Travel To Namibia

Shark Cage Diving in Gansbaai

2012-01-05T23:08:00.000-08:00

White Shark Diving Co. aims to create exclusivity – by limiting the number of passengers to an average of 15, each diver has more dive time and personal experiences with the Great White sharks.

Included:

Diving equipment including wetsuits and towels
Services of the experienced crew, and our on board videographer who is fluent in French and English.
Refreshments on board
Light pre and post trip meals in a superb venue overlooking the Kleinbaai Harbour slipway
A completion certificate in your name

Departs:

Daily, seven days a week

Price:

ZAR1350.00 per person

ZAR900.00 per person for children aged 12 years or younger

Door to door return road transport from your hotel or guesthouse in the Cape Town metropole and surrounding areas is available, as well as from designated pickup venues en route to Gansbaai. Alternative road transport arrangements are available on request.

Please enquire for rates for private charters and group bookings with or without return road transport and/or accommodation.

Magical Cape Town Beaches

2011-07-25T06:54:00.000-07:00

Cape Town offers some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet, with sunny white beaches stretching east to west. It’s no surprise that many of South Africa’s beaches have been awarded the blue flag status, given only to the most perfect beaches of the world. Part of the allure of this area is that this is where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. The Atlantic lies on the west side and is about 4 degrees cooler. Many of the most popular beaches lie on this side of the coast, with many referring to it as South Africa’s “Riviera”. These beaches are lucky to have longer days and protection for the Cape winds, making them a very pleasant experience indeed.

One of the most notable is Clifton which is comprised of 4 beaches all together, it is no doubt one of the most fashionable beaches. The wealthy all aspire to own homes fronting its snow white sands and people fly from all over to see and be seen against the backdrop of the bright blue water, decorated with gleaming white yachts.

The East coast however has the warmer water with many hidden and secluded gems, which tourists travel from far and wide to experience. These are also preferred by local families wanting to steer clear of the crowds along the west coast. Each beach has its own particular charm however, so it’s always best to go to a few and decide which is most suited to your tastes.

If you are thinking about visiting this side of the world you are sure to be left with more than just a glowing tan, but fond memories of this captivating region and the hospitable people which reside in it. There is a wide array of accommodation options you can take advantage of such as Self Catering Accommodation & Holiday Rentals or hotels. There is plenty to choose from and they line the coast, offering a wonderful way to experience the sun and surf offered by Cape Town, South Africa.

Fun Facts about Namibia

2010-06-30T07:24:00.000-07:00

Here are some fun facts that you might not know about Namibia:

* You can see elephants just 1 hour of driving from Windhoek - at Okambara Ranch near Witvlei
* The inhabitant of the Namib desert, the fossil plant Welwitschia Mirabilis has a lifespan of up to 2000 years.
* The Republic of Namibia has been the first country to include protection of the environment in the Constitution of the country.
* Approximately 13.6 percent of the country's surface area is protected, either as a nature reserve, recreation area or game park.
* On the last Sunday in August every year members of Herero community gather in small town Okahandja to pay respect to their heroes fallen during colonial times and independence struggle.
* The colourful dresses of Herero women were adapted from the dresses of the wives of Finnish missionaries in the 19th century.
* The Gibeon Meteorite shower is the largest ever discovered in 1838 by the explorer Sir J. Alexander.
* Hunting season in Namibia is open from 1 January to 30 of November.
Hunting in the country ranges from trophy to safari hunts.
* Arnhem Cave is the longest cave system in Namibia. Situated on the farm Arnhem, 120 km east of Windhoek. There are six bat species in the cave, including the giant leaf-nosed bat.
* Dragon's Breath is the largest underground lake in the world and situated on the farm Hariseb, 46 km north - west from Grootfontein off the road C42 to Tsumeb.
* Hoba Meteorite, discovered in the 1920s, is the largest known meteorite in the world and situated 20 km from Grootfontein. The meteorite is approximately 80 000 years old and its weight is more than 50 tons.
* There is a large amount of artillery and ammunition that was dumped by retreating German forces in 1915 on the bottom of the Otjikoto lake which is located 20 km north-west of town Tsumeb. A number of extracted cannons, machine guns and other weapons can be seen in Tsumeb museum and in Alte Feste Museum in Windhoek.
* The Namib Desert is regarded as the oldest desert in the world.
* The Giants' Playground - site littered with huge balancing basalt boulders and Quiver Tree Forest can be seen approximately 14 km north-east of Keetmanshoop near Quiver Tree Forest Camp.
* Namibia has the largest free-roaming cheetah population in the world - an estimated 2 500.
* Rossing Mine is the largest open-cast uranium mine in the world.
* Mine in a small town Uis is the largest known tin reserve.
* Farm Bitterwasser is renowned amongst soaring enthusiast where many international records have been established. The farm is situated south-east of Windhoek.
* Hot air balloon excursions over Sossusvlei are offered from Sesriem and on the NamibRand Nature Reserve, one of the largest privately-owned game reserves in Africa.
* The major export product in the southern part of Namibia is karakul pelts. The karakul sheep was brought from Asia and introduced in Namibia in 1907.
* The Petrified Forest is a protected site of prehistoric petrified trunks situated 40 km west of Khorixas.
* The Hardap Dam is the largest man-made lake in the country and situated 15 km north-west of town Mariental.
* Republic of Namibia has had a total of 559 674 visitors in 1998 - 11.49% more than a previous year.
* The word "safari" means "travel" in Swahili.
* The first railway line in the country was built at Cape Cross by the Damaraland Guano Company in 1895.
* First cinema in Namibia was built in Kolmanskop.

