Elephant hunting

[Killingtime]

Hello everyone,

For those of you who have hunted elephants is there any real difference in the experience between a tuskless bull or cow hunt and a tusked bull?
I am considering in the next 3 to 5 years making an elephant hunt a priority I’ve considered three hunts 1. A non export tuskless bull or cow ( I remember reading that they are naturally more aggressive because they have to be to steal food.. not sure if it’s true but it makes sense to me)
2. A non exportable bull with tusk do they restrict you on size or are you chasing old bulls If not seems like a great way to chase a big one or at least an old bull for a reduced cost.
3. A exportable bull under 30lbs.

A member on here I read took photos and video of his trophies rather then bring them back and I believe is going to have replicas made of a bull he will be hunting if he is successful. That philosophy resonates with me because I can do more hunts with the same resources. So non exportable is perfectly fine with me if it’s tuskless or if say the non exportable bull with tusk is a old bull or a bull that would otherwise be vastly more expensive then say a exportable bull under 25-30lbs.

Non exportable draws me because it seems like I could probably do two hunts for the price of 1 smaller exportable.

So from those of you who have done one or both types was the excitement and experience the same regardless or did you find more challenge in a particular hunt. And heck if you did the hunt and found a elephant not worth it I’d be glad to hear that experience as well.

Thank you for your responses and time in advance

 

[Tanks]

IN regard to tuskless, as cheap as that hunt is there is no difference between exportable and non-exportable except you are saving costs associated with handling the trophy.

Most old bulls as a rule have bigger tusks so that would be a trophy hunt usually.

The cheaper bull hunts are the young bulls with tusks under 30 pounds or so. Personally, I wish Zimbabwe would put a restriction similar to Tanzania on taking of young elephants and restrict hunting of those below a certain tusk size. They do have age limits on cats.

 

[Rare Breed]

Hello everyone,

For those of you who have hunted elephants is there any real difference in the experience between a tuskless bull or cow hunt and a tusked bull?
I am considering in the next 3 to 5 years making an elephant hunt a priority I’ve considered three hunts 1. A non export tuskless bull or cow ( I remember reading that they are naturally more aggressive because they have to be to steal food.. not sure if it’s true but it makes sense to me)
2. A non exportable bull with tusk do they restrict you on size or are you chasing old bulls If not seems like a great way to chase a big one or at least an old bull for a reduced cost.
3. A exportable bull under 30lbs.

A member on here I read took photos and video of his trophies rather then bring them back and I believe is going to have replicas made of a bull he will be hunting if he is successful. That philosophy resonates with me because I can do more hunts with the same resources. So non exportable is perfectly fine with me if it’s tuskless or if say the non exportable bull with tusk is a old bull or a bull that would otherwise be vastly more expensive then say a exportable bull under 25-30lbs.

Non exportable draws me because it seems like I could probably do two hunts for the price of 1 smaller exportable.

So from those of you who have done one or both types was the excitement and experience the same regardless or did you find more challenge in a particular hunt. And heck if you did the hunt and found a elephant not worth it I’d be glad to hear that experience as well.

Thank you for your responses and time in advance

I have hunted both. In my experience the tuskless cow is the most dangerous given she has to bully other elephants just to eat and is usually within a herd versus being on the edge.

 

[375Fox]

There’s a big difference. Bulls are somewhat predictable. Cows are not. I do not enjoy approaching cow elephants. They are aggressive because they are in a herd with calves and other cows. They’ve probably seen hunters and poachers before. The tusked cows are equally dangerous.
I believe a bull has to be 22 or 25 lbs to export from Zimbabwe. Something to consider the inexpensive bull elephant hunts (both exportable and non-exportable) in Zimbabwe typically take place in very marginal areas. There’s not much left besides elephant because they aren’t subject to bushmeat poaching. They are also often taking middle aged bulls not old bulls because it’s what they have. Tuskless hunts are often done in quality areas where there are still buffalo, lions, some PG, and others, so the tuskless hunt can be better in that respect. There’s a lot of pros and cons to balance with both.

 

[Andrew62]

I have taken 2 tuskless, 1 cow, 1 management bull, there’s no doubt tuskless hunting is the most exhilarating. First you have to find a herd of elephant, see if there are any tuskless, make sure the tuskless does not have a dependent calf, while doing that you’ll be amongst other females and babies, believe me, tuskless hunting is no joke, extremely exciting and dangerous. I saw Buzz Charlton say on a video last night that he has stopped hunting tuskless because of the danger involved.

When you shoot a tuskless, you got to have your head on a swivel to be sure no other elephants charge you.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I’ve taken two bulls so far. But I know for a fact that tuskless cows are far more aggressive. This is to compensate for the lack of tusks.

 

[K-man]

My experience is limited to one of each. The cow elephant I took because she was a danger to the hunting party and the community, and was at full charge for a long time. The bull I took was selected and hunted to 30 yards. Both different, both exciting, but different. The meat was fully used on both, I have a set of replica tusks from the cow and my bull tusks and skins arrived stateside this week. When I book another, it will probably be non-trophy non-exportable. That means genetically inferior or broken. The hunt is usually similar except targeting a cow in a herd is difficult and dangerous. Either way you are supporting the community and conserving the species, go and enjoy!

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Nice thread. For those who have responded, thank you. You fellers are giving me food for thought.

