Bates Scores Africa's Big Five - In A Single Safari

Waverly, Tennessee- On October third, in the Lepelale area of South Africa, Joella Bates, a Tennessee native, became the first woman to take the Big 5 of Africa with a bow and arrow. She was guided by Professional Hunter Tienie Bamberger, the owner of Warthog Safaris. During her month-long safari, Joella arrowed each of the Big 5 which consists of a Lion, Elephant, Cape Buffalo, White Rhinoceros, and Leopard.

Any one of these animals presents the hunter with an experience of a lifetime, but to do it in a single safari was a feat that to our knowledge, no bowhunter had ever done before. Joella is a 20-year veteran bowhunter, who prior to this hunting trip had harvested animals representing 54 different species.

Bates described her miraculous adventure, saying: "My African Big 5 Safari was the hunt of a lifetime. I have never been so close to so many dangerous animals and to come out of the adventure with only scratches from the thorns only happened because my guide, Professional Hunter Tienie Bamberger of Warthog Safaris kept his cool and instinctively protected me and the hunting party during near-death encounters with these dangerous animals." Joella relates, "I shot the lioness at 6.5 yards and then survived an elephant charge with the cow falling only two steps from me. I am alive today, because of Tienie Bamberger. I highly recommend him to any person considering hunting the Big 5 and other dangerous game."

For more details or to order "Closer than Close," the DVD or the book, please visit Joella's website, www.joellabates.com or www.warthogsafaris.co.za or email joella@joellabates.com. Look for Joella and Tienie at an outdoor show in your area.

Contact:
Todd Coppernoll, The WPM Group, (608) 850-4798 or todd@thewpmgroup.com