Source

If you are going to Namibia check out: Africa hunting safaris

Visit Namibia, The Land of Sand Dunes

2010-06-18T00:40:00.001-07:00

Republic Namibia, named after Namib Desert in south-western Africa is on the Atlantic coast 1572 km long, bordered by northerly Angola 1376 km, and Zambia 233 km, easterly Botswana 1360 km and southerly the Republic of South Africa 855 km.

The natives are Bantu, Hottentot, Bushmen, and Europeans. Official language is Afrikaans, and English. Highest elevation is Brandberg at 2606m. Chief Rivers are Frontier Rivers Cunene, Oranje, and numerous wadis.

Windhoek at 1600 m is the tidy capital, which can be explored through strolls. At the Mall, is the centre point the Gibeon Meteorite Fountain. The Alte Fest ancient Fort and the museum within take you through the journey of the land; if you like posing for photograph visit the Rider Statue on the premises.

The Tintenpalast is the well constructed Parliament House to be admired from outside. German soldier remembrance monument Christuskirche is also a photography place. Tourists from here disperse to Etosha, Sossusvlei and Swakopmund.

The sub-tropical climate is hot and extremely dry. Monsoons are unpredictable and curtailed. Day and night temperature varies.

This vast country is a plateau ranging 3000-4000 ft, which is the large Kalahari Desert towards the east. The coastline is fringed by 80 million old, the stony Namib Desert occupying 15% of the land area. The other two of the four characteristic terrains consist of forested Kavango and Caprivi.

Fish River Canyon in the Namib Desert, is 160 km long, 27 km broad, and 550 m deep. The weather beaten and rough topology is exclusive and intimating. Tourists specially visit the land to experience the land.

Safari trips comprising of varying days of excursions through the landscape are filled with curiosity and amazement. If on one hand, the Etosha National Park delights with the wildlife in nature, the desert towns like Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon have their own charm.

Ai-Ais is the hot spring, the swamps can be viewed at Caprivi Strip. Swakopmund and Sandwich harbour are the aviary viewing destinations. Mammals big and small are best seen in August and September at Etosha National Park or the Daan Viljoen Game Reserve.

Namib Desert offers sand dune adventure. Tourists specifically visit Sossuvlei in the vicinity of Naukluft Park. Camping is possible here. Only the brave heart dare to enjoy the natural settings of this land.

Source

If you are keen to go to Namibia check out this Africa Hunting Safari site.

Becoming a Professional Hunter

2010-05-24T00:28:00.000-07:00

When I first told my (then) wife I wanted to qualify as a Professional Hunter, she looked at me aghast and yelled, "you wanna be a WHAT! Are you mad?" When I attended my PH training course and examination, the sentiment was repeated....... but thankfully, this time, in humour!

We get many e-mails from young men and the occasional young lady asking us how they get a job in the industry. Some erroneously see it as a 'glamour' job, some are genuine hunters and some simply need psychiatric help. Sometimes sorting the wheat from the chaff isn't easy, so I usually tend to give as much advice as I can and then it's up to them if they choose to pursue the matter.

Getting started in the industry isn't easy for anyone, but it's not impossible. After all, if an Englishman like me can do it, then anyone can. Two of the hardest challenges you'll be faced with is getting your initial training and then getting your first few seasons' experience, especially with dangerous game. I was lucky in that my first few years experience was in a more relaxed generation and I was the luckiest SOB in the world to meet and become friends with the late Mr Vivian Good. Viv was not only a great PH, he was also a good man who gave unstintingly of his advice, hospitality and friendship. When I first went along to get my official training and sit my first PH exams, I struck lucky yet again by attending the Goss Professional Hunting Academy in Kwa Zulu Natal, run by Ian Goss. Ian is a tough, 'old school' taskmaster, but he gives a superb standard of training and strict examination. Even today, when I tell someone I passed with Ian Goss, they'll often comment something like, 'hell, you must be good then!'

One of the most valuable things Ian gave to me was his parting advice as I drove off with my very first PH licence tucked in my pocket. He told me, "Steve, don't for a moment think that I've made you into a good Professional Hunter. I haven't, but I have put you on the road to becoming one, and as you take your first steps down that road, you'll learn something new every day." Nearly 20 years later, that statement still rings as true today as it was then. I'm still learning new things about the business on a daily basis and I doubt I'll ever be able to thank Ian enough for all his help, friendship and support he's given me over the years.

The South African Professional Hunting academies, although occasionally criticised by some, are a very good way for the novice to start his PH training and get his first licence, but remember, if you're not a South African resident, you are forbidden to sit the exams, which means that although you'll have completed the training, there is no possible way you can actually gain the PH licence.

Don't even consider attending one of these academies unless you have at least a reasonably good knowledge of the basics such as rifles, ballistics and a general knowledge of the common mammals in general and hunting in particular. If you turn up not knowing a kudu from 30.06, you'll be wasting your money and everyone's time and you may very well get kicked out on your ass!

It should be noted that at the time of writing this article, South Africa is currently considering revising the Professional Hunter training and examination system, and if this happens, the course will become considerably longer, more expensive and harder to complete. The proposed syllabus currently looks like it'll comprise of something like 150+ unit standards and each unit standard will equate to a day's work or study.

Another option if you are unable or reluctant to attend one of the South African PH training academies, or even if you do attend the course. Your next step will be to begin looking for your first seasons work.

If you live in South Africa and want to restrict yourself to that country, then it's fairly straight forward, all you have to do is join PHASA and put an advert in the magazine and hope that something comes up. If you're from overseas, then it's a bit more difficult. My advice would be to get on the internet and start researching for good quality hunting companies that might pique your interest and operate in the countries you'd like to work in. Then you get yourself organised with a good quality, professional CV/resume and start sending it to the companies of your choice and asking for work. Remember that even if you offer to work for nothing but keep and tips, and you may well have to, it still costs the safari company a great deal of money to keep you in camp and train you, so if you and your application needs to be of the highest possible standard. If it's not, then forget it until you can make yourself more desirable to any potential employers. I've never forgotten one bloody idiot that wrote to me many years ago telling me that just because he had a masters degree in medieval history, had been chairman of his university clay pigeon club for a year and lived on a farm in the shires, he was ideally suited for me to employ him as a Professional Hunter. Quite why, I could never fathom - he hadn't even ever fired a rifle and knew zero about even the basics of Africa or the African hunting industry........ Needless to say, he didn't get a job, but he did give me a laugh!

If you're lucky enough to break into the safari industry, and some do manage to do it, you can expect your first season or two to be spent doing some of the more mundane tasks such as road and camp building and vehicle maintenance. You'd better make sure you make a good job of everything you do. Stuff something up and you just might be out of a job the next day. After all, a safari company simply can't afford vehicle breakdowns in the middle of the bush for instance. - The good news is that if you get it right, you'll be taking the first steps down the road to a great career.

Working as a PH is a great job, but don't expect it to ever make you rich. If you want to make serious money, go get a job as a lawyer or a banker or something, sure it's not as much fun as working as a PH, but you'll probably make enough money to come on safari on a regular basis. If you feel you can forego the money in exchange for the lifestyle of a Professional Hunter, then I'd encourage you to go for it. I did, and I've never regretted it. My bank manager and my ex-wife might have done, but I never have........

