Hippo Hunting on Land

[Hank2211]

Heading over to Africa in 10 days. I will be hunting hippo (among other animals) and told my PH yesterday I wanted to hunt it on land. Seems more "sporting" and challenging than in the water, but I have really no idea what is involved! Anyone done this (intentionally!)? How does the hunt work? All advice welcomed!

 

[bluey]

if l was fortunate enough to hunt a hippo it would have to be an on land kind of deal for sure ,
im told just get between them and the water and then you've got your self a situatatuion, .
have a great hunt

 

[morioc]

Hunting hippo on land in fantastic, great fun. Walking on the bank of the rivers, in the thicket looking for an old bull that you are going to shoot at close range is something very exciting.
Have a look at this video:

Enjoy your hunt.
Christophe

 

[Velo Dog]

Hank2211,

I too am interested in taking a hippo on land.

Please keep us posted on how this turns out for you.

Originally, I had been shopping around for the best deal on a 2015 tusk less elephant or perhaps a management bull.
I am but a simple (very simple if you ask people who know me) working man and cannot afford a huge tusker.

However, I am suddenly now scheduled for knee surgery in July.

Therefore, I am worried that perhaps I might not be able to walk as far as necessary for olifant.

What caliber and type of rifle are you planning to use on this adventure?

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[Hank2211]

Christophe, thank you for your reply. I had not thought of walking the banks looking for bulls - thought it more likely I would have to get up very early and try to catch them getting back to the water!

Velo Dog, sorry to hear about the knee. I would not give up on elephant too quickly though. I hunted one a few years ago, and while we did a lot of walking, the one I ultimately shot was one a tracker spotted from the back of the truck. The stalk took a while - we went very slowly - but overall likely walked less than a kilometre to get it. But that's for another thread.

I will be using a .404 Jeffery for this hunt. The inaugural trip for the rifle.

Hank

 

[Velo Dog]

Christophe, thank you for your reply. I had not thought of walking the banks looking for bulls - thought it more likely I would have to get up very early and try to catch them getting back to the water!

Velo Dog, sorry to hear about the knee. I would not give up on elephant too quickly though. I hunted one a few years ago, and while we did a lot of walking, the one I ultimately shot was one a tracker spotted from the back of the truck. The stalk took a while - we went very slowly - but overall likely walked less than a kilometre to get it. But that's for another thread.

I will be using a .404 Jeffery for this hunt. The inaugural trip for the rifle.

Hank

Hello Hank2211,

Thanks for the words of encouragement on my pending knee surgery.
Likewise, I believe it will leave me fully capable of walking long distances again.
I had the same surgery (torn cartilage removed) done by the same Doctor, to my other knee many years ago and it healed up as good as new.
This one will end up the same, I am confident.
If so, I plan to try for elephant after all but if not, some grumpy old hippo bull had better be on full alert.

The .404 is one of the greatest DG cartridges ever dreamed up.
I do not own one yet but have fired one and a .404 is on my list (Mauser Model 98, or Brno 602, or CZ 550) to get some day.
My hippo (or elephant) rifle will very likely be my .458 Winchester (Heym 88B) with either 480 grain or 500 grain solids but not positive yet.
I have a couple other rifles that are also suitable but, said .458 just carries/balances and shoots so well that I am 99% on taking it.
If I had a proper built .404, I would have to do some soul searching before deciding.

Good Luck to you,
Velo Dog.

 

[morioc]

Christophe, thank you for your reply. I had not thought of walking the banks looking for bulls - thought it more likely I would have to get up very early and try to catch them getting back to the water!

Velo Dog, sorry to hear about the knee. I would not give up on elephant too quickly though. I hunted one a few years ago, and while we did a lot of walking, the one I ultimately shot was one a tracker spotted from the back of the truck. The stalk took a while - we went very slowly - but overall likely walked less than a kilometre to get it. But that's for another thread.

I will be using a .404 Jeffery for this hunt. The inaugural trip for the rifle.

Hank

The 404 is a wonderful caliber, I really love it, powerful, easy to handle and big bullet..... soft or solid are good for hippo, if you shoot at close range..
By 10 o'clock hippos are going on the banks or in the thicket along the river to sleep, even afternoon is a good time. No need to wake early !!! You can also check in between 2 pools where some groups of hippos are because the young and older bulls (big trophy) are staying away from the herd.... this is the way they live in Tanzania. Anyway it is fun but you should be concentrate because sometimes they are (the old bull) not very happy to see you !!!!!

 

[matt85]

this thread is pure evil... im going for buffalo next year but ive been entertaining the idea of a hippo hunt (on land of course). perhaps I will be able to scrounge up enough money for a late 2016 or a early 2017 hippo hunt.

I wish you the best on your upcoming hunt!

-matt

 

[Hank2211]

Well, I don't know if this will help or hurt, but I'm heading out now to the range to make sure the .404 is sighted in . . . of course, I'd rather be in the office . . . oh, sorry, scratch that. . . seem to be getting a bit giddy!

And after what Christophe had to say, I guess I will have to hunt something else until those hippos come out of the water . . . oh bother.