Your Favorite of the BIG FIVE

[EDELWEISS]

Like, I suspect most of us, I grew up reading and dreaming about a BIG FIVE hunt. Money doesnt mean anything to 12 year olds, so I pictured getting them all on one safari. I figured it might take a month or so; but Id surely leave with 100Lb ivory and a MGM Lion and a 45" Dugga Boy and and and... By the time I was in college, I figured I might have to split up my safaris because of my responsibilities in the Foreign Legion.... Then I got married (instead of joining the Foreign Legion) and pretty much gave up on any serious thoughts of the BIG FIVE or any safari for that matter; but I still dreamed of __________.

You know you married the wrong one when she complains to the judge in the divorce that you read "Damn Safari books, when other guys looked at porn". Well I did read King Solomon's Mines to the kids as bedtime stories...

Now things have changed. I found the RIGHT girl and we're headed to Afrika for our honeymoon DG safari. No its not all 5; but its the one Ive been dreaming about.

Whats your favorite?

 

[Rob404]

God willing, in a few years Cape Buffalo

 

[cpr0312]

I have had the privilege to hunt buffalo this year (my first foray into DG hunting), and would certainly like to add to my list of the big 5. The buff was a blast and I would certainly do it again, but there is something about a leopard that does it for me, and that is the 1 I hope to be able to pursue one day

 

[BRICKBURN]

Leopard thus far.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Haven't gone DG hunting yet, but I don't think I'd ever tire of chasing buffalo. But......my dream is leopard. Their solitary self reliant nature is for me what makes them so special.

 

[Jay Kelley]

Elephant and Cape Buffalo.

 

[cpr0312]

By the way @EDELWEISS , which one is it that you have been dreaming about and are now going to pursue?

 

[JG416]

I have had the good luck to hunt all of the Big Five and each one was a great fun adventure, the elephant is awe inspiring for its size alone, but for me the one that required the most effort time and strategy was the first leopard. The leopard is the one I dream about, it was my favorite and can't wait to hunt again and again.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

My favorite of the Big Five is of course Cape Buffalo.
Witold

 

[Pondoro]

I have only hunted elephant, but they are very addictive.....to the point that I am contemplating an elephant stopper aka .600 double rifle ..

Would love to hunt buffalo, hippo and perhaps lion..

 

[Brent in Az]

Lion. King of the Jungle!

 

[edward]

so far ive hunted elephant,lioness,hippo,and two cape buffalo.each one at the time was the most exciting.i would love to go after a cow elephant with my custom open sighted hand gun in 475 linebaugh,with 390 gr punch bullets.but at 77 and with the trophy problems on hold that might not happen.time will tell.

 

[CAustin]

As mentioned by others each one hunted is the most exciting at the time. But I must say tracking and taking an elephant at close range tops the list.
A lion looking at you like dinner is a challenge to keep your mind in the right place. And the Cape buffalo is just so strong and can take a lot of lead.

 

[Big5]

I've been fortunate to have successfully hunted all 5. And, as CAustin says, many days of tracking and finally taking an elephant bull up close and personal with a frontal brain shot was a truly unforgettable experience. But taking each of the Big 5 was an unforgettable experience in its own right and can be played over and over again in vivid memory with each passing year.

However, if I were to choose a favorite it would be . . . . the lion. Having hunted lion several times I now hold many memories of the exciting and unforgettable hunting situations they can provide.

For me all hunting is exciting and can provide a lifetime of memories. One should never underestimate the fun, excitement and memories a plains game hunt can provide. It's all good!

Good hunting to you all.

 

[MT Griz]

I guess for me it is the Cape Buffalo. Only because that is the only one I have hunted and taken....... so far.......more to come I hope!

 

[Philip Glass]

I only have 3 of the 5 so far but I can certainly state that killing a big lion will change you. The majesty of him and the respect and fear he places in your heart has no equal. When you arrive at that moment. The moment when you, with the help of your PH and team, have taken the greatest trophy of them all. There are no words to fully describe that moment.
Best of luck on your great safari!
Regards,
Philip

 

[cpr0312]

Lion certainly on my wish list one day as well!

 

[TallGrassHunter]

Leopard, although I think elephant the smartest. If a leopard grew as big as a buf, rino, or even a lion there would be no stopping them.

 

[AaronN]

All of the Big 5, and the Dangerous 7 for that matter - offer unique and exciting adventures. Like so many here, I too have had the great fortune to hunt them all - most of them numerous to many times.

For me this says it best. You hunt the buffalo with your guts, the leopard with your mind, the elephant with your feet, but you hunt the lion with your heart! The "King" will always be my favorite!!!

 

[EDELWEISS]

The guns aren't the issue. I have a Ruger No.1 in 577NE (converted by JD Jones of SSK Industries). I bought it on a whim, sold it and bought it back, because I couldn't "not have it"... My current SxS is a 470NE. I figure that's more than good for everything from Leopard to Elephant, and there's something just cool about using the same gun over and over; but I'm really contemplating a 4Bore muzzleloader???

Oh yeah my favorite is ______Hahahaha. I want to take them all, and I want to take them close. I always kinda figured "they ain't dangerous if you need a scope"... Aging eyes may be changed changing that?