Dangerous Game for a first Safari?

[fourfive8]

You'll likely find out that hunting the DG first will not at all ruin the hunt for PG. What usually happens is that you'll start enjoying other parts of these trips more than the pulling-the-trigger parts. Relax, get up early to take in the sounds of the bush waking up and have some coffee around the fire before everyone is up- staff will usually be up first starting fires, sit back once in a while and try to soak it all in, communicate with as many locals as possible and around camp, no matter how hard you try you can't slow down time and once gone- it's gone, take some notes, take lots of pictures. The experience becomes the addicting part.

 

[DillonG]

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.

Elephant is not on my list for now. I just don’t have a place to display the elephant right now. I can’t see a tuskless hunt right now when I could go on a buffalo hunt.

 

[DillonG]

You'll likely find out that hunting the DG first will not at all ruin the hunt for PG. What usually happens is that you'll start enjoying other parts of these trips more than the pulling-the-trigger parts. Relax, get up early to take in the sounds of the bush waking up and have some coffee around the fire before everyone is up- staff will usually be up first starting fires, sit back once in a while and try to soak it all in, communicate with as many locals as possible and around camp, no matter how hard you try you can't slow down time and once gone- it's gone, take some notes, take lots of pictures. The experience becomes the addicting part.

I truly agree with your comments. Thank you for sharing your opinion.

 

[BRICKBURN]

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 Bow hunted Buffalo on my first trip. I'd do it again in a number of new places.
It was a great adventure and so has every subsequent trip for every other species in every other country.
Enjoy yourself.

 

[Rum Runner]

I agree with many here, the two buffalo were the highlight of my safari. However, the PG species were each a thrill, each unique in an amazing way. My first African harvest was a Reedbuck. (I know now my PH was checking out my marksmanship, which was just fine! It turns out he was a giant, and I'm forever grateful.) Where else in the world can one find such diversity? A DG and PG mixed hunt is one you won't regret!

 

[Cam Moon]

In Canada I've shot Whitetail, Mule deer, Elk, Moose, and Pronghorn, but when I did my first PG hunt in Africa there was something magical about it. Probably in a large part it was because I was hunting animals I had never even seen before! Africa itself has a magic to it that can't really be explained. I agree that you should take in the sights, the sounds, even the smells of Africa! Enjoy every bit you can. You had some good advice to take pictures, and take notes! I experienced so many things that had I not taken any notes, I think I may have had a hard time to try to remember what day was what, or what happened when! (I just used my phone)
I wonder if I would have hunted DG as well, if it would have taken away from the experience of the other animals or not. It's hard to say. They all have their own beauty and uniqueness, and I truly appreciate that. But on the other hand, I know for myself that I'm a bit of an adrenaline junkie, and maybe the shear adrenaline of hunting DG would have lessened the experience of hunting the other animals. I really don't know. What I do know is that hunting DG is something that I can still look forward to doing, and that as it sits right now, hunting PG has been a highlight of my life!
Each person is different, and I think that you should do what YOU want to do. It's great to take advice from others and soak in as much information as you can, but ultimately the decision is yours. For myself, my biggest setback is finances. If I had the finances to do it, I probably would have hunted DG long ago, and most likely on my first Safari. But, as I said earlier, it's something that I still look forward to doing in the future. Others may have absolutely no interest in hunting any type of antelope, and only have an interest in hunting dangerous game. So ask yourself, what interests you? And do you think that this will be your one and only time that you hunt in Africa? I thought that my hunt was my one and only time. I've now been twice, and covid-19 stopped my third trip!

 

[WAB]

In Canada I've shot Whitetail, Mule deer, Elk, Moose, and Pronghorn, but when I did my first PG hunt in Africa there was something magical about it. Probably in a large part it was because I was hunting animals I had never even seen before! Africa itself has a magic to it that can't really be explained. I agree that you should take in the sights, the sounds, even the smells of Africa! Enjoy every bit you can. You had some good advice to take pictures, and take notes! I experienced so many things that had I not taken any notes, I think I may have had a hard time to try to remember what day was what, or what happened when! (I just used my phone)
I wonder if I would have hunted DG as well, if it would have taken away from the experience of the other animals or not. It's hard to say. They all have their own beauty and uniqueness, and I truly appreciate that. But on the other hand, I know for myself that I'm a bit of an adrenaline junkie, and maybe the shear adrenaline of hunting DG would have lessened the experience of hunting the other animals. I really don't know. What I do know is that hunting DG is something that I can still look forward to doing, and that as it sits right now, hunting PG has been a highlight of my life!
Each person is different, and I think that you should do what YOU want to do. It's great to take advice from others and soak in as much information as you can, but ultimately the decision is yours. For myself, my biggest setback is finances. If I had the finances to do it, I probably would have hunted DG long ago, and most likely on my first Safari. But, as I said earlier, it's something that I still look forward to doing in the future. Others may have absolutely no interest in hunting any type of antelope, and only have an interest in hunting dangerous game. So ask yourself, what interests you? And do you think that this will be your one and only time that you hunt in Africa? I thought that my hunt was my one and only time. I've now been twice, and covid-19 stopped my third trip!

Great point, do what you want to do! If you’d rather go after DG, don’t let the fact that it’s your first safari stop you!

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

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.

I'm sure you understand my 50/50%, so many variables with leopard, we require 14 days for leopard. Depending on the concession a good solid boss buff should be taken on a ten day hunt.

As to sighting a rifle, lets say your .375H&H is sighted for 100yds for plains game. Now we have a good hit on a bait and we have set up a blind. If possible we go quite a distance away and verify P.O.I. at the distance that you will be shooting at that point you have the choice of re-sighting for the specified distance or allowing for the difference in P.O.I. if needed. On crocs and hippo we try to re-sight to the exact distance. On a quality scope, if the original sitting on turret is noted you can usually go back to your original sitting after you have taken your leopard. I guarantee you will not mind the slight inconvenience,

 

[Bos en Dal SAFARIS]

@DillonG 10 days would be ample if you make the right decission regarding oitfitter to have a shot oppertunity on a proper bull!! I agree leave mr Spots for another time and come do black death and a few pg animals!!! All the best in your planning

 

[John Tanuwidjaja]

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 did in 2019 and IMHO the only way to go. It was a Cape Buffalo but of course I ended up with a whole bag including Sable, Nyala, Oryx, Waterbuck, Wildebeest & Eland! Actually if Buffalo was not on the list I probably would not have the motivation to go. Only one I missed out on was a Kudu but gives me a reason to return!