“Dung! Bright Green and splattered, fresh as it can possible be without being attached to one of the two Dagga Boys we have been following since first light. The tracks have meandered back and forth in the lush riverine loosely following a massive Elephant path, twice we have had to loop around elephant along the path. My head tracker freezes – a movement I know only too well. He’s heard something, Oxpeckers a sure sign the buffalo are close. We creep along a couple yards further. A dagga boy coughs. We freeze again. They are close! Less than thirty yards, one steps into view, it has full sweeping horns, a trophy in every sense of the word. This is a buffalo in his prime – but not what we’re looking for. He moves on, oblivious to our presence. The second dagga boy comes into view, his bosses polished smooth with age, he has lost the hook and does not have the spread his companion boasts, his face and horns are scarred and chipped, the buffalo equivalent of the been there, done it twice T-Shirt. No doubt a veteran of many battles. Exactly what we’ve been searching for. His movements noticeably more cautious than his younger companion, a caution undoubtedly learned from being hunted by both man and lion in the past. The signal is given, and the shot is taken. He rears and lands at a full run – the last 20 yard dash he’ll ever have to make. The adrenaline and feeling can’t be put into words. This is buffalo hunting at its best. By name, “non-trophy” but far more than that.”



Those who have hunted wild buffalo have their own version of this, the details may vary but for a large part the feelings are the same. Feelings that only buffalo can produce. This particular hunt I have described was right at the end of last year, it was for a Non-Trophy Buffalo. After the hunt it got me thinking, the description “Non Trophy” is grossly misleading and may confuse a few people. Not to beat around the bush, my goal for writing this is to clear up the misconception of a Non Trophy Buffalo Hunt and hopefully to get a couple of you interested in doing this hunt.


We tend to hunt the biggest buffalo possible as is common practice, not only in Zimbabwe, but in Southern Africa as a whole. These “bigger and better” buffalo are generally speaking the slightly younger boys (though by no means too young) and in their prime. Their horns have the full curl that hunters will look for to score big in the SCI record books. Big horns equal big scores which equates to big bragging rights and impressive mounts. These are the buffalo normally sought after in a regular trophy hunt. I must mention the exception to the rule, however, where some of the older dagga boys have retained their horn size, but, generally speaking, their chances of scoring big in the record books are hurt as they age past their prime. Trophy buffalo makes for a fantastic hunt and an impressive trophy to show, and if time and finance allow it ranks amongst the best dangerous game hunting available.



But what about the Non Trophy? The Non Trophy buffalo by definition is a Buffalo with a spread under 34”. But Let’s have a look at the difference with a normal buffalo hunt. Whilst the danger factor remains about the same with these Old Dagga Boys, you are hunting buffalo that have not only survived countless lion attacks, but have learned all our tricks from their years from living within a hunting region. The phrase, “older and wiser” comes to mind. As far as buffalo hunting is concerned, that means one thing – you’re in for one heck of a treat and a challenge! You’ll normally find them in small bachelor herds, or by themselves, making it more difficult to get the crosshairs on them. As far as their horns are concerned, non-trophy buffalo have a great deal of wear, have scrum caps, or could have breaks. Having said that, many hunters value a good scrum cap as much as a 40” buffalo on their wall. Alternatively, they’re just buffalo whose genetics have allowed them to go unnoticed by trophy hunters of the past. I find the name, “Non-Trophy” to be grossly misleading and does neither the hunt nor the animal any justice at all.



You might be thinking, “So, what does a non-trophy buffalo hunt cost?” I’m glad you asked. It is half the cost of a trophy buffalo hunt. Why, then, is such a “great hunt” half the price?
Simply put, it is an initiative by Mokore Safaris to improve the overall quality of the buffalo herds and to make the buffalo experience more affordable. It must be mentioned that this is done at substantial cost to the company as non-trophy animals are deducted from the trophy quota supplied by the Zimbabwe National Parks.

If anyone would like further info please email me dougduckworth@mokore.com, neilduckworth@mokore.com or garyduckworth@mokore.com or alternatively PM me! there are a few of these hunts available for 2017!!

Embarking on my ninth Zimbabwe safari this July, this type of hunt has become my hunt of choice. Sure, we all like to shoot the big ones - there is no denying that. But the more I hunt buffalo, the more I realize that the real trophy is the hunt itself. When you are no longer interested in hunting the herds and want more of a "personal" hunt going after only dagga boys, this is the hunt to do. Hunting lone dagga boys or sometimes pairs of animals can be the toughest and most rewarding hunt you ever do. For me, doing this hunt with an iron sighted double makes you get in close and feel all of the excitement a dangerous game hunt can provide. I can't wait to go back to Zimbabwe in July to do this hunt again with Mike Payne and Save Safaris ( I would not hesitate to hunt with the Duckworths either - they do a fantastic job of providing quality hunts as well), and the lower price of a "non trophy" hunt will keep me going back for many more years.

Great write up Doug, I couldn't agree more

Excellent report. In my mind going after the old dugga boys is a true trophy hunt in every sense of the word. Its a real hunt requiring great trackers, stealth and patience.

Guys,

Everyone of these "non-trophy" hunts I've sold for Mokore has been a smashing success. If I was going to do it myself I'd book two back to back hunts, take two buffalo and still save money as I'd just take pix thus pay no dip/pack, shipping or taxidermy. Heck of a deal!

Mark

Buffalo are exciting no matter the size of horn or sex.

BH63

I feel the same way about Elephant hunting. The hunt IS the trophy. I'd rather do 2 or 3 management Ele hunts than a Trophy hunt. It is an awesome experience.

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
I feel the same way about Elephant hunting. The hunt IS the trophy. I'd rather do 2 or 3 management Ele hunts than a Trophy hunt. It is an awesome experience.

Has anyone besides me noticed that there are very few postings after Biebs weighs in on a topic? I personally think too many folks are afraid of agreeing with him in public!


For what it's worth John, I am in complete agreement with you!

quote:

Originally posted by Dux:





“So, what does a non-trophy buffalo hunt cost?” I’m glad you asked. It is half the cost of a trophy buffalo hunt. Why, then, is such a “great hunt” half the price?
Simply put, it is an initiative by Mokore Safaris to improve the overall quality of the buffalo herds and to make the buffalo experience more affordable. It must be mentioned that this is done at substantial cost to the company as non-trophy animals are deducted from the trophy quota supplied by the Zimbabwe National Parks.

A great initiative IMO

Those are trophy bulls in my book?

If you have a license then why can't you export?

They are if the trophy is in the hunt

Just to clarify these are exportable, there is a non exportable option too. The price difference is negligible! Thanks for the great feedback everyone!

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
I feel the same way about Elephant hunting. The hunt IS the trophy. I'd rather do 2 or 3 management Ele hunts than a Trophy hunt. It is an awesome experience.

I totally agree with Biebs !!




Morten

quote:

You might be thinking, “So, what does a non-trophy buffalo hunt cost?” I’m glad you asked. It is half the cost of a trophy buffalo hunt. Why, then, is such a “great hunt” half the price? Simply put, it is an initiative by Mokore Safaris to improve the overall quality of the buffalo herds and to make the buffalo experience more affordable. It must be mentioned that this is done at substantial cost to the company as non-trophy animals are deducted from the trophy quota supplied by the Zimbabwe National Parks.

So - what is the cost ?


Morten

Great write up and explanation. Everyone of those bulls are fantastic.

quote:

So - what is the cost ?

+1

Let us know what the non exportable buff cost is as well. Great write up. I think those pictures are great in showing what you consider "non trophy". Like others have said, they're all good bulls.

Guys,

I just brought the ad for the "Non-Trophy" buff with Mokore to the top again if you want to take a look on the Outfitters Offered and Discounted Hunts forum.

To me this is the best deal available today for a buffalo hunting experience. $8,500 to cover daily fees and trophy fee. That's hard to beat!

Mark

Mark- on how many days is that?

Buzz,

1x1 5 days.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Buzz,

1x1 5 days.

Mark

I suspect 2 Buff over 10 days at $17,000 would be more attractive?

It would to me... and it is hard for me to call those fine, old bulls "non-trophy". I would be proud to take most all of them.

I like hunting any "old" buff. That's mine with the wart on his nose.(handsome) Doug thanks for the write up. You got me thinking.

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:
It would to me... and it is hard for me to call those fine, old bulls "non-trophy". I would be proud to take most all of them.

Absolutely and I would be asking more for such an opportunity especially as the trend is now to leave the breeding bulls and concentrate on the old buggers.

There are two options "Non Trophy" exportable which is $9500 and the non exportable option at $8500 - extra days can be added at plainsgame rates - there is also a bunch of plainsgame available with these options at straight trophy fee rates ... yes, calling them Non Trophy makes me cringe- need to come up with a different name

quote:

Originally posted by Dux:
There are two options "Non Trophy" exportable which is $9500 and the non exportable option at $8500 - extra days can be added at plainsgame rates - there is also a bunch of plainsgame available with these options at straight trophy fee rates ... yes, calling them Non Trophy makes me cringe- need to come up with a different name

My only concern is that 5 days is a bit short considering flights, transfers etc.

What makes a bull non-exportable?

How about short horned Dugga Boys?

Andrew,

It's 5 full days of hunting. When you see the numbers of buffalo in these places you'll understand why it is marketed that way.

drongo,

It's the same buffalo you just don't export it. This overall saves you a lot of money with an initial lower cost, no dip/pack and shipping/documentation/clearing charges.

I think in the future I'm just going to advertise these as "Mature bulls having a spread under 34".

As has been suggested a 2 buffalo safari of 10 or 14 days would make a great adventure at a very good price.

Mark

Personally i think the above are proper trophies. But the correct term for extra non export quota should be a management buffalo/animals
.

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Andrew,

It's 5 full days of hunting. When you see the numbers of buffalo in these places you'll understand why it is marketed that way.

drongo,

It's the same buffalo you just don't export it. This overall saves you a lot of money with an initial lower cost, no dip/pack and shipping/documentation/clearing charges.

I think in the future I'm just going to advertise these as "Mature bulls having a spread under 34".

As has been suggested a 2 buffalo safari of 10 or 14 days would make a great adventure at a very good price.

Mark

I have already booked for 2017. I am interested in 2 bulls for 2018.

quote:

Originally posted by kurtbe:
I like hunting any "old" buff. That's mine with the wart on his nose.(handsome) Doug thanks for the write up. You got me thinking.

You have a very flat head.

This deal may make me go back to Zim for a Buff.

quote:

LOL! I know (birth defect)

If clients want to hunt longer than 5 days on this option they pay our plainsgame rate of $550 / day plus normal extras for any days over and above the initial 5 day period and the buff does not need to be shot within the first 5 day period.

Nice report Monya. Well Done!!

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
I feel the same way about Elephant hunting. The hunt IS the trophy. I'd rather do 2 or 3 management Ele hunts than a Trophy hunt. It is an awesome experience.

Do you shoot from a stool???