Are you ready to face the most dangerous animals in the world?
After five days of searching for the old cape buffalo bull, we found him grazing in dense thornbush. The bull was flanked by two of his compadres, an old scrum-capped bull that had worn his hooks down to flat bosses on his head. The other bull did not have the age of our target animal but showed the ill temper of an aging breeder. We wasted no time getting downwind and working through the dense brush to where we last saw the bulls.
Our tracker, Albert, was tall and peered around the corner of a bush before looking back at us and pointing his chin to the area beyond. It was a silent message that it was game time. The shooting sticks were splayed out to accommodate my rifle at shoulder height, and I settled the Krieghoff Classic double rifle in .470 Nitro Express into the cradle. A quick check of my optic let me know I was prepared, and peering around the edge of the brush, we could see the old scrum working into the open. The old bull was only 25 yards out when it turned and started feeding towards us. Cape buffalo tend to live up to their reputation as formidable opponents to set your sights on.
The scrum-capped bull sauntered towards us, unaware that we existed. I could sense my Professional Hunter(PH) preparing for a train wreck and followed the bull with my sight, ready to shoot at any second if things went haywire. The bull quickly closed the distance, and I swear I could smell him and see the veins in his eyes. We were standing on the edge of the bush, and the bull was in a collision course with us if he kept coming. With a few yards between, the bull rounded the corner and came face-to-face with us.
The bull’s eyes bulged in disbelief, and it kicked up its heels as it spun, snorted, and charged back and away from us. I could sense some relief, but the activity riled up the other bulls, and the short tempers started to show. We could see the scrum and younger bull at 30 yards, looking in our direction, pawing the ground, annoyed by our presence. Our target bull was nowhere to be seen, so we remained motionless and watched until the third ombre appeared and walked up behind his buddies. I tracked the giant bull in my optic, keeping the red dot centered on the front shoulder. When the bull stopped and turned, I heard the whisper, “Shoot him.”
The bull stumbled forward at the rifle’s report and fell to the ground. The Federal Safaris 500-grain A-Frame bullet hit hard. The other bulls bolted forward, and as they passed their downed buddy, he jumped back to his feet, ran another 30 yards, and crashed back to the ground. The two untouched bulls stood over the fallen bull with chins and horns held high in defiance. To our surprise, three more bulls showed up out of nowhere, and we stayed on high alert and aggressively encouraged the bulls to leave.
Getting my hands on my dream bull’s heavy, hardened horns was a special feeling. I had tried to imagine how my hunt would play out and was not disappointed—years of planning and preparing had delivered a bucket list adventure that left me wanting to plan another. The danger was real, and my PH told me when the hunt was over that the scrum bull knew he did not have hooks, so he turned away and did not charge forward.
Where it started
Growing up, outdoor magazines were a window to adventure and a world beyond. I would devour new issues and read them cover to cover the day they arrived. Deer, moose, and waterfowl piqued my interest, as they were the species my dad hunted, and I often accompanied him on. The stories would take me to places I would visualize and dive into an unknown world. The sights and sounds were brought to life with descriptions that helped create dreams.
As I looked for new reading material, Capstick books took my dreams to a new level. I remember a friend telling me to read Death in the Long Grass when sitting in a stand bear hunting. The riveting tales of adventure and hunting dangerous game kept me on high alert. There was no way a bear would sneak into view without being heard or seen while reading the intense stories from wild Africa.
For decades, the dream of hunting Africa inched higher on my bucket list until I could plan the grand event. Cape buffalo had always been a primary goal, as tales of hunting black death were hair-raising and defined danger and adventure. Talking to several outfitters let me know there were several hunt options. Talking to an old friend, Dick Dodds, helped me finalize plans, as the personal reference provided peace of mind with a solid recommendation and reference.
Dream big, but do your homework
Wild Africa, canvas tents, and roaring fires were part of a dream to hunt the dark continent. I booked my hunt with Mike Birch and Hunt the Sun outfitters, considering cape buffalo options at the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga in South Africa. The Mpumalanga bushveld is diverse, with wooded savanna, waterways, thorn bush, and open grasslands. There is an incredible diversity of wildlife, including the Big Five. It borders Kruger National Park and met the bullet points to exceed my expectations.
The camp was rustic with a modern feel. Concrete floors were topped with canvas tents, and running water meant showers after a long day in the field. Dinners were served around the fire at night, and sleep was often interrupted by whimpering hyenas, grunting hippos, or roaring lions. The surroundings looked, felt, and sounded like the wild Africa in my dreams.
Researching and finding references for any outfitter is an important consideration. Hunt the Sun is a Craig Boddington Endorsed outfitter. However, the recommendation of a friend made the decision easy. Initial contact with the outfitter should include any limitations you have as a hunter and your expectations. Being upfront and honest is the best way to achieve your goals. Mike was easy to work with and wanted to know what my dreams were so that he could help them come true.
