By Nelius Mostert

I have been shooting traditional bows for quite a while now. The longbow, especially, has a mystery about it that fascinates me. Something is stirred inside you when you walk in the veld with a bare bow in the hand. If the two of you bond, you will become friends. However, sometimes that just does not happen.
So came the day that I met “Attila”. It was built by Johnny Snyman from Heartwood Bows. I realy appreciate the look of these Scythian recurves, but would the bow and I become friends? Attila, named after Attila the Hun, weights 80 pounds at 28 inches draw length. Because I manage 27 inches, I draw about 74 pounds.
During April this year, Hugo, owner of Blinkwater Game Ranch, invited me on a hunt. We wanted to hunt blue wildebeest, but because of heavy rainfall, we knew that we would have to settle for any animal that presents a shot. As we expected there was little action at the blinds, so Hugu and I decided to share a blind. This way we could at least enjoy good company, talking (in a whisper of course) about bowhunting and other things fellow friends of the wilderness share.
With bare bows, practising is a priority – before and during the hunt. So after and before each hunting session I practised at the luxury tented camp. Attila was still relatively new and I found myself not shooting as good as I knew I could. Every now and then an arrow had a will of its own.
The next day was just as fruitless and I kept drawing Attila just to keep warm. Then it started to rain softly. As it was becoming very late and because it was my last day, we decided to try spot-and-stalk. It still rained, and I was already wet to the bone and stiff with coldness when the first opportunity arose. It was almost dark when I came to full draw. Actually, I thought that seventeen yards were too far, but as I locked into my anchoring point, the impala looked away and everything just felt right. As I released I saw the arrow do exactly what I intended.
After the bush came to a rest, I walked over and picked up the arrow to confirmed my observations. It was still raining and darkness had settled in. We realised we had no flashlights, but it was no problem, because a trip to the lodge to get a strong flashlight would give ample time before follow-up. At seven that evening we were back, searching for spoor and blood. We searched in vain for two hours while it still rained. We could not see a single animal spoor in the area.
Drinking warm soup that evening did not help taking my mind off what happened. I never thought that soft rain could wash the veld so clean. But I had to go run my rat-race early the next morning. The cry of jackal kept me awake till late that night.
It was still dark when I drove through the gates of Blinkwater. I longed to continue the search, but I had to return to work.
As I drove into Pretoria the news came. My impala had expired 50 yards from where I’ve shot it. It was a heart shot. A jackal had feasted on one side, but the damage was small.
I learned two lessons. Firstly, no more shooting 30 minutes before dark! And secondly, keep rain in consideration – for it can seriously encumber searching for the animal.
Although things did not go as I hoped, I still had a great time at Blinkwater. Shooting Attila really did the trick. It grew on me, and yes, we have become friends.
I believe Blinkwater still has some openings and special packages for self-catering. You arw welcome to contact Jenny at: 083 577 3941.