Can anybody give a brief synopsis about hippos

Rough guide to tell their age

How to size them when they are in the water

Male to female differences ?

Shot placement out of water

Signs before a charge

Anything else that's relevant for a hippo hunt

LH, First off a bull hippo has a big head compared to a cow.

Look at a bull ele and a cow ele that is the difference. Shot head on is between the eyes and side shot just under the ear about 4 inches.

A charge if you are standing on his trail he will come for you. If you encounter him on land it is cool when he comes for you and you bang him with a big double in 45 caliber or larger inside of 20ft. Cant't miss. A scope will be a big disadvantage in my opinion. If you shoot him in the water it is like fish in a barrel.

Mike




A solid between the eyes

Secondary tusks in lower mandible are a give away. Lay flat - female. Angled up - male. Scars from fighting are a give away too.

I have only shot one, so no, I don't care to give a lecture.

Thank you safari lawyer for your constructive info

Good hunting

most relevant is to listen to your PH.

A Hippo on land is a great adventure. They're very likely to charge...quite aggressive. This honker was taken in the Caprivi with a running side brain shot. One of my better efforts...13'6" if I remember correctly :-)

LH

I've shot three and will probably shoot another this year. I think whether in the water or on land a brain shot might be your best bet because if the hippo gets in the water with a body shot it might be a goat rope getting him. Side brain is betwwen the eye and ear. Frontal brain is sort of between the eyes depending on the angle of the head.

As Butch said listen to your PH on trophy selection. It's easy to tell the bulls because of size and the bump in their upper lips caused by the major tusk on the lower jaw. Exact size is almost impossible to judge.

Mark

Shakari’s link about covers it, including the two articles by Ganyana linked at the bottom. Nicely done Steve!

As a side note, this is great, in the last week I have learned what a Beibs and a Gatogordo look like!

+1!

I have shot a number of hippos.

One cannot mistake an old bull. Due to his size, especially his head, and the wounds he would have.

When in the water, you will see his head, and you will be left in no doubt which is a trophy bull.

I have shot them both in the water and out. My choice has always been a brain shot.

You have to be VERY unlucky, or do something really stupid, to get charged.

My suggestion is to kill him before any chance of a charge occurs.

Thank you guys for the advice and sharing your experience

All noted

Will report back soon ....

quote:

Originally posted by Bill C:
I have learned what a Beibs and a Gatogordo look like!

You didn't just eat did you?

The only thing that I know about hippos is that they make good biltong.

I have just shot one Hippo and thought it was a great adventure. But since I shot it in the water, as some here say, guess it's just another "fish in a barrel"? Should have just stayed home and shot a carp with my bow, oh well.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Me too Larry.

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Sellers:
I have just shot one Hippo and thought it was a great adventure. But since I shot it in the water, as some here say, guess it's just another "fish in a barrel"? Should have just stayed home and shot a carp with my bow, oh well.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Larry,

You enjoyed your hippo hunt, and that is all that matters.

I honestly cannot see how people can consider shooting a hippo out of water more dangerous than in.

Of course, there is always a likelyhood that you will stumble on a sleeping hippo from close range, and he might charge.

But, unless one is goes out of his way, and does something extremely stupid - like Mark Sullivan for instance - the chance of a charge is almost nill.

I've had close calls with hippos in water rather than out of it. When we have shot one, and unknown to us, anther one stick his head out of the water a few feet from us.

I think he got more scared than us!

There is always an element of danger in hunting. But if one takes reasonable care, one is not likely to suffer.

quote:

But, unless one is goes out of his way, and does something extremely stupid - like Mark Sullivan for instance - the chance of a charge is almost nill.

Getting yourself between him and the water is not considered a charge as he comes barreling down his path back to safety.....its just what he's doing....running for safety and you happen to be in his way.

Mike, all due respect but you incorrect. It may be easier to find a bull in the water but it damn well is a more diffucult shot.

Ed, I am a ground hog hunter here where I live and head shots are the name of the game.

Mike

Mike it is still a more diffucult shot, in a herd picking the proper bull heads bobbing etc. On land there he is wack him. Or are you refering to Tanz?

Great link Shakari. Killing hippo in the water does not hold any interest for me personally. I realize many enjoy it but just not for me. Now rooting him out of the thickets and meeting him face to face is of great interest to me.

Nothing quite like watching one rise out of a tiny puddle in a thicket or a dry river bed at 10 yards as he lowers his massive head while humping up his back to look large (like he isn’t already) and then coming to let you know he is not pleased with your presence.

It must be seen to appreciate how fast they move on land. When they come, that is definitely hippo hunting for me. To each his own. The main thing is to have fun, carry the memories, and practice the style that defines hunting to you!

Shawn

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
The only thing that I know about hippos is that they make good biltong.

that just has to be the dining area at Martin Pieters Omay North camp.brings back fond memories

Saeed: +1

We never shot them in the water, only when the river parted and a 6000 pound missle was headed for us at the speed of light. We didnt have time to sex them ,either will kill you so what does it matter? The big males are usualy more scared up because of their constant territorial arguments with the young males. I dont like Hippo biltong it always tasted like muddy Hippo to me. The mounts are impressive if your into tusks and the like, I usualy spent the money on Old George and his band of merry black horns who taste delicious fresh or dried.

I found Hippo to be vey good table fare. I prefer to hunt a large bull not a cow.

Hey guys for those who have hunted hippos in the past what kind of mount have you choosen ?

I started a thread in the trophy room section and got a few ideas

http://forums.accuratereloadin...1821043/m/6931059371

quote:

Originally posted by Charles Mc Williams:
We never shot them in the water, only when the river parted and a 6000 pound missle was headed for us at the speed of light. We didnt have time to sex them ,either will kill you so what does it matter? The big males are usualy more scared up because of their constant territorial arguments with the young males. I dont like Hippo biltong it always tasted like muddy Hippo to me. The mounts are impressive if your into tusks and the like, I usualy spent the money on Old George and his band of merry black horns who taste delicious fresh or dried.

What country did you shoot cow hippo?