Hunting

Bird Hunts

South Africa is a haven for wild bird shooting and provides the bird enthusiasts with a variety of terrain to hunt from. We offer our bird hunters Grey-Wing Partridge over trained English Pointers from the high ground within the Eastern Cape.

While the East Cape boasts a superb variety of birds to pursue, we do not offer bird hunts solely, as birds can be erratic at times. If any hunter would like to combine his/her big game safari with a couple of bird days for Grey-wing Partridge shooting then he/she can do so as an add-on to their safari.

GREY-WING PARTRIDGE

Grey-wing Partridge is considered by many as one of the finest upland game birds in the world. They habitat at an elevation of 5000 feet and higher in our northern concessions. These birds live in coveys of four to eighteen, with most coveys averaging ten birds. Early mornings are spent in the mountains, watching the dogs range for birds and enjoying the views, only to be disturbed by the thrill of an English Pointer on a Grey-wing point. This will leave even the most experienced of hunters grasping for his shotgun, only to see these fast flying birds disappear over the edge.

Hunting Season: 1 May to 31 July
Bag Limit: 4 birds per hunter per day

All Grey-wing hunts are offered in combination with one of our standard plains/dangerous game safaris in the East Cape.

SHOTGUNS TO HIRE

For all bird hunts in South Africa we recommend a 12-gauge shotgun and at your request we can arrange for shells to be supplied. Please note, 20 Gauge shotguns are not available. We do however have a selection of 12 Gauge CZ Redhead over and under, and couple of Beretta semi-automatics. Shotgun selection is on a first come first serve basis.

Shotgun hire and shell rates as per listed rates at the time of booking.

Bird Hunting FAQ's

1What bird hunts are available with John X Safaris?

South Africa is a haven for bird shooting and offers hunters a variety of terrain. At John X Safaris, we specialize in Grey-wing Partridge hunts over trained English Pointers in the Eastern Cape. While bird hunts are not offered as standalone safaris due to their erratic nature, they can be added on to a big game safari for a unique and exciting combination experience.

2What makes Grey-wing Partridge hunting special?

Grey-wing Partridge is considered one of the finest upland game birds in the world, found at elevations above 5,000 feet in the northern concessions. Living in coveys of four to eighteen birds, they provide thrilling, fast-paced shooting as hunters watch the dogs work in the mountains before these fast-flying birds flush. The hunting season runs from May 1 to July 31, with a bag limit of four birds per hunter per day, and all hunts are offered in combination with plains or dangerous game safaris in the Eastern Cape.

3Are shotguns available to hire for bird hunts?

Yes, hunters can hire shotguns for bird hunts in South Africa, with a recommended 12-gauge for the best experience. While 20-gauge shotguns are not available, John X Safaris offers a selection of 12 Gauge CZ Redhead over-and-under shotguns and Beretta semi-automatics. Shotguns are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and shells can be arranged on request, with rates confirmed at the time of booking.