Big Five or Else?

[camlo]

I have one Safari under my belt that I have posted about on this page and during that Safari I was able to successfully harvest a great Cape Buffalo. I spent the rest of the Safari enjoying some world class wing shooting and enough Brandy to float a battleship around. To speak less I left Africa completely fulfilled yet aching to return.

I would like to pursue the tiny ten at some point but I have a dream of completing the Big Five or even the Dangerous Seven before I shoot the first Impala, Zebra, etc. I cannot be the only one who feels this way. To be clear my goal is to complete the list with budget in mind as a silver spoon is something I am not familiar with. I do not need a 100 pound elephant or a lion with a mane that drags the ground. I do however want to be able to look someone in the face and say I harvested the aforementioned list before anything else. Who is with me?

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

You're going to have a tough time (not impossible) completing your Big 5 without shooting any Impala or Zebra. Both Leopard and Lion require bait (a lot of bait). You can certainly only use buffalo and hippo for bait if you're in areas with populations of them, but it'll take longer if you're looking for trophy species. Last year when I hunted Leopard, first bait sized animal we saw I was shooting regardless of what it was or what we were hunting. It's imperative you get those bait sites started quick and get several of them going.

 

[375Fox]

I think going to Africa with a specific list will partially ruin the experience. My primary goal generally is to hunt new areas. There are always a few species there I’d really like to take, but if I have the opportunity I take almost everything I can. I learn something new each trip because the PHs, camps, land, hunting methods, etc are really different. Africa is a big place. Passing an impala or zebra wouldn’t make completing the big 5 or tiny 10 any more rewarding to me. It just means I passed good opportunities that were presented I might regret later on.

 

[camlo]

You're going to have a tough time (not impossible) completing your Big 5 without shooting any Impala or Zebra. Both Leopard and Lion require bait (a lot of bait). You can certainly only use buffalo and hippo for bait if you're in areas with populations of them, but it'll take longer if you're looking for trophy species. Last year when I hunted Leopard, first bait sized animal we saw I was shooting regardless of what it was or what we were hunting. It's imperative you get those bait sites started quick and get several of them going.

I did take that into consideration. Not sure how I would approach that yet but I wouldn’t be beyond letting the PH or someone else take care of the PG in an attempt to cleanly achieve my goal.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Depending on where you are hunting your cats and croc domestic baits may be used, possibly at a lower price.

The areas that I am referring to are either cattle fenced or no fence at all.

Lon

 

[camlo]

Depending on where you are hunting your cats and croc domestic baits may be used, possibly at a lower price.

The areas that I am referring to are either cattle fenced or no fence at all.

Lon

I would love the leopard fraction of my 5 to be with hounds in a perfect world. Otherwise, I wouldn’t mind if they hung up goats purchased from a local farmer.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I did take that into consideration. Not sure how I would approach that yet but I wouldn’t be beyond letting the PH or someone else take care of the PG in an attempt to cleanly achieve my goal.

As Lon mentioned, in some areas you can buy cattle or livestock. Even with hounds, you're likely going to have some baits up. One of the challenges with using livestock, is it sometimes means you're hunting ranches/farms and if the cat gets run off the property you might not get to keep chasing him.

I think completing the Big 5 or Dangerous 7 without shooting anything else in Africa is actually a pretty cool goal. Personally I agree with @375Fox passing on PG to achieve that goal would make me feel like I'm missing some of the experience BUT it's your experience to have how you want. I think getting my bait animals and putting meat in the pot is part of the experience. Not sure I'd want to pay trophy fees for someone else like the PH to shoot them. Maybe an accompanying hunter.

Having hunted multiple species of dangerous game now, I can't imagine going to Africa without one of them being my primary focus, barring some specialized hunts for very specific Plains Game animals (LDE, Bongo, Sititunga, Mtn Nyala, etc). That said, I'll always take a good plains game animal while targeting my primary dangerous game species if offered the chance and it won't ruin the hunt. I made that mistake on a giant Blue Wildebeest because of how close we thought we were to the buffalo .... none seen that night and 5 Days later I finally shot the Buffalo.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

On cats, there is no better bait than the cats own kill be it game or livestock. Although each comes with its own problem. We once had a leopard kill a large bush pig about 30 meters from our camp, campfire. We hung it in a nearby tree. He would hit the tree about 1/2 before dark and fed and or laid close by for an hour after light then go up and lay by our donkey boilers, of course this kept our tender from feeding the boilers. Of course we had a buffalo hunter only in camp. That when you take out a loan and take the very good cranky old leopard.

Lon

 

[Rare Breed]

I have one Safari under my belt that I have posted about on this page and during that Safari I was able to successfully harvest a great Cape Buffalo. I spent the rest of the Safari enjoying some world class wing shooting and enough Brandy to float a battleship around. To speak less I left Africa completely fulfilled yet aching to return.

I would like to pursue the tiny ten at some point but I have a dream of completing the Big Five or even the Dangerous Seven before I shoot the first Impala, Zebra, etc. I cannot be the only one who feels this way. To be clear my goal is to complete the list with budget in mind as a silver spoon is something I am not familiar with. I do not need a 100 pound elephant or a lion with a mane that drags the ground. I do however want to be able to look someone in the face and say I harvested the aforementioned list before anything else. Who is with me?

