Introduction to Possumtooth

[cpr0312]

Welcome aboard!

 

[possumtooth]

Thank you all so much I really appreciate all the advice!

 

[Racer00]

Welcome. This place is a fantastic resource with so many helpful people.
I found a discount hunt for two cow buffalo on an extremely large tract of land last March for under $5,000. It was a fantastic hunt with great PH and staff with great accommodations.
Hunting was by tracking and we were in game every day.
PM me if you’d like more details.

 

[Beck]

I do believe buying an appropriate rifle is the first step. I bought a .416 Ruger, and that gun helped push me into taking my first trip. It occurs to me that when I was your age I had not shot a rifle larger than a .300 Win Mag. We have a large and generous community - depending on the part of the country you live in, I feel pretty confident we can get you behind a few safari rifles.

 

[possumtooth]

I do believe buying an appropriate rifle is the first step. I bought a .416 Ruger, and that gun helped push me into taking my first trip. It occurs to me that when I was your age I had not shot a rifle larger than a .300 Win Mag. We have a large and generous community - depending on the part of the country you live in, I feel pretty confident we can get you behind a few safari rifles.

Yeah I'm not experienced shooting anything bigger than 3.5 12 ga goose loads or a slug! Iv been shooting since I was a kid and love it! I at least shoot my 22 for 20 mins a day minimum. I'm just so confused looking to buy a bigger rifle so many options and different style of action/caliber. I'm in Ohio btw.

 

[mark-hunter]

Hello to all! Iv been reading threads on this forum since I was 15 im 19 now and am really hoping to go on my first African hunt in 2026 and I need some advice I really want to go on a cow Cape buffalo hunt that's my dream just a Cape buffalo nothing fancy I just want the experience! 1. How much roughly should I save.
2. What is a good way to prepare for a dangerous game hunt gear, practice etc.
3. I'll take really any advice you got thank you!

Welcome to the forum!
I wish I was at your age when discovering this forum! I really admire your enthusiasm, not so common to see in young generation these days.

Prices can grow expensive, but economical answer is following:
Lets say like this, buffalo bull hunt in south Africa minimum 8-10.000 USD, plus 5.000 ticket, shipping.
You can get cheaper with buffalo cow, 3-5.000 USD, plus 5.000 tickets, shipping, other.
Rough estimate.

Take a look at deals and offer section of this forum.

To prepare, in short.
Save the money.
Buy your 375, and practice at target. Trigger time is trigger time, so you can gain trigger time with cheaper caliber and FMJ ammo, followed by some 375 caliber shooting. Practice target shooting, standing from stick, not sitting from bench.
Calibers 375 H&H, 375 Ruger, etc
RIfles: Ruger, CZ 550, ZKK 602, Winchester m70, Zastava m70, CZ 550. (preferably with iron sights)
For actual hunt, use premium bullets like swift a frame. You can save on rifle, but dont save on bullets.
Scope: the one you can afford, variable power, up to 10X, front lens up to 42 mm, illuminated reticle
Put on quick detach mount.

Till you get ready, learn as much as possible starting from this forum. Read books, make subscription to some safari magazine such as African Hunting Gazzete, etc

Ask questions here, whatever comes to mind.

 

[Buckums]

Welcome! Also being new to the topics of hunting Africa, DG and the firearms they require, I have leaned heavily on the experienced and knowledgeable group on this forum. It is a great asset. Search and ask questions. I have found that most people here are happy to share their knowledge with highly value added and informative responses. Good luck!!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Yeah I'm not experienced shooting anything bigger than 3.5 12 ga goose loads or a slug! Iv been shooting since I was a kid and love it! I at least shoot my 22 for 20 mins a day minimum. I'm just so confused looking to buy a bigger rifle so many options and different style of action/caliber. I'm in Ohio btw.

3.5" goose loads have plenty of recoil. And you obviously have some experience shooting moving targets which is a nice plus.

