I came across these requirements for those of you who are interested.
27. The following norms apply to the hunting of wild animals with bow and arrow-
( a) small game, including gamebirds, small carnivores, hares, hyraxes, rabbits and pygmy antelope
(Category 1 )-
(i) bow with a minimum draw mass of 40 pounds;
(ii) bow generating a minimum kinetic energy 30ft/lbs; and
(iii) minimum arrow weight of 300 grains;
(b) medium game, including reedbuck, impala, blesbuck, warthog, bushpig, springbuck, and nyala
(Category 2)-
(i) bow with a minimum draw mass of 50 pounds;
(ii) bow generating a minimum kinetic energy 50ft/lbs; and
(iii) minimum arrow weight 400 grains;
(c) large game, including wildebeests, kudu, gemsbuck, zebra, waterbuck, sable, and hartebeests
(Category 3)-
(i) bow with a minimum draw mass of 60 pounds;
(ii) bow generating a minimum kinetic energy of 60ft/lbs; and
(iii) minimum arrow weight of 500 grains;
(d) Cape buffalo
(Category 4)-
(i) bow with a minimum draw mass of 80 pounds;
(ii) bow generating a minimum kinetic energy of 8Oft/lbs; and
(iii) minimum arrow weight of 750 grains; and
(e) giraffe
(Category 5)-
(i) bow with a minimum draw mass of 90 pounds;
(ii) bow generating a minimum kinetic energy of 90ft/lbs; and
(iii) minimum arrow weight of 750 grains.
Additional norms for bow hunting equipment
28. Notwithstanding the requirements contemplated in Paragraph 27 the following conditions apply-
(a) in the case of mechanical broad heads 5% additional kinetic energy is required for Category 1, 2
and 3 wild animals;
(b) broad heads must have at least two cutting edges; and
(c) the minimum permitted arrow length is 50cm.
29. These norms and standards are called the National Norms and Standards for the Regulation of the
Hunting Industry, 2009, and take effect on a date determined by the Minister in the Gazette.
The whole document can be viewed here:
https://www.environment.gov.za/site...tices/nemba_huntingindustry_g32798gen1614.pdf
NAMIBIA
The importation of bows for bow hunting is legal in Namibia and no permit is required.
Longbows, recurve bows and compound bows are legal to hunt with, but no crossbows are allowed for hunting in Namibia. According to law arrows should be 20 inch/500mm and longer. Our recommendation is to hunt African game with fixed broad heads and not mechanical broad heads. The Namibian bow hunting law requires that bow hunters are accompanied by a professional hunter registered as bow hunting guide while hunting. The best season for bow hunting is during the drier months of the year from June until November.
The minimum legal requirements for bow hunting in Namibia:
Small Game
25 ft/lbs and an arrow weight of 350 grains e.g. African Wild Cat, Blessbuck, Caracal, Rock Rabbit, Damara Dik-Dik, Grey Duiker, Jackal, Klipspringer, Springbuck and Steenbuck.
Medium Size Game
40 ft/lbs and an arrow weight of 400 grains e.g. Warthog, Baboon, Cheetah and Spotted Hyena
Big Game
65ft/lbs and an arrow weight of 450 grains e.g. Eland, Oryx, Giraffe, Red Hartebeest, Kudu, Roan Antelope, Sable, Tsessebe, Waterbuck, Wildebeest species and the Zebra species
Dangerous Game
The following Dangerous Game species cannot legally be hunted in Namibia with the Bow: Elephant; Hippopotamus; Crocodile; Buffalo; Lion; Leopard
ARROWS: Arrows can be made out of:
Wood, fiberglass, carbon or carbon compounds and aluminum
The shaft must have a minimum length of 19.68 inches (500 mm).
BROAD-HEADS
Must consist of at least two fixed cutting blades
Must have a minimum cutting edge length and width of 1 inch (26 mm+)
Mechanical broad-heads are legal in Namibia
May not ave barbed or serrated edges
May not contain poison or narcotics
Special arrow points such as judo points, bird points or blunt points may be used for the bow hunting of game bird species only, A hunter may take no more than two members of the permitted bird species during the hunt, which will be listed in the trophy permit.
