The Bastardization Of The Term Dagga Boy

[Rafiki]

Hmmm Rigby seems to think Dagga Boy is correct? They even wrote a book on the subject…

Rigby Dagga Boy Book - John Rigby & Co.

Rigby Dagga Boy book is the ultimate coffee table book for anyone who has experienced the magic of a buffalo hunt or those for whom bagging a Cape buffalo is a lifelong dream. Limited to just 1,000 copies, the book features over 70 stories interspersed with behind-the-scenes photography and...

www.johnrigbyandco.com

And have a Dagga Boy award?

The Rigby Dagga Boy Award returns for 2025 - John Rigby & Co.

We are thrilled to announce the return of the Rigby Dagga Boy Award, after the success ofLearn more

www.johnrigbyandco.com

Who knows lol

RATS! Missed the submission date. If only I had known I would have submitted my old boy.

 

[Altitude sickness]

You should send it in anyway. For the 3rd edition.

 

[Bonk]

Who cares? IMO it’s just a slang term for a relatively old bull that has some physical characteristics indicative of a life well lived (by buffalo standards). If I’m ever fortunate enough to shoot a Cape Buffalo of any size/age/gender I won’t care what term you or the PH use to describe it other than dead.

If someone shows me a picture or actual trophy of their ‘dagga boy’ I’m certainly not going to engage in a debate about whether or not it meets the AH community's definition. I’m simply going to congratulate them on their fine trophy.

The Rigby Dagga Boy Book seems like a made up excuse to sell 1000 overpriced coffee table books. Is Rigby having difficulty making ends meet?

 

[TOBY458]

I would think that most would call this an example of a "Dagga Boy" (the buffalo not me). This old fellow was taken in TZ last October. We caught up to him at the bottom of a "jungle" covered ravine after many hours of tracking. He had no hair to speak of, scarred face and hide, worn boss and tips and on inspection extremely worn teeth. My PH estimated that he was about 15-years old. Old and tired as he was it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.


View attachment 663794View attachment 663795

Very nice! Love the rifle!

 

[375Fox]

I would think that most would call this an example of a "Dagga Boy" (the buffalo not me). This old fellow was taken in TZ last October. We caught up to him at the bottom of a "jungle" covered ravine after many hours of tracking. He had no hair to speak of, scarred face and hide, worn boss and tips and on inspection extremely worn teeth. My PH estimated that he was about 15-years old. Old and tired as he was it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.


View attachment 663794View attachment 663795

I’d be really really happy with this buffalo, but I think these buffalo get over aged in many cases. It seems buffalo from southern Tanzania wear and polish their horns down faster than other areas. They produce too many buffalo that look like this in areas with high lion populations. Ignoring the wear on their horns they often look like 12 year old buffalo from Zimbabwe. Then old buffalo from other regions like Zambezi delta in Mozambique don’t show characteristics of age on their horns like you’d find in drier areas.

 

[375Fox]

Who cares? IMO it’s just a slang term for a relatively old bull that has some physical characteristics indicative of a life well lived (by buffalo standards). If I’m ever fortunate enough to shoot a Cape Buffalo of any size/age/gender I won’t care what term you or the PH use to describe it other than dead.

If someone shows me a picture or actual trophy of their ‘dagga boy’ I’m certainly not going to engage in a debate about whether or not it meets the AH community's definition. I’m simply going to congratulate them on their fine trophy.

The Rigby Dagga Boy Book seems like a made up excuse to sell 1000 overpriced coffee table books. Is Rigby having difficulty making ends meet?

Seems like a lot of jealousy in that post. I really don’t care that much about the definition of dagga boy (or how it’s spelled) or the Rigby award but I wouldn’t discredit it. I’m not sure why someone would try and discredit a competition that provides an incentive to prioritize taking old post breeding bulls over better younger trophies. The competition isn’t criticizing other trophies just raising awareness of what the goal should be. You’re also ignoring the 416 and 450 Rigby rifles awarded as prizes to client and PH. It’s not simply selling books.

 

[ActionBob]

Who cares? IMO it’s just a slang term for a relatively old bull that has some physical characteristics indicative of a life well lived (by buffalo standards). If I’m ever fortunate enough to shoot a Cape Buffalo of any size/age/gender I won’t care what term you or the PH use to describe it other than dead.

If someone shows me a picture or actual trophy of their ‘dagga boy’ I’m certainly not going to engage in a debate about whether or not it meets the AH community's definition. I’m simply going to congratulate them on their fine trophy.

