quote:

What other hunters do or don’t do in the field is fine with me as long as it’s legal and does not reflect poorly on hunting and hunters generally.

Beyond that, we are responsible only to ourselves.

Please accept my sincere apologies if I have offended you in any way.

quote:

Fascinating all these stories of not finding a buffalo on a whole safari!

In Chete, Zimbabwe, where I basically cleaned up all the buffalo left on quota because the area is rather difficult to hunt, and many clients never managed to get one.

We actually went into difficult areas to shoot old bulls hiding in there.

Chete was a classic example of one needs to be in good shape, or he won't get a buffalo

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
Karl, to be clear, I don’t presume to know what you would have been invited to do or would or would not have done had there been a shootable buff at that water hole.

What other hunters do or don’t do in the field is fine with me as long as it’s legal and does not reflect poorly on hunting and hunters generally.

Beyond that, we are responsible only to ourselves.

Please accept my sincere apologies if I have offended you in any way.

quote:

I would take a single dagga boy at a waterhole.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
Be careful.

The best areas for buff are not inexpensive, and there are sub-standard areas, including Dande East, operated by CMS, that are nearly as expensive as far better ones.

...

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How the hell do you manage to go on 2 different buffalo hunts and never shoot a buffalo????

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While I agree with doing your research and due diligence, the pages of AR are full of folks looking to strictly gain favor from an outfitter, or support a friend.

There are the AR “Golden Boys” who can do no wrong. That’s why I always advise, don’t limit your hunting universe to AR and its members. Are there good operators here? Sure, just not ALL of them.

The unbiased nature of a recommendation just does not exist here.

I have 30 some-odd trips behind me and have had only one bad one. I found it here on AR. Federico Gellini.

Some or even most of the best operators in some of the finest areas don’t post here. Don’t limit your options.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
In good buff areas, you should be on buff every day and be able to choose the trophy of your desire

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Originally posted by tanks:
Bottom line, one gets what one puts into a hunt.

quote:

Originally posted by Sunshine:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
In good buff areas, you should be on buff every day and be able to choose the trophy of your desire

Maybe one day I’ll see such place… Sounds like you are talking about Kruger National Park

quote:

Rest assured that the Selous Game Reserve is one destination where you will experience multiple sightings of buffalo every day and one would have to try really hard not getting one in the salt.

There are AR members on this thread who will confirm the above.

quote:

Originally posted by fulvio:
Rest assured that the Selous Game Reserve is one destination where you will experience multiple sightings of buffalo every day and one would have to try really hard not getting one in the salt.

There are AR members on this thread who will confirm the above.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff P:
FWIW - i hunted Matetsi with Gary Hopkins, he posted above me someplace. Great hunt - not too pricey - great guy to hunt with.

I've seen the photos of the buff he's taking at Sondelani and they're really really nice.

I'll second the idea of talking to Mark Young. He's the one that sent me to Matetsi and Gary Hopkins. I went in 2019 (lucky me) - if you want to chat, PM me. Happy to share what little knowledge I have!!!

quote:

Originally posted by SCLawyer:
Just booked my second buffalo hunt. This time, I'll be with two close friends at Nyakasanga with CMS for ten days. We're not going until August '24, but I'm already so excited I can barely sleep!

quote:

Originally posted by Sunshine:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
In good buff areas, you should be on buff every day and be able to choose the trophy of your desire

Maybe one day I’ll see such place… Sounds like you are talking about Kruger National Park

quote:

Originally posted by Sunshine:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
In good buff areas, you should be on buff every day and be able to choose the trophy of your desire

Maybe one day I’ll see such place… Sounds like you are talking about Kruger National Park

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by Sunshine:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
In good buff areas, you should be on buff every day and be able to choose the trophy of your desire

Maybe one day I’ll see such place… Sounds like you are talking about Kruger National Park

Not true.

We ALMOST see buffalo every day when we hunted Zimbabwe and Tanzania.

There is the odd day when we do see any, but on some of these days we’re looking for other animals!

quote:

Originally posted by Sunshine:

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by Sunshine:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
In good buff areas, you should be on buff every day and be able to choose the trophy of your desire

Maybe one day I’ll see such place… Sounds like you are talking about Kruger National Park

Not true.

We ALMOST see buffalo every day when we hunted Zimbabwe and Tanzania.

There is the odd day when we do see any, but on some of these days we’re looking for other animals!

