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A month today I am off to hunt my first Buffalo. A free range bull of 38" or less in the Hoedspruit area of RSA. I have various books on the subject but as a bit of fun I would appreciate your views on the following Bulls (All are photographed in that area). How would you judge them and age and spread, how is my shot placement (be as critical as you like)? Buffalo A:   Buffalo B:  Buffalo C&D   Buffalo E (Too young but what size and would you take the shot through the brush)  Buffalo F    | ||
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Buffalo G  Buffalo H  Buffalo I  Buffalo J  Buffalo K (Young again)  Buffalo L  Buffalo M & N  | |||
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Well there's a good selection there - I have a couple of favorites but which one do you like?  | |||
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I like B, F and J with B being top of my list to shoot but that's just me!! With kind regards Mike Mike Taylor Sporting Hunting, Fishing & Photographic Safaris Worldwide +44 7930 524 097 mtaylorsporting@gmail.com Instagram - miketaylorsporting | |||
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35" or maybe less. Yes, I would shoot through the brush. It's close enough to the Buffalo so deviation of the bullet is not going to be an issue. Yes, clearly young bull. Maybe I have been shooting Buffalo in the wrong spot, but it looks like some of your broadside shots are a bit far forward. Not too much, just not the shot I prefer. I go back a hair and a bit higher. Not because it is the perfect shot, but because it affords a good margin for error any direction. | |||
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I like B, H and J. I'm with miketaylor - I like B the best. I'm not going to try to age or judge them - that's what I pay the PH for. But most of these look small and tight to my eye, with a couple of exceptions - including my favorite. I don't have much criticism of your shot placement - maybe a touch high here and there but for the most part it looks good to me. With regard to "E", I probably would NOT shoot through that. It might depend on the specific situation. From the photo, that buff is looking right at you so he's aware of your presence. If he wasn't aware, I'd let him move off and look for a better presentation. Is he in a herd or by himself? What is the surrounding country like? How big is he and how much do I want this particular buffalo? I could see myself taking that shot under a certain combination of circumstances, but generally I do not like to shoot through brush and will avoid it if possible. I worry less about deflection in this case because the buff appears to be standing pretty much right behind it - but you can't precisely place the shot because you're estimating the specific spot you want to hit. I don't like that. | |||
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gbax, I think your shot placement is pretty much dead on but I think the buffalo's position in a couple of the pix makes the shot marginal. Except for the bulls you've identified as too young I think they are all shooters regardless of spread or age. I prefer bull H but others may like the even older bulls. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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I like most of those old guys. Shot placement looks good although personally I would not shoot through brush or take a head shot. Paul Smith SCI Life Member NRA Life Member DSC Member Life Member of the "I Can't Wait to Get Back to Africa" Club DRSS I had the privilege to fire E. Hemingway's WR .577NE, E. Keith's WR .470NE, & F. Jamieson's WJJ .500 Jeffery I strongly recommend avoidance of "The Zambezi Safari & Travel Co., Ltd." and "Pisces Sportfishing-Cabo San Lucas" "A failed policy of national defense is its own punishment" Otto von Bismarck | |||
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Guy, curious if you are going back with Andrew to his new buff area? We are considering this new area for buff. | |||
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Yes I am. He has two hunts going on there in the next 2 weeks. | |||
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Thanks Mark - which Bulls would you consider to be in marginal positions ? | |||
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Your broadside shots are a little too far forward. Follow a line up the back of the front leg and you will be good to go. Otherwise spot on. ROYAL KAFUE LTD Email - kafueroyal@gmail.com Tel/Whatsapp (00260) 975315144 Instagram - kafueroyal | |||
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gbax I don't think I'd take the 2nd shot pictured on bull B as a first shot. Too much chance for a one lung hit. Like Wendell I probably would not take the shot on bull E through the brush as a first shot. Good chance for a deflection and a wounded buffalo. Finally I personally would not take a head shot on buffalo as shown with bull M. If you don't hit the brain or spine you could be in for a mess. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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Bullet selection will play a big role in this as well. Solids vs expanding: your choice? Gray Ghost Hunting Safaris http://grayghostsafaris.com Phone: 615-860-4333 Email: hunts@grayghostsafaris.com NRA Benefactor DSC Professional Member SCI Member RMEF Life Member NWTF Guardian Life Sponsor NAHC Life Member Rowland Ward - SCI Scorer Took the wife the Eastern Cape for her first hunt: http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6881000262 Hunting in the Stormberg, Winterberg and Hankey Mountains of the Eastern Cape 2018 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4801073142 Hunting the Eastern Cape, RSA May 22nd - June 15th 2007 http://forums.accuratereloadin...=810104007#810104007 16 Days in Zimbabwe: Leopard, plains game, fowl and more: http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409 Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6341092311 Recent hunt in the Eastern Cape, August 2010: Pics added http://forums.accuratereloadin...261039941#9261039941 10 days in the Stormberg Mountains http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7781081322 Back in the Stormberg Mountains with friends: May-June 2017 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6001078232 "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running...... "If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you." | |||
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"Buffalo F" is very unique and impressive, in my opinion. _______________________________________________________ Hunt Report - South Africa 2022 Wade Abadie - Wild Shot Photography Website | Facebook | Instagram | |||
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Most of those are very nice. I like a boss worn smooth that is tight. Spread is overrated. Have gun- Will travel The value of a trophy is computed directly in terms of personal investment in its acquisition. Robert Ruark | |||