When I started hunting Africa years ago the big 5 was my sole goal as well and still is with only my leopard left. What I learned along the way is be open to take what Africa gives you in terms of PG which I have done. I will complete my big 5 in 2026. had hoped for 2025 just not in the cards. I just have no interest in a crock and a hippo for the dangerous 7 though I have had plenty of opportunities. Only the big 5 interests me in terms of DG

 

[Doubleplay]

The amount of money I spent for hunting during my lifetime I could easily achieve the big five. Specially when it was a lot cheaper in the 1990’s.
However to me it’s all about experiencing new places, animals and people.
I understand your motive but not my cup of tea.
Good Luck

 

[bakerb]

Hey it’s your thing. Wouldn’t work for me personally. Africa is too cool to place such narrow limits on myself.

My last trip, I had my leopard and elephant done on day 6 of a 12 day trip. So do you go home? Shoot birds? I shot birds a day. Then shot a few plains game. Going home early from Africa is not interesting to me

 

[RR 314]

There are goals and paths to those goals that don’t always make sense. If you want to take the proverbial road less traveled, have at it. You would likely be the first person in the history of the planet to go this route. Why would you be the first person to go in this order? Well, because to most it doesn’t make sense. Then again, do it how you like. I personally think Africa as much more fun without extensive planning or goals. My first time over I honestly didn’t even know what a bushbuck was. When I was implored by my PH to shoot, I was glad I did. Do what you like. Just don’t annoy your PH along the way.

 

[Flipper Dude]

Curious. What do you have against hunting plains game?

Not judging.

Well, ok. Maybe a lil’ bit.

 

[Oil & Dirt]

I wouldn’t say I’m big 5 or bust, but I am in pursuit of it. Being a hillbilly that’s seen dogs run all kinds of game, I too, would like to take my leopard with hounds. I agree with a lot of the other advice here. Hunt your big 5/dangerous 7 animals and don’t pass great animals along the way.

 

[camlo]

Curious. What do you have against hunting plains game?

Not judging.

Well, ok. Maybe a lil’ bit.

I don’t have anything against plains game. I greatly enjoy following the posts here and looking at pictures of successful PG hunts. I would even like to hunt a select few species in Africa someday but outside of that I have little personal desire to hunt PG.

I deer hunt here in Texas a couple times a year out of obligation but I have zero desire to hunt elk, moose, mule deer, etc. I prefer birds and small game stateside. I understand I am a broken individual in the eyes of many!

 

[C.W. Richter]

If you don't shoot any PG, acclimate yourself to a vegan diet prior to Africa. LOL (It's the meat they serve at meals, collected by hunters, sometimes with no associated charges.) Sounds very regimented. PG aren't necessarily expensive. Enjoy ALL that Africa has to offer between machinations of collecting the Big 5! I think responding to non- or anti-hunters' inquiries regarding all animals taken is a really important step in educating them about the benefits on the ground they know little to nothing about (due to Disney, MSM, Hollyweird, et. al.) The Big 5 is a very personal choice. It's not about chest-beating or ego or anything to do with anyone but You. One either has it (in their DNA) or they do not. You can tell 'em you darted the Rhino and better get on the sticks with respect to Lion....tick, tick, tick! Do own-use ele in the Caprivi now (during the drought, expanded quotas) and you can enjoy some PG. Pricing is all over the map, literally. GL! <dinner> "I'll have the Eland. He'll have the leopard." You'll also quickly find that PG don't just stand there (in the wild,) and they're quite a bit more wary than all but the eldest of whitetail bucks. That PG is earned!

 

[camlo]

If you don't shoot any PG, acclimate yourself to a vegan diet prior to Africa. LOL (It's the meat they serve at meals, collected by hunters, sometimes with no associated charges.) Sounds very regimented. PG aren't necessarily expensive. Enjoy ALL that Africa has to offer between machinations of collecting the Big 5! I think responding to non- or anti-hunters' inquiries regarding all animals taken is a really important step in educating them about the benefits on the ground they know little to nothing about (due to Disney, MSM, Hollyweird, et. al.) The Big 5 is a very personal choice. It's not about chest-beating or ego or anything to do with anyone but You. One either has it (in their DNA) or they do not. You can tell 'em you darted the Rhino and better get on the sticks with respect to Lion....tick, tick, tick! Do own-use ele in the Caprivi now (during the drought, expanded quotas) and you can enjoy some PG. Pricing is all over the map, literally. GL! <dinner> "I'll have the Eland. He'll have the leopard." You'll also quickly find that PG don't just stand there (in the wild,) and they're quite a bit more wary than all but the eldest of whitetail bucks. That PG is earned!

I had three friends along for our first safari. They all harvested some wonderful PG and kept the camp pots full of meat.

To clear up any confusion I’m not neglecting PG because I think they’re too easy to hunt. There are just other things I’d rather hunt in Africa. Hell, I’d walk past a big impala to kick up a francolin with my shotgun in hand.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I'm in the opposite camp. I am primarily if not solely interested in hunting hoofed critters. Have never shot a bear or cat though I've probably had hundreds of opportunities. Shooting anything over bait has absolutely zero appeal to me. I have shot upwards of twenty elk and moose and well over a hundred deer and plains game. All were stalked. None were called in. Stalking is the purest form of fair chase. I try to make it an even playing field without substantial risk of wounding the animal. Made a few (just a few) long shots over the years but not really my thing. Elephants I admire too much. No problems with anyone who harvests them. They need to be harvested. Just not my thing. I suppose hunting down a man-eater could be possible for me, although I must admit a deep sense of admiration for any animal that successfully fights back against human encroachment. I am convinced we are the lowest life form on the planet.

Edit: Correction, I am and always have been primarily a bird hunter. Love those moving targets! And watching the dogs work.