Aging Buffalo ?

02 September 2011, 21:36

MacD37

quote:
Originally posted by Thunder Head:
As i was reading JTEXs wonderful hunting report i noticed that his bulls bosses were almost completly polished smooth. How much of a factor is this when determining age?

IMO, there are no real hard and fast ways of ageing Cape Buffalo other than dissecting a tooth! All others can and does sometimes give false information on age.

That being said, the closed bosses are the most frequent measure used by most hunters, and PHs to age a buffalo. The wear on the bosses that make the surface smooth is simply a matter of that buffalo’s habit of polishing his horns, nothing more! The fact is even the unclosed bosses is not always an indication that a buffalo is too young. Some buffalo live long lives and the bosses never close. Many think spread is a good indicator but is the least reliable of thing used to age a Cape buffalo.

IMO a better way is the accumulation of factors like heavy boss, closed boss, the amount of turn back of the horn tips when viewed from the side, but the real tale-tell is wrinkles on the body and loss of facial hair around the eyes, and across the head below the bosses combined with any one or more of the other factors!
................................................

02 September 2011, 22:05

David Hulme

quote:
Originally posted by MacD37:
quote:
Originally posted by Thunder Head:
As i was reading JTEXs wonderful hunting report i noticed that his bulls bosses were almost completly polished smooth. How much of a factor is this when determining age?

IMO, there are no real hard and fast ways of ageing Cape Buffalo other than dissecting a tooth! All others can and does sometimes give false information on age.

That being said, the closed bosses are the most frequent measure used by most hunters, and PHs to age a buffalo. The wear on the bosses that make the surface smooth is simply a matter of that buffalo’s habit of polishing his horns, nothing more! The fact is even the unclosed bosses is not always an indication that a buffalo is too young. Some buffalo live long lives and the bosses never close. Many think spread is a good indicator but is the least reliable of thing used to age a Cape buffalo.

IMO a better way is the accumulation of factors like heavy boss, closed boss, the amount of turn back of the horn tips when viewed from the side, but the real tale-tell is wrinkles on the body and loss of facial hair around the eyes, and across the head below the bosses combined with any one or more of the other factors!
................................................

A good explanation

02 September 2011, 22:09

MARK H. YOUNG

I agree with Mac. An old grey faced bull is probably a shooter regardless of horn configuration. As far as what bull to shoot follow you PH's lead. Discussing the merits of the trophy once you are on the sticks will inevitably result in a lost opportunity. Talk over with your PH beforehand what you want and then leave the choice up to him and just make the shot.

Mark

MARK H. YOUNG
MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES
7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110
Office 702-848-1693
Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED
E-mail markttc@msn.com
Website: myexclusiveadventures.com
Skype: markhyhunter
Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716

03 September 2011, 00:05

Thunder Head

Im a deep drop, big curl fan myself.

In reality any old, ugly and mean buff will do just fine. I just like to now what im looking at.

03 September 2011, 00:39

JTEX

I have no idea AT ALL but the PH said my Buff was most likely 15 or 16 years old. You can see his body was in pretty poor condition, it looked to me like he was declining.

But again all I know about Buffalo is I LOVE to hunt them.

.