Bow hunting in South Africa is a popular and well-regulated activity, mainly practiced on private game farms and especially suited for hunting plains game like impala, kudu, and wildebeest. The best regions include the bushveld areas of Limpopo, North West, and Mpumalanga, where dense vegetation and waterhole blinds allow hunters to get close-range shots, while more open areas like the Northern Cape and Free State provide a greater challenge due to longer shooting distances. The ideal hunting season is during the winter months from May to September, when animals gather around limited water sources, and vegetation is less dense. Most hunters prefer compound bows for their accuracy and power, typically using draw weights between 55 and 70 pounds for medium-sized game, along with arrows weighing around 400 to 550 grains and fixed-blade broadheads for better penetration. Hunting is usually done from blinds near waterholes or through walk-and-stalk methods, and success depends heavily on shot placement, proper equipment setup, and consistent practice at distances of about 20 to 40 meters.
In Southern Africa, a wide variety of animals can be hunted with a bow, with the most common being plains game species. Popular bow-hunted animals include antelope such as impala, kudu, nyala, blesbok, springbok, and gemsbok (oryx), as well as larger species like wildebeest and zebra. Smaller game, like warthog and bushpig, are also frequently hunted using bows. In some cases, experienced hunters may pursue larger and more challenging animals such as eland or even African buffalo, but this requires heavier draw weights, specialised equipment, and strict adherence to regulations. Bow hunting is generally focused on animals where ethical, close-range shots are possible
Bow Hunting in South Africa
Birds, Hares, Rabbits, Common Duiker, Steenbuck, Black Backed Jackal, Caracal, Vervet Monkey.
Min. Draw Mass: 40lbs
Min. Kinetic Energy: 30 ft/fps
Min. Total Arrow Weight: 300 gr
Impala, Blesbuck, Nyala, Bushbuck, Warthog, Bushpig, Baboon, Kudu.
Min. Draw Mass: 50lbs
Min. Kinetic Energy: 50 ft/fps
Min. Total Arrow Weight: 400 gr
Blue Wildebeest, Burchell’s Zebra, Waterbuck, Gemsbok, Eland, Red Hartebeest
Min. Draw Mass: 60lbs
Min. Kinetic Energy: 60 ft/fps
Min. Total Arrow Weight: 500 gr
Bow Hunting Safari Packages
Buffalo
Min. Draw Mass: 80lbs
Min. Kinetic Energy: 80 ft/fps
Min. Total Arrow Weight: 750 gr
Giraffe
Min. Draw Mass: 90lbs
Min. Kinetic Energy: 90 ft/fps
Min. Total Arrow Weight: 750 gr
Additional norms for bow hunting equipment
Notwithstanding the requirements contemplated in the table above the following conditions apply:
in the case of mechanical broadheads 5% additional kinetic energy is required for Category 1, 2 and 3 wild animals;
broadheads must have at least two cutting edges; and
the minimum permitted arrow length is 50 cm.
Bow Hunting Information
Minimum requirements for bow hunting
The following information was published in Government Gazette on December 11, 2009:
