Get experience first? Or, hunt dangerous game right away?

You’re planning your first safari. Which route did/would you take on your journey?

  • Go on a plains game hunt first. Get experience with the game and take a few choice trophies.

    Votes: 46 39.3%

  • Go “all in”. Take choice plains game trophies at the same time as the bush provide

    Votes: 71 60.7%
  • Total voters
    117
I went the first time in May. Went with my sporting clay buddy who is 82. I'm 63, we both got two nice bulls, and each shot gems bok, kudo, warthog, Impala and nyala. Thought we would be one time and done.
Wrong. Y'all were right
We are planning on going back next year!
 
we're heading out for our first hunt next April, hunting plains game. A Cape buffalo is on both of our lists for our return trip which we are already planning. Not sure how I'm going to get her to shoot a 375H&H without getting blown into the next zip code, but that's next year's problem.

I figure this being our first year, get out and learn a few things. We were watching some videos on Youtube last night and one of the PHs mentioned that you don't quite go for "behind the shoulder" like on a whitetail, come up the middle of the leg instead of the back of the leg since the vitals are a bit more forward than deer over here.
 
ElevenBravo said:
we're heading out for our first hunt next April, hunting plains game. A Cape buffalo is on both of our lists for our return trip which we are already planning. Not sure how I'm going to get her to shoot a 375H&H without getting blown into the next zip code, but that's next year's problem.

I figure this being our first year, get out and learn a few things. We were watching some videos on Youtube last night and one of the PHs mentioned that you don't quite go for "behind the shoulder" like on a whitetail, come up the middle of the leg instead of the back of the leg since the vitals are a bit more forward than deer over here.
Click to expand...
Get some .375 reduced recoil loads made up and use them for practice. Plus smaller calibers to work on fundamentals. Before the hunt fire some full charge loads, when it comes time to pull down on that buffalo the adrenaline should be pumping and the recoil won’t be felt a bit.
This is how I taught my daughter to handle moderate recoiling rifles (up to .375 Ruger), worked for her even though she doesn’t hunt anymore but still loves to shoot. I don’t think I will ever try her on my .416 Rigby.
 
Hunt anything said:
Get some .375 reduced recoil loads made up and use them for practice. Plus smaller calibers to work on fundamentals. Before the hunt fire some full charge loads, when it comes time to pull down on that buffalo the adrenaline should be pumping and the recoil won’t be felt a bit.
This is how I taught my daughter to handle moderate recoiling rifles (up to .375 Ruger), worked for her even though she doesn’t hunt anymore but still loves to shoot. I don’t think I will ever try her on my .416 Rigby.
Click to expand...
Yes, she probably won't feel the recoil of a heavy load in the field. Also, In my old age I have become a muzzle brake fan as I shoot big bores. People say muzzle brakes are too loud for the PH. I say the PH can figure that out.
 
I jumped right in and did both. I can definitely see why some people recommend doing just plains game first. If I had to do it again, I would do it all again. If you've never hunted AT ALL before, then I would definitely say don't go right into dangerous game. If you have hunted and know you're rifle, then make the decision based off your comfort and experience.
 
gcbailey said:
I jumped right in and did both. I can definitely see why some people recommend doing just plains game first. If I had to do it again, I would do it all again. If you've never hunted AT ALL before, then I would definitely say don't go right into dangerous game. If you have hunted and know you're rifle, then make the decision based off your comfort and experience.
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Yes, That is what I should have done. I didn't have to hunt any PG but that is all that I hunted for the first 3 safaris. I should have saved that money for cape buffalo. You can usually take game drives and walks for free and take close photos of the herds and birds in the bush and hunt buffalo for a price as well.
I am not a trophy hunter and I don't care about horns. I am keen on hunting old animals. I hunted a few bulls at first then I learned to make good deals on old management discount cows at fraction of the cost of bulls. Cows and especially old cows are harder to hunt and can be more dangerous than dopy old bulls. I love hunting buffalo cows. They can give you some trouble and keep you on your toes.
 
Guys,

I tell every newbie African hunter to go for a buffalo first if they can afford it. I don't think the normal PG hunt say in RSA or Namiba is a necessary prep before a DG hunt.

I did a buffalo hunt for my first safari and added on 4 more days because my S.O. didn't think 10 was long enough!!!!

I'm glad I did because it gave me a real wild expereince. There is no substitute for being around elephants, buffalo and big cats on your safari. As it happened I hunted RSA much later but for special species not found eleswhere.

