Bongo or Lord Derby Eland?

[wildwilderness]

Wow, lots of interests in these hunts. Thanks for the info so far. Sounds like both could be in the future, with most saying LDE first

From a numbers standpoint would you say there are more LDE hunts available vs Bongo? Equal quality currently available for both? Any one more likely to be less available in the future (I would guess bongo)?

 

[Traveler1]

Jungle hunts are my favorite type of hunt. For that very reason I would pick a bongo. Depending on the country of origin the hunt will be very different. I personally prefer the hunt without hounds. If your can still hunt in the Republic of Congo, that's where I would go. We did not hunt with hounds and saw and hunted a variety of game. That being Bongo, Dwarf Forest Buffalo, Forest Sitatunga, Red River Hog, Bates Pygmy Antelope, Bay Duiker, Peters Duiker, Blue Duiker and more. Heck we heard lions at night and the theory there is there no lions in the jungle. We walked probably 5- 10 miles a day straight from camp. The only time we got in the truck in a 21 hunt was to go to a know salt pan and setup tents for a few a nights. It was a hunt of lifetime, matter of fact it was 30 years ago this month and I can still smell the forest.

 

[Andrew62]

I've seen the term 'hounds' mentioned a few times, on my 2 bongo hunts we did in fact take along some mutts on the hunt. These dogs had nothing to do with the tracking of the bongo, the pygmies did that. Once they pygmy guides got us close to a bongo, and these little dogs saw the bongo, they would rush the bongo and bay it up, but in regards to them smelling a bongo and you follow them to the bongo, no, that isn't how it worked for me.

One thing to consider when thinking of taking a bongo hunt; as you drive through the forest on the logging roads, you will not be able to see into the woods, the side of the road is a solid wall of vegetation. 6 of us entered the woods, 2 pygmy's in the lead hacking a path with a machete, my guide, then another pygmy with a machete, then me, then another pygmy with a machete behind me.

As to which species there are more hunts for, check the prices of these hunts, that will give you a good idea. But for sure, make certain you are finished having children before taking one of these hunts, because either one of these hunts will cost you your right testicle!!! lol

 

[matt vejar]

The combination of eland and buffalo is a hard combo to beat. Having shot several of both the Lord in Cameroon would be my choice hands down!

 

[Ragman]

I think I would rather SHOOT a bongo but would rather HUNT a Lord Derby Eland if that makes sense. However neither is in my future so I’ll just have to go back to Shockey’s museum and look at his collection again!

 

[Traveler1]

I've seen the term 'hounds' mentioned a few times, on my 2 bongo hunts we did in fact take along some mutts on the hunt. These dogs had nothing to do with the tracking of the bongo, the pygmies did that. Once they pygmy guides got us close to a bongo, and these little dogs saw the bongo, they would rush the bongo and bay it up, but in regards to them smelling a bongo and you follow them to the bongo, no, that isn't how it worked for me.

Yeah, I should be more specific " no hounds" but dogs and jack russells. My first Bongo hunt used dogs. Yes, the pygmy(s) tracked the Bongo and mutts were used as you stated. My Bongo was already standing, so the mutts distracted the Bongo so I could get a shot off before it faded back into the forest. I put two shots dead center in the shoulder with my single shot contender (375 JDJ) within a few seconds. The Bongo never flinched and only made a few steps before it went down. This was the first full day of a 21 day hunt in CAR. The rest of the hunt was for other forest species and a lot of site seeing. Including several silver back gorillas. And yes in the CAR we drove quit a bit and you cannot see past the shoulder of the road. The Congo and Liberia was all walking almost no trucks.
The one thing about the Forest is that a lot of is uncharted (well it use to be) and you can almost put yourself in the shoes of some the earlier explorers.

 

[AES]

Hunts are in 2 diff places; unless you have a month you would perhaps be best choosing jungle or savannah.

 

[mark-hunter]

For me, bongo would be priority. One of the reasons is jungle environment, which I have never experienced.

But, unless I win lottery, both of them, bongo and lde stay out of my price range.

 

[AES]

Personally, I’d take the forest Ele, bongo, mini buff route if I already had a great eland. If you love eland … choice is obvious. Just don’t use the Card on a python!

 

[mark-hunter]

I wouldnt mind python, as well.

BTW, does anybody have any African snake in trophy room?

 

[DieJager]

Bongo but first I will have to win the lottery

 

[mrpoindexter]

I think the permit restrictions are 2 class A animals for Cameroon. You have to do Congo for more than 2 class A.

 

[VertigoBE]

It would be Lord Derby Eland for me.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

LDE

 

[wildwilderness]

Hunts are in 2 diff places; unless you have a month you would perhaps be best choosing jungle or savannah.

Right, that’s why it would be two different hunts, plus to go to ideal areas for each as to trophy quality.

Which first……

 

[Jaegger]

However, the Lord Derby is a very impressive trophy. Much larger than other Eland subspecies. I have taken one of each plus a couple extra.

Impressive & congrat‘s on those hunting success …

 

[C.W. Richter]

Eland. Better surroundings for Hunter (much more peaceful, less chaos, out in the sun!). Also better table fare. The bongo hunt is akin to boar hunting w/ dogs in the everglades on the hottest day of the year. A big bore pistol would probably be best for that. L D E! While it has the largest HORNS of the elands, it is actually the smallest in body size (weighing 1/2 of the bigger boys S. and E.)

 

[Happy Myles]

experiencing jungle hunting in Cameroon, Central African Republic and the Congo we realize hunting is a way of life, not a pastime. Some folks are ready to head home after a few days others stick around weeks looking for additional game animals. I have experienced three long hunts apiece in C.A.R and Cameroon and one in the Congo. All great, successful adventures. Both savannah and jungle. besides Bongo and Darby eland, have taken Forest elephant and Forest Buff. One of the most memorable trophies was my forest sitatunga, completing my Sitatunga collection. Jungle hunting, although wearing, is great adventure.

 

[Nyati]

Bongo for the trophy, to me the most beautiful, but I have never been in a jungle, and don´t think I would enjoy the hunt.

Anyway, an academic question in my case, unless I win the lottery

 

[LivingTheDream]

Bongo...possibly try for duikers and a sitatunga, but mostly to experience the jungle 1 time.