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I hunted buffalo in Zim twice this year. The first hunt was in the Save River conservancy. On the second day I shot a bull. We tracked him until dark and did not find him. My shot was no good. I had practiced for a year with Kevin Robertson's targets but when it came to the real deal the shot I was offered was nothing like shooting at those targets. I should have made adjustments but I didn't. We were on a ridge looking down on the buffalo which was quartering toward us. The last thing my PH said was "one third up". Yes, yes I knew that. At the shot, the buffalo was knocked off his feet but he was up again instantly. He ren away with the herd and that started a long day of tracking. My PH and his trackers found him the next day in thick cover. I had followed his advice and stayed in camp. My PH had climbed a tree and made the finishing shot. My shot with the 400 grain 416 Rigby loaded with Barnes TSX had hit him one third up just at the front of the right shoulder and, because of the downward angle, came out low behind the left shoulder. It could not have been a worse shot placement as it hit nothing but brisket. So I went back in October with high hopes of redeeming myself. I didn't. After ten long days of following tracks I had not had a shot and I was pretty discouraged. This time I had a 375 double using Federal Trophy Bonded Sledghammer solids so I needed to get fairly close. I had passed on a long shot earlier. Finally in the afternoon of the last day we caught up with three bulls we had tracked all day. My PH put up the sticks and said "this is the only shot you going to get". He pointed out two trees that were about 30" apart and told me to shoot between the trees favoring the right side. He told me that the buffalo was lying down just on the other side of the trees. I couldn't see anything but a dark area. At the shot, the buffalo jumped up and started running to the right. I fired the left barrel. The PH's rifle misfired. We tracked him for about three miles. My PH suddenly fired. From my position behind him and the trackers I saw nothing. We all ran forward. The buffalo was down and I finished him. My first shots had hit him too far back. And so I had had two unsatisfactory buffalo hunts. I don't know if I have another one in me. I turned 72 on the last one and I struggled on those long walks in the 100 degree heat. But I have not ruled out the possibility. | ||
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On one hand, you could say that you your shooting didn't live up to your own expectations and it was disappointing. on the other, you could take the position that you went to Africa twice, saw amazing things, were among creatures many Americans see only on television and dream about seeing, hearing and smelling and found them to be as damn tough as is written about. My father and I returned from Zimbawe last month. He will be 70 this coming Monday. We did those same walks of countless miles in the heat, on the sand, through the thorns and in the dark. It was simply the best experiences of our lifes. My father, who usually wants to come home to my mother half way into a week's hunt, wasnt ready to leave even after we took more game than we had originally planned. He was done hunting, as was I, but we weren't in any way shape or form "full" of Africa. We were in the Bulawayo airport when he again again "When are we coming back?" I will say one thing. Though I am a complete novice when it comes to huntin in Africa, I am not when it comes to hunting in general. If you do go again, choose a different PH. I told all of the folk who organized our safari from Ray Atkinson, to Danny Friend and Paul Benny of Nengasha Safaris to our PH Wayne Bartlett of our wants, needs and limitations and they made sure every single thing was covered. each went out of his way to make certain my dad was treated royally even though he needed nothing more than I. You should do the same and there SHOULD be a next time. Good luck and I would say that you had a GREAT safari - actually two of them. You got buffalo during both trip and your PH did what PHs do - helped you get them. Paul NRA Lifer; DSC Lifer; SCI member; DRSS; AR member since November 9 2003 Don't Save the best for last, the smile for later or the "Thanks" for tomorow | |||
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There is a negative side to all these books on shot placement. Whereas I accept that they are anatomically correct in the positioning of vital organs, and do point out the correct placement of the shot, it is seldom that simple in the field. I stress the importance of the understanding of where the organs are situated at any time, regardless of the animals position. What happens when using these reference books is that a client pictures the impact point without considering the where the bullet must travel to connect the organ. So what happens here is the client tries to look for the shoulder, 1/3 of the way up and doesn't see the whole picture. He fires and ends up with a wounded animal, and wonders why. Gentlemen, understand the anatomy of your quarry, and picture the bullet trajectory and act accordingly. You will be happier, and believe me your PH and his tracking staff will be delighted. | |||
