Bowhunting in Zimbabwe
Bowhunting for plains game has been permitted in Zimbabwe since 1989,
allowed under special exception of the wildlife laws. Recently, that
temporary status, which lasted a decade, has been officially changed. In
early 1999, new legislation was accepted by the government in Zimbabwe
concerning bowhunting.
Under the provisions of Park and Wildlife General Amendment Regulations,
1999 (No. 3) bowhunting is permitted on alienate is allowed on private and
communal land. Alienated lands do not include the concession blocks operated
in the Zambezi Valley or other areas where concession lands occur or any
lands that are administered by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife
Management. The legislation spells out definitions of permissible bowhunting
equipment expressed by peak draw and arrow weight.
Schedule A animals: Crocodile, buffalo, hippo and rhino are prohibited
completely from bowhunting. Animals listed on Schedules B through D
represent primarily all the plains game but also includes lion and leopard.
Required bow weights start at 25 kilograms (55 lbs) for Impala and range up
to 35 kilograms (77 lbs) for Africa's largest antelope, the eland. Complete
details of the law can be found by clicking on the “Equipment Restrictions”
icon at the bottom of this page.
Wildlife in Zimbabwe has been under extreme pressure since political
problems broke out in 2000 and many traditionally good plains game areas are
no longer viable for bowhunters. Zimbabwe does however have some great
bowhunting for dangerous game. Most bowhunts for elephant have been taking
place in Zimbabwe of late and some of the best hound hunting for leopard
anywhere in Africa, occurs here.
For more information you can contact:
Zimbabwe Tourism Board
1270 Ave. of the Americas
Suite 412, New York, N.Y. 10020
Email Neil Summers, owner/manager/consultant for Africa
Call us toll free at
1-800-833-9777 for more details.