SOUTH AFRICA: Buffalo & Sable

[Bill116]

I will apologize upfront. I am in no way able to tell the story here as so many of you do. So please accept my apology upfront here.
I hadn't been to Africa for 14 years due to life getting in the way. I finally booked a trip with Paw Print Safaris for April 2020 through John Martins of Discount African Hunts. In June I received his usual email notice about cancellation hunts available. He had a cape buffalo at a really good price. So I jumped on it.

Did lots of practicing with my .375 Ruger, shooting 300 grain Swift A-frames. I used Afton Safari Lodge for my rifle permit, highly recommend them.

Arrived in Joberg on Sunday night, Sept 8th. Met by my PH and drove to camp, about a 2 and 1/2 hour drive.

Day 1: after checking rifle at the range we were off to look for buffalo. We walked and searched, stopped under a tree for lunch. Then back to searching, found them at 430PM in thick brushy area. I had my first real live look at cape buffalo.

Day 2: Early morning start checking for tracks. Located and off we go. We bumped them numerous times throughout the day. It was a LONG day. Got back to camp at 915PM. Quick dinner, shower and bed.

Day 3: Out early again. As we were following their tracks we came across a nice sable. Was on the menu so sticks set up and took the 120 yard shot.... and cleanly missed. OUCH!!!

We walked into the brushy area where he was at and located him about 20 minutes later. This time only a 50 yard shot,quartering to us. Proper hit in the front shoulder, bullet exited from the off side just forward of his left rear leg. He went about 50 yards and piled up. My first impression..... the most beautiful creature God ever created.

 

[Ridgewalker]

One fine sable!
Who was your PH?

 

[Bill116]

Day 3: So we make contact with the buffalo after a quick lunch break. Locate an older worn bull...I want to take him if we can. I get set up on sticks for a 50 yard shot, he is quartering slightly to us,facing left.
Shot goes off, PH says he heard a solid hit. We follow up after giving him a few minutes. About 45 minutes later we locate him under a tree. Set up for another shot of about 50 yards. At the shot PH says he heard the hit. After 15 minutes or so we come upon him in a semi clear area with small brush dotting the area. Crawl to about 40 yards or so, he then turns to face us directly. PH tells me to aim about 6 inches below his chin. At the shot I see him flinch. As he turns to depart 2 more shots go into his right side at the last rib. He falls and slides to a stop. I then put the obligatory shot to the front shoulders. He is done.

As I approach him I am amazed at the shear size and bulk. I just keep running my hands over his horns, worn down and chunks missing from his bosses. At camp that night shower and dinner is a blur. Even now, being home for 2 weeks I still look at the picture on my office desk and stare at it. I wish I would have started hunting them earlier in life. As a mid 60 year old guy with heart disease, this was probably a one time deal. It is a rush and very addicting, like nothing else I have ever done.

 

[Bill116]

Ridgewalker.... Thank you sir. My PH was Armand Claase of Africa Maximum Safaris. He was outstanding. I couldn't have asked for a better PH. I enjoyed every minute with him, even the long walks trailing buffalo.

 

[Bullthrower338]

Congratulations! Hell, you got a couple more in you don’t give up!

 

[Ridgewalker]

That is one fine old worn buffalo! A very exciting hunt! Congratulations on a great old buffalo!
And NEVER EVER give in! Things happen every day to those of us willing to try!

 

[Mort Hill]

That is a gorgeous sable, and yes, something almost divine about them. Congrats!

But your buff is what I love! Old, worn down with age, the epitome of what a trophy buffalo should be. I no longer care nor look for spread. Give me that ancient warrior and I will jump on him like a chicken does a june bug every time. Just awesome. And some stories don’t need fancy narrating. They speak for themselves. Congrats!

 

[BenKK]

Congratulations on two fine trophies and a wonderful adventure! Thank you for your conservation work.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

@Bill116 , a man shooting a 375 Ruger, loaded with 300 gr Swift A-Frames, doesn't need to apologize about anything. Excellent hunt and trophies! Congratulations.

 

[CAustin]

Fine looking trophies sir!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Congratulations on your success.
If it turns out to be your only Buffalo and Sable you did well.

Thanks for taking us along.

 

[slam8031]

fantastic report and photos with two grand trophies!!

 

[cpr0312]

Congrats on the hunt and thanks for sharing!

 

[TNDave]

Two beautiful animals! This is actually my bucket list hunt and I’m in early planning stages for my 65th birthday and retirement!! God willing and health holds up!

 

[WAB]

Well done Bill. That’s a proper buff! I hope you have the opportunity to do it again, and again, and....

 

[buckmarkhunter]

Congrats on 2 fine animals. You did very well and anyone would be happy with them.

 

[cls]

Well done and congrats on two great animals, hunting buff can be addictive.

 

[Red Leg]

Really well done. You could hunt a lot of years and not find a bull with more character. Congratulations.

 

[gillettehunter]

Very nice. I used the same caliber/bullet combo for my buffalo a few weeks ago. Great choice. Nice bull and sable. Congrats
Bruce

 

[AZDAVE]

Nice old bull- there is just something about Buffalo that just creeps into your very core of your being as a hunter.