Had a question for all the buffalo hunters and even PH's out there - what is a reasonable size group for trying to stalk buffalo in the thick stuff? I was on a recent hunt and the PH was dragging along a group of 7 trying to stalk skittish buffalo in the dense brush. Group consisted of the PH, myself, gov't game scout, communal scout, 2 trackers, 1 apprentice tracker. Seems like it's hard enough containing scent from that many people, but trying to stalk quietly and not be seen was a whole other issue.

Just curious as to what the "norm" is on hunt party size, and should the PH leave 1/2 the group a few hundred meters back while trying to get close? Appreciate hearing any feedback.
Thanks.

On a 2x1 hunt a 5 person group is not uncommon. PH, 2 hunters, Game Scout and tracker.

Sure it is easier to hunt Buffalo with as few people as possible, 7 is a pretty big number, but not unheard of.

Did you shoot a Buffalo? If not, are you blaming the lack of success on the size of the group?

Wendell, I shot a buff but did not recover it. There were issues with the hunt beyond the size of the hunting party. I've stalked plenty of animals, in and out of herds, and have hunted lots of big game, but this was my first Africa trip. I'm just trying to gather more information on what a "typical" hunt is like, if there even is such a thing, so that I can provide an objective hunt report for all the people on the community that were so helpful when I was preparing to go.

I will send you a PM with the details if you are interested.
Thanks,
JB
P.S., glad you made it back in one piece and hope you are recovering nicely

JB

Since Sadie always hunts with me that is one more person. So minimum groups seems to be about 5 and I can remember 7 on 2 occasions. On the first safari our group was 6 at least everyday and I was totally convinced it could not work. I was wrong and the whole thing worked out very nicely.

Mark

F2R,

a "just the facts report" or putting it more bluntly, one that isn't all wine and roses when it comes to what you expected could well be an excellent report. You obviously went to africa with some expectations and it would appear some of these turned out not to be quite accurate. That is not your fault, and it probably isn't anyone's fault but for the dreamer in all of us.

There are lot of folks on this site that have not been there yet either, and a report such as yours may well be the bright light to them. I know on my first trip it was not as I had dreamed, and, like you, i really thought I did my homework.

That first trip was many ago. I got bit hard and my doctor says there is no cure. I did sell my boat, a few stocks, kids are living on the street rather than in college (hell, i had to pay my own way!), and my wife is kept sedated. All so little ol me can go back and suck off the teat of mother africa.

I am sorry for the unrecovered buff. I don't know a feeling of void more than that in the hunting world.