HUNTING Crocodile

[davidg8480]

Oh gotcha what was I thinking lol

 

[BOSSGobbler]

Like this?View attachment 606792

I was referring to the broadside target practice photo but I hope to get a croc close to that size! Congrats!

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Croc offer one of the toughest shots of any african game, unless you are hunting in a game pan.

You must make a perfect bullseye on your first shot every time. Please allow your PH to assist with an anchoring shot (shoulder). Do not hesitate to put a second or even third shot into its brain, spine or shoulder.

When possible I like to place my bait (after drag). After I have spotted a big croc. If we have decided nothing smaller than 14 ft then place bait 14 feet from water.

A blind is usually necessary and should be carefully blended into the environment. When possible use a natural blind, boulders and maybe a leafy branch, etc.

Three days ago the ferry docked here in Mlbizi while the passengers were loading and unloading a 14-15 footer took a cow right at the ramp.
The on scene fishermen were able to recover the cow.

Watching clients with various calibers, I would pick .338 WM with a premium expanding soft.

We are about 90% shot fired and 80 recovered location Zambezi River.

Good luck, Lon

 

[BOSSGobbler]

Croc offer one of the toughest shots of any african game, unless you are hunting in a game pan.

You must make a perfect bullseye on your first shot every time. Please allow your PH to assist with an anchoring shot (shoulder). Do not hesitate to put a second or even third shot into its brain, spine or shoulder.

When possible I like to place my bait (after drag). After I have spotted a big croc. If we have decided nothing smaller than 14 ft then place bait 14 feet from water.

A blind is usually necessary and should be carefully blended into the environment. When possible use a natural blind, boulders and maybe a leafy branch, etc.

Three days ago the ferry docked here in Mlbizi while the passengers were loading and unloading a 14-15 footer took a cow right at the ramp.
The on scene fishermen were able to recover the cow.

Watching clients with various calibers, I would pick .338 WM with a premium expanding soft.

We are about 90% shot fired and 80 recovered location Zambezi River.

Good luck, Lon

That is our plan, except we won't be baiting from what I understand. One shooter for the spine and another for the vitals and maybe?? a third for the rear spine leg area or vitals also?

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

That is our plan, except we won't be baiting from what I understand. One shooter for the spine and another for the vitals and maybe?? a third for the rear spine leg area or vitals also?

I assume you are hunting a farm pan. (No bait). Why no brain shot? Front should (anchor) gives you more time. Any way do as your PH says

 

[BOSSGobbler]

I assume you are hunting a farm pan. (No bait). Why no brain shot? Front should (anchor) gives you more time. Any way do as your PH says

Mozambique. I would prefer to keep the skull intact. I never guide the PH.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

Reptiles sure are different. I shot the head off a copperhead and its heart was still beating over an hour later when I skinned it and gutted it.

My son was a little guy when he shot an alligator. Good-looking head shot. It looked plenty dead. It twitched its leg a little when we picked it up for a picture but told him not to worry, it was a reflex. After a half hour in the truck the damn thing was as alive as the day it was born.

 

[DLSJR]

Shot placement with a quality expanding bullet is far more important than anything with a croc. I shot this croc last September in Lake Nyerere in the Selous, using my .338 win mag and a 225 grain Trophy Bonded Bearclaw. Perfect brain shot and the croc barely twitched his tail for a couple seconds. You DO NOT need a big caliber like a .375 or bigger. Personally, I’d be comfortable down to about a .30-06 shooting a heavy, quality bullet.

Use a caliber you shoot well, know exactly where it hits at various distances and use a bullet like a Bearclaw, A Frame, Partition or TTSX and if you hit it right you’ll be fine. The brain is a very small target, but so is the neck and it’s a bit more difficult aiming point than the brain.

 

[BOSSGobbler]

For those interested I used the web link for making poster files and got some broadside croc photos and played around with it. Turned out well, I think.

It will make for some realistic target shooting anyway.