A cape buffalo charge in Zimbabwe - Hunting with SSG Safaris

20 November 2013, 03:43

ptperes

quote:
Originally posted by Todd Williams:
quote:
Originally posted by Saeed:
I am very sorry your first hunt went the way it did.

I have been hunting for over 30 years, and will continue to hunt as long as I am physically able.

Don't let one bad experience stop you having a good safari.

Hi Saeed,

I do plan on keep hunting, in fact, just took one of my 11 year old twin sons on his first wild boar hunt this past Saturday (with my good Buddy Chris again!)
My wife has just developed a beef with doing that in Africa given the general long distances to adequate help.

I'm thinking Alaska next though I've heard really interesting info from Jay Southam on Namibia.
Thanks for the well wishes!

Paulo

20 November 2013, 04:18

ptperes

quote:
Originally posted by SBT:
OMG, can it get any worse?. You must have great things to accomplish in your future.

FYI, I've hunted with Nixon's outfit twice and have been very succesful. I recommend him, but some of this stuff makes you think!

Hey SBT,
Interesting you should say that I must have things yet to acomplish in life.
Without getting too philosophical, for many weeks after all that stuff, I was kind of obcessed trying to figure out what it could be that I had yet to do to earn the right and the gift to be still walking around this Earth.

20 November 2013, 04:34

ptperes

quote:
Originally posted by sdkidaho:
Speedy recovery!

I hope they're sending his head home to you. That's a trophy of a lifetime all things considered!

It's funny... my wife said she didn't even want to see it and didn't want it in the house. To which I replied: "If anyone ever really earned his buffalo trophy, it would be me; so the head and the hide are coming home and going on the wall." I'm actually really looking forward to getting the hide, if for no other reason than I want to count the actual bullet holes in it.

20 November 2013, 05:07

conditionone45

ptperes,
There have been a lot of interesting comments posted here thanks to the thread you started. It reminds me in some ways of the story about the three blind men touching an elephant. It all depends on what part you touch.

I had a really great safari with SSG, and even though I wasn't feeling well my PH (Ishmael) and my tracker (Rabson) were awesome and managed to get me in to buffalo often enough that I was able to take two bulls that I am happy with.

I enjoyed Nixon's operation and really hope to go back to Malapati/Sengwa. I would have no problem at all hunting with the same PH and the same tracker again.

20 November 2013, 06:32

llamapacker

The comments and observations on this thread speak volumes about human nature, and the value of hunt reports and recommendations on this or any site.
Some are so happy with their experience that they will return regardless of the experience of others. It won't happen to me, seems to be the prevailing mindset, since it didn't happen last time. Others see a pattern of incidents,and choose not to roll the dice. Some great times can be had with the roll of the dice, but you better be prepared for the consequences.
No doubt some have had great experiences, and trophy quality is on par with other areas in Zim. But with so many really reputable outfits in Zim, with consistent track records of success AND client safety, the choice gets clearer everyday.

Bill

20 November 2013, 06:40

Todd Williams

quote:
Originally posted by llamapacker:
The comments and observations on this thread speak volumes about human nature, and the value of hunt reports and recommendations on this or any site.
Some are so happy with their experience that they will return regardless of the experience of others. It won't happen to me, seems to be the prevailing mindset, since it didn't happen last time. Others see a pattern of incidents,and choose not to roll the dice. Some great times can be had with the roll of the dice, but you better be prepared for the consequences.
No doubt some have had great experiences, and trophy quality is on par with other areas in Zim. But with so many really reputable outfits in Zim, with consistent track records of success AND client safety, the choice gets clearer everyday.

Bill

Of course when you don't pay your bill, that pretty much rules out returning with that particular outfitter again!

20 November 2013, 06:48

jdollar

quote:
Originally posted by Todd Williams:
quote:
Originally posted by llamapacker:
The comments and observations on this thread speak volumes about human nature, and the value of hunt reports and recommendations on this or any site.
Some are so happy with their experience that they will return regardless of the experience of others. It won't happen to me, seems to be the prevailing mindset, since it didn't happen last time. Others see a pattern of incidents,and choose not to roll the dice. Some great times can be had with the roll of the dice, but you better be prepared for the consequences.
No doubt some have had great experiences, and trophy quality is on par with other areas in Zim. But with so many really reputable outfits in Zim, with consistent track records of success AND client safety, the choice gets clearer everyday.

Bill

Of course when you don't pay your bill, that pretty much rules out returning with that particular outfitter again!

that's a damn good one!

20 November 2013, 07:56

BigUglyMan

Man, you must have been stiff as a plank by the time you got home. Glad to hear you're doing well.

