My husband Nick and I purchased the Matlabas Game Hunters South African safari hunt at the NDBA auction in 2022. What you may not know, is this would be one of my few bowhunting experiences and, if successful, my first mammal with a bow. I had a successful archery turkey hunt many years ago. Other than that, I have never shot an arrow at an animal.
All hunters know how much preparation goes into a hunting trip, especially a trip to another country. I prepared in every way possible. I shot a lot of arrows. I shot from every angle, height, and distance I could and studied the vitals of the animals. My equipment was ready, my sights were spot on, and I was confident. But nothing prepares you for the high of having that first large animal within range. Nothing pre-pares you for the high of a good shot and your first animal. And there is absolutely no way to prepare for the low of a poor shot and wounded animal. The highs and lows of bowhunting are extreme. And I experienced every level of high and low and all the “firsts” in 8 days.
For nearly a year, Nick and I researched the animals in South Africa and made a “wish list.” My list included the animals in our package, an impala and a zebra or wildebeest with the addition of a gemsbok. My second full day in a blind, around 10 a.m., a massive eland came in. My first thought was, “It’s not on the list!” I am a list-maker and follower, and this was not on the list. Then, without another thought, I grabbed my bow and drew it back. Well, I tried anyway. My bow was not pulling back, and the arrow was making a squeaking sound I’d never heard before. My bow is broken and I panic. My PH, Flippie, takes it from me and pulled it right back. My bow wasn’t broken, I was so nerv-ous and full of adrenaline, I had lost all muscle memory of how to shoot my own bow. I managed to compose myself, drew back and made a good lung shot. My first bow kill was a possible record book, 41-inch eland in South Africa. The ultimate high of bowhunting!
The following day was a beautiful impala. Then came the gemsbok. After sitting in a blind for several days, I knew they can be a bit elusive, coming in just beyond range or right at dark. But there it was, 12 yards perfectly quartered away. I had a good liver and lung shot. I was on a 3-day bowhunting high.
But as they say, what goes up must come down. My ex-treme bowhunting high was about to come crashing down. We watched kudu, eland, waterbuck and nyala all morning. It was then that a large group of wildebeest came rushing in. My adrenaline kicked in, I got into position, put my sight on target and shot. It was low, very low. It was now running through the Bushveld with an arrow sticking out of its leg. In a matter of minutes, I went over that shot 100 times in my mind. What did I do or not do? I could feel the tears welling in my eyes. Not because I shot poorly, but I shot poorly and now wounded an animal. My first wound-ed animal bowhunting. The ultimate low. After tracking for most of the day, it was never found. All were confident, based on tracks and such, that it will survive and be healthy. Although that put my mind at ease, that low does not leave you quickly. It lingered the rest of the day in the blind. The highs and lows of bowhunting are extreme. It was truly the trip of a lifetime. Everyone at Matlabas made us feel as though we’d been a part of their family for years. I formed friendships, made lasting memories, laughed so hard I’m certain I scared away animals, and shed a few tears. I saw animals we only see in captivity. We shared stories, a passion for hunting and true sports-manship. Sharing this journey with my husband, our PH’s, and the owners and staff at Matlabas was the ultimate first bowhunting high. The highs and lows of bowhunting are extreme but, despite the lows, I am so grateful for this experience and am look-ing forward to my next bowhunting adventure.
