Helmeted Guineafowl hunting
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Where to hunt Helmeted Guineafowl
Helmeted guineafowl is a medium-sized game bird found in most traditional safari destinations from Tanzania to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. The best areas for a dedicated guineafowl hunt are found in the grain farming regions of South Africa, such as the North-West Province. There, especially on farms that are purposefully managed for the birds, one finds the proper habitat that ensures large numbers of birds: a combination of fields for food, constant drinking water, trees for roosting, and ground cover for nests.
Price distribution
Specialised bird hunts are mainly offered in Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Numerous outfitters in South Africa specialise in driven guineafowl hunts, and hunting over dogs. These combination hunts range in price from $600 per hunter to $2,200 for 4 hunters. The price of the hunt is often determined by the number of people in the hunting party. Ideally for guineafowl hunting the minimum group size should be no less than 4 guns. Individual birds may be hunted for the pot and specialist bird collector safaris may be arranged as a tailor-made safari.
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Wingshooting in South Africa: An Unexposed Jewel
Driven bird hunts are usually associated with Europe and Great Britain, but South Africa has a long tradition of this sport as well. To this day, being invited to a farmer’s traditional guineafowl shoot is quite an honor. During these hunts camaraderie and long lasting friendships are made. The shoot is more about the experience than the kill and lots of banter and laughter was the order of the day.
4 Feb 2022 Wingshooting in South Africa: An Unexposed Jewel. Part 2: Driven Bird HuntsWhen to hunt Helmeted Guineafowl?
Guineafowl may be hunted year-round in some countries but for the true sportsman, the season is often limited to the non-breeding season. Outfitters who are serious about their bird hunting also will not hunt out of season to make sure that young birds have an opportunity to reach maturity and breed, thus ensuring Guineafowl population numbers for future hunters. It is not recommended to hunt after a drought as local bird populations will need time to recover from the natural selection that takes place during these dry times.
Hunting methods All hunting methods (13)
If you’ve read enough old safari books, you probably think that guineafowl shooting is just a diversion from a big-game hunt, to put some delicious white meat on the table when opportunity arises. That is true, and if you run into a flock of guineafowl in the course of your plains or dangerous game hunt, your PH might offer to bring a shotgun or small-caliber rifle from the vehicle so that you can shoot a couple of birds for the pot. But did you know there are also dedicated guineafowl hunts in South Africa? A traditional South African guineafowl shoot is usually a large-scale affair, with up to sixty beaters driving the birds towards hunters. Unlike European driven bird shoots, which typically involve artificially reared and released birds, African guineafowl are totally wild and free-ranging, so the organizers need a lot of knowledge and strategic thinking to make sure the birds pass over the shooters’ line. Shooting is a challenge, too, what with the bird’s rapid flight and the additional disturbance of the vocal cacophony they produce when disturbed. Alternatively, the hunters may walk through the guineafowl habitat in line, flushing the birds with or without the assistance of dogs. Any decent 12 to 20-gauge shotgun will do the trick; size 5 shot is preferred. Bear in mind, however, that it’s a bad style to bring a repeating shotgun to a traditional South African driven guineafowl hunt. The accepted weapons there are side-by-sides and over/unders.
Why hunt Helmeted Guineafowl?
Guineafowl shooting is a time-honored tradition among South African farmers. Originally meant to control the birds’ numbers, it evolved into a community bonding event. In fact, these days, if the farmers want to maintain sufficient populations for this hunt (whether for the sake of tradition or the extra income they receive from outfitters who bring paying clients), the farmers must resort to limited and safe usage of pesticides, and leave enough cover for the birds. This benefits not only the guineafowl, but also other fauna and flora. This hunting experience is a true example of the cultural fusion that represents South Africa. The principle of driven bird shoots has been perfected in England, the egalitarian atmosphere comes from the Dutch and African peoples, and the ox-horn formation of the line of beaters traces its heritage to the famed Zulu military tactic. International hunters can partake in this hunt by booking a guineafowl hunting from an outfitter on our online marketplace. Guineafowl is also an essential part of the “African Macnab Challenge” (If you don’t know what that is, read this post by one of our clients and find out). The birds are not only sought after for their sportive challenge but also for their culinary value, as guineafowl meat is considered a delicacy in many African regions. Furthermore, sustainable hunting of guineafowl supports habitat conservation efforts and provides economic benefits to local communities. In short, guineafowl hunting offers an exceptional blend of cultural heritage, challenging sport, and culinary reward.
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