Buffalo hunting success rate?

[mark-hunter]

So, on the forum we see rarely a negative hunting report. When bad things happen due to various reasons, hunters are reluctant to write about it. If written, sometimes it brings back an argument when outfitters reputations is questioned.
But not all hunts are 100% certain. We know that. Some animals are difficult and unpredictable.

I was wondering where the buffalo stands in this perspective?

So, as I am planning a buffalo hunt in the future, the question is, what is real buffalo hunt success rate? What to expect?
I know some hunters went for Buff and never got one. Others went multiple times, and got one each time.

 

[C.W. Richter]

If you thoroughly enjoyed the hunt, saw buffalo, trained your sights on ones never intended to be shot, but never did kill that big herd bull due to "traffic," (also experiencing different cultures, land, food, etc.) I'd say it was 100% success. On each hunt where buffalo were primary targets, success was 100% (and we did put in 100% effort!!) But, on another where buffalo were secondary, we'd see them (walk across a river, right out of the country) on every single outing. I didn't think standing along the river, in the dark, waiting for them to walk to us was a really good plan....lol And for those of you who've been there, you know precisely where i mean! That was closer to 0% success on buff, but I'd suspect the stats would be higher if they were our primary goal (and the overall success and enjoyment of that safari was 100%!) Always one to revise the plan in hunting (as necess to succeed,) I suggested to the PH that the next day we go on the Bots NP sightseeing tour, but with our guns! He said they'd frown upon that plan.? On the 1st buffalo hunt, I put my sights on two big daggaboys (one in the dark shade-couldn't see, the other was moving-uncomfy with the shot,) so it took a full 7 days to land a nice one. I lost 10 lbs in the >100 mi we walked. It was 100% success, but directly linked to the 100% effort we put in.

 

[375Fox]

The answer to your question really depends on area. There are community areas in Zimbabwe where the last remaining animals are only elephants and a few buffalo, the rest has been poached out, but hunts are still being advertised. Villages and cattle will make a tough hunt for last few buffalo. If you choose a quality area, 10 days should give you a very high chance of success. I’ve been 2 for 2 on buffalo hunts. One against Kruger with a very high population of buffalo on day 4 and one in Zambezi valley on day 2. This area was a community area, but it had an established core area without villages, anti-poaching, and water. As much as I think your question depend on area, it also depends on PH. When I booked my last hunt I wanted to know how long my PH had worked with his tracking team. That’s makes a huge difference in my opinion and I think a lot of people overlook them.

 

[Red Leg]

For cape buffalo, in concessions owned by a quality outfitter, opportunity success rate should be 100%. This isn't leopard hunting. The odds go down when booking through a questionable outfitter (read as in a too good to believe deal) or in concessions with limited or transitional game. The wrong choice in firearm can also affect success rate. When the only opportunity at a old dagga boy is on day nine of a ten-day hunt, and he his resting in the shade of a mote of trees and brush bunched with three of his fellows at 85 yards, the classic open-sighted double rifle in one's hands can suddenly seem like a really bad choice.

On a game farm, a client will get an opportunity.

 

[BeeMaa]

I’d also say it has to do with YOUR expectations of what kind of trophy you want. Finding a truly old Dagga Boy with worn down horns, smooth bosses, delwap, Roman nose and little hair left on the hide is not what most would consider a top quality trophy. That’s my idea of a trophy and I’m willing to overlook other bulls in search of it, even if it means I go home without one. Bulls of a lesser age will be much easier to find.

Have a good honest conversation with your outfitter with what you expect and your chances will improve. Or it might be time to start shopping elsewhere.

 

[mark-hunter]

When the only opportunity at a old dagga boy is on day nine of a ten-day hunt, and he his resting in the shade of a mote of trees and brush bunched with three of his fellows at 85 yards, the classic open-sighted double rifle in one's hands can suddenly seem like a really bad choice.

You are practically quoting my PH, when we discussed buffalo hunt. He says, a rifle, double or bolt should be equipped with scope, to aim in exact spot between branches in dense bush, when you might see only a part of the leg, a bit of the shape of the body, and you are looking for that spot between the branches and leaves. Such shot with open sights would be almost impossible.

 

[mark-hunter]

I’d also say it has to do with YOUR expectations of what kind of trophy you want

Well, old boy, wornout, hard boss. I dont care for size of horns.

 

[Osama Mahdi]

My South African PH told me a story when hunter shot Buffalo in one of these open range African countries. He hit the bull but the animal run into a different area where they don't have the right to hunt on it and the animal went forever.
Every time I remember this I could not sleep. If that hunter was my I will just get a heart attack and die.

 

[revturbo9967]

Phil Massaro, whom has taken many buff lost one with a not so perfect shot from his double. He believed the bullet hit a tree or stick and deflected into the brisket. The buff was then tracked until it crossed into another concession. Tough one to swallow, but that's hunting.

 

[Mopani]

Twice I went after buffalo, both hunts took place in Zimbabwe. First hunt: Sengwe 1, the camp was on the banks of the mighty Limpopo river. On the other side was the Kruger National Park. During the whole week we didn‘t see a single buffalo. The second hunt was at the Bubey Valley Conservancy, this year in May. Maybe the wrong season because the bush was very dense due to late rain. There were just a couple of buffalo, two small herds plus some single bulls of which I only saw one clearly - for a split second.

