passed this buff on day 8 of a 10 day hunt, already have a handfull bigger than this one and wanted to hold out for something bigger. PH's attitude has since gone to shit, seems to have lost motivation.

time for a new PH i would say or at least a come to Jesus talk with him

It's your hunt and your $$. If you want to forgo a nice bull on day 8 of a 10 day hunt and risk going home empty handed, it's your decision not the PH's. I'm sure you told him what size buff you were looking for long before you saw this bull. Sounds like the PH didn't want to put in a full 10 days of work. Try to get another PH for the last two days and remember this guy's attitude come tip time.

Well, he at least got you close enough for a good photo.
How close were you?

Man! that is one hell of a buffalo to pass on day 8 of a 10 day safari! I don't have that much will power, no matter what I already had on my trophy room wall!

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On day 8? Don't know if I would have had the willpower to pass on that nice old hard-bossed beauty. But I totally agree. If it isn't what you wanted, you did the right thing. I'm not afraid of going home empty handed and still call it a sucessful hunt. PH is getting paid regardless and his performance is usually judged by the envelope at the end of the hunt.

505
I suggest you pour him a whiskey tonight and let him understand what drives you to hunt.
I am sure that within him lies the heart of a hunter and he will know why.
My guess is you will have his admiration and respect for the rest of your life.
If not, kick him to the curb as he is there for the wrong reasons.
Good luck

Ditto on "It's your hunt, it's your decision".
Have to admit, however, if it were me, even on day 1 my response to that bull is BANG.

Wow!!!! If my client turned that down on day 8 of 10 I would have shot him myself- what a beautiful bull!! I can only imagine that that is not Zim?

In all seriousness that is one heck of a buff to turn down on day 1 let alone day 8 but it is your hunt and so long as you are 100% happy to shake your Phs hand if you go away empty handed and say you had a great hunt then so be it!!!! Good luck in the next 2 days!!

Great buff, but I think the ph needs to let you enjoy the hunting. After a guy has shot a few, an additional "representative" bull, may just be more stuff to find a place for on the wall. I enjoy tracking buff like nothing else, and just the experience of being close with dugga boys or herds is thrilling - whether the trigger is pulled or not.

You can just hear the safety catches coming off as people are see this for the first time.
Would love to see photos of the ones you have that are better than this one, they must be real wide.
As long as you dont regret this one in weeks to come, tell your PH you have several in the 50 inch range. he may understand ... eventually

505,

Is this just a topic for discussion or a real situation? Regardless as others have said "It's your hunt". There should be no reason for the PH to loose interest. You paid for 10 days of hunting and you can shoot or not as you see fit.

Mark

Dumb question from someone who's never been to Africa..

Would those x-shaped branches in front of his face be enough to deflect a 450/.400 or do you just aim lower between the eyes and don't worry about that smaller twig?

..aside from that, if it were me, and knowing I'd not be back that way, I'd say that buff might as well skip making any plans for the weekend..

(Believe it or not I did once shear off a branch not even that big causing a clean miss with an '06 180 gr bullet on a deer)

quote:

Originally posted by DTala:

Shack,

I think you'd be better off with the offered and unobscured frontal chest shot or better yet take step to the left and hope he doesn't bolt. I'm also sure the mentioned twigs would give you a noteable deflection.

Mark

Just give him a GREAT big tip at the end of the hunt just for putting you on such a great bull!

..just under the mouth but above that cross blade of grass? or how about a right shoulder shot that would clip what appears to be his right ear just under the horn?

Bam...Bam...Dave, you just shot a hell of a buffalo !!!

I bet 505 thought the boss looked a little soft.


465H&H

Nice bull!

That's a great trophy Buff.

Having said that, I once went 7 days in the midst of a 21 day hunt in the Selous without firing a shot. Did we see game during that period? Yes. Did I already have at least one of those species from prior hunts? Yes. Were those seen "better" than what I had at home? Nope. Was I there to shoot anything that moved? Nope. I was on safari specifically for a mature male Lion, of which I never got even a glimpse over the 21 days.

I think the worst impact was on the trackers, who had become very quiet and likely begun to wonder what the hell was wrong with this crazy white man. I finally shot a warthog just to relieve the tension. It worked and all was again well in the truck.

As has been said, it's your hunt and you get to set the parameters and priorities. If your PH can't deal with that then he's in the wrong business. It would be different if a first time safari hunter, with a Buff on quota, passed on this bull, but in your case you made the correct decision for yourself and the PH has no comeback.

You've shot a handful bigger than this one - just how wide did you estimate this Bull at? Just curious.....

BANG!

Holy heck, you were close to that buffalo!

quote:

Wow!!!! If my client turned that down on day 8 of 10 I would have shot him myself- what a beautiful bull!! I can only imagine that that is not Zim?
He actually is a lowveld buff

quote:

I bet 505 thought the boss looked a little soft.

I was concerned, and knew I wouldn't be able to show my face around here if all the experts didn't approve.

quote:

You've shot a handful bigger than this one - just how wide did you estimate this Bull at? Just curious.....

I figured him at 46" or so, I really am trying not to shoot anything under 48.

Trophy hunting is a crazy game that is for sure as I could not imagine passing on that bull but more power to you 505gibbs!

You must have some really good trophy buff at home. But normally a seasoned buff hunter considers any decent buff a real trophy in itself But it's your money so if you can be happy going home without one then that's that. I would suggest giving him some praise for finding a good one and that you appreciate his effort for doing so. After all, PH's do have a certain pride in what they do.

You have way more self control than I do.
But then I have a whopping 1 buff to my credit.

While it is your hunt, the PH only sees his trophy fee not being paid. I've known two PHs with a bad case of trophyfeeitis. It was your choice and your hunt. You made the right decision as the decision was yours.
If he's not performing after this, there is not much of a tip on the last night. No matter what you do, his job is to give 100% to the last minute of light on the last day.
Cal

DTala, he may be over limit.

I'm just wondering how clear you were in informing the PH beforehand as to what your expectations were.

Did he understand prior to the hunt that you wouldn't shoot anything under 48 ... or did he just find that out right then and there?

Pass up a 46" buff??? 505, you truly are jaded!

465H&H

How many huckleberries does it take to make a good pie?

Will power or what you like there is zero chance I could ever pass no matter how many of those that I had taken. Great photo and interesting info. Good luck.

Out of curiosity, where were you hunting? Thats a big buff!

Nice buff. I'm with Buzz on this one.

Time for a motivational conversation with the PH because a shit attitude is not what you're paying for regardless of what he thinks of your criteria for shootable beasts.

Location? Approximate will do!

Like others have said, it is your hunt and your decision on what animals to take. I admire your will power to hold out for what you are looking for, I could not have done it on this buff.

quote:

already have a handfull bigger than this one