Buffalo charges

[jimmywallstreet]

I recently read about the likes of Bobby Fontana, and other pHs, who experienced mishaps and tragic endings in their pursuit of buffalo. Does anyone have experience with follow up shots on a charging Buffalo? where is the best shot placement for a head-on shot? Anyone with experience willing to share their story? Any personal stories of such interactions?

 

[PeteG]

where is the best shot placement for a head-on shot?

In the head


JK
Gotta be a brain or cns hit if you want to stop it in a hurry.

 

[Tanks]

I recently read about the likes of Bobby Fontana, and other pHs, who experienced mishaps and tragic endings in their pursuit of buffalo. Does anyone have experience with follow up shots on a charging Buffalo? where is the best shot placement for a head-on shot? Anyone with experience willing to share their story? Any personal stories of such interactions?

One of the most renowned PHs of all time, Mark Sullivan did make a number of videos on this very subject. For sale here:

DVD – Nitro Express Safaris

nitroexpresssafaris.com

Here is an actual hunt with a client. Buffalo charge is at 4:00 mark.

 

[Altitude sickness]

My Buffalo charges were all from the bank. Not my hide

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

From experience a successful brain shot is 100% effective. The difficulty is where are you going to have to aim for to hit the brain. Is the nose high or low is two big factors. A buffalo will almost always drop its head just before he reaches you, but before that the buff will almost always have its nose held at a much higher elevation. When this happens is when you want the best bullet that money can buy.

I recently read where a PH advocated softs as a solid would ricochet off of the boss, I am not of that school, but to each his own.

 

[BourbonTrail]

@Scanos had a hell of a time with a charge a couple of years ago:

MOZAMBIQUE: Pain & Redemption In Niassa

Pain and Redemption in Niassa Face to Face with Black Death My first realization that something was amiss was Jaco screaming "David shoot it! Shoot! David Shoot!" I vividly remember that I had been holding my rifle awkwardly with it cradled over the crook of my left arm. I did not look up when...

www.africahunting.com

 

[Scanos]

@Scanos had a hell of a time with a charge a couple of years ago:

MOZAMBIQUE: Pain & Redemption In Niassa

Pain and Redemption in Niassa Face to Face with Black Death My first realization that something was amiss was Jaco screaming "David shoot it! Shoot! David Shoot!" I vividly remember that I had been holding my rifle awkwardly with it cradled over the crook of my left arm. I did not look up when...

www.africahunting.com

I'll be back in Niassa next week for another double Buffalo hunt with Kwalata. Hopefully this trip will be slightly less exciting.

 

[Altitude sickness]

that was a great read. And nice old bull.

 

[PARA45]

@Scanos had a hell of a time with a charge a couple of years ago:

MOZAMBIQUE: Pain & Redemption In Niassa

Pain and Redemption in Niassa Face to Face with Black Death My first realization that something was amiss was Jaco screaming "David shoot it! Shoot! David Shoot!" I vividly remember that I had been holding my rifle awkwardly with it cradled over the crook of my left arm. I did not look up when...

www.africahunting.com

I remember reading that report. @Scanos has some big cojones, he is one tough hombre.

 

[chashardy]

There are a couple of great buffalo charge videos on Quagga Safaris youtube channel.

 

[mark-hunter]

At one occasion, when Craig Boddington was answering the questions on some You Tube potcast, I asked him, after about 100 buffalos that he had shot, how many charges did he have?
Answer was ZERO.

This could be luck maybe 1%, but in all reality I deeply believe this is result of good first shot to proper place, 99%.
Make the first shot count.

 

[Charles de Ribeau]

At one occasion, when Craig Boddington was answering the questions on some You Tube potcast, I asked him, after about 100 buffalos that he had shot, how many charges did he have?
Answer was ZERO.

This could be luck maybe 1%, but in all reality I deeply believe this is result of good first shot to proper place, 99%.
Make the first shot count.

Craig says that buffalo are more likely to behave like elk when the encounter humans and high-tail it for the next county. HOWEVER, there are exceptions, even with ones that aren't wounded. Perhaps you inadvertently put yourself between a cow and her calf. Perhaps you get too close (whatever that may be) to one that is having a bad day. Maybe it stepped in a warthog and is banged up from that. Perhaps lost a fight with another bull, maybe even getting gored in the process. Charges can happen, but they aren't common.