Very interesting, you were present during my first buffalo hunt in Zimbabwe, at Sengwe 1. However I neither didn’t see you nor a single buffalo during our 7-day hunt. Not true - BS!

quote:

Originally posted by Colin Masters:
I am starting to get into the planning stages for my first African trip, for Buffalo.

Where is the most cost-effective free range hunt for me to consider? Ideally, I would like to find some place where I could also, maybe shoot a good kudu.

quote:

Originally posted by Doug Duckworth:

quote:

Originally posted by Colin Masters:
I am starting to get into the planning stages for my first African trip, for Buffalo.

Where is the most cost-effective free range hunt for me to consider? Ideally, I would like to find some place where I could also, maybe shoot a good kudu.

Hi Colin, Sorry just read through this thread (loosely) we (Mokore Safaris) will be in Dallas for the DSC convention #3647 and SCI #3245 if you are able to come see us, we can have a chat and discuss a few options -- and at the very least have a beer and possibly point you in the right direction,
Cheers Doug

If you are not thinking of attending these shows send me an email dougduckworth@mokore.com or WhatsAPP +263773947369

quote:

Originally posted by 4WD:

quote:

Originally posted by Doug Duckworth:

quote:

Originally posted by Colin Masters:
I am starting to get into the planning stages for my first African trip, for Buffalo.

Where is the most cost-effective free range hunt for me to consider? Ideally, I would like to find some place where I could also, maybe shoot a good kudu.

Hi Colin, Sorry just read through this thread (loosely) we (Mokore Safaris) will be in Dallas for the DSC convention #3647 and SCI #3245 if you are able to come see us, we can have a chat and discuss a few options -- and at the very least have a beer and possibly point you in the right direction,
Cheers Doug

If you are not thinking of attending these shows send me an email dougduckworth@mokore.com or WhatsAPP +263773947369

Colin,
Really do your due diligence with ALL African Outfitters. You can not ask enough questions for a first time high dollar $1400 a day Buffalo hunt, even with outfitters who have a big name in Zimbabwe or else where who take large numbers of hunters in their concessions. Ask how much experience the guide has with first time Buffalo hunters. Feel him out, is he somebody you want to spend 10 days with? Is he upfront and honest or does he hide things from you and only sees you as a job and dollar signs? Will your guide just want to get the Buffalo hunt over and want you to shoot a Buffalo on the first night towards sunset on the first day of a 10 day hunt or will he want you to experience Africa and what Buffalo hunting really is? Is the guide competent enough to be able to communicate to make sure you are on the same page. Does he understand what your goals of the hunt are or does he see it as his hunt? Will you be allowed to hunt a Kudu in the same area your Buffalo is to be hunted or will the outfitter wait and tell you after you have traveled half way across the world that when you arrive they have no Kudu quota in your Buffalo hunting area and you can not shoot a trophy Kudu when it is spotted in your Buffalo hunting area. Do you want to travel on primitive dirt roads a total of 4 hours each day to hunt in a totally different hunting area to hunt Kudu from where you were originally booked and were told you would be hunting? Do you want a remote hunting experience or hunt in a area that has a lot of roads and vehicle traffic to where you have to watch for vehicles when crossing roads where the Buffalo you are tracking just crossed a road with this type of vehicle traffic?
These are just some of the problems I encountered on my first $1400 a day Buffalo/African hunt. Not sure how you can find out everything by due diligence if the outfitter does not disclose all of the facts and the truth. I have been on 45 guided big game hunts including 5 mountain sheep hunts,I have enjoyed a lot of great hunts , spent a lot of money, had only three bad outfitted hunts, my first African trip is my worst outfitted experience considering how much money I was charged. My first African experience has somewhat soured me on future African hunts. Once you are in some remote African hunt area there is not much one can do but to play by the cards you are dealt . Once in their camp you are totally at the outfitters mercy. Not sure what would happen if you express your displeasure while in their remote concession. Sure wouldn’t want to spend time in a Harare jail...lol...My biggest mistake was not traveling with a satellite phone. Will never go to Africa again without a Sat phone.

4WD

quote:

Originally posted by Colin Masters:
I am starting to get into the planning stages for my first African trip, for Buffalo.

Where is the most cost-effective free range hunt for me to consider? Ideally, I would like to find some place where I could also, maybe shoot a good kudu.