I have an older friend, Jack, who is 80 years old. For his entire life he has wanted to do a buffalo hunt in Africa.. Last night we discussed the posibility of trying to do such a hunt if I and another younger friend could accompany Jack and assist him on the trip.

The problem is that Jack is very limited in his ability to walk any significant distance. He can get around with short walks. In his younger years he hunted here in the US and his profession was a gunsmith so he is very competent with firearms.

So my question to the experienced African hunters on this forum is this: Is there a method to arrange a buffalo hunt that would primarily be from a vehicle. Jack would be able to dismount the vehicle but could not do a stalk. He also understands that there would have to be a backup shooter that would shoot immediately following Jack's shot. He also would not attempt to hunt any other species besides the buffalo.

I have never been on a hunt outside of the US and Canada, so I have no knowledge about the fisability of this type of hunt in Africa. IF you know of an outfitter that is experienced in this situation please provide that information.

Your advice, information & thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Hi SD Shooter

Basically YES we can do. It is a ranch hunt in Zambia and my nephew Dene is the PH so there is no drama to get things done specifically to suit Jack. Were you and Jack thinking about 2007 season or 2008 as we only have one slot left in 2007 for buff and that would have to be mid September, anytime shortly after Sept 12 arrival, but no later than say Sept 15 as we have another group arriving on Sept 22

If definately interested I can work out a price offer once I have talked to my brother Alan the ranch owner to confirm the opening and price.

WE can loan a rifle/s as required if that is Jack's choice, it could save some hassles with permits etc.

Finally would you and the younger other person be (non-hunting guests only) or wanting to hunt as well, if so what species would you want to take yourselves !!

SD,

DON'T wait. Take him buff hunting NOW. This may well be one of the better things I've seen on this site in a while.

Get after it! Time is of the essence!

Sure. My Dad was in his 70's when he went on his buff hunt.

Oh yeah, a frontal chest shot with a 375. The buff ran a few yards and croaked. Rookie!

The flight over and back may be tougher on him than the hunt. Try to insist on business class.


Go for it old warrior..........

It is certainly do-able. I saw some great photos of hunters in wheel chirs who had taken elephant, buffalo, etc.

Just one recommendation. Don't say, "WOULD shoot immediately following Jack's shot". Let the PH determine that. I think it would be quite a thrill to have Jack take his own buffalo, without an automatic volley of fire taking that accomplishment away from him.

If I was a PH, his PH, I would do everything in my power to see that he made the kill, short of allowing anyone to get at risk.

There are a number of safari companies that could provide such a hunt. I think it's great that he wants to do it...no doubt, he deserves it. Let us know what happens?

Buffalo hunting is exactly what you are supposed to do when you are eighty !!!!! Get Er Done! Then go for an Elephant!
e

els,

I really like your attitude. If you have'nt hunted buffalo by the time you're 80, well, what a wonderful time to start! Your signature say a lot about you too!

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

Not knowing how spunky Jack is or his overall health condition, to minimize the flying and related hassles while providing quick access to good medical care if needed - if there ever was a scenario appropriate for a buffalo hunt in South Africa - this may be it.

If the Doc's suggest not making the long trip for whatever reason, you might consider one of the near-cape buffalo (water buffalo) hunts in Florida.

Make it happen - and good on you!

I would suggest setting up your travel plans with a stopover along the way. That marathon 18 hours in an Airbus might be too difficult.

quote:

Originally posted by Balla Balla:
Hi SD Shooter

Basically YES we can do. It is a ranch hunt in Zambia and my nephew Dene is the PH so there is no drama to get things done specifically to suit Jack. Were you and Jack thinking about 2007 season or 2008 as we only have one slot left in 2007 for buff and that would have to be mid September, anytime shortly after Sept 12 arrival, but no later than say Sept 15 as we have another group arriving on Sept 22

If definately interested I can work out a price offer once I have talked to my brother Alan the ranch owner to confirm the opening and price.

WE can loan a rifle/s as required if that is Jack's choice, it could save some hassles with permits etc.

Finally would you and the younger other person be (non-hunting guests only) or wanting to hunt as well, if so what species would you want to take yourselves !!

What Peter said above istrue, and his place is a good place to go for this! I know Dene, and his father, and they are good people. One thing Peter didn't mention is, if you need any passport work, now is the time to get it started, because of the Homeland Security, there is a very long wait for renewal, or new passport. Also just posted on this web-site, Some countries in Africa are not allowing you in without at least six months left on you passport, and it needs at least two completely blank pages for Visa. Also if things haven't changed in Zambia, you need to apply with the Zambian Embassy for the visa ahead of leaving the USA, and it takes a couple of weeks minimum.

Also on the trip over, some one needs to get Jack up to walk around the airplane every hour or so, to avoid clotts in his legs. The shots he, and you need will take a while to take effect, and a Maleria profalaxis will be needed as well. These things take time, so I'd get moveing if I were you.

I'm 71 yrs old, and there are a couple guys here who are older than me, that hunt Africa almost every year, so his age isn't a complete barr to his takeing a good Cape Buffalo bull! Since you will be paying the airfare anyway, you may as well take a Buff yourself, as long as you are there anyway!

........Good luck, and good hunting!

Ray Atkinson has done it and he is over 100 now!

John

Very doable.

Contact Gordon Duncan @ Shaangan Hunters. I beleive he told me he took a guy in his 80's and his grandsons on a huint which included hippo. I suppose he could handle a buffalo hunt for your friend

xgrunt & Mac are correct. Deep vein thrombosis is a distinct possibility for a guy his age, particularly if he's crammed into one of those seats in coach.

quote:

Originally posted by 30ott6:
Ray Atkinson has done it and he is over 100 now!

John

WOW! Is it true he hunted with Samuel Baker? And sold him a rifle?

If you are looking for something not to difficult you might try Didimala Safaris just outside Kimberley South Africa. I saw Cape Buffalo once or twice from my room. You can read about them in John Barsness article in the Sept issue of Rifle Magazine. I was there with Serengeti the week after John left. I was within 100 yards of the buffalo more than once but I was still in a truck hunting plains game. Don't know what hunting buffalo should cost but this was too much for me. Flight out of Dulles wasn't bad either. Kathi booked it for me and it was the best cheap seat on the plane. I had to walk to the seat in front of me. Kimberley is about a one hour flight from Johannesburg.

THANK YOU! I am encouraged by ALL of the positive responses. Now I have to convince his adult children that this is a good idea. With the information that you have provided, it looks very posible.

The hunt would not be until 2008 just given the logistics of putting everyone's schedules together. I just had shoulder surgery and at the moment can't do anything with my left arm, but that should be resolved in a few months.

I will keep all of you posted as to the outcome.

And to the outfitters, also thanks for your replies. As soon as I get some indication from his family that this might happen, I will be in touch with you.

Thanks again to everyone - we might still make a dream come true.

SD Shooter

I'd also suggest that you take out some sort of medical evacuation insurance before you go. It's not expensive, and it certainly makes me feel safer when I'm out of country. I'm 71 and have a variety of health problems, but I traveled to Namibia and all over South Africa in May and June. The flight over and back on Delta took 23 hours from Tucson, including layovers, and was not too bad although CHF puffed my legs up. I take warfarin, an anticoagulant, so thrombosis is not a problem.

Bill Quimby

Kudos to you, SD Hunter, and what you're trying to do for Jack. The best part of the trip will be years from now as the memories still remain of the smiles on Jack's face.