SOUTH AFRICA: I Have Smelt The Buffalo

[Sika98k]

Those of us who have will understand the title perfectly. When Eric the tracker turned around and sniffed silently and indicated to his nose I knew then we were very close.
But a bit of background first. Some years ago I purchased a Browning A-Bolt in 375H&H with left hand drive. Being a leftie I reckoned that if you are shooting something that requires quick reloading you had better stack as many of the chips in your favour as possible.

I used it on several trips to Namibia hunting plains game. Shooting 235gr bullets it was easy enough to shoot and accurate. Slowly the idea of hunting a Cape buffalo grew and I started my search. After several false starts I settled on @GAME 4 AFRICA SAFARIS .
I had a blast ! Hunted Kudu, Cape Buffalo and Impala. I can’t fault my week there last year in the slightest. It has given me memories that will never fade. I only have to think about it and see that old dugga boy emerging from the bush in the early morning sun. My buddy took a buffalo cow also. This was more intense, we were up beside the herd for 38 minutes before a suitable cow presented itself.

I had noticed @BAYLY SIPPEL SAFARIS had an offer for 3 buffalo cows on a government reserve. This promised old school hunting, tracking buffalo in the bush and warnings that you need to be fit ! This was what I wanted, up close and personal, on first name terms with my quarry.
A few emails and WhatsApp conversations had me hooked and booked on KLM to Johannesburg. KLM are as difficult as hell to get approval to bring a firearm. Frustrating is a gross understatement.it is impossible to actually speak to a human being. It’s all done by a bott as far as I can see.

Anyhow 14 1/2 hours after boarding in Dublin I was disgorged at Oliver Tambo. Clearing my rifle with the SA police was all going smoothly until I noticed him trawling through recent imports to find someone else from Ireland who had cleared a firearm. Alas, I was one document short ! The European Firearms Pass is not acceptable in S. Africa as proof of export. There is a removal order issued by our police force.
Long and short my rifle was impounded for the week. I did however manage to snag my ammunition box containing a few life essentials, 20 rounds of 375 loaded with 300gr Woodleigh PPSN and whatever else.

The next morning Dempsey, the co owner of Bayly Sippel safaris collected me at my lodgings. We had another attempt at sorting things out but no go and it was a long drive ahead. So near and yet so far ‍. Along the way we picked up Eric the tracker for the week and 480 kms later arrived at the Blouberg reserve. I settled in, unpacked my meagre possessions and we took a Brno 375 out and I popped a round out of it. Perfect ! The day was drawing to a close so an early dinner and off to bed for a 6 am start.
To be continued.

 

[Mekaniks]

Wow! Having your gun impounded had to be frustrating for sure! But, looking forward to the rest

 

[Raven]

Long and short my rifle was impounded for the week. I did however manage to snag my ammunition box containing a few life essentials, 20 rounds of 375 loaded with 300gr Woodleigh PPSN and whatever else.

Great start. It's like reading an adventure novel from the past. It'll probably get even more interesting from here on out.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Reading the title of this thread I thought you were shooting sardines at Cape buffalo. Man, you would have to get the velocity up to warp nine to achieve sufficient sectional density.

You have smelled Cape buffalo.

 

[Smitty]

As a fellow Lefty, I sympathize with you. Traveling with a firearm is not easy, but having ny rifle is very important to me. Looking forward to hearing how the hunt went!

 

[ActionBob]

Just kidding and messing with you

Although the way you shot that target you could probably shoot a smelt

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Those of us who have will understand the title perfectly. When Eric the tracker turned around and sniffed silently and indicated to his nose I knew then we were very close.
But a bit of background first. Some years ago I purchased a Browning A-Bolt in 375H&H with left hand drive. Being a leftie I reckoned that if you are shooting something that requires quick reloading you had better stack as many of the chips in your favour as possible.

I used it on several trips to Namibia hunting plains game. Shooting 235gr bullets it was easy enough to shoot and accurate. Slowly the idea of hunting a Cape buffalo grew and I started my search. After several false starts I settled on @GAME 4 AFRICA SAFARIS .
I had a blast ! Hunted Kudu, Cape Buffalo and Impala. I can’t fault my week there last year in the slightest. It has given me memories that will never fade. I only have to think about it and see that old dugga boy emerging from the bush in the early morning sun. My buddy took a buffalo cow also. This was more intense, we were up beside the herd for