South Africa offers exciting opportunities for those intent on a wing shooting adventure.
AFRICA EXPECTATION SAFARIS offers you bird hunting on the African continent safari style. We have access to birdland in many different parts of South Africa for our shoots, which is mainly private land. More than 80% of our wingshooting takes place in the Free State province. This area is also called the “grain barn” of South Africa, because so much grain is produced in this area. It is the ideal habitat for the upland birds, waterfowl, doves and pigeons, because there is more than enough cover, water, food and roosting places for them.
We might not have such a high volume of birds like Argentina, but where in the world can you hunt so many different species of birds in one day other than with us in South Africa?
Twenty species of geese and ducks of which two are endemic occur here, 21 upland gamebird species as well as 14 dove species.
Upland birds are subdivided in
- Francolins and Spurfowl (12 species),
- Quails (3 species).
- Guineafowls (2 species) and
- Sandgrouse (4 species).
The core emphases of our shoots are variety and quality rather than quantity. All birds hunted are wild birds and not pen reared or released.
Not all of the above mentioned birds are available for sustainable shooting but we will hunt a portion of these species with success as they represent healthy and viable populations. Apart from dove and pigeon shooting where NO BAG LIMITS are applicable, all other species are subjected to bag limits. Dove shoots can easily run into the 100's plus league daily, per shooter.
SPECIES most commonly Hunted in Souther Africa range from the SandGgrouse and Quail to Francolin, Guinea fowl and various species of dove and pigeons. Two species of geese are available; the Egyptian goose and Spur-winged goose can make for a rather challenging hunt.
- If your wing shooting preferences lean toward ducks, the Yellow Bill, White-faced Whistling, and African Shell duck may be your "cup of tea".
- Several species of Teal are also available and these small, quick, agile waterfowl can give even the most competent of shotgunners a real run for their money.
- Upland birds - guinea fowl and francolin are flushed out of long grass by walking up to them with trained dogs or flushed out of the corn fields or a driven hunt where by beaters driving the guinea fowl towards the shooters.
- Waterfowl - we will put you directly under the flight path in a hide or in natural cover, or we can also put you in a blind in the cornfields were they feed. We also use decoys put strategically in the grain fields.
All species are not available in all areas, and local province restrictions may apply, so be sure to make your preferences known when booking your safari.
From the large Spurwing goose to the challenging evasive Rock Pigeon, your marksmanship will be called upon.
A UNIQUE COMBINATION!
South Africa offers a large number of species for the avid shotgun shooter. Game bird shooting can make for a unique combination when added to either plains game or a dangerous game hunt.
Wing shooting in Southern Africa gained increasing popularity in the past few years among hunters headed to the 'dark continent' to test their skills. A day or two of wing shooting can easily be tacked onto a plains game hunt or even a dangerous game safari and prove to be a very pleasant diversion.
From the semi-desert in the west to the plains and rivers of the Highveld and on to the savannas of the north, the wing shooter can find more than 20 different species of game birds.
The best wing shooting opportunities are present during June, July, and August, which coincide with the open seasons in most of South Africa's provinces. Being a rather social affair, wing shooting is best done in small groups. The ideal size of the group is two, but even a group of six hunters can be easily accommodated.