SPOT AND STALKING
This method is preferred during the green season months, February until May as sufficient cover exists and the green bush is softer on the foot and reduces noise while stalking.
Spot and stalk hunting is also used for the "more difficult" game species or those that do not frequent waterholes Due to the difficulty of achieving the above criteria, bow-hunting in Namibia is technically a highly selective sport and requires above normal self-discipline and physical fitness. Surrounding game species are disturbed very little and are often not even aware of the hunt that is taking place.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
A Hunting Guide, Master Hunting Guide or Professional Hunter with additional qualifications for bow-hunting must guide trophy hunters visiting Namibia.
Bow hunting shall be conducted exclusively in the company of a registered hunting guide/ master hunting guide or professional hunter with an additional bow hunting qualification at all times in the bush or blind, and not more than two trophy hunters per guide at any given time.
Bow-hunting may only take place on special game farms and areas which are registered for this purpose with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Respect Landowners rights.
Bow-hunting may only be conducted for the sake of trophy hunting.
Licenses for various game species may be organized by the outfitter and must clearly stipulate Bowhunting.
No animal will be viable for inclusion in the NAPHA Top Ten List if said animals have been harvested with a permit not clearly displaying the Bowhunting stamp at the top of the page.
The onus lies with the trophy hunter to check and ensure that the correct permits are in possession of the outfitter before hunting commences.
No person shall without the permission of the Cabinet hunt any game or other wild animal, other than a problem animal, with the
aid of artificial light, or during the period from half an hour after sunset on any day to half an hour before sunrise on the following day.
The practice of shooting from a moving vehicle is prohibited; ethical principles of hunting determine that any animal must have at least an equal chance to escape.
A hunting guest may only take two animals of a kind each year, irrespective if the trophies are exported or not.
All Trophies must attain the minimum points of trophy quality. (Exceptions are allowed only with old, setback or very abnormal trophies.)
Bow-hunting is guided by the Code of Conduct as set out below:
Hunting to take place on the principles of fair chase, as defined hereunder.
When bow-hunting, the hunter makes use of stalking as well as lying in ambush
Use of correct hunting methods and equipment to harvest animals in the least traumatic way possible
Bow-hunters should practice and train continuously to enhance their bowman ship.
They have to abide by the relevant laws, other legal requirements and recognized codes of conduct.
They must actively enhance the survival of wildlife populations, protection of biodiversity and the promotion of sustainable utilization.
Ensure humane practices in the utilization of wildlife.
Engage at all times in fair and honest , practices
Educate others regarding the benefits of sustainable use, conservation procedures and the ethics of hunting.
Recognize indigenous rural community needs relating to sustainable natural resource utilization.
ZIMBABWE
A bow with a draw weight of not less than 35kg and an arrow weighing not less than 45 grams is required for Giraffe and Eland and draw weight of not less than 35kg with an arrow not less than 40 grams is required for most antelope. Bow hunting may onlly take place on private hunting areas or communal hunting areas, NOT in a Nation Park or Government controled Safari Area.
Here’s more information.
BOWS
When you have taken up hunting with bow and arrow you have not only defy modern times you have also commit yourself to be challenged beyond belief. The art of bow hunting putts you in the league of brave men who went before us not only for the sake of sport but survival. It is the truest form of adventure, taking on the giants and predators that have been roaming and dominating our hunting fields forever.
The 3 most important aspects of an arrow for a successful African kill:
Perfect arrow flight.
Ridiculously sharp broad head.
Heavy arrow, At least 7.5g per bow pound. 65 lb = 490g total arrow weight (preferably more 8g -10g per bow pound)
Interesting.... thanks.
I am a retired PH and worked mostly in RSA in specific provinces. Please be aware that different Countries and Provinces have different rules. The information provided is interesting and useful, but not universally implemented across the Continent, Countries or Provinces. Same with firearms rules, they vary quite a bit. Check with the hunt organization where you're going (for instance, PHASA), the outfitter and the provincial game dept.