at the end of the month, after a year of waiting, I will leave for my first Asian safari. I have book a ten days of hunt in the Mindoro island of the Philippines, for water buffalo, Philippines sambar deer, warty pig, asian wild boar. The water buffalo is the real asian Buffalo, not like Australia, and ther'are also many animales very rare in all the trophies collections. The hunt will have place in the rain forest of Mindoro, is a jungle hunt, like Bongo in Car. I'm really excited.
I set up this trip through the outfitter J.T. Carlson owner of Mindoro safaris. I think he is the unique hunting operator in this island an probably in all the Philippines. The hunt was openedn few years ago, probably 3, and until now only few american hunters ( I rememeber the 2004 Wheaterby award David Hanlin) and any european ( I'm the first)they had the opportunity of try this experience.
Mario, I dont know anything about the outfit other than what I have read. I do know that area of the PI and it should be a good hunt if things havnt changed in the last 20 years. Definitely jungle/ rain forest going up into mountainous areas depending on exactly where you are. Good luck and good hunting. Take lots of pictures. It is a unique place. Most everyone speaks some english and spanish. There are several dialects in the islands but mainly Tagalog is used. A fairly simple language to learn and use. You will pick up alot just in the time you are there even if you cant study any before you leave. The food is good the water is bad. That said I lived on the local economy and never got sick once. What kind of arrangements had to be made for firearms? Mike
Happiness is a warm gun
Posts: 4106 | Location: USA | Registered: 06 March 2002
Originally posted by Mario: I set up this trip through the outfitter J.T. Carlson owner of Mindoro safaris. I think he is the unique hunting operator in this island an probably in all the Philippines. The hunt was openedn few years ago, probably 3, and until now only few american hunters ( I rememeber the 2004 Wheaterby award David Hanlin) and any european ( I'm the first)they had the opportunity of try this experience.
That's the guy I know. We were in the same SCI Chapter. Have a good time!
George
Posts: 14623 | Location: San Antonio, TX | Registered: 22 May 2001
If this is the same outfit that I had a flyer from once upon a time, he's using a borrowed .308 as imported firearms are illegal in the PI. I agree, it looked like an interesting hunt but I never heard of anyone who had gone on one. I'm awaiting the results of this thread eagerly.
Sarge
Holland's .375: One Planet, One Rifle . . . for one hundred years!
Posts: 2690 | Location: Lakewood, CA. USA | Registered: 07 January 2001
A borrowed .308 should make it an interesting hunt indeed! This sounds like a great hunt I am surprised that there has not been more interest in the past.
The only "real" buffalo there is one of the wild dwarf races of buffalo, Tamaraw Bubalus mindorensis and they were listed in 2000 as endangered. I suggest you read the following link and make sure of things:
Yes indeed, no import of firearms is correct. I had seen the old info with the 308 listed. That is why I asked what the arrangements were. My guess is there is a bunker full of fmj surplus ammo available real cheap to the outfitter. It wouldnt be my first choice for something the size of a waterbuff but it will certainly do the job if placed right. Asian buff have a whole different temperment and unless riled by something are not typically agressive. That dosnt mean they are not skiddish and tough to hunt. This is particularly true for a non asian smelling person who hasnt been eating and living like one of the locals for awhile. Trust me when I say you have a whole different scent. Not to belittle the buff but I would be much more interested in hunting the pigs. Very challenging in the jungle.
Nick, I will bet what is being hunted is Bubalus bubalis and not anything else.
Happiness is a warm gun
Posts: 4106 | Location: USA | Registered: 06 March 2002
I'd also be interested in hearing about this hunt. I get to the Philippines every once in a while (As a matter of fact I'm in the Phillippines right now as I type this). After a couple of weeks here, I'd love to be able to kill something...
the outfitter says is illegal importing firearms in the Philippines. I will use a military rifle, a Springflied M1 Garand, I dont know if 30.06 or 308.
The Tamaraw is a protected animal, only living in the same island in a limited number. The buffalo I will hunt is the asian buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Mr. Carlson said also ( and show me the pictures) ther'is also another type of buffalo, smaller of the Water and bigger of the Tamaraw, discovered last year and killed form an american hunter. They dont dont know if is a hybrid between the two species or a new specie.
I've seen several water buffalo shot with .308's and 30-06's it wasn't a good thing in either case and it was in relatively open areas where multiple shots were not a problem.
Posts: 421 | Location: GA, USA | Registered: 15 July 2002
Please post some photos when you return. I would love to see what the (wild) water buffalo in the Philipines look like, plus the great sambar deer and the of course the pigs.
I think a .30-06 could do the job in open country but in a heavily forested close shooting environment would much prefer something with a LOT more grunt.
I'm agree the 30.06 308 are small caliber for the buffalo. But is the only gun he have... Nitro X, sorry, I dont want say the Australian Buffalo is not the real Buffalo. I only say is not the Asian Buffalo as listed in SCI record book. I know hunting the Buffalo in Australia is a very interesting hunt and probably the trophies are better... Of course ASAP I will come back at home I will post a report in my very bad english. The cost of the hunt? 10.500 Us ten days, including 1 Buffalo, 1 sambar, 2 pigs.
The Australian water buffalo ARE real water(swamp) buffalo. They have adapted to the Aussie environment in the N.T. so well in the nearly 200 years they have been there, that now they are now the largest of their species. I suspect thats why SCI has them in a different catogory.
Posts: 421 | Location: GA, USA | Registered: 15 July 2002
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