All,
I have read, possebly here, that there are times when bushbuck utilize the presence of baboons. Both animals like the thicker riverine areas and if I can remember what you author stated, the bushbuck utilize the baboons as sentries. Also the bushbuck will feed on the fruit the baboons accidently knock to ground.

Has anyone else come across this happening? Can you ultimately find bushbuck, by looking for baboons?

I need all the help I can get,
BigBullet

I was told the same thing by a PH in Zim. He said when baboon come to water, often bushbuck will follow them. Bushbuck use the baboon to make certain the water hole is safe, then the bushbuck will come in and drink.

Regards,

Terry

Yes, the Bushbucks use the Baboons as watch dogs, on quite a few occasions we hunted Bushbucks by sneaking around the edge of a troop of Baboons. The Baboons were heading for the river to drink, we would keep our distance and watch, I took a nice 15 1/2 inch that way and a friend of mine missed a monster!

BB,
Remember at Gerald's place that one night when you harassed the baboons in their sleeping quarters in the river? Their midnight alarm barking scared every bushbuch away for 100 miles.
Now stop blaming your PH for not getting that bushbuck - it was all your fault.
Lochi.
p.s. hey, tell you what: I have a full-mounted baboon at home. If we can put him on the riverbark this time round, he should act as safety decoy for the bushbuck, and we'll get them. huh?
Lochi.

YEAH thats it a baboon confidence decoy

Terry, Widowmaker416,

Thank you for your replys. I think there is some to this baboon/bushbuck relationship. I shall look for it while hunting with Lochi.

Lochi, I think you should pack that baboon, the confidence decoy thing just might work.

Will give full report upon return.

BigBullet

Don't know about bushbucks but kudu's will use every animal under God's sun to act as sentry's.

We were stalking a kudu utilizing a dry creek bottom as cover. After a bit my PH started muttering under his breath which meant he was cursing. I asked what's up and he told me we had walked into the midst of a baboon troop so far undetected but he said it would only be a matter of time until we were busted.

Ever eager to experience all things African I said well let's move on and see what happens. A short distance later a sentry atop a tree saw us about the same time we saw him. My PH quickly pointed his rifle at the baboon and wouldn't you know it, the little slimeball saved his own skin rather than let out a warning cry.

A few minutes later, scratch one kudu.