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I like Buffalo B, old warrior with a tonne of character! I would guess of all the Buffalo shown, mounted in a persons home, Buff B would be the one most talked about. | |||
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To each their own but I really like buffalo F. Shot placement is pretty good. Remember to keep shooting! Don't count on one shot kills. The only easy day is yesterday! | |||
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+1 You want to take out the plumbing on the top of the heart. Jason "You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core." _______________________ Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt. Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure. -Jason Brown | |||
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I am going for my first buffalo hunt in Sept. As some have said, I would go up 2 or 3 inches and 2or 3 inches further back. Buffalo G - I would shoot 5 inches further back and 2 inches up. Buffalo I - I would shoot 4 or 5 inches higher. JMHO "When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick." | |||
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On H I think if you have a penalty for over size, I would pass. He's past 38" IMO. I also would pass on a brain or frontal shot for the first one. Too many problems if you are off by just a bit. That is a shot I would save for after you have a few buff, or if you don't mind the PH collaborating with you. The only follow ups I have had to do were on frontals where I just got too far to the side. They were hit well enough that they were very sick, but still... Similarly, while the pic of the brush shot is not horrible, I would not take it under most circumstances, although admittedly it is hard to pull off when it is the first time. Listen to Fairgame. He does this for a living... Just behind the leg, and he will run a bit and give a death bellow. Also, I doubt that the PH would allow you to shoot when a buff is overlapping the one you intend to shoot, like the pics of F or C&D. B would be a great trophy IMO. | |||
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Like mentioned several times , some shots are very borderline, you need to give room for error . The idea to shoot low is good yet you are to low on some of these, especially the broadside shots. You need to come up a bit and back. Aim between the crease and the centre line up the leg. This will give room for error. On shooting through bush, no problem as long as you can see well enough to get a good understanding of the position of shoulder etc. Also the bush must be close to the animal and no heavy branches. Situations vary a lot, ideally better to wait for a clear shot but hunting buffalo can vary a lot between areas . If it's the only shot you're likely to get then go ahead ,paying attention to type of bush and how close it is to the animal. If you can wait for it to clear then this is obviously the better option. | |||
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Your PH will be fully qualified and whilst he will want you to be close be prepared to take a shot at any reasonable distance should he call it. Most of my fuck ups have been from frontal shots and nowadays I prefer the beast to be broadside. Buffalo hunting is a lot of fun until you wound one. Loosing one can be down right depressing. Good luck and enjoy it. ROYAL KAFUE LTD Email - kafueroyal@gmail.com Tel/Whatsapp (00260) 975315144 Instagram - kafueroyal | |||
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I'm with Neil.... on most of the shots shown, bring your aim point up and back just a bit. Build in a little room for error. | |||
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I tend to prefer to shoot slightly higher. Most of the time hitting the aorta. As a general rule, I would aim for a point in the center of the chest. This has worked for me without any problems. | |||
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As a first timer on Buffalo you do not want to be talking about the one that got away wounded or even the one that nearly killed me, if you are hunting in the open areas outside Kruger then it will be in one of the APNR Reserves, there is no reason at all to take a chance as the Buffalo population is huge, If you find a bull that you have your mind set on and he does not give you a shooting chance then don’t be afraid to spook them off and follow up, they won’t go more than a km , follow up and get yourself into a better position. Preferably a broad side shot just behind the front leg, Don’t take any shot through bush unless it’s your follow up shots on a wounded buffalo, also don’t be caught up by the Hype of a one shot kill, its overrated, throw lead, bullets are cheaper than a wounded or lost buffalo. Which area and Outfitter are you hunting with? Who is your PH? Good Luck JK | |||
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They are ALL fine trophies ( unless they've spent time in a holding/breeding pen or a truck!). In that case they are cattle, IMHO. Happy Hunting! | |||
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gbax: Get a copy of "Africa's Most Dangerous" by Kevin Robertson from Safari Press. It will be the most important $50 you will spend on your hunt. You will then fully understand the critique of your proposed shot placement. | |||
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They certainly appear to be very complacent and photogenic!  | |||
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Thanks for the thoughts folks. F is def my choice from the group and B and A as runners up. Anything old will suit me fine though. Some of these photo's are from the Timbavati hence the obliging posing. I guess they are the same genetics though in terms of what you might come across. | |||
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I would be all-over Bull-H. I suspect I would be on the sticks, have the crosshairs on him, and take the shot a few inches higher than the spot. I would probably have a softpoint in the chamber, and solids in the magazine. He's good enough for me. Looks like a wonderful trophy. If he wasn't staring at me; didn't know I was there, I might wait a few seconds to see if he squared-up. Nice opening he's in, I would want to take advantage of that. | |||
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There is no doubt that hunting these old Bulls is a great experience. The size of your effective hunting area is obviously important as one gets to look over more Bulls the bigger the area. Generally one would like to hunt at least 15 to 20 000 acres and more. Which area are you hunting gbax ? Wishing you the best on your Buffalo hunt. Enjoy it. | |||
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+1 0351 USMC | |||
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Thanks Jan - Not exactly sure of the property but it is Klaserie area. Regards Guy | |||
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