After two trips to Namibia for plainsgame and a leopard, I decided that I wanted to hunt one of the old dugga boy bulls that I had heard about for so long. This time, my wife and 12 year old son came with me to make a family vacation out of it. I started looking in Zimbabwe for the hunt but did not find anything with enough activities for my non-hunting wife. With that-I ended up booking the hunt with Harloo Safaris in Kwa-Zulu Natal of South Africa. Before our hunt we flew to Victoria Falls for two nights at The Hide in Hwange National Park and two more nights at Victoria Falls for some relaxation and activities.

Even though my son and I took various plainsgame while hunting with Harloo, I'm only going to be talking about the buffalo hunt on this report. On the second day of our hunt we were checking an area on foot for a Warthog or Impala for my son. During our walk, we began to see fresh buffalo dung. Brian, our PH and I relizing that neither of us were carrying a rifle sent Eric, our tracker back to the vehicle to fetch them for us. About a half mile further Brian spotted a group of three buffalo on a distant hillside approximately a mile away. Brian radioed the truck to advise them of our plans as we started off towards the buffalo.

About half-way to the buffalo, Brian spots a lone bull walk out of the brush only about 300 yards above us. After a quick look through the binoculars, we decide that we want to get a closer look. Brian and I discuss if my son Jack should come along or stay behind. It is decided that since the area is fairly open, Jack would come along with instruction to get behind Brian if things start getting hairy. With that our group of five, Brian, me, Jack, Eric & Jahen the videographer begin our stalk from one tree to another. We get about 40 yards from the bull (still feeding) where we stop to look him over. He is an old mature bull with average spread but good drop and boss. Brian asked me what I thought and I tell him even though it's early in the hunt, I want the bull as he is what I'm looking for. With that Brian puts the shooting sticks up. As I put the rifle, a Harloo loaner .375 H&H with 250 grains Barnes X-bullets on to the sticks the bull turn and faces us. As the bull advances towards us shaking his head back and forth, Brian tells me to take him in the chest. My shot at 30 yards knocks the bull down but he gets right back up. As the bull staggers, I expect him to fall again, he doesn't. I shoot a second time, breaking his left shoulder. He walks away and I shoot again, behind the left shoulder, about 6" further back than I wanted to. The bull continues to walk away from us, stopping to feed a little. I shake my head not believing how tough these buffalo are.

We move our position and I shoot the buffalo for the fourth time, breaking his right shoulder. He refuses to go down so I put another bullet into his right shoulder. Still on his feet, the bull turn towards us, advances, and falls after a couple of steps. As we move to the side to finish the job, he somehow gets to his feet, trying to get to us. At the sixth shot, he again drops to never get up again. After the seventh and final shot the bull lets out three death bellows as his life ends.

A GREAT OLD WARRIOR


As we shake hands and discuss this fine old warrior, I see Eric smile and points towards some brush. When we look in that direction we see seven buffalo bulls coming towrds us. Brain and Eric step forward and yell at the bulls as I quickly reload. One bull leaves but the six others continue to adance until they are only about 20 yards away. For the next five minutes (seemed like 30) the bulls again and again move back about 40 yards, then advance. We start walking backwards looking to put some distance and trees between us but they just advance to close the gap back up. During this time I look to see if my son is OK and staying behind Brian. He had such a big smile on his face, loving this whole experience. After about five minutes of this Brian took his pistol out and fired three rounds into the ground and the bulls finally walked off.

But they didn't leave, instead walking over to their fallen comrade and leader. All six of them surround the downed bull trying to encourage him to get up. When this doesn't work they try to lift him to his feet with their heads. After seeing the bulls were not going to leave, Brian radios the truck requesting his three Jack Russell Terriers. Rigby, Roxie & Ruger come to our rescue and go after the bulls. They harassed the bulls for nearly 15 minutes, nipping at their heals and such before they finally wandered off for good.

I had heard of how hard these bulls were to kill once the adrenalin has kicked in but this old bull far surpassed what I had expected. Not once, did this bull try to run away, instead always advancing, letting us know that we were intruding. Eric told me that he was very happy that this bull never made it to the thick brush as he would have been very dangerous. It was so amazing and enlightning to watch the six other bulls come to the aid of their buddy and then try to get him to his feet. Brian explained that they did this as the bull I had shot had been the group's leader and they wanted him to take them away. What an experience, I was so fortunate to be able to share it with my son. No matter how many buffalo I may hunt in the future, I expect this one will never be repeated. The respect I've gained for the Cape Buffalo is great.

I've seen the unedited video of the hunt and it is amazing! After watching it, my wife wasn't too pleased with her son being present but later turned her concern to the buffalo. I can't wait to get the final edited DVD. Later, I'll do a report on the rest of our trip & hunt. My son shot an Impala and Blesbuck, his first big game animals ever! I was able to take a Nyala, Eland, Bushpig and Bushbuck.

SOMEDAY

Great story and what a great trophy! Lots of drop. Welcome to the "Had to put enough lead in them till their knees give out" club! They are an amazingly tough animal, but what kills me is that he stopped to feed during this! Excellent report!

Beautiful bull!

It makes it easier to understand how people get addicted to buffalo hunting, doesn't it?


Did you got to see how the 250 grain bullets penetrated and did you recover any of them?

Great Report!
And the picture of your son & the buff is priceless.

Nothing better then hunting with your son.

Mike

Nevada,

Fine report, great buff, and just great to take your family...your son won't ever forget!!

Big Congrats, Butch

Hunting with family is unforgettable; great bull and report!
Seven 375H&Hs'! I can see the need for the +.5 boomers!

Exciting experience. I bet your son really loved seeing you take the buff the having the others milling around like they did.

Great report and photo's. Nothing better than having your family with you.

This will be an unforgettable trip for ya'll!!

Great story!!

Congratulations, very special!

As long as you both live you will not forget the buff that refused to die.
Congrats !!!

Congratulations! These animals are as tough as the neighborhood they inhabit. No wonder even lions have a difficult time taking them down. Sometimes it's hard to consider them as "prey" animals.

That would definitely get MY attention. Congratulations

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
Beautiful bull!

It makes it easier to understand how people get addicted to buffalo hunting, doesn't it?


Did you got to see how the 250 grain bullets penetrated and did you recover any of them?

Fjold,

Addictictive may be the right word, can't wait for the next one.

I did not observe the skinning process but they told me both lungs were gone and the heart had two holes in it. They recovered three bullets but I don't know the location of the recovery. Two of the bullets performed as expected and one was very damaged with three petals missing.

Thanks everyone for your comments and yes my son and I will always remember that buffalo.

Congratulations on a fine 1st bull and what sounds like a great father\son bonding experience. That's sure to get him hooked for life.

Well done!

Nice Bull!
You and your son will never forget that one.

Photos of the 6 bulls and//or the Jack Russell's?

quote:

Originally posted by DB Bill:
Photos of the 6 bulls and//or the Jack Russell's?

Bill I don't have any photos of the dogs in action right now. It was video taped but I'm waiting for the video. Here are two photos.
#1 - Dogs with the dead bull
#2 - Five of the same bulls when we came across them the next day.

Waidmannsheil Nevada, enjoyed your story and pics.

That photo of the five Bulls looks great

Enjoyed your exciting report and pics...FANTASTIC!
Definitely a CB hunt your son and you will cherish forever

wonderful trophy and story! thanks for sharing!

Well done to both you and your son (for the experience). Great report and pics.

Best regards, D. Nelson

Very good Nevada, very good!

Great report and great buff.

Well done,what a great experience to share with your son

Congratulations on a great hunt & thanks for the fantastic story!

+1 !

congratulations nice buffalo

Congratulations