BOWHUNTING BABOONS

Iwas fortunate enough to go to South Africa last summer and bow hunt for some of the most beautiful animals on earth. Kudu, nyala, sable and impala are just a few that have hunters putting a safari on their bucket lists. But on the other hand, hunting in Africa can also bring up all sorts of strange emotions in people. Of course, there are the anti-hunters who don’t understand conservation and why hunting is so important to the country. Some hunters really don’t understand the allure–my husband was one of them until he went–and now we are planning to return in the next few years. Some are “weirded out” by the idea of hunting certain species, such as monkeys, zebras or baboons, and I was one of those.

I am often hesitant to share this story and pictures, but I think it’s good for people to understand hunting, different cultures, and how they deal with apex predators.

One of my first hunts was disrupted by a troupe of baboons. The group that came in was instantly extremely destructive and started tearing apart the blind we were sitting in… it was downright terrifying. My PH (professional hunter or guide) said we needed to get them out of the area and the best way was to take out the lead male–and our only weapon was my bow. So, I complied, shot the 70 or 80 lb. male sitting by the waterhole and the group quickly left. I did not want to kill a baboon because I did not understand shooting a primate. At the time, it didn’t feel like a hunt to me, almost self-defense. The baboon stunk to high heaven and I didn’t even want my picture with it, but I did. I figured it was one of those pictures that I’d share with a couple people close to me, but not publicly because I didn’t want to deal with the ridicule and explaining why I shot a primate. The PH asked if I wanted to take the skull home and I replied “NO” so we left it in the bush and kept hunting. When we got back to camp, everyone was more excited I killed a baboon then the nice impala ram I got later in the day. The concession owner said thank you so much and went on to say the one I shot was a huge male after seeing the picture. He went and picked it up, drove into town and got me a cites permit, the requirement and small fee you pay if you hunt certain animals and want to bring them to America. He said baboons are a real trophy for a bowhunter and you’re lucky to get a shot at one. Several people in camp had them on their wish list. I still really didn’t get it.

Baboons are VERY intelligent and have excellent eyesight. They would send a scout to check and make sure the coast is clear, then the entire group would come in. They always have a guard keeping an eye out and when they were at your blind, other animals would come in too, knowing the baboons felt “safe.” That being said, they are not like the Disney-fied Rafiki in the Lion King. I was told stories by my PH of how baboons would come into yards and kill dogs with a single bite, attack children and kill tons of baby animals, rip them open & eat the “milk-filled belly.” They are considered a nuisance in Africa– “Wolves with thumbs.” I actually watched a male baboon make a fist and punch a kudu in the face. They are predators like our wolves, coyotes, cats or bears. They need to be managed as such. Recently, the owner of the concession had his family dog get torn apart up protecting his home from a troupe of baboons. Luckily, the dog survived but was badly injured. He said, “The baboons are a real nuisance, causing damage wherever they go. If they can get into the garden, you can be sure there will be nothing left. If they can get on a roof, especially a thatched roof, they WILL tear it down. Their numbers have also increased exponentially over the last twenty years and there are just too many of them.” He went on to offer anyone hunting with them, as many baboons as possible for free to help them fight the war on baboons and help reduce their exploding population.

As I end this story, I still feel nervous sharing it to a broader audience. I still shy away when someone asks

By Stephanie Prater

*** side note: my arrow fletchings are 2.5” for reference on how big their canine teeth are.

to see the picture or skull. However, I do know that I took an apex predator, a fawn killer, a destructive beast off the landscape. The wonderful family that owns the concession and hosted us for two weeks is thankful for one less baboon and that to me is one of the best trophies of the trip.