The Rigby Dagga Boy Book seems like a made up excuse to sell 1000 overpriced coffee table books. Is Rigby having difficulty making ends meet?

Curmudgeon much?

Did you get Bonked on the head or something?

 

[ftrovato]

My two cents is that we are obligated to protect all hunting for the next generation of hunters.
Taking old non productive animals is part of the formula (for me).
However if you don't focus on old animals your hunting dollars are still the biggest part of the formula.
To each their own, we're all helping....I'll take the one on the left every time!

 

[375Fox]

My two cents is that we are obligated to protect all hunting for the next generation of hunters.
Taking old non productive animals is part of the formula (for me).
However if you don't focus on old animals your hunting dollars are still the biggest part of the formula.
To each their own, we're all helping....I'll take the one on the left every time! View attachment 664219

That scrum cap on the left is such an incredible trophy, but I think I’d have a hard time taking it on a full cost hunt. I’m looking into a hunt for 2027 that could produce a scrum cap but it should also give me many opportunities at high 30s and some low 40s bulls, but it’s also one of the more expensive areas in Southern Africa. It’s tough to justify a scrum cap for $30k when it’s available as a non-exportable trophy at $10k depending on the hunt you booked. In a more standard area, I might be more easily convinced to take a scrum cap but still probably not, even though I really respect those that do. I think what you said is right. We are all helping if we are hunting for older bulls in properly managed areas.

 

[Hunt anything]

That scrum horned bull looks all tuckered out and fed up with life . Damn, what a bull.

 

[ActionBob]

That scrum horned bull looks all tuckered out and fed up with life . Damn, what a bull.

Yea he's at the end of his road.

 

[CZDiesel]

RATS! Missed the submission date. If only I had known I would have submitted my old boy.

You should send it in anyway. For the 3rd edition.

I agree Rafiki! Still submit it!

 

[Daisy]

Seems like a lot of jealousy in that post. I really don’t care that much about the definition of dagga boy (or how it’s spelled) or the Rigby award but I wouldn’t discredit it. I’m not sure why someone would try and discredit a competition that provides an incentive to prioritize taking old post breeding bulls over better younger trophies. The competition isn’t criticizing other trophies just raising awareness of what the goal should be. You’re also ignoring the 416 and 450 Rigby rifles awarded as prizes to client and PH. It’s not simply selling books.

Where was your favorite Buffalo hunt ever? Would love to hear the details. This thread is making me want to chase one of these old bulls.

 

[375Fox]

Where was your favorite Buffalo hunt ever? Would love to hear the details. This thread is making me want to chase one of these old bulls.

I’ve actually only taken 3. Two are described in hunt reports here. I like seeing new areas but don’t always take a buffalo. The area I hunted (but didn’t hunt buffalo) I think would give the best buffalo hunt would be dande north/safari area in Zimbabwe. There are a lot of springs and hills that hold the buffalo all year, but brush is thick so you generally won’t see them unless you track, so it’s a real tracking hunt in unique landscape. It really depends what your goals are and budget is. There are a lot of good areas. I really think the APNR reserves adjacent Kruger give the best opportunity to take an old buffalo. Bwabwata park in Caprivi and Nyakasanga in Zimbabwe are previous Rigby winners, but expensive areas to hunt, so it’s a compromise.

 

[Daisy]

I’ve actually only taken 3. Two are described in hunt reports here. I like seeing new areas but don’t always take a buffalo. The area I hunted (but didn’t hunt buffalo) I think would give the best buffalo hunt would be dande north/safari area in Zimbabwe. There are a lot of springs and hills that hold the buffalo all year, but brush is thick so you generally won’t see them unless you track, so it’s a real tracking hunt in unique landscape. It really depends what your goals are and budget is. There are a lot of good areas. I really think the APNR reserves adjacent Kruger give the best opportunity to take an old buffalo. Bwabwata park in Caprivi and Nyakasanga in Zimbabwe are previous Rigby winners, but expensive areas to hunt, so it’s a compromise.

I take it that area in RSA is where you are doing your next buffalo hunt? I have read the genetics for Buffalo there are insane.

 

[375Fox]

I take it that area in RSA is where you are doing your next buffalo hunt? I have read the genetics for Buffalo there are insane.

That’s where I took my first buffalo. The Kruger genetics are incredible but the age class available is really impressive as well. My next buffalo hunt is in massailand Tanzania in a few months.