CAPE BUFFALO

Size and Appearance

The Cape buffalo is a large, dark brown to black hoofed mammal, with large curved horns, droopy ears, and black nose. It has a pronounced shoulder hump, a massive head, a broad chest, and short, sturdy legs. As an adult, the Cape Buffalo reaches between 6-11 feet in length, 3-5 feet at the shoulder, and weighs up to 2,000 pounds! Cape buffalo are not only fiercely protective, aggressive, and moody but are also 2,000 pounds of pure muscle that you don’t want to get on the wrong side of during a game hunting safari! Even though they have the power to kill at the drop of the hat, they are herbivores. They enjoy grass and herbs but should no other food be freely available, they will also eat shrubs and trees.

Challenges & Rewards

As a member of Africa’s Big 5, the Cape buffalo is widely regarded as one of the continent’s most dangerous animals and remains one of the most respected trophies in traditional dangerous game hunts.The challenge is to overcome your fear, and face it head on, in Africa, on a Cape buffalo hunt. The reward of harvesting one of the most feared animals on the planet speaks for itself.

Hunting Methods

African buffalo hunts remain an extremely popular big game trophy to land and although hunting methods may differ, they are hunted mostly by tracking. They are typically tracked from the water holes where they have been spotted or they are tracked from spoor on the road. Once you have caught up with the large herd, a trophy is spotted and identified. Once within range, the hunter will attempt to take a clear shot, but this is often quite difficult due to the size of the herd which is constantly moving and is on the lookout for danger.

Large herds remain very challenging to hunt, as the many sets of eyes, noses, and ears make it difficult to close in on the target. Another option, and one that is considered far more impressive in terms of hunting trophies, is to hunt a solitary Dagga boy. Dagga boys are seen as being the greatest trophy of all, as they survive in the wild on their own, without the protection of the herd. They are seen as exceptionally cunning and wise, being able to avoid and outsmart their predators, including the lion.

Rifles and Requirements

As with all the big five dangerous game, the minimum legal requirement for cape buffalo hunting is a .375 caliber shooting a 300-grain bullet. A well-placed bullet from a 416 Rugby, 404 Jeffery, 458 WM, or Lott will bring down Africa’s Black Death. Double rifles such as the 470NE, 500NE, and up are preferred especially in close quarters. When enjoying Cape buffalo hunts, you get to experience big game hunting at its best! The skills needed, combined with the elements, animals and hunting conditions ensure a hunting safari that will never be forgotten. Best yet, you get to return home with a trophy worthy of an excellent marksman…the Black Death!

Successful Cape buffalo hunting depends not only on caliber selection and composure under pressure, but also on understanding proper Cape buffalo shot placement in fast-moving and often dangerous hunting situations.