Dangerous Game for a first Safari?

[DillonG]

I have been wrestling with the idea of hunting for DG on my first safari. Has anyone else hunted for a buff or leopard on their first trip?

 

[375Fox]

No, but I think buffalo with a quality outfitter would be a great first Safari (or 10th). I think leopard should be for someone who has been there a few times and is willing to commit to sitting in blind and passing up a lot of other opportunities.

 

[steve white]

My first was for buffalo--highly recommend it, tho you will probably be more hooked than ever (just hopefully not by the buff)

 

[spike.t]

Yes ...buff was first animal I took ...and also leopard and lion on same hunt.....was a while ago now.....if you want to do it...just go for it...I have never understood the issue some people have with it....

 

[DillonG]

No, but I think buffalo with a quality outfitter would be a great first Safari (or 10th). I think leopard should be for someone who has been there a few times and is willing to commit to sitting in blind and passing up a lot of other opportunities.

That is a great point about the leopard hunt.

 

[DillonG]

Yes ...buff was first animal I took ...and also leopard and lion on same hunt.....was a while ago now.....if you want to do it...just go for it...I have never understood the issue some people have with it....

I’ve noticed that a lot of people make the claim that you should hunt PG a time or 2. I wasn’t sure what the reasoning was for building up to a buff.

 

[spike.t]

I’ve noticed that a lot of people make the claim that you should hunt PG a time or 2. I wasn’t sure what the reasoning was for building up to a buff.

Dont know...back then biggest thing I had shot was a rabbit or pheasant...the buff was first but it was nearly a lion first morning but wasn't that great...think too young possibly but was back in 1989 so cant remember positively...so yeah if you want to go ahead

 

[Hank2211]

I have been wrestling with the idea of hunting for DG on my first safari. Has anyone else hunted for a buff or leopard on their first trip?

My first hunt was plains game and buffalo. My PH really wanted me to get a few plains game animals before I tried for the buffalo, and that worked out reasonably well. When I say "reasonably well", I should say that I did shoot it badly, it waited for us in dense brush a few hundred yards away, and it did charge us as we were tracking it, but apart from that, it was as great a hunt as you could ask for!

I'd recommend a traditional tracking buffalo hunt as a great way to fall in love with hunting Africa.

The hunts for other dangerous game tend to be specialized (other maybe than hippo in the water), and I'd probably leave those for a later hunt.

 

[buckmarkhunter]

It depends what you want for a hunt. Free range animal, large fence in SA or so forth. My main bucket list African animal was a buffalo with my bow. That is what I chose to do. We hunted other pg but that was my primary animal. You will be hooked either way. We also went to Vic Falls. Have fun with it and enjoy planning.

 

[IvW]

What ever you desire, with the right outfit makes no difference DG or PG....elephant or buff or whatever....the right outfit will make it happen..

 

[sestoppelman]

My first was also pg and buffalo.

 

[cpr0312]

Go for it! I would suggest maybe trying for 1 or 2 pg while on your buff or leopard hunt though! That way you get a taste and get someone the possible nerves out.

 

[Rum Runner]

I went DG my first hunt in Africa and it was a spectacular success (https://www.africahunting.com/threads/tanzania-double-dugga-boy-with-bullet-safaris.52846/). I've never understood the PG first is a must theory. Especially when you can hunt PG species along with a DG hunt. Go!

 

[npm352]

I did not, but did plains game only for the first few hunts....I am only 36 years old, and at the time I took my first safari in 2005 a buff/leopard combo with some plains game sprinkled in was less than $10,000. No right or wrong, but I have found that progression breeds appreciation. On the other hand, dangerous game hunting is amazing and I wish I had started sooner!

 

[Red Leg]

My first was PG and leopard. I should note on a leopard hunt you will have ample opportunity to take PG for bait. Worked out perfectly.

 

[Tanks]

Buffalo and/or Elephant make great first Safaris if you can afford it. I think the reason a lot of people start with El Cheapo RSA PG hunts is finances more than anything else.

Most people that have done Safaris have hunted at home starting out, so it is not like they are unfamiliar with hunting per se. Heck, with the current tag draw system, logistics of an African Safari is far less daunting than trying to draw a deer or elk tag in CA for example.

 

[Gemsbok45]

I like a plains game to start out.Africa is best enjoyed at her own pace.Buffalo will eventually be part of every hunt and Leopard when you get more serious.A Buffalo/ plainsgame is a great time!

 

[meigsbucks]

The buffalo in my avatar was taken on my first safari as well as ten head of PG. At the time, I thought it would be my ONLY safari. Fortunately I was able to later take a PG safari and plan to make at least one or two more DG safaris.

 

[Safari1]

Yes, hunted buff and plains game in Zim in 89’. Hunted 3 different areas in 10 days.

 

[Philip Glass]

I have been wrestling with the idea of hunting for DG on my first safari. Has anyone else hunted for a buff or leopard on their first trip?

I think that this comes from an idea of only going to Africa once which we all know can be nearly impossible. I have one friend who won’t go on a PG hunt with me as he wants to hunt buff and yes he thinks it will be a one time deal. Having a first safari being PG and getting to know the country, the hunting, and what to expect then the subsequent DG safaris may be better.
To answer the question, there is nothing wrong with going after a buff on the first one. I would HIGHLY advise against leopard in a first safari!
Philip