I had my first African hunting experience May 9 to 18, 2005. I hunted in Groblersdal, South Africa at Ilanga with Benito van Leeuwen. During the first week of the hunt, I had the opportunity of harvesting many great animals. I still had a week left in my trip and talked with Benito concerning the possibility of taking my hunting to a more difficult level. I decided on the giraffe as my next conquest.


Based on his experience, Benito recommended a much heavier arrow than I was using and more foot-pounds to do the job. After telling me this, he handed me the April/May 2005 issue of Africa’s Bowhunter and Archer to back up his opinion. The main topic of this magazine issue was hunting the giraffe. After reading the many articles and information about hunting the giraffe, I learned that my ability was there and my Mathews Switchback Bow could get the job done. However, my arrow was not capable. Benito agreed with the 700-grain arrow minimum the magazine recommended, so we started the process of getting my arrow ready for the hunt. We took my 560-grain Easton 2315 Arrow and inserted an Easton 2117 Arrow into the shaft. This gave us an 850-grain arrow, which was what I needed to be able to successfully harvest the animal.



After doing this, we had 90 foot-pounds of kinetic energy, which was more than sufficient to take down a giraffe. We decided upon a solid two-blade steel broadhead because of the durability it would offer. Due to the size of the animal, we still were concerned about having enough power. I was hunting archery only and would have no rifle back-up. We decided the shot would have to be no longer than 30 yards to be successful. We preferred a head-on shot right above the shoulders in the lower neck area, which is a great opening to the vital organs. A broadside shot is also an excellent shot, but you risk hitting the scapula if the shot is too high. This would mean no penetration and not hitting any vital organs. The other risk with a broadside shot is a direct hit with a rib bone, possibly preventing any penetration to the vital organs. After taking all of this into consideration, we decided a head-on shot would be the best.



We spent the entire day Monday, May 16th sighting in the bow and making sure we had perfect arrow flight with no tail to the arrow, which could cause loss of kinetic energy upon impact with the animal. We concentrated on 20 yards and even more on 30 yards, which would be the maximum shot we would be comfortable with. After doing this, we finally felt that we were ready for the journey ahead.



We set out Tuesday, May 17th for my hunt of a lifetime. The day brought many opportunities but no success because of our pursuit for a head-on shot. Most of the day, we were presented with broadside shots. We did not feel comfortable due to the distance of 30 yards that we had with many of these shots. At one point, we had an opportunity. Then, upon ranging, we found we were 33 yards out and felt uncomfortable. Because we wanted to stay within our 30-yard range, we passed up the animal, hoping the day would bring a better opportunity.



It was almost 4 o’clock in the afternoon, and we were presented a broadside shot with the biggest bull we had seen yet. We were able to work within 28 yards of the giraffe. In a quiet whisper, I told Benito I felt 100% positive in my ability to make a perfect broadside shot. The entire day, Benito never pressured me to take a shot I was uncomfortable with or did not feel I could do. He never told me to take a shot. He left it completely in my hands.



Finally, the time had come to see if our work had paid off. As I silently drew back my bow, I prayed and asked God to guide my arrow. I placed my 30-yard pin on the spot. Once I was in complete control of the situation and felt 100% comfortable, I knew the time was right. As I hit the trigger on my release, it was as if time stood still. It seemed like the arrow would never get there. This was the first time I have ever seen an arrow fly so true in my life. Finally, I saw the arrow impact. I could see everything. I could see the arrow penetrate all the way to the 4-inch vane. It was almost a complete penetration. I knew it was a perfect shot. As I watched the giraffe run, not one hundred yards out of visual sight, I could hear it go down. As I turned back to Benito, he said it was perfect. He said he couldn’t believe how perfect. He asked me if I wanted to go retrieve my trophy. I looked at him in disbelief and said, “What do you mean? I just shot it. We need to wait.”



He said, “No, my friend. That was a perfect shot. In 15 seconds, it was over.” We started our way to my trophy. After walking less than 80 yards, we found the giraffe. I was completely amazed. I could not believe what I had done in making the perfect shot. Upon further inspection, Benito informed me that the arrow was perfect. Upon retrieving the arrow, we found that it had perfectly entered between the ribs and offered a double-lung shot, instantly sending the animal to its fate. Once I had found my trophy, my journey was complete.



After thinking back on all the time we spent preparing ourselves mentally and our equipment physically, any less would have not done the job. I learned a lot in these two weeks at Ilanga with Benito. There is much more to hunting than just hunting. If you don’t know what your equipment can and cannot do, you are missing out on more than you can imagine. By changing just a few things on your setup, you can increase your opportunities by 100%. If we hadn’t spent all the time we had in making sure my equipment was 100% perfect, the opportunity we had would most likely have been lost. My first trip is complete and in the bag, but all it has done is sparked a fire that will send me back to Ilanga.