Make sure your rifle is ready
The right firearm for the game you are after is one of the biggest considerations. There are several rifles in my possession that I shoot extremely well. However, when Mike recommended a larger caliber, I listened. A .470 Nitro Express was available, and I lined up ammunition to ensure I had enough to practice on arrival. The big magnums might not be right for everyone, but if you can shoot them accurately, they are the best option.
Prepare to Succeed!
Luckily, several hunters with big bore rifles allowed me to shoot them and become familiar with the recoil and operation. Being familiar with a firearm is important, as trying to learn the nuances of any rifle when facing a cape buffalo would be considered poor timing and late planning. It is highly recommended to do lots of shooting before any safaris.
Hunting brush country means shooting off sticks, so practice all shooting as though on the hunt. The more proficient you get at shooting off the sticks, the less likely you will be disappointed. There are often split-second opportunities in the field, and the more confident you are in your shooting ability, the more chances there are for a successful, well-placed shot.
Know the distances you could face in the field. If your PH tells you shots could range to 100 yards, practice that distance. How quickly can you recover from recoil, reload, and get a second accurate shot? Figure it out before the hunt, and your confidence will lead you to success.
Choosing Optics
An optic that allows situational awareness could save your life on a dangerous game hunt. A Trijicon SRO2 Red Dot is a simple red dot that makes it easy to acquire and stay on target with both eyes open. The dot is intuitive to see and use, and I used it to track my buffalo with it from the moment I saw him.
The question about situational awareness became apparent with the scrum-capped bull, where I recall keeping both eyes open and tracking the bull as it closed the distance. With my finger on the trigger, I kept the red dot between the bull’s eyes and watched for the other bulls in the background. There was no adjusting power or focus, just watching through the optic.
Unknown advantages include the slim housing on the SRO2 that did not distract from the dot and was not cumbersome in the thick brush. The sight was easy to reacquire after recoil for a follow-up shot if needed.
Close encounters require low-power optics, and North American hunters are often looking for variable power instead of thinking close and easy to acquire. The Trijicon Specialized Reflex Optic (SRO) offers 3 options: 1.0/2.5/5.0 MOA adjustable LED red dot with a wide field of view. The SRO2 is parallax-free and compatible with most rifles and handguns.
Selecting a proper bullet
Not all bullets are created equal, and having terminal performance is not an option but a necessity. With a proven track record and exceptional bullet options, the Federal Premium Safari ammunition was used for the cape buffalo hunt. The Swift A-frame 500-grain bullets delivered the fast knockdown power required for success. Federal offers Safari Trophy Bonded Sledgehammer 500-grain Solid and Safari Trophy Bonded Bear Claw 470 Nitro Express in 500 grain. Most PHs will recommend cartridges and bullets and often have options in camp to go with guns borrowed or rented.
Talking to your PH and bringing bullets for reloading is a good idea. There are often empty cartridges and powder, and the big bullets are the toughest to source. It is easier to travel with bullets instead of cartridges.
Hippo Hunt
A hippo hunt was made available during my safari, and there wasn’t much time wasted deciding on expanded opportunities. Hippo is often overlooked as a dangerous game animal. However, the giant creatures are fast on their feet and have a short fuse when tolerating humans. The .470 Nitro Express was used for a head shot, and being able to shoot with pinpoint accuracy was crucial to success and preventing an unwanted rodeo.
Define your dreams and decide what constitutes a hunting adventure in your head. If a new option can work into your plans, it might be the most pleasant surprise of your hunting life. I never dreamed about hunting hippos, but I certainly have outstanding memories of the adventure and do not regret jumping at the opportunity.
Future dreams
Once is never enough, and a bucket list can be altered anytime. You will enjoy a safari and want to experience it again. A psychologist will tell you it is the release of endorphins that makes the experience addictive. Whatever the reason, live life to the fullest, dream big and never quit planning.
Splitting Image Taxidermy
There is something to be said for having taxidermy done where you hunt. Harvesting a fantastic bobcat in Texas, I had the mount completed there, as the artist had done hundreds of cats, and it showed. Splitting Image Taxidermy in South Africa is a huge taxidermy studio by North American standards. It offers a wide range of services to create permanent memories of the hunt.
The cape buffalo I harvested will be mounted at Splitting Image, where a replica of the horns will be made for the manikin. A replica is much lighter and offers more options for placement at home. The real skull will also be cleaned and bleached for a table mount. Furniture, pillows, luggage, and totes are but a few things that are made from hides. Flat skins of any animal are tanned on location, with the ability to do animals as big as a giraffe. The business continues to grow and meet the market’s demands with the correct way of dealing with the size and magnitude of some wildlife species. Special carvings are done on femurs and skulls of animals by local artists and put into displays. Full skeletal articulations can be completed from harvested animals for unique displays and memories. Miniature skulls are also being made as replicas of trophies. All export and import permits are arranged when it is time to ship. For more information, check out splittingimagetaxidermy.co.za.
Cape buffalo bulls are mean and ornery
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