 

[wildwilderness]

The Answer is YES!!

Go hunt elephants any way you can! So just book a hunt that will get you to go, since you will probably go back for another anyway!!

 

[Flipper Dude]

Just a word of caution, and I don’t mean to be a downer. Your PH will determine to the best of his knowledge that the cow, be it a tuskless or just a management cow, will not be caring for a dependent calf. That DOES NOT mean that she won’t be pregnant with an unborn calf, and that will become apparent If you are around for the entire processing. Just something to be aware of if you have an observer alongside.

 

[Killingtime]

IN regard to tuskless, as cheap as that hunt is there is no difference between exportable and non-exportable except you are saving costs associated with handling the trophy.

Most old bulls as a rule have bigger tusks so that would be a trophy hunt usually.

The cheaper bull hunts are the young bulls with tusks under 30 pounds or so. Personally, I wish Zimbabwe would put a restriction similar to Tanzania on taking of young elephants and restrict hunting of those below a certain tusk size. They do have age limits on cats.

Would it be better then if I’m more in this for the hunt and thrill in your opinion to chase a tuskless. Over a young bull? And at what size a a bull considered a trophy?

 

[Killingtime]

My experience is limited to one of each. The cow elephant I took because she was a danger to the hunting party and the community, and was at full charge for a long time. The bull I took was selected and hunted to 30 yards. Both different, both exciting, but different. The meat was fully used on both, I have a set of replica tusks from the cow and my bull tusks and skins arrived stateside this week. When I book another, it will probably be non-trophy non-exportable. That means genetically inferior or broken. The hunt is usually similar except targeting a cow in a herd is difficult and dangerous. Either way you are supporting the community and conserving the species, go and enjoy!

Are there such hunts as non trophy where they hunt a bull who is big with broken tusk?

 

[Killingtime]

Thank everyone for responding you guys have my blood pumping lol it not often where the least costly hunt could be the most thrilling.
It’s seems like if you do a tuskless I get the maximum thrill with danger while also being able to do management for the species. Am I wrong in my thinking?

Also I saw that 375fox said you would get a better quality hunt (more game to see in nature) with a tuskless in Zimbabwe vs a bull. Would there be any other country’s that you guys would put high in the list if tuskless became my objective as a non exportable?

 

[Russ16]

Are there such hunts as non trophy where they hunt a bull who is big with broken tusk?

I’ve seen that as an option. Specifically in Namibia.

 

[Russ16]

Thank everyone for responding you guys have my blood pumping lol it not often where the least costly hunt could be the most thrilling.
It’s seems like if you do a tuskless I get the maximum thrill with danger while also being able to do management for the species. Am I wrong in my thinking?

Also I saw that 375fox said you would get a better quality hunt (more game to see in nature) with a tuskless in Zimbabwe vs a bull. Would there be any other country’s that you guys would put high in the list if tuskless became my objective as a non exportable?

I think what he meant is a lower cost bulking a marginal areas wouldn’t be a good an experience as a tuskless. You can hunt bulls in the Zambezi valley and have a great experience but they will be on the smaller side and while cheaper than many trophy areas they are more expensive than the “management” bills sometimes advertised.

 

[Flipper Dude]

@DALTON & YORK SAFARIS Dalton Tink posted an ad last Wednesday for tuskless in the Omay and Nyakasanga for this year. Great opportunity with a great outfit. Real Africa

Hunted a non exportable non-trophy elephant with Mokore one time. The game scout made the call on the elephant, and a broken off tusk qualified for him. Coulda been a hundred pounder. Of course, wasn’t that lucky.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Are there such hunts as non trophy where they hunt a bull who is big with broken tusk?

I would say yes. I have my first Ele hunt this coming June. Non export bull, was told we will be looking for the oldest bull we can find, broke tusks, or under 40lbs but age is priority.
I thought about doing a tuskless but decided this could be my only elephant hunt and decided on non export bull in a remote area.

 

[375Fox]

Also I saw that 375fox said you would get a better quality hunt (more game to see in nature) with a tuskless in Zimbabwe vs a bull. Would there be any other country’s that you guys would put high in the list if tuskless became my objective as a non exportable?

Let me clarify, my comment was specifically about some of the very low cost bull hunts. There are bull hunts done in the same areas tuskless are done as well.
Zimbabwe is the only country with a significant tuskless quota. There might be some in Zambia as well, but not elsewhere.

 

[Green Chile]

Hunting for ivory is a great experience. You can cover a lot of miles following tracks to see what is standing in them. It's very interesting but also expensive. Hunting for tuskless with non-dependent calves is a LOT more sketchy and it's priced more like buffalo. There is really not a good comparison between them.

Hunting tuskless, you might have moments where you wonder how it will end and moments you will never forget. The sound of a herd of cow elephants tearing the bush apart is unbelievable. I respect bull elephants but to be transparent, I have some fear of the cow herds. They are very serious...and I want to do more of it. I may never go for ivory again but I will hunt tuskless again.

 

[Andrew62]

For the most dangerous and thrilling hunt, tuskless. If money matters, and it does to me, Zimbabwe is generally the better deal.

As was mentioned earlier, @DALTON & YORK SAFARIS posted some good valued hunts here this past week for tuskless. I took a tuskless with them last September, it was an exciting hunt.