Cheers,

Mark
 
I will be going on my first African hunt shortly it is a plains game hunt.
I felt it would be better to gain more experience before DG as we don’t really have as wide a variety of game here (as members in the states and other parts of Europe ) and felt I would be under equipped in experience was the thought behind the decision.
 
ElevenBravo said:
we're heading out for our first hunt next April, hunting plains game. A Cape buffalo is on both of our lists for our return trip which we are already planning. Not sure how I'm going to get her to shoot a 375H&H without getting blown into the next zip code, but that's next year's problem.

I figure this being our first year, get out and learn a few things. We were watching some videos on Youtube last night and one of the PHs mentioned that you don't quite go for "behind the shoulder" like on a whitetail, come up the middle of the leg instead of the back of the leg since the vitals are a bit more forward than deer over here.
Click to expand...
See if the PH has a 375H&H camp gun with suppressor (most do for rifle rental option). If so, have her shoot it on this trip over to see if that solves the recoil issue in advance, or if more practice is needed between hunts.
I used my PH's 375 with suppressor for buffalo last year (I dont own anything larger than 35 Whelen), and I didn't think it felt like any more recoil than a standard .308 or 30-06. But I shoot a lot, so ymmv.
 
I took my son to Africa for the first time this past May, and he hunted Cape Buffalo and plains game. He's an experienced hunter so I think it depends on your competency and skill level.
 
Brian, that's the best description of the mental side I've read on here — the "golf ball," and deciding ahead of time to focus on the shot and nothing else. I'd only add this from the PH side: that calm is exactly what a good PH is reading in a client during those first plains-game stalks. It's why I never worry about a first-timer on buffalo who's shown he can quiet his mind on a wildebeest — and why I do worry about the "experienced" shot who's never had to hold it together with something looking back at him. Curious though — after 19 buffalo, do you still get that flicker before the shot, or has it gone quiet?
 
It depends on how many hunters have experience in previous hunts. I'm right now “for fire”
 
Yes, the PH will from the first greeting be assessing your abilities. From familiar, safe gun handling to recoil sensitivity/flinching while sighting in, to "woods" sense while walking and stalking, to any smaller game taken first. It will all influence how close he takes you and whether he thinks a backup shot will be required.
Unless your first PH was a young go to hell Rhodesian back in the day! lol. Then you're going to get a baptism by fire.
 
My experience,

I happily accompanied my buddy on his buffalo hunt on our first Africa experience. I was with him when he took the buffalo and we both hunted plains game while we were there. Everyone is different, but personally, I would not hesitate to hunt at least buffalo on my first Africa experience. I was truly amazing just being there filming when he took the buff. We are addicted and are headed back in a few days going after Jumbo, Buff, and Croc. We are secondarily looking for various plains game as well. I don't think I'd head over there without booking dangerous game at this point.

We do live in Alaska and have extensive unguided hunting/DLP experience with brown bears, moose, etc. sometimes in less than ideal situations. That experience helps, but isn't necessary considering you have a professional hunter to guide you in Africa.
 
Hunting North America or Africa no diffrent with a guide or PH. Animals in Africa are bigger hunted at times differently. They all walk on 4 legs no matter where you go.
 
Chris Burger said:
Brian, that's the best description of the mental side I've read on here — the "golf ball," and deciding ahead of time to focus on the shot and nothing else. I'd only add this from the PH side: that calm is exactly what a good PH is reading in a client during those first plains-game stalks. It's why I never worry about a first-timer on buffalo who's shown he can quiet his mind on a wildebeest — and why I do worry about the "experienced" shot who's never had to hold it together with something looking back at him. Curious though — after 19 buffalo, do you still get that flicker before the shot, or has it gone quiet?
Click to expand...
Thanks Cris for your kind words and the good question.
Oh yes, I still do get that "flicker" of fear, but to a lesser degree and in a strange way I welcome it. The subject of managing fear intrigues me.

With a cape buffalo I usually go right through fear and out the other side into something that I personally consider to be a sort of spiritual space. It's an amazing place. I assume that other dangerous game hunters get in a similar place but they likely describe it differently.

When I get my single shot rifle on the sticks for a cape buffalo kill, I am impressed how that fear leaves me, my old man shakes and wobbles just stop and my sights become rock solid. I become what I call "deadly focused". Everything kinda goes into slow motion. I become absolutely flinch proof. My impression of the recoil of my .577NE and .500 is that it is a satisfying shove, not a kick.

This is not a boast about my marksmanship because obviously the vital organs of a cape buffalo at 50 yards are a big target. It's just an interesting subject that fascinates me.

