Professional Hunter Norman Crooks in Zimbabwe was gored but is alive...

[SRvet]

I’m very pleased he will make a full recovery

 

[IvW]

That sure looks scary, god bless him and wish him a full recovery...
With a hunt coming up shortly the pic raises some questions. If this is a distraction let me know and I will delete, but want this to be a learning experience.

1. Would it make a difference if Norman had a double in adequate calibre? Get two quick shots in probably?
2. Last pic with the dead bull looks like it is a very dry area with sparse vegetation, its not thick green brush where visibility is poor, how could a animal this size be missed?
3. You can see a bullet wound right above the nose and another one in the rumen area, both missing vital organs(brain) for a stop charge at such a distance.

1. No. Only chance for one shot...it unfortunately did not work. Only difference would have been a better first shot. If it was 375 H&H should not have taken the shot on a full frontal.
2. Look above the buff to the right if he is in there you will not see him. Shrub Mopani is even worse. Elephant disappear in the same and they are much bigger.
3. The shot above the nose could have been Norman shot or the killing shot from the client. Bullet holes mean nothing if you do not know what the angle of the head and distance was at the time it was taken. Buff lift their heads when they charge so again depending on distance and angle that could have been the missed charge stopping shot or the killing shot. You cannot gut shoot a charging buffalo, unless it is charging someone else and the shooter off to the side did not lead and follow through. That shot could have been from the first shot if he was standing slightly quartering and the first shot entered off centre to the left exited behind the shoulder blade and re entered there. It could also have been a follow up shot.
We were not there so pure speculation.

I only use premium expanding bullets 570gr or 600gr in 500 Jeff for follow up on wounded buffalo, gives a bigger margin of error and a lot more trauma and shock.

Just my opinion.

Thank God Norman seems to have a good prognosis and I pray him a speedy recovery.

 

[Doubleplay]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

 

[SRvet]

You have posted an interesting reply. I would like to pick your brains on the inference that the .375 is inadequate for a frontal shot but without wanting to put words in your mouth I assume adequate for a side on shot? I am not doubting you in any way, but is this true for any 300 grain expanding bullet such as the A frame, Bearclaw or TSX. What calibre would you consider to be adequate for a frontal shot on buff, .416. .458 Lott or bigger?

 

[IvW]

With any 300gr bullet travelling at 2500+fps yes it is not good for full frontal.

404 Jeff or any of the other normal 400 calibers at max 2400fps is adequite so is any larger caliber as long as the hunter can handle it and shoot it accurately.

375 is good for side on shots again correct bullet choice and placement is important.

 

[Foxi]

You have posted an interesting reply. I would like to pick your brains on the inference that the .375 is inadequate for a frontal shot but without wanting to put words in your mouth I assume adequate for a side on shot? I am not doubting you in any way, but is this true for any 300 grain expanding bullet such as the A frame, Bearclaw or TSX. What calibre would you consider to be adequate for a frontal shot on buff, .416. .458 Lott or bigger?

I have shot all my buffs in the chest with the .375 and they were all dead.
Look at the pictures of Mark Sullivan where the buffalo still run on side shots or front with the .600.
Exeptional spine or head.
But I doubt this is the place for caliber discussions.

Get well soon PH.
Thats important now.

 

[Green Chile]

Frontal shots on buff can be controversial. Your PH will make those decisions based on what they are looking at in the field and based upon their knowledge of your abilities with the gun and load. Remember that 375s (and 9.3's) are minimum for buff. I took a large buff last year in Limpopo in cover like that at last light with a 375 and 300 TSX...frontal shot at 60 yards on sticks...buff standing facing us with nose up...dead in 20 yards...one shot. It was the only shot we had in 3 days of tracking that buff and the PH wanted to take it. It can be done but it's not ideal. I usually use 416 or larger on those shots.

I'm hoping this topic focuses on Norman and his recovery. We have plenty of topics to cover the other subjects. What we do has risk out there. Get well soon Norman!

 

[F. Vaccaro]

Praying Norman will heal quickly and completely.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I'm hoping this topic focuses on Norman and his recovery. We have plenty of topics to cover the other subjects. What we do has risk out there. Get well soon Norman!

I couldn’t agree more!

 

[Novice Huntress]

I have just seen this thread, so plenty of positive thoughts and prayers that this chap has a speedy and full recovery, obviously best wishes to his family and friends who will be worried.
Once again this absolutely shows the risks PH's take when looking after us, it most definitely shows you don't know what is round the corner and to be prepared!
Once again absolutely speedy recovery

 

[sestoppelman]

Glad he is alive and likely to mend well, best wishes for a speedy recovery!

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Glad he is alive and ok! Prayers for a speedy recovery.

 

[Rare Breed]

Frontal shots on buff can be controversial. Your PH will make those decisions based on what they are looking at in the field and based upon their knowledge of your abilities with the gun and load. Remember that 375s (and 9.3's) are minimum for buff. I took a large buff last year in Limpopo in cover like that at last light with a 375 and 300 TSX...frontal shot at 60 yards on sticks...buff standing facing us with nose up...dead in 20 yards...one shot. It was the only shot we had in 3 days of tracking that buff and the PH wanted to take it. It can be done but it's not ideal. I usually use 416 or larger on those shots.

I'm hoping this topic focuses on Norman and his recovery. We have plenty of topics to cover the other subjects. What we do has risk out there. Get well soon Norman!

Agree…let’s stay focused on Norman recovery!!!!

 

[jimmywallstreet]

Prayers for a full recovery.

 

[Ridge Runner]

You have posted an interesting reply. I would like to pick your brains on the inference that the .375 is inadequate for a frontal shot but without wanting to put words in your mouth I assume adequate for a side on shot? I am not doubting you in any way, but is this true for any 300 grain expanding bullet such as the A frame, Bearclaw or TSX. What calibre would you consider to be adequate for a frontal shot on buff, .416. .458 Lott or bigger?

Good questioning. As I am a full believer in "punch", kenetic energy, vs velocity when it comes to killing any animal.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I have shot all my buffs in the chest with the .375 and they were all dead.
Look at the pictures of Mark Sullivan where the buffalo still run on side shots or front with the .600.
Exeptional spine or head.
But I doubt this is the place for caliber discussions.

Get well soon PH.
Thats important now.

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But I doubt this is the place for caliber discussions.

Totally agree.

 

[Stetsonham]

Seems no matter what you hit them with sometimes it’s just fate. Wishing and praying for a speedy recovery

 

[SRvet]

With any 300gr bullet travelling at 2500+fps yes it is not good for full frontal.

404 Jeff or any of the other normal 400 calibers at max 2400fps is adequite so is any larger caliber as long as the hunter can handle it and shoot it accurately.

375 is good for side on shots again correct bullet choice and placement is important.

Thanks for the clarification, I will use the .458 Lott next time!

 

[Green Chile]

I have NOT heard any updates. Anyone close to Norman that knows more?

 

[Datchew]

glad he's ok. Will be praying for complete recovery.