Question. I read that you "unshouldered" your rifle. Do I read that to mean you had the rifle slung over your shoulder? I won't preach at you, but that's a scenario that makes my sling-paranoia feel completely justified. Do you think that if you had the rifle in your hands that you might have gotten a chance to get a shot off?

Regardless, I'm glad the scathing you got was only as bad as it was. Unscathed would have been better, but minorly-scathed will do.

20 November 2013, 16:25

Bwana Bunduki

quote:
Originally posted by Todd Williams:
quote:
Originally posted by llamapacker:
The comments and observations on this thread speak volumes about human nature, and the value of hunt reports and recommendations on this or any site.
Some are so happy with their experience that they will return regardless of the experience of others. It won't happen to me, seems to be the prevailing mindset, since it didn't happen last time. Others see a pattern of incidents,and choose not to roll the dice. Some great times can be had with the roll of the dice, but you better be prepared for the consequences.
No doubt some have had great experiences, and trophy quality is on par with other areas in Zim. But with so many really reputable outfits in Zim, with consistent track records of success AND client safety, the choice gets clearer everyday.

Bill

Of course when you don't pay your bill, that pretty much rules out returning with that particular outfitter again!

You know Todd, everyone beats this dead horse with llamapacker, but at no time has he ever put forth his version of events that transpired.

Jeff

20 November 2013, 19:38

Lhook7

quote:
Originally posted by llamapacker:
The comments and observations on this thread speak volumes about human nature, and the value of hunt reports and recommendations on this or any site.
Some are so happy with their experience that they will return regardless of the experience of others. It won't happen to me, seems to be the prevailing mindset, since it didn't happen last time. Others see a pattern of incidents,and choose not to roll the dice. Some great times can be had with the roll of the dice, but you better be prepared for the consequences.

Bill

I think this aptly describes the process any outfitter must go through when deciding whether or not to accept your booking.

20 November 2013, 19:46

larryshores

quote:
Originally posted by Todd Williams:
quote:
Originally posted by llamapacker:
The comments and observations on this thread speak volumes about human nature, and the value of hunt reports and recommendations on this or any site.
Some are so happy with their experience that they will return regardless of the experience of others. It won't happen to me, seems to be the prevailing mindset, since it didn't happen last time. Others see a pattern of incidents,and choose not to roll the dice. Some great times can be had with the roll of the dice, but you better be prepared for the consequences.
No doubt some have had great experiences, and trophy quality is on par with other areas in Zim. But with so many really reputable outfits in Zim, with consistent track records of success AND client safety, the choice gets clearer everyday.

Bill

Of course when you don't pay your bill, that pretty much rules out returning with that particular outfitter again!

I agree.

Personally, I believe his entire story except for the travelers check matter. Of course, everyone had to decide what they believe based upon the information they have as well as the credibility of that information.

20 November 2013, 21:06

ptperes

quote:
Originally posted by BigUglyMan:
Man, you must have been stiff as a plank by the time you got home. Glad to hear you're doing well.

Question. I read that you "unshouldered" your rifle. Do I read that to mean you had the rifle slung over your shoulder? I won't preach at you, but that's a scenario that makes my sling-paranoia feel completely justified. Do you think that if you had the rifle in your hands that you might have gotten a chance to get a shot off?

Regardless, I'm glad the scathing you got was only as bad as it was. Unscathed would have been better, but minorly-scathed will do.

You're correct, I had the rifle slung over my right shoulder and it's much more likely that if I had the rifle read in my hands I'd have had a better chance of a shot when I walked into that clearing. And you're correct again, unscathed would have been better! :-) Best, Paulo

21 November 2013, 02:15

jeff h

Rtperes glad u were not hurt in the crash. I was told Nixon was running out of trucks because of the crashes. I seem to remember them tring to purchase Phillip's truck while I was there.
Too many issues, too many "accidents"

30 November 2013, 03:46

hunt99

quote:
Originally posted by ptperes:
Thank you. I would love to see your pictures.

Indeed, the additional rifle made a difference during the incident and that extra rifle in the equation was my own .375 H&H (a CZ 550 Safari) that I had brought as a back up. Ishmail used mine and Rabo used Ishmail's M70.
In my 416Rigby I had 400 grain Barnes ballistic copper solids and so did my 375 (300 grains).
That buffalo just happened to be unusually strong and very stubourn.
He got tired of running away and decided to wait for us.
Both Rabo and Marruf were conviced he ambushed us; knowing we'd be looking for him again.
In the end, all that lead from the day before almost certainly weakened him, which is why -I think- his right front leg wasn't 100% (I had hit his right shoulder befor) and hence my left leg still is in one piece ;-)...

