Best Archery Setup for Cape Buffalo

Cape buffalo are one of the toughest and most dangerous big game animals on the planet. They have extremely thick, almost impenetrable skin. Their ribs overlap and they’ve got a sweet spot the size of a grapefruit. African Dangerous Game are the last critters you want to chase into the bush when wounded, so if you’re going to hunt Cape buffalo with a bow, you better make sure you’ve got the right gear for the job. Not a bowhunter? Here are the best calibers for a cape buffalo hunt.

Prehistory Archery Hunting Methods

The first stone arrowheads were discovered in Africa, which indicates that the bow and arrow was invented there, dating back to 50,000 B.C. Somewhere between 25,000 and 18,000 BC, fire hardened points were developed. These ancient bowhunters would insert the arrowhead into a slot in the front of the shaft and firm it with sinew. Then they glued on feathers and tied them with sinew to the arrow shaft.

South Africa Cave Paintings — San Bushman Rock Art Sevilla Rock Art Trail Travellers Rest Cederberg Mountains Clanwilliam Western Cape Province South Africa

One piece bows of yew or elm have been found in Denmark that date between 8,000-6,000 B.C. The first composite bow was developed in Egypt around 2,800 B.C. It was made from wood and tipped on each end with animal horn held together with sinew from different animals and glue. It was almost C shaped and took two people to string it. In 2,500 B.C., the Sumerians were conquered by the Akkadians who used their infantry archers to defeat them. Macedonian archers fought from horseback around 360 B.C.

New World Bowhunting Methods

Fast forward to the short bows used by the Apaches in the New World, Mongols in Asia, and the English longbow which was widely used in Europe.

Modern Archery Hunting

Nowadays you’ve got longbow, recurve, compound bows, etc. Guys like Art Young and Fred Bear were the first to head to Africa to take Cape buffalo with a bow. Bows have come a long way since then. Here is an up to date list of some of the recommended equipment to set you up for success on your hunt.

If you’ve ever wanted to hunt Cape buffalo with a bow, here’s what you need to know before you book your hunting safari.

*Check regulations in the country you are hunting prior to your safari. Not all African countries even allow bowhunting at all.

Bow: You’ll need a bow capable of propelling an 850 grain arrow at 230 feet per second.
Arrows: Employ a heavy arrow; 8 grams- 10 grams per bow pound. You can use wood, fiberglass, carbon, carbon compounds or aluminum arrows. Arrows need to be a minimum of 700 grains, but 950-1000 grains are preferred.
Broadheads: Broadheads must have at least two fixed cutting blades with a minimum cutting edge length and width of one inch (26mm+). Mechanical broadheads are legal in Namibia (but archery hunting for dangerous game is NOT).