Gentlemen,
I just booked a safari to Tanzania with Ridge Taylor Safaris. I booked the 10 day, two buffalo with plainsgame hunt in Masailand near the Tarangire National Park. I will be hunting in late October, early November when the rains start and the plains green up, supposedly pulling the big buff out of the parks. I called references and they all were very good but wondered if any of you guys have hunted with Ridge and could give me some additional info. Thanks!

You'll be in good hands with Ridge. Do a search in the African Reports section for his name and you will find my report. Here is one buffalo, the smallest one taken last year:

section and you will find my report.

Who will be your PH?

Good question, ForrestB. There are four of us going over together, including a fine gentlemen like yourself from Houston and two gentlemen from Sinton TX. Therefore I don't know who I am going to be assigned to. Any PH's that Ridge uses I need to be aware of?

SBT,
Did you purchase the 7 day buff and plainsgame package? If so did you have the opportunity for shots at all the animals in the package? My 10 day package includes two buff, Grants, Coke's hartebeest, white-bearded wildebeest, EA impala, zebra and warthog. Alot of animals to hunt in 10 days if you are hunting buff! I noticed you collected some other species besides buff but not all the animals in my package. Just interested in availibility. Thanks.

Bwanamrm-
I'm booked with Ridge for 21 days beginning October 14 in the area you are talking about. You ought to check on who your PH is supposed to be, as I hope Ridge isn't planning on being in two places at the same time. You might be hunting with his nephew Cash but I know Cash is supposed to join us for the first week of November.

I'd love to meet you, just not unexpectedly in camp

Let me know what you hear, either here or in a PM.

Good luck (to both of us).

ForrestB,
I checked my schedule and I fly out the 4th of November to Amsterdam arriving in Arusha on the 6th, first hunting day the 7th. I agree that I would enjoy meeting you to discuss hunting experiences but................I would like to have the full attention of everyone in camp as well. How do these dates stack up with yours? I discussed the safari with Ridge at the Dallas Safari Club Show and he didn't mention anyone else in camp. But I have been in camps where there was a client overlap for a couple of days.

Looks like you will be coming in right behind us. At least you'll get a warm bed. The big buff will all be dead .

Let's compare notes before we head out.

ForrestB,
It's O.K. if you shoot all the 50" buffs, just let all the 48" bulls walk and I'll bat cleanup!Seriously, what all are you after on your 21 day hunt..........good stuff like Lesser Kudu and Gerenuk, cats???????????????????? Sounds like we are both set for good hunts. Ridge told me he has several concessions available so we shouldn't be hunting leftovers.

Bwanamrm,

On my hunt I took buffalo, Grant's Gazelle, East African Imapla, zebra and birds. I only saw small warthogs and was too busy hunting the buffalo to go a little further south for the whitebearded wildebeast or Coke's hartebeast. However, they shouldn't be a problem. I would anticipate that you will get all of your animals except perhaps a good warthog. Your buffalo(s) should be outstanding.

Take plenty of extra cash so you can buy artifacts and such from the Masai. You'll have the opportunity to buy bows with poisoned arrows, Lion hunting shields, spears, blood gords, fly wisks etc. Also, ask Vincnet, one of your trackers, and he'll make you a shield from the thigh of your buffalo. Under this forum, look up "Buffalo Shields", and you see some to the stuff I bought and the shield Vincent made for me.

[ 04-13-2003, 09:21: Message edited by: SBT ]

SBT,
Thanks for the post! Went to the thread on "buffalo shields" and saw the pix of your shields and taxidermy work. I really liked the wooden stand you put your buff euro mount on. Also your impala and Grant's were very well done. Kudos on your trophy display!