Has anyone darted a Black Rhino?

[Daktari]

Given the extremely high cost for hunting a black rhino, has anyone ever done a dart hunt for them? Also anyone's experience with darting a white rhino feel free to chime in as well with your experiences! Did you find the green hunt exciting and rewarding?

 

[AndreZA]

I guided a client on darting a white rhino about 14 years ago in North West Province. The whole experience from stalking several rhino in thick bush, getting close enough in darting range and the recovery was an exciting experience. Definitely recommend the opportunity to get close and personal with a Big 5 animal.

 

[Rob Sparks]

I’m doing a black rhino dart in June with Tam safaris, can give you a report after

 

[Daktari]

What a royal looking beast!

 

[Green Chile]

I've darted multiple rhinos and find them to be very interesting. All whites of course. PM if you would like more info as I know of a really good setup in SA but would prefer to discuss it offline.

I've never heard of a black rhino darting opportunity although I'm sure the veterinarians do it routinely. At DSC this year, in the really high end taxidermy vendor's booth (can't remember their name but just below the 2nd floor with guns), they had a revolving case lit up with a black rhino set of horns. That's not something you see every day!

 

[K-man]

You may want to clarify "darting" for this audience. Are you asking about a vita-dart scenario where the rhino is not immobilized but allowed to continue on? Or a full-on immobilizing dart? I can tell you with experience the immobilizing drugs used are so dangerous I want to stay as far away from them as possible. I was able to "help" in a black rhino relocation a few years ago by co-incidence. A minute drop of the drug used landing on your skin will kill you in seconds. The outfits that offer this take out large insurance policies on the animal in case of a mistake. I don't think it covers you. I watched the vet make up the recovery shot before he made up the immobilizing dart just in case of any mistake in handling.
If you are in an area with rhino, ask if the trackers/P.H. will allow a stalk into close picture range.

 

[JHT]

I’m doing a black rhino dart in June with Tam safaris, can give you a report after

Rob, were you able to successfully complete this? Thank you

 

[SETH RINGER]

CROSSBOW. 2007.

 

[Rob Sparks]

Yes, was great experience. I’ll send you PM with my phone number if you want to discuss

 

[JHT]

Yes, was great experience. I’ll send you PM with my phone number if you want to discuss

Thank you!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Stalked both White and Black with the camera. No darts. Getting in close to a grumpy Black Rhino was an experience you do not soon forget.
I hope you find an opportunity.

 

[375Fox]

I’m uncertain if a black rhino darting opportunity is offered because I think it would be very dangerous for the hunter and black rhino because they have a very bad temperament. I’d think a very high likelihood of a charge and potentially needing to shoot a black rhino with a rifle out of safety on this type of hunt. I hunted eland earlier this year on waterberg park in Namibia. A black rhino cow nearly got our land cruiser as we drive by and tracking eland I spent some time up a tree after we nearly bumped another one at 20 yards in thick green brush. White rhinos have a completely different temperament than black rhinos.

 

[SETH RINGER]

I’m uncertain if a black rhino darting opportunity is offered because I think it would be very dangerous for the hunter and black rhino because they have a very bad temperament. I’d think a very high likelihood of a charge and potentially needing to shoot a black rhino with a rifle out of safety on this type of hunt. I hunted eland earlier this year on waterberg park in Namibia. A black rhino cow nearly got our land cruiser as we drive by and tracking eland I spent some time up a tree after we nearly bumped another one at 20 yards in thick green brush. White rhinos have a completely different temperament than black rhinos.

WHEN I DID MY HUNT OUTFITTER SAID WEAR TENNIS SHOES, THEY WERE NOT TAKING A RIFLE. EASIER TO EXPLAIN HUNTER GETTING THE HORN THAN RHINO GETTING A BULLET.

 

[Red Leg]

White rhino are incredible creatures, but I have been underwhelmed with the thought of them as a game animal. The one below roams a game ranch in the Limpopo.

A black rhino is a totally different creature. I had the privilege to stalk one in Namibia when we crossed a spoor while hunting eland. I was using a Nikon which made a slight shutter noise when taking a photo. Along with the camera, I was toting a .375. As the dung became fresher, my PH told me to back out the instant he said so. I managed two photos at around thirty yards in very thick thorn brush. At the first slight "Kla-chick" from the camera, he spun like a top. At the second, he shuffled forward a few steps, as my PH grabbed my shoulder and we backed quickly away. I have never been around a more switched-on beast.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Were this 1924 rather than 2024, I would hunt one in a heartbeat. It isn't sadly. However, carrying rifle and camera, I made it into close range of one. I know that SCI doesn't agree, but that black counts far more as a "kill" for me than would darting a white.

 

[Daisy]

The place I hunted in South Africa had black rhino. I have a video of a mom and calf at about 25 yards. It was a cool experience.

 

[BRICKBURN]

........ I spent some time up a tree after we nearly bumped another one at 20 yards in thick green brush. ..........

Learning how to climb thorny trees is a requirement to stalk in Black Rhino properties.

 

[375Fox]

Learning how to climb thorny trees is a requirement to stalk in Black Rhino properties.

I found climbing down the harder part. I had to wonder how I got that high to begin with.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I found climbing down the harder part. I had to wonder how I got that high to begin with.

Interesting what true motivation can do.