Attracting/decoying cape buffalo ?

[Brian]

Has anyone had any luck using sounds, smells, decoys, etc. to attract or hold a herd of cape buffalo?

For example how about an Audio recording of a herd of cape buffalo peacefully grazing or oxpeckers on buffalo to cover the sound of your sneak approach? ( I know that there are lots of audio records of grazing buffalo and oxpeckers on the web.)
Maybe urine attractants would work on buffalo?

Just curious. There must be some secret techniques out there. Please share them, I can keep a secret Thanks, Brian

 

[Happy Myles]

The decoys are too big for an old man like me to carry or even drag around

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Has anyone had any luck using sounds, smells, decoys, etc. to attract or hold a herd of cape buffalo?

For example how about an Audio recording of a herd of cape buffalo peacefully grazing or oxpeckers on buffalo to cover the sound of your sneak approach? ( I know that there are lots of audio records of grazing buffalo and oxpeckers on the web.)
Maybe urine attractants would work on buffalo?

Just curious. There must be some secret techniques out there. Please share them, I can keep a secret Thanks, Brian

Playing audio recordings of oxpeckers will only confuse the trackers.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Christoph M called in a Buffalo herd. It was interesting to watch.
I'd bet a distressed calf call would draw a few things in to you. including Lions in the right spot.

 

[skydiver386]

Montana Decoys makes several large decoys for Elk, cows, etc. They are a wire frame with a printed cloth stretched across them. Archey hunters use them all the time, but I'd have serious questions about taking a Cape Buff with this technique.

 

[Brian]

I visualize implementing sounds or smells, after the sneak on the herd has started, to mask our smells and sounds. I will have the sounds on a small pocket recorder/player. A tracker will carry a small wick with the scent/smell on it.

I am sure that there are lots of cape buffalo hunters/PH's that have their own secret ways of increasing their odds. ( moose hunters are great innovators.) I'm just thinking outside the box a bit.
I have been a hunter/outdoors man since I was a boy. (I have plans to turn 80 in a few months) I have learned that the really successful hunters move a bit beyond the confines of conventional practices/methods.

I know that many PH's use sound to hold or stop buffalo.
I would like to try a few new creative stalking strategies before my cape buffalo hunting days are over.
I will be trying some different tricks with camo on my next hunt in April, will keep you apprized. I have googled "Invisible Pills" but on luck yet. Brian

 

[Dan458]

I’ve see PHs use calf calls to bring Buff out of the thick stuff with some success.

 

[Brian]

Montana Decoys makes several large decoys for Elk, cows, etc. They are a wire frame with a printed cloth stretched across them. Archey hunters use them all the time, but I'd have serious questions about taking a Cape Buff with this technique. View attachment 668495

I think that there is a lot of possibilities in this suggestion, Thanks!

Contrary to popular beliefs, Buffalo do not have great eyes, They smell very well and hear pretty good. I think that burlap cloth dyed dark could be draped in the bush or over the hunter, trackers and PH's for the final stalk. ( like a camo gillies suit.) I have used a gillies/sniper suit in the African bush, it is very good but it is too damned hot to wear and the whole hunting party would have to wear them to be really good.)

Brian

 

[Brian]

I’ve see PHs use calf calls to bring Buff out of the thick stuff with some success.

Me to! That is what got me thinking years ago. Good point, Thanks.

 

[Brian]

Christoph M called in a Buffalo herd. It was interesting to watch.
I'd bet a distressed calf call would draw a few things in to you. including Lions in the right spot.

Very good point, I have had Ph's try it but with limited success.

 

[Sarg]

I have used distressed calf call a lot on both Cape & Water Buffalo, a Bull roar can stop some & called in Scrub Bulls with Bull roar.

If Buffalo are out of range (Doubles or Bowhunters) on an open plain I have used a Black Umbrella I have in the truck to sneak closer, I started this idea with a small cut off Bush lol !

 

[MontanaPat]

I would bet the black umbrella trick would work, heck we do something similar with turkeys using a flat decoy to move in on a strutting tom.

The PH I hunted my buffalo with would do a grunt/call like a cow or calf and it stopped the buff several times as we stalked and stopped them long enough for me to get my shot on the bull I took in 2023.

 

[Brian]

I have used distressed calf call a lot on both Cape & Water Buffalo, a Bull roar can stop some & called in Scrub Bulls with Bull roar.

If Buffalo are out of range (Doubles or Bowhunters) on an open plain I have used a Black Umbrella I have in the truck to sneak closer, I started this idea with a small cut off Bush lol !

Good to know, Thanks, gives me some ideas. Brian

 

[Nevada Wapati]

I recall seeing a video a few years ago where the PH and hunters used black umbrella held in front of them to advance on a herd of buffalo in Mozambique. It worked great. They were able to get within shooting range in fairly open country.

 

[towserthemouser]

I visualize implementing sounds or smells, after the sneak on the herd has started, to mask our smells and sounds. I will have the sounds on a small pocket recorder/player. A tracker will carry a small wick with the scent/smell on it.

I am sure that there are lots of cape buffalo hunters/PH's that have their own secret ways of increasing their odds. ( moose hunters are great innovators.) I'm just thinking outside the box a bit.
I have been a hunter/outdoors man since I was a boy. (I have plans to turn 80 in a few months) I have learned that the really successful hunters move a bit beyond the confines of conventional practices/methods.

I know that many PH's use sound to hold or stop buffalo.
I would like to try a few new creative stalking strategies before my cape buffalo hunting days are over.
I will be trying some different tricks with camo on my next hunt in April, will keep you apprized. I have googled "Invisible Pills" but on luck yet. Brian

@Brian I'm inspired by the idea that you are about to turn 80 and are still scheming creative ways to hunt buffalo. You're a little further down the trail than I am, but I wanna be like you when if I get as far down the trail as you already have!

I wish you much good buffalo hunting, and hope you will share your adventures with us.

Salute, sir!

 

[Brian]

@Brian I'm inspired by the idea that you are about to turn 80 and are still scheming creative ways to hunt buffalo. You're a little further down the trail than I am, but I wanna be like you when if I get as far down the trail as you already have!

I wish you much good buffalo hunting, and hope you will share your adventures with us.

Salute, sir!

What an encouraging and generous thing to say, thank you.

Your words come at a good time for me, I am in a dark frame of mind tonight as I watch the news to witness the leader of my beloved neighbour country, the USA, continue to take deliberate and measured steps in leading us all to a terrible place. Sorry, I don't mean to depress anyone I just hope for more realistic voting in both our countries.

Have said that, I want to emphasize that your post is a breath of pure fresh air for me! You restoreth my soul.
Thank you again,
Your northern neighbour Brian.

 

[Brian]

I recall seeing a video a few years ago where the PH and hunters used black umbrella held in front of them to advance on a herd of buffalo in Mozambique. It worked great. They were able to get within shooting range in fairly open country.

Nevada Wapati,

That's sounds like a great idea, It's exactly the sort of thing that I was looking for... just a little help getting closer and maybe holding them bit longer.

I am exercising for my walking /stalking but getting old means one has to make adjustments. It used to be a big joke when the buffalo would bug out right when I was getting close to putting the sticks up, now it's different.
Thanks again for the great tip. Brian

 

[BryceM]

I'm not sure I want to look like a prey animal in Africa. Well, not any more than I already do......