a 1998 estimate, Namibia has a population of 1,8 million, with a population density of 1,7 people per square kilometer, and an annual population growth of 3,1%. The population is heterogeneous, with all eleven population-groups living together peacefully and giving the country a treasure house of diverse cultures.

The largest part of the population lives in rural areas. Windhoek, the capital, is the only city in the country with a population of approximately 250 000. Other bigger towns in the country are Keetmanshoop, Ondangwa, Oshakati, Otjiwarongo, Rehoboth, Rundu, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Tsumeb.

  • HIGH STANDARD OF ETHICS:

For the international hunting clientele, one of the main attractions of hunting in Namibia is the high standard of ethics maintained by the Namibian professional Hunting Association (NAPHA). All hunting resorts like Kowas Adventure Safaris, are under the strict supervision of the Directorate of Resource Management of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET).

  • HUNTING SEASON:

The hunting season for huntable game is restricted to the trophy-hunting season, February to November of each year.

  • ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

All visitors to Namibia must be in possession of a valid passport, and temporary residence permits for visitors are issued on arrival and allow tourists a period of 90 days in the country. Bona fide tourists and business travelers of the following countries are exempted from visa requirements: Angola, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Mozambique, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Tanzania, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zimbabwe. Visitors are, however, advised to confirm visa requirements with their travel agent.

  • RIFLE IMPORT PERMIT

Rifle hunters, who enter Namibia, must complete a temporary import permit for all rifle and/or ammunition in your possession. This permit could be faxed to you (in advance) in order to assist you and for your own convenience!

  • HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Vaccinations against smallpox, cholera and yellow fever are not required. However, visitors travelling from or through countries where yellow fever is endemic must be in possession of a valid International Certificate of Vaccination. This requirement does not apply to air travelers in transit. No AIDS screening test are conducted.

  • AIR TRAVEL

The Chief Hosea Kutako Airport (Windhoek International Airport), 45 km (28 miles) west of the capital, is the major point of entry into Namibia. There are landing strips throughout the country and air-charter services are available in Windhoek and Swakopmund (coastal town).

Flights depart on a daily basis from Atlanta, Chicago and New York to Johannesburg. There is also a daily connecting flight between Johannesburg and Windhoek International Airport (Chief Hosea Kutako Airport). Please contact DELTA AIRLINE International flight division for more information or us at Kowas Adventure Safaris. We will gladly assist you. Cost will range from US$ 1000 to approximately US$ 1300.

Read Further: www.kowasadventure.com


Posted by russelsprt at 10:19:16 | Permalink | No Comments »

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

An Africa Hunting Safari Can Have Many Hidden Costs

Some people go on safaris in order to enjoy the sights of nature, others to enjoy the outdoors in exotic locations. Still, others like to combine the two with their love of hunting. Traditionally, hunting safaris in Africa was the main draw and the source for the traditional look you’d expect from these, with khaki clothes, pith helmets, and all. For those who are looking for a new experience while hunting, a safari in Africa may be just what you need, though there are many things to consider.

The Animals

Years ago, you might go on a hunting safari in Africa expecting to bag a lion, or perhaps an elephant with some huge tusks. But due to the endangered status of many African animals, those sorts of safaris are merely a thing of the past. Still, you can expect to hunt exotic creatures like the kudu and the impala while on a hunting safari in Africa. And while you won’t be allowed to shoot at any lions, for those looking to hunt tougher game, you can shoot a cheetah or leopard for your trophy.

The Guides

Most packages for hunting safaris in Africa include a personal guide, which can be a valuable asset for hunters. African game animals have plenty of natural predators to watch out for, so an experienced hunter can make the difference between a trophy and a miss when you’re going after one of these highly-aware animals.

Many companies that offer hunting safaris in Africa also give a guarantee that you’ll get a trophy, since they’re so confident in their guides. And best of all, even if you don’t bag any game while out hunting, you’ll still basically have your own personal guide; most hunting safaris in Africa consist of one or two guides and one or two customers.

The Cost

One thing that you do need to keep in mind while planning a hunting safari in Africa is that they do cost a lot of money. In order to prepare for such a trip, you would need to get a passport, immunize yourself against local diseases in some cases, and ship appropriate clothing and equipment to your destination country.

Then, once you’ve bagged an animal, you often have to pay trophy fees; most hunting packages include a few in the cost, but only for specific animals. If you bag a leopard, for instance, you’ll have to pay a hefty fee on top of what you’ve already spent. This can rapidly add to the cost of your trip. However, if you’re willing to pay the cost, then a hunting safari in Africa might provide the unique hunting experience that you’ve been looking for.

Source: Article Base
Accommodation in Namibia

Posted by russelsprt at 11:48:12 | Permalink | No Comments »

Monday, May 18, 2009

African Hunting Safaris Are Not All About Killing Animals, Some Of Which Are Protected

The African hunting safari will take you to some of the most primitive as well as modern places all across Africa. From the lush forests to the expansive savannas to the tumbling waterfalls to the lofty mountains there is a land of beauty as well as magnificence that awaits you providing you with the opportunity to hunt the best magnificent trophy animals in complete safety.

No Shortage Of Choices

The choices of African hunting safaris are many and you would like the South African safari that has a very spectacular landscape that is much appreciated all across the world. The plateaus of Zimbabwe and its intertwined hills and valleys provide hunters with good gaming opportunities.

There is also Botswana with scrubby savannas and sandy basins as well as the great Kalahari Desert to provide varied game. The last frontier in Africa is certainly Tanzania which has the Rift Valley as well as vast plains that add a different dimension to the African hunting safari. And, if you wish to go great cat hunting, then take the African hunting safari in Zambia which has flat hills as well as huge valleys that have many of these creatures waiting for you to aim at.

You can shoot with your gun, or with your camera and the African hunting safari gives you the opportunity to shoot different big game including the lion, elephant, leopard as well as antelopes, hippos, giraffes and a whole lot more. You will also find the aardwolf as well as zebra in your sights on an African hunting safari.

You will certainly love the African hunting safari as you bounce on the back of an old jeep in your search for big game including elephants, tigers, gazelles as well as rhinoceroses. Since these animals are usually not found in captivity seeing them live is a big thrill in itself. Also, African hunting safaris have undergone a sea change and they are not all about killing animals, since many of them are protected. The photographer is more welcome and the excitement is the same.

You might choose to go for a night African hunting safari so that you can catch nocturnal animals such as lions, or you may choose to go in a small group aboard a jeep, or be one amongst a large group. You may have to spend the nights in tent villages which mean that often you don’t have to venture too far out to see the animals graze. In any case, your guide would know all the watering holes as well as places where to track animals that you are interested. Check with them and they’ll most willing to give you good advice.

Source: Ezine Articles
Africa Hunting Safaris

Posted by russelsprt at 10:41:34 | Permalink | No Comments »