Personally, I don't think it's all that important to buy a big rifle for your first trip. Perhaps pick up a good used deer hunting rifle (e.g. 30-06) or borrow one. Spend some time familiarizing yourself with it off the bench, then offhand, and MAYBE shooting sticks. There are videos showing how to make your own and given your youth and obvious financial constraints, cutting costs will be a concern.

I did fine my first safari having never seen shooting sticks before. Four animals in the truck before noon of the first day. Two more the following day. The third day a deal came up for a very nice cow buffalo. My PH loaned me his 375 and I fired one shot at the range before heading to the property. Shot her through the heart at 100 meters no problem. Then the bull came for us. It was exciting for sure.

Of course, I had over fifty years experience hunting before going to Africa. But only a couple times shooting anything bigger than my 30-06 (borrowed my brother's 300 Win in the field when my rifle had a problem). If you can handle either of those, you'll do okay with any rental rifle the lodge will supply over there. You will likely have a lifetime of North American hunting ahead of you. Buy a gun suited for that for starters. Big African guns are an expensive luxury, something that maybe should wait until you're more established. You'll be lucky at your age if you can scrounge together the funds for airfare and cull buffalo trophy fee without cutting into college education.

 

[possumtooth]

3.5" goose loads have plenty of recoil. And you obviously have some experience shooting moving targets which is a nice plus.

Personally, I don't think it's all that important to buy a big rifle for your first trip. Perhaps pick up a good used deer hunting rifle (e.g. 30-06) or borrow one. Spend some time familiarizing yourself with it off the bench, then offhand, and MAYBE shooting sticks. There are videos showing how to make your own and given your youth and obvious financial constraints, cutting costs will be a concern.

I did fine my first safari having never seen shooting sticks before. Four animals in the truck before noon of the first day. Two more the following day. The third day a deal came up for a very nice cow buffalo. My PH loaned me his 375 and I fired one shot at the range before heading to the property. Shot her through the heart at 100 meters no problem. Then the bull came for us. It was exciting for sure.
View attachment 655879
Of course, I had over fifty years experience hunting before going to Africa. But only a couple times shooting anything bigger than my 30-06 (borrowed my brother's 300 Win in the field when my rifle had a problem). If you can handle either of those, you'll do okay with any rental rifle the lodge will supply over there. You will likely have a lifetime of North American hunting ahead of you. Buy a gun suited for that for starters. Big African guns are an expensive luxury, something that maybe should wait until you're more established. You'll be lucky at your age if you can scrounge together the funds for airfare and cull buffalo trophy fee without cutting into college education.

Thank you for the advice I appreciate it a lot! College education is not a big deal for me I work full time at a music cafe and am starting a apprenticeship for taxidermy soon!

 

[Uncontrolled_round_feed]

Your forum name is fantastic mate.
Enjoy the forum…a hidden gem in Al Gore’s Internet

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Thank you for the advice I appreciate it a lot! College education is not a big deal for me I work full time at a music cafe and am starting a apprenticeship for taxidermy soon!

You will need the funds to set yourself up in that business. Ask me how I know. My daughter is a taxidermist. Guess who funded that career. Talk to the owner of the music cafe about the complexities of running a small business! You think it doesn't require education?

Just curious, what is a music cafe? Never heard of it before. Karaoke bar?

 

[possumtooth]

You will need the funds to set yourself up in that business. Ask me how I know. My daughter is a taxidermist. Guess who funded that career. Talk to the owner of the music cafe about the complexities of running a small business! You think it doesn't require education?

Just curious, what is a music cafe? Never heard of it before. Karaoke bar

No I'm not saying I don't need education I'm saying I'm not going to become a doctor or lawyer! We do open mics on Thursdays and do live bands the rest of the week. We don't have tvs or backing tracks so your either playing a instrument and singing (like I do) or do acapella. We mostly have 60s 70s rock or outlaw country bands which I love!

 

[EC HUNTING SAFARIS]

Welcome to AH from Grahamstown, South Africa.
Sounds like you have a plan! I agree with the other members, look at adding a few smaller plains game, to make your trip worthwhile.
Good luck with your planning, and shout if I can be of any help.
Best regards
Marius