Steve 'Shakari' Robinson
During his almost three decades of working in the African hunting industry, Steve has hunted professionally in six African countries and has a wealth of experience with dangerous game.

http://www.shakariconnection.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=S_Robinson

Find out more about Namibia Hunting Safaris

Go Wild, Go on an African Safari

2009-11-04T00:44:00.000-08:00

The best African safaris are those that allow you to experience the real Africa, but at the same time are safe and affordable. There are many different types of safaris in Africa some well organized with guides, cooks and hunters, some that are more self-driven. Here are a few suggestions for the best African safaris.

Kenya – This east African country is on the coast, where it is possible to plan a safari-beach vacation combo. Take a guided safari thru Tsavo that will bring you face to face with lions, monkeys, giraffes, warthogs, zebras and cheetahs.

Tanzania – The Serengeti National Park is known as the perfect place for a lion country safari. In addition to lions you are apt to spot a black rhino and perhaps even watch a leopard dragging a recent kill up into a tree.

Ghana – Here you can experience a walking tour on an aerial walkway over 150’ high into the trees. Traverse the 1000’ long walkway looking for monkeys and exotic birds.

Hunting Safari – In South Africa you can go on a safari using either a high-powered rifle or a hunting bow. Package deals are usually designed to guarantee that you will bag specific trophies, and include the necessary trophy fees.

Namibia – Hunting safaris here are usually big cat hunts designed to get the hunter a lion or leopard. The hunts often bring trophies that meet or exceed gold medal standards.

Zambia – Plains hunting safaris will often bag the hunter a leopard or lion, sable or buffalo. Crocodile, hippo and other types of game can be found on a hunt in the Bangweulu Swamp and other bodies of water.

Egypt – While a cruise down the Nile River might not technically be an animal safari, it is a way to tour and see the local flora and fauna, pyramids and tombs of this ancient land.

South Africa – Self-drive tours are very popular due to the system of roads into the national parks and game reserves. Even though you drive yourself, it’s very important that you abide by the strict park rules and never drive off the road.

Malawi – Water safaris are popular in this small country. Ride in a motor boat and even a canoe. You’ll be amazed at how close you can get to that elephant on the shore, but don’t get too close to the hippo.

Night Safari – Experience a totally different South Africa on a drive thru the game preserve after the sun goes down. See the bat-eared fox emerge from his hole, spot a black rhino and her baby, or laugh at two ostriches break dancing by the light of the moon.

Source: Article Base
Africa Hunting Safaris

Know What To Expect From An African Hunting Safari

2009-10-27T00:42:00.000-07:00

Africa, a place that is naturally endowed with species that it exclusively owns.

The mere sound of the name rings bells of adventure, exploration, realization and hunting. Because of the diversity of hunting safari, it offers as much opportunities for hunting fanatics to explore a range of ecological areas that have their own specialties.

Well, it's hard to imagine how we can exactly describe the purity of Africa. It is safe though to tell you that it is filled with rich resources of plain animals suited for game, predators that follow after their kill, animals grazing on fertile and unspoiled lands and others.

The game aside, Africa gathers the largest, most dense and extreme concentration of plant species and strange animals that seem to have come directly from the sixth day of the creation.

Now going to the bird, at any given time of the year, a single national park can contain an average of 300 to 500 bird species, which make Africa not only a haven of species but also a paradise for naturalists and ornithologists.

The plant and tree species are also diverse that it is impossible to record them all. Some species are as old as several thousand years ago, which again seemed to be the direct link to the Creator.

Al these combined (and the mixture of other components), Africa is one big paradise for man and the creations to enjoy. To flourish and to experience the circle of life. The dance that plays with each organism and specie. And the life that sets the balance between the created and the wardens.

As for the hunting safari, Africa boasts the most excellent sites and species that fuel man's passion for hunting animals in their natural habitats. Though hunting is restricted in some national parks, local governments still assigned African hunting safaris where varieties of games are enjoyed but in accordance with ethical restrictions.

Some common hunting safari animals in Africa are: black wildebeest, gemsbuck, red hartebeest, springbuck, waterbuck, bushbuck, zebras, antelopes, eland, steenbuck, rhebuck, impala, blue wildebeest, warthog, kudu and many other species.

In African hunting safaris, the most common method used is the rifle hunting. However, although it is popular enough there are still unsettled issues concerning the caliber of the rifle. Please check on the guidelines as suggested by you tour operator.

Next to the rifle hunting is the bow hunting, which for the present is not as customarily used as the rifle hunting. Experts see the future of bow hunting though as the standard to restrict any other issues that must be dealt with the more common form of hunting.

Source: Article Base
African Hunting Safaris

How to Find the Perfect Hunting Rifle

2009-08-06T05:13:00.000-07:00

There are hundreds of rifles in existence, which can make it very easy to have a bad hunting day or week simply because you are hunting with a rifle that is not an accurate fit for you. Most experienced hunters will tell you that they have succeeded in bagging their largest numbers of game when they have been using the perfect hunting rifle, or what they deem their "lucky rifle."

Of course, the question for the novice hunter, or one who is frustrated with their hunting excursion, is how to find their own "lucky" hunting rifle. There is no direct mathematical formula that will aid you in finding the perfect hunting rifle, but there is a simple test you can perform to see if you are choosing rifles that compliment you.

Sometimes, if you are frequently going home empty - handed from hunting, the problem lies in your response time - you are seeing the game but either missing the shot, or not aiming in time to take a shot. If this is the case, try out this simple test with each of your rifles or potential new rifles to find one that better suits you.

Simply fix your eyes on a target and snap the rifle over your shoulder instinctively aiming for the target without formally fixing your aim. Now take a look and see if your scope is to the left, right, or too far up, or down.

By finding a rifle in which your instinct match-up closely with your rifles scope, you will be able to prepare your aim before you actually shoot, allowing you to capture more game than ever before since quick shots will no longer be a threat. In essence, you are simply aligning the aim in your head with the scope of your rifle for a perfect fit.

Source: Ezine Articles
Africa Hunting Safaris

African Fishing Safaris

2009-07-29T02:18:00.000-07:00

The angling potential of Namibia’s cost is regarded as one of the best in the world. Aspects that make angling from the beach especially enjoyable are the rich coastal bird-life, the peaceful desert environment adjacent to the coast, the fact that the beaches are relatively uncrowded. Best of all – the cool bracing climate which prevails throughout the year except on the odd day during the winter months when the hot berg wind, locally referred to as the Ostwind, blows from the interior.

The angling season is from September to April for catching species such as west-coast Steenbras, cob (referred to locally as kabeljou), Galjoen, Blacktail (Dassie), Geelbek and White Stumpnose, while large predator sharks can be caught virtually all year round. The largest Copper Sharks, which can weigh anything from 50 kg to 180 kg, are caught from November to May. They are mostly measured for research purposes, tagged and returned alive to the sea (catch and release policy).

FRESHWATER ANGLING:

Fresh Water Angling tours at US$250 per day, (minimum of seven days).

Ever pitted your angling skills against what is regarded by many anglers as the finest freshwater sporting fish, size for size, in the world? Take off with Kowas Adventure Safaris to the Zambezi River in north-eastern Namibia and enjoy tiger fishing. The river offers some of the best tiger fishing in Southern Africa and it’s not uncommon to land specimens of 6,5 kg. The Zambezi is also the habitat of numerous other freshwater species, such as Nembwe, Large Mouth, Pink Happy and Catfish. Let Kowas Adventure Safaris help you experience a "fight" with a tiger fish…unforgettable!

This adventure could be combined with a game viewing safari at the Mahangu Game reserve where you could see the Big Five and rare species such as. Waterbuck, Lechwe, Puku and Sititunga. Trips to the Chobe Game Park and Victoria Falls can also be arranged.

Source: www.kowasadventure.com

Should You Go On A Hunting Safari In Africa?

2009-06-23T04:01:00.000-07:00

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. And 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

Recovering Wounded Deer

2009-03-26T02:17:00.000-07:00

Africa Hunting Safaris in Namibia through Kowas Adventure Safaris

By Mike Guerin

The ethical hunter will always pass on questionable shots at deer. Most hunters have a deep admiration for North Americas #1 big game animal. This respect for the animal demands that you only take shots that your skill level allows. This will vary from hunter to hunter. I am admittedly at the bottom of the scale when it comes to shooting. I just don't do it enough during the offseason to improve my skill level or to actually determine what I am truly capable of. Despite my admitted lack of Danial Boone like shooting skills, I still make the vast majority of my shots at deer. I pride my self on not wounding deer. I do this by limiting myself almost exclusively to shots at standing deer that are unaware of my presents. Even still, as every hunter will experience if he hunts long enough, there will come a time when you will be required to track down a deer that didn't go down quite like you planned. This is where most hunters are lacking and fall down on the job.

The number one reason that most hunter fail to recover recoverable deer is not because of lack of knowledge. It is most often a case of lack of willingness to try. Tracking can be fun at first but when the trail quickly goes cold the willingness to keep looking usually goes quickly as well. It has amazed me what some hunters won'tdo to recover their deer.

Think about it. You have put in many many hours sitting in a deer stand waiting and hoping for that buck to walk by. You have endured cold, mosquitos, hours of complete bordom just for that hope, that possibility that a buck might walk by. Well when it finally does and something goes wrong (or sometimes not) shouldn't you at least put in one tenth of that effort to find that deer??? Here are a couple of examples of what some hunters, and I use that terminalogy loosely, have done.

My brother years ago went on a deer hunt with a friend of his from school. At this point neither he nor I had ever been deer hunting. Well it turns out that the friend who will remain nameless shot at and hit a very small buck. The deer ran off and the friend and my brother later tried to track down the deer. My brother Stephen asked his friend where he had been aiming when he shot. The friend gave him a funny look and said matter of factly, "At the deer!" Stephen left it go at that.

Well the deer was moveing quite well but was also leaving a good blood trail. They followed the trail for a few hundred yards until they came to a small creek. The blood trail stopped at the waters edge. It was obvious that the deer had crossed the creek. Well not only did the trail stop at the creek but so did the tracking. Stephen being a guest on his first deer hunt even thought it strange that such a small obsticle would bring the search to such an abrupt halt. Especially considering the deer was leaving such a good blood trail. This deer was obviously what I would put in the catagory of collectable.

Another example of what happens, probably more frequently, on hunts is something like this. This hunt was described to me by a hunter on an adjoining piece of land. We were talking about what we had seen and other such things when the subject turned to a particular crossing on a power line that was about 150 yards away from where we stood. We we talking about how that was a good crossing for bucks. He went on to relay a story that went something like this.

He was sitting on the power line when a nice buck stepped out on the power line at the crossing. He took his rifle and settled the crosshairs on the buck and shot. The buck immediately took off running and was totally out of site after it had traveled only about 7 yards. To him the deer didn't look like it was hit. And since he was taking a free hand shot at such a long distance he really didn't expect to hit the buck. Well he said "I don't know why but for some reason I went over and looked. The 7 point buck was dead only a couple of feet from the power line." This man recovered his deer but he came very close to not even looking.

Incidents like this are far to common. Often out of ignorance, when someone thinks they can tell that they missed clean just by the deer immediate reaction after the shot. Now I can preach till I am blue in the face and not convince you to put forth the effort that you should to recover your deer, that I can't change unless you want too. That part boils down to your character. The other part of recovering your deer is what we will now cover. The actual tracking and reading sign left by wounded deer, what that sign means, and what to do with that information.

Where a deer has been hit will determine how the deer is likely to react and therefore will also greatly impact what the hunter should do to recover the deer. Deer shot with a bow will sometimes jump or react to the hit but then immediately look around not knowing what happened and then go back to feeding or whatever activity they where doing. This happens because the broadhead can sometimes cut cleanly enough that no pain is felt. I was once cut by a barded wire fence but didn't know until my cousin told me I had blood running down my leg all over my socks. With deer as with people however this is not the norm but it does happen. I doubt that a gun hunter will ever see a gun shot deer react this way.

Gut shot deer will often jump with an arched body into the air when hit. And will sometimes run hunched up as they make their escape. Lung shot deer sometimes do this also so its not written in stone. You can recognize a gut shot deer sometimes by findind blood with greenish, brown particles mixed in or sometimes larger bits of partially digested food. As often however you will find nothing. Not only do gut shot deer run farther then other wounded deer they also unfortunately have a tendency to not bleed much. The deers intestines often block up the entrance and exit holes, thereby minimizing bleeding. Gut shot deer will often run long distances before dying or laying up and they usually don't die quickly either. If you suspect you have gut shot a deer and you are hunting in the evening the best thing you can do is to backoff and try trailing the next morning. If you shot it in the morning then bring all of your equipment back to camp and have something to eat before going back, hopefully with a couple of buddies to find your deer.

Lets assume you have gut shot a deer and it is leaving no blood trail. After the designated waiting period has ended where should you look? First you should take off down the path that the deer took and try to guess the path that the deer continued to take. Check a few of the most likely routes and if no deer is found then return to the starting point and regroup. You should now check the deers back trail. Deer do not like running head long into an area before checking it out. So often deer will circle back to the area that they had just left before being shot.

I almost lost a deer to just such a senario. I was hunting over a thick cutover. I shot a buck from almost above and the downward angle of the bullet didn't allow for both lungs to be hit. The buck was headed due East when I shot. He turned and started running straight South at the shot. Since it was so thick I quickly lost sight of the deer but he was easy to follow by ear because he was crashing through so much brush. After he had run South about 35 or 40 yards I could easily hear that he had now turned back to the East and then I heard a big crash and then nothing. At this point it seemed as though everything had gone according to plan.

I went to where the deer had been shot and I found hair. I then tried to find a blood trail. This was done for the fun of it since I thought I new exactly where the deer had fallen. As I travelled down the bucks path I could find no blood. Apon reaching the spot where I had heard the crash I laid my gun against a tree. This area was so thick visibility was only 5 to 20 yards max. I started making ever widening circles around the tree, but could find no sign and worse no deer. I was then presented with a sickening scenario. No blood trail and woods as thick as they come. I put in hours searching the area that the deer had gone with nothing to show. Finally I had had enough. Hours of searching wasted. A buck, WASTED. I was sick to my stomach knowing the deer would die and not knowing what I could have done differently. As I started to leave I set my gun against a tree and decided to search the area to the West of where I had last heard the deer. Remember he had been running East. Also remember the deer was headed East when I shot. I started to circle my gun in ever widening circles. After a short while I gave up. But where was my gun. I had a hell of a time finding my gun even though I never got more than 50 yards from it. It was just so thick. Well as luck would have it while searching for the gun I came across a large pool of blood where the deer had laid up. I quickly found my gun and returned. I found the buck only 7 yard from that pool of blood.

This example points out that deer will often circle back after being hit. The deer startled at the shot and being hit, immediately ran away from the sound and the direction that the hit had come from. As he approached a three wheeler trail he turned East. All the while making noise. At this point he regained his composure stopped and decided his present course was not where he wanted to go. No telling what lies ahead of him to the East, better to stop and head back West where I know it was safe. This was now done in typical whitetail fashion, silently!

So now that you have checked the back trail to no avial now what? That depends on the lay of the land. If the land is fairly open then use a technique I have used successfully. I call it the grid system. Walk in a straight line searching the ground as you go. After you have traveled as far as you are willing to go then make another search back but slightly to the side. Toilet paper can be used to help guide you and it is biodegradable so no littering worries. Continue doing this until you have found your deer.

If you still have failed to find your deer all hope is not lost. Gut shot deer will undoubtably head towards water. So if there is a pond or small stream nearby you should then search up and down its banks. After this has been done you only have one more option. Wait for the birds to show you the deer. Return the next day and look for any unusual bird activity. Crows, buzzards, even smaller birds can tip you off to the deer location. If you see nothing the next day then return everyday for awhile. Hopefully this will at least let you recover the antlers.

This is a senario that you hopefully won't encounter, and good shot selection can all but eliminate this from happening. The above technique will work on any deer regardless of where it was hit. Remember the gut shot is the worst case senario. Let me list some other facts that you can use to help recover your deer.

    *Frothy blood indicates a lung hit.

    *This blood is often pink in appearance. Dark blood might indicate a liver shot.

    *Wounded deer have a tendency to want to run down hill as apposed to uphill.

    *Anytime you jump a deer that has been hit back off and give it time to die.

    *Deer hit in the chest that don't die immediately ususlly feel weak and will bed up extremely close to where they were hit. Sometimes not much more than 50 yards away.

    *Before you get down sit and analyze the last area the deer was seen. Make a mental note of specific trees. Once you get down it is amazing how different the woods look.

    *Mark your trail as you follow a blood trail. This will give you a visual indication of the path the deer was taking. And you will not have to worry about messing up a sparse blood trail and then loosing track of where the deer was headed and where the last sign was found.

    *When you find your deer, it's eyes will be open if it is dead. If the eye is closed then shoot it again, don't wait or you will be sorry.