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I echo what CCNDoc said. The measure of a hunt is things you saw, the feel of the wind on your cheek, the smell of the mopane fire in the morning, the taste of that first drink after a day in the field,the smell of the buffalo as you get close, all the things that you saw, tasted, smelled and felt. Taking the trophy is simply the icing on the cake; if you enjoyed your time there you had a good hunt. Your shooting may have been disappointing to you, so practice a little more and find a ph who can get you real close. By all means, if you can, go again. TerryR | |||
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R. G. Howard!!!! Go back, go back, go back!!!!! My husband is 70, nearly blind and loves to hunt buffalo. He either does it with the help of the right, patient, and determined PH or vicariously through my shooting. He slowly stalks through terrain which challenges an able bodied person. He has told me many times, that when, and if, the day comes that he cannot see at all, he still can smell and hear Africa and would want to continue to go buffalo hunting. The hunting is in your heart not in the trophy! Being in the company of such a determined hunter, enriches everyone involved. And, if the PH wasn't able gear the hunt to your speed and physical condition, you can find a better PH and outfitter! There are hunting agents on this forum whot can put this together for you. Best regards, D. Nelson | |||
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The answer is to go back. My first two buff hunts were less than ideal and one could be described as a "goat rope". Since then I have been on two more and both were near perfect. I'm 66 and my eyes aren't double rifle quality any more. Please go back to your 416 and use a scope if needed, and even tho some disagree usa a swift A frame, or my favorite, a triple shok as on your first hunt. If you don't go back you will always wish you had. Either way, as others have indicated, reflect more on the positive aspects of the trips and less on your disappointents. Adrian | |||
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Oh hell; go back. I went to zim twice last year after elephant; first was 21 days and two baboons to show for it; second time was on a 15 day hunt shot one-not huge ivory, but ivory none the less. I am 68 and will be back next year, providing the ph is willing to put up with me-he has hunted with me 5 or 6 times already. | |||
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RG – don't be so hard on yourself – first of all - hats off to a honest report...you'd be surprised how many hunts end just like yours and many much worse, but all that comes out of the bush at the end is a happy camper with a fairytale... Don't fall for that did it yourself stuff – you did your part – I believe you did your best and none of those buffs would be in the salt without your part - by all means - go back asap. | |||
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I say "Well Done" You made a honest effort and done a lot better then some. My 1st Buffalo Hunt was in Tanzania and I never even got to hunt. By all means go again. | |||
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Well done, indeed, sir! Nothing is like hunting, no even hunting! It always changes. You did better on your hunts than I. We tracked an old bull that had hunted us for 3 days and couldn't get a shot! Don't beat yourself up on this R G. Go again and enjoy what you can! That will be good enough for any man! Rusty We Band of Brothers! DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member "I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends." ----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836 "I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841 "for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.” | |||
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Crum! Sorry to hear about this! You mentioned you were 72, and I am sure you were taking all you responsibilities thru the years and finally had some time and money to spend on yourself- looking at it another way, it is a good story to tell so people go, if they can, when they are younger and can handle the heat and the miles. Also, don't underestimate the fact that going to Africa sort of jars you out of your comfort zone, new experiences, long travel etc. so you may be off your feet and not perform your best. I think this is why some guys will do an easy ridin' PG hunt or two first before DG to get used to the routine, spotting game, the early rise, working with their PH and so on.. Good on you for going twice and I hope you go again and finally get your buff! ______________________________ "Are you gonna pull them pistols,...or whistle Dixie??" Josie Wales 1866 | |||
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First off it's great that you were able to go to Africa twice. The sights the sounds the smells the sensations will be with you forever. Secondly you should have learned a very valuable lesson on your second buff. DON'T ever take a shot that you are not comfortable with. I don't care what the PH says. I've had two serious and expensive screw ups in my years of hunting and both of them have been PH induced. One was a wounded and not recovered buff on my first buff hunt and the other was a buff that I was not at all happy with it was not the one we were after and it was one that I had turned down several times on the very same day. In both cases the PH was urgently demanding that I shoot. Don't let these guys push you into a shot that your are not comfortable with. It is easy to let these guy talk you into a shot that you don't want to take just say NO! and be sure and go back soon you won't regret it.  | |||
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R.G.Howard, After reading your post all I can say is YOU ARE A HUNTER. All of us have been involved now and then in similar situations. The hunts didn't end as you expect ? and what? Don't be so hard with yourself, you have "been there done that" and no one can take you that. I will be waiting for your next year report L | |||
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You got your Buffalo and you had an experience. You might try a Plains game hunt that wouldn't put so much of physical demands on you. Even at my age (58) I have had numerous injuries and surgeries that make arduous hunting painful and takes away some of the thrill. I just feel fortunate to have the physical mobility that I have and just have to work harder. Just finished my first Plains game hunt in Africa, and plan to hunt Buffalo and Sable in 2011. It gives me motivation to work out and get as fit as possible. It it was easy you wouldn't appreciate it as much. | |||
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One must learn to think three-demensionlly. The same concept that folks always talk about when taking the frontal brain shot on ele applies to ALL shooting. Know where the organ-of-choice lies with in the body and pick an angled path that places the bullet through it. That is what is wrong with Kevins pics. You are shooting a two demensional representation of a three demesional subject. Surgeons make the same mistake on x-rays all the time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ J. Lane Easter, DVM A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991. | |||
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You poor bastard. You got two hunts in Zimbabwe this year, hit two buffalo poorly-yet still collected them without anyone getting injured and still have your health at 72. Life is tough. Perry | |||
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Two hunts, two buffalo... I don't see much of a problem here... Give yourself a little credit... Jeff | |||
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Roger that! You have to be alive to have problems. | |||
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Thanks for the honest report. I am 60 about to turn 61. I have hunted in Africa 3 times since 2004. Honestly can't say that ever thing went absolutley perfect on any trip. But they were all specail and hopefully I have many more trips left in me. So long as the money holds out and I can keep my wife happy I will keep going back. Book another hunt soon. WE all look forward to your next report. | |||
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Hey, last year I shot and then lost a Sable in Mozambique that easily went over 40". I did my mandatory period of moping and feeling sorry for myself....first animal I've ever lost on an outfitted hunt. After I got my sh*t back together, I took a record book Nyala and a 16 1/2" Warthog. People don't mistake you for Robert Redford, do they? Well, then you weren't very lucky with the genes you were born with either. Get over it!!! Enjoy life! | |||
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My Grandfather was a very wise man. He lived to be ninety-three and was rising at 4am every morning and milking 240 head of registered Guernsey Cows until shortly before he died. He always told me "third time's the charm...". One of these days you'll be old and look back at the days when you could tromp the hills of Africa and hunt Dangerous Game. You wouldn't want admit that you stopped too early would you? Rich just turned sixty and am only now catching my second wind. Headed back in forty-four days... | |||
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you went.....you saw....most hunters only dream of such a hunt....be grateful and make it happen again.... Mac Mac | |||
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Says it all. Thank you for posting  Jim "Bwana Umfundi" NRA | |||
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That is really scary.  You still got to chase buffalo in Africa on two hunts. It is two times more than many of us. The price of knowledge is great but the price of ignorance is even greater. | |||
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RG, you have hunted and killed 2 cape buff, "forget about them"... Go back to Zim, and do a cow elephant hunt. Take the 375 H&H double... Hint, book two cow elephants on this hunt...  DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY | |||
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