Dangerous Game for a first Safari?

[Bert the Turtle]

I think maybe it is because it is really easy to enjoy soup, salad, entree, dessert. The salad isn't as enjoyable after a big steak and creme brûlée.

 

[DillonG]

I

Whether a PG is preparation for your first buff or not is doubtful, but what is mandatory is to prep in a lot of other ways besides. To my mind it is all that prep that really makes the experience truly special. Getting the 'correct' rifle, practicing with it, debates about bullets, clothing, buff habits, judging age, shot placement, charge prep and yes, getting medical insurance! Then when everything is ready, ready your body, get fit, lose some flab and wear in your boots. Buff are very, very special, even for us Africans, so I can only imagine the excitement that you folks from elsewhere must feel getting ready for this momentous experience.
As an aside, my wife wont hunt, but isn't anti. We have a deal, each hunt has a quid pro quo in jewellery - fair enough. She tells me she has such a high regard for buff that only a diamond will do him justice. Fortunately she didn't specify the size!

I agree that they are special. It seems like everyone on this forum holds them with the upmost regard and always have them on the hunt list.

 

[TOBY458]

you have to be able to keep a decent rifle long enough to be able to do that...

I've got several that I've had for many years! I just have one slot in the safe that I rotate quite often!

 

[DillonG]

I think maybe it is because it is really easy to enjoy soup, salad, entree, dessert. The salad isn't as enjoyable after a big steak and creme brûlée.

I certainly understand where you are coming from. I see hunting as enjoyable regardless of quarry. I actually just went squirrel hunting last weekend with my dad and had a blast. I just know that hunting for buffalo is something that I want to start early and do often moving forward. Maybe it will ruin PG hunting, but I really doubt it. I’m sure there are people that will feel differently.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

When I was kid I didn’t dream of hunting antelope and zebra, I dreamed of hunting big deadly, beasts. So I’m saving for a buffalo.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Most likely either Zim or RSA. I like the idea of a no fence area for buff/leopard.

Well then your decision is made!

 

[Tanks]

...
My best guess is to why you have heard so many people suggest you start with a PG hunt prior to a DG hunt would be that there may be different levels of excitement. Is it possible that you could start out hunting DG, and then if you do hunt some PG you may not find it all that exciting?
....

There is some truth to that. Once you shoot an elephant, up close and personal, all others pale in comparison and it gets addictive.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

I have been wrestling with the idea of hunting for DG on my first safari. Has anyone else hunted for a buff or leopard on their first trip?

I took a buffalo on my first safari. That was 37 years ago. It was the most exciting thing I've ever done, and the greatest adventure of my life. It seems to me that a safari without any dangerous game would be lacking in the adventure quality that really makes it Africa. So I would really recommend it.
Doug

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

I would recommend the 1st hunt being buffalo with leopard on a subsequent safari. Success on leopard can pretty well defined as 50/50 chance, you either will or you won't! Buffalo depending on where you hunt usually has a very high success rate. Most PHs would like to see you take one plains game, usually impala before you go after a buffalo. It helps him to determine your shooting, eyesight and physical condition. A smart PH will position you so that a successful shot should be a slam dunk. I guarantee that you will remember your first buffalo long after you have forgotten your first impala!

 

[BeeMaa]

I've got several that I've had for many years! I just have one slot in the safe that I rotate quite often!

Hope you are not looking for a spot in @TOBY458's safe when the music stops.
Because you are gonna find yourself in the classifieds on AH!

 

[DillonG]

I would recommend the 1st hunt being buffalo with leopard on a subsequent safari. Success on leopard can pretty well defined as 50/50 chance, you either will or you won't! Buffalo depending on where you hunt usually has a very high success rate. Most PHs would like to see you take one plains game, usually impala before you go after a buffalo. It helps him to determine your shooting, eyesight and physical condition. A smart PH will position you so that a successful shot should be a slam dunk. I guarantee that you will remember your first buffalo long after you have forgotten your first impala!

Thank you for clarifying the success rate for leopard. I would most certainly break up the 2 hunts. Would a 10 day window nearly guarantee at least a shot opportunity at a buffalo? I have been focusing on 10 days to have time for both buffalo and some plains game.

 

[Professor Mawla]

I shot my first marauding Asiatic leopard ( which is known as “ cheetah “ ) in 1972 , when I was 18 years old . I have , since then shot 17 more of them as part of Problem Animal Control work over the last 48 years .

Here is a very simple key to success , when taking out a leopard . Use any accurate rifle of your choice ( of .30-06 Springfield calibre or larger ) and load it with good quality heavy - for - calibre soft nosed bullets ( such as the 220 grain Remington Core Lokt ) . Use a good quality telescopic sight ; nothing too high magnification . I prefer a Leupold two to five variable telescopic sight . Use any of the rosettes behind the leopard’s shoulder as a point of aim and pull the trigger .

Success is guaranteed .

 

[Tanks]

... Most PHs would like to see you take one plains game, usually impala before you go after a buffalo. It helps him to determine your shooting, eyesight and physical condition. ...

How does that work? I am not going to have a PG rifle sighted in at PG distances for a pure DG hunt with me. The shooting, eyesight etc. is determined first day at camp when confirming firearm functionality, at least in my experience.

 

[Tanks]

Thank you for clarifying the success rate for leopard. I would most certainly break up the 2 hunts. Would a 10 day window nearly guarantee at least a shot opportunity at a buffalo? I have been focusing on 10 days to have time for both buffalo and some plains game.

10 days is more than enough with the right outfitter.

 

[spike.t]

Thank you for clarifying the success rate for leopard. I would most certainly break up the 2 hunts. Would a 10 day window nearly guarantee at least a shot opportunity at a buffalo? I have been focusing on 10 days to have time for both buffalo and some plains game.

Most buff hunts are sold as 7 day packages with or without added plains game...but 10 gives bit of leeway ,and more importantly a few extra days in the bush

 

[ianevans]

My first african animal was a buffalo ,just happened to bump a herd with a hard bossed bull and was told to shoot , was many years ago and wouldn't do it that way again ,though ok as last animal in a 2 week hunt ,

 

[WAB]

How does that work? I am not going to have a PG rifle sighted in at PG distances for a pure DG hunt with me. The shooting, eyesight etc. is determined first day at camp when confirming firearm functionality, at least in my experience.

Just shoot one with your buffalo rifle. Distances in the bush are short by US standards. A .375 or .458 sighted at 100 will handle any opportunity you are likely to encounter.

 

[Scott CWO]

With a good guide/PH who will through the ins and outs of what to do and coach you a bit, it shouldn’t be a problem to hunt DG on your first safari. PG hunting isn’t much different than hunting in North America so you probably have that covered already.

 

[DillonG]

With a good guide/PH who will through the ins and outs of what to do and coach you a bit, it shouldn’t be a problem to hunt DG on your first safari. PG hunting isn’t much different than hunting in North America so you probably have that covered already.

Yep hunted enough in the states that PG should be easier.

 

[Tanks]

One thing is not to overthink it. DG hunts are at closer distances with larger vital areas. So, if you can shoot a deer at 100 yards or so, then you definitely can shoot a buffalo at < 50 yards. Elephants are a bit different as POA changes on frontal brain shots based on the tilt of the head.