That last ten minutes of a cape buffalo stalk, up to and including the shot, is a wonderful time. It can telescope living down it to a sequence of moments that come together as a huge experience.

Anthony Hopkins who played the main character in the movie "The Worlds Fastest Indian" said in an interview that he believed a man could live more in ten minutes on a motorcycle than most men live in a lifetime. I believe that about cape buffalo hunting.
I recommend it as part of the Safari experience. Get close, use good bullets and enjoy every second of it.
 
I would vote DG first .

I will be going on my first safari in September 2027. 21 days .

I will start off jumping in the fire with DG first up elephant.
Next Hippo ,crock, Lion , Buff PG last.

I have a lot of hunting experience from the age of 5, on this hunt I will be 65 and can handle large calibers well under pressure ,I will be shooting a 458 Lott probably with a700 gr lead bullet around 2100 ,2200 fps for the DG and a 350 gr or 420 gr lead for the crock, lion and PG .
Yes I will only be shooting only one rifle all with lead bullets.
Yes some think I am dumb for an all lead bullet safari .

Waiting on the rifle to be ready some time this August fingers crossed .

The more I get ready I keep kicking myself for not going to Africa sooner.
This will be my first African Safari but there will be a lot more God willing .

All I can say is shoot, shoot and shoot some more know your rifle or rifles well .

I am looking for the adventure, experience sight and sounds smells walking and stalking game and making new friends along the way.

I am not interested in the amount of animals or size collected as long as they are older example for the game at hand .

I have no interest in getting in the books or hanging a lot of heads and skins on my wall's .
Been there and don that, just junk for the kids to dispose of when I die .

All will be just skulls to be shipped back home except the elephant and crock the full crock hide to be tanned and shipped back with skull and some of the elephant hide to be tanned and shipped back with tusk .

Reason for tanning the two hides, Wife loves purses and I like custom cowboy boots.
 
David jr said:
I would vote DG first .

I will be going on my first safari in September 2027. 21 days .

I will start off jumping in the fire with DG first up elephant.
Next Hippo ,crock, Lion , Buff PG last.

I have a lot of hunting experience from the age of 5, on this hunt I will be 65 and can handle large calibers well under pressure ,I will be shooting a 458 Lott probably with a700 gr lead bullet around 2100 ,2200 fps for the DG and a 350 gr or 420 gr lead for the crock, lion and PG .
Yes I will only be shooting only one rifle all with lead bullets.
Yes some think I am dumb for an all lead bullet safari .

Waiting on the rifle to be ready some time this August fingers crossed .

The more I get ready I keep kicking myself for not going to Africa sooner.
This will be my first African Safari but there will be a lot more God willing .

All I can say is shoot, shoot and shoot some more know your rifle or rifles well .

I am looking for the adventure, experience sight and sounds smells walking and stalking game and making new friends along the way.

I am not interested in the amount of animals or size collected as long as they are older example for the game at hand .

I have no interest in getting in the books or hanging a lot of heads and skins on my wall's .
Been there and don that, just junk for the kids to dispose of when I die .

All will be just skulls to be shipped back home except the elephant and crock the full crock hide to be tanned and shipped back with skull and some of the elephant hide to be tanned and shipped back with tusk .

Reason for tanning the two hides, Wife loves purses and I like custom cowboy boots.
Click to expand...
The 458 Lott is great choice. You have a good plan and a great attitude ! I like your way of taking older animals. The last year that i hunted plains game i asked the PH to just show me the old set animals in the herds. Man, I did some walking on that hunt. Those old animals are smart!

There are lots of good lead bullets, what makes will you be using for Buffalo? I am always interested in the bullets. Brian
 
Brian — that's a rare thing to put into words, and you've done it beautifully. "Through fear and out the other side" is exactly right. I've watched that same change come over a man in the last ten minutes of a stalk more times than I can count: the wobble goes, the world slows, and the sights just settle. You call it "deadly focused" — I've always thought of it as the animal finally having your full, undivided attention, the way almost nothing in ordinary life ever does.

The Anthony Hopkins line fits perfectly. There's something about a creature that can look back at you — and end you — that strips away everything unimportant and leaves you more awake than you've been in years. I've come to think that's the real reason men keep coming back for buffalo; it isn't the horns, it's those ten minutes.

Nineteen buffalo and still welcoming that flicker — that's a man who understands what he's doing out there. Thank you for sharing it; posts like this are why the thread's worth reading. Here's to the next stalk, and that satisfying shove of the .577. — Chris
 
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