It's true the PH made a couple of mistakes, and in this DG business you can't afford to make too many.
But as I'm being stitched up at the clinic, after Ishamail got the scrapes on his legs attended to,
they went back to the site to prepare my trophy and at that point risking running into the cats or hyennas that we had heard before. But they brought it back to me any way.
As someone said, it's called DG for a reason. The pity is my wife will hear none of that and already ruled "No more Africa!". I can't really argue...

ptperes: you might want to give a little time before swearing off Africa, it might be just the medicine to clear your head. I nearly died after a close call to a bad fall this hunting season. I debated whether to even tell my wife thinking she might react the same way. I also had a PH that got a similar pounding to yours. Hunting another one or something else in Africa might be great therapy or perhaps bring your wife along. I couldn't imagine giving up hunting after a close call. I feel more alive and alert than before.

28 December 2013, 18:17

Neil Duckworth

Sorry to hear about this, in future when following up wounded DG in thick cover hold your rifle at the ready not on your shoulder,this will normally at allow you one shot which could save your life. Your PH should have instructed you so before even entering the thickets after a wounded buff.

28 December 2013, 23:48

Duckear

Awesome story, thanks for sharing it.

Get better soon.

29 December 2013, 10:37

georgeld

B-U-M:
Don't know your problem with slings.
Mine was: I was sneaking up thru some trees and scrub to get a clearer shot at a bull elk and the damned sling hanging down hooked on a snag and dumped me on my ass. Far as I know it's still laying in the brush yet and that was about 1960. My bigger guns don't even have a front stud on them just for that reason. The varmint guns have one for the bipod.

Paulo:
Wow man, you got off lucky all around. Don't give up and sure as hell don't let the wife beat you out of going again, even to Africa.

I've had the same thoughts for the past two yrs. Wondering just why I pulled out of a 21 day coma Nov last yr. Chron's dogged me all summer again this yr so much I honestly thought many a day of taking Snubby Smith on a walk.
Then had another round of belly surgery to get the rest of the infected colon out of me. The past month I've felt much better than the last two yrs. Other than back pain from a pinched nerve that can be fixed, and bad painful shoulders that will start getting rebuilt next month.
So hang in there bud, there's a future for us to do something useful yet. Maybe play the lottery since you got off so "lucky".

Wish you the best with that leg. How's it doing by the way? I know you're walking on it, but, how well has it healed? We're still waiting on the nasty pics, so come on and post 'em.
George

30 December 2013, 04:25

ptperes

quote:
Originally posted by Neil Duckworth:
Sorry to hear about this, in future when following up wounded DG in thick cover hold your rifle at the ready not on your shoulder,this will normally at allow you one shot which could save your life. Your PH should have instructed you so before even entering the thickets after a wounded buff.

Yeah, I agree, and it's not that I, myself, didn't know that it was the right thing to do; i think we all assumed that after 8 shots from the day before the animal would no doubt be dead and we all let our guards down.

30 December 2013, 04:31

ptperes

quote:
Originally posted by georgeld:
B-U-M:
Don't know your problem with slings.
Mine was: I was sneaking up thru some trees and scrub to get a clearer shot at a bull elk and the damned sling hanging down hooked on a snag and dumped me on my ass. Far as I know it's still laying in the brush yet and that was about 1960. My bigger guns don't even have a front stud on them just for that reason. The varmint guns have one for the bipod.

Paulo:
Wow man, you got off lucky all around. Don't give up and sure as hell don't let the wife beat you out of going again, even to Africa.

I've had the same thoughts for the past two yrs. Wondering just why I pulled out of a 21 day coma Nov last yr. Chron's dogged me all summer again this yr so much I honestly thought many a day of taking Snubby Smith on a walk.
Then had another round of belly surgery to get the rest of the infected colon out of me. The past month I've felt much better than the last two yrs. Other than back pain from a pinched nerve that can be fixed, and bad painful shoulders that will start getting rebuilt next month.
So hang in there bud, there's a future for us to do something useful yet. Maybe play the lottery since you got off so "lucky".

Wish you the best with that leg. How's it doing by the way? I know you're walking on it, but, how well has it healed? We're still waiting on the nasty pics, so come on and post 'em.
George

Hi George,
It's true I got a close call but with a 21 day come, you take the cake!
And you're right too about the lottery; I've taken to playing it religiously since the accident...:-) It's true...
The leg is good, after 3 months of PT i'm now 100% with only a mild discomfort when the weather is crappy. The cut healed nicely despite the fact that we couldn't restitch it and had to wait for a healing from the inside out. It was over a month before the cut closed up. But it did.
I'll did the pix up...:-) Thanks for the note and a healthy and prosperous new year to you and yours.
Best,
Paulo