 

[Osama Mahdi]

Twice I went after buffalo, both hunts took place in Zimbabwe. First hunt: Sengwe 1, the camp was on the banks of the mighty Limpopo river. On the other side was the Kruger National Park. During the whole week we didn‘t see a single buffalo. The second hunt was at the Bubey Valley Conservancy, this year in May. Maybe the wrong season because the bush was very dense due to late rain. There were just a couple of buffalo, two small herds plus some single bulls of which I only saw one clearly - for a split second.

So you didn't get any Buffalo from these trips? If so may I asked what percentage you paid from the whole supposed cost of the hunt?

 

[Mopani]

So you didn't get any Buffalo from these trips? If so may I asked what percentage you paid from the whole supposed cost of the hunt?

For the last hunt I paid 7 x US$ 1,400 = US$ 9,800. Obviously I didn‘t have to pay the trophy fee because I didn‘t get anything.

 

[Safari Dave]

It all depends on where you are hunting, how long you will be hunting, your physical condition, your expectations, and LUCK.


Have very detailed conservations with you PH in order to understand the reasonable expectations of the area you will be hunting.

Talk to as many references as you can, before you book your trip.


On my last buffalo hunt (which was scheduled for 10 days, but had to be cut to 7 because of various Covid-related rules, my PH suggested that we spend the first 3 trying to take as big of a buff that could be reasonably expected to see on the concession, spend the next 3 trying to get a mature bull, and the last day take any legal bull that I would be OK with.

We saw:

- 2 "last day" bulls on day 1.

- A good bull on day 2, but no shot.

- No buffalo on day 3.

- The day 2 bull again on day 4, but it took several 500 yard dashes to find him in a position that would allow for a shot. I got him, but could not have if I were not in good cardio condition. ( I'm 57 and strenuously exercise 3 days a week).


My goal was to get a mature bull in a wild, unfenced situation where I could hear lions roaring at night while sleeping in a tent. It all worked out perfectly.




If successfully killing a bull was my primary goal, I would have hunted South Africa.


I mainly wanted a wild experience, so I chose to hunt in Mozambique.

 

[Philip Glass]

If you can walk and shoot you will have a good chance at a Buffalo. It is interesting to hear of others experiences where they were not successful. As has been said previously, if you are real particular you may pass up some opportunities.

 

[Doug3006]

I agree with several posters that the experience is key. A hunt in an area with a good population of Buffalo should present you with one or more opportunities at a bull like the one you are targeting. If you get a nice one , whatever your definition of nice is, then thats icing on the cake. If however you hunt 8 or 10 days, see Buffalo, stalk a number of times, but never get a shot, you’ve still had a great hunt.

 

[Rare Breed]

You are practically quoting my PH, when we discussed buffalo hunt. He says, a rifle, double or bolt should be equipped with scope, to aim in exact spot between branches in dense bush, when you might see only a part of the leg, a bit of the shape of the body, and you are looking for that spot between the branches and leaves. Such shot with open sights would be almost

 

[Rare Breed]

It depends on what you really want. I have been blessed to take a really nice bull with my DR. I say that to say given my hunt in 23 is where I will again take my DR with red dot scope…given I have taken one nice one I personally just would not be happy using a scope to get my second one. I just found for me it is the total experience of using a classic DR is just too important to me…will this potentially cost me a shot…maybe but I can live with that. The key is defining what you want from the experience…clearly there is no right or wrong answer just enjoy the experience however you define it

 

[Spear Safaris]

Mark. I can only advise on the areas I personally hunt.

My South African operation : Private Fenced property - Our success is around 60%, but if I fail on our Base property I go to Neighbouring properties and enjoy about 90% success
Greater Kruger Free range - we've enjoyed 100% success thus far.

My Tanzania Operation : Ive had a 100% success rate on Buffalo.
Keeping in mind that last year I had a Hunter miss his second Bull and never got another chance at a good bull in the allocated 10 days, it was also a 2x1 hunt and we did shoot 3 Buffalo, out of the 4 wanted.

I hope this helps.
Ernest

 

[Spear Safaris]

If you can walk and shoot you will have a good chance at a Buffalo. It is interesting to hear of others experiences where they were not successful. As has been said previously, if you are real particular you may pass up some opportunities.

What you need to keep in mind is the terrain where you will hunt. In areas like the Eastern cape, Northern cape and free state you may Hunt in Open terrain, where you may see a Buffalo 200 yards away and make a fairly easy stalk. In Most Limpopo areas, you will hunt Buffalo in Dense vegetation where you will get 50 yards or less to a Bull, before you can see him, making it much more challenging, thus also a much lower success rate.

 

[Philip Glass]

What you need to keep in mind is the terrain where you will hunt. In areas like the Eastern cape, Northern cape and free state you may Hunt in Open terrain, where you may see a Buffalo 200 yards away and make a fairly easy stalk. In Most Limpopo areas, you will hunt Buffalo in Dense vegetation where you will get 50 yards or less to a Bull, before you can see him, making it much more challenging, thus also a much lower success rate.

Exactly and then it is difficult to look through them. May just have to take the old bull that presents a shot. I am just going for my second Buffalo this year so I don’t have that much experience. I am also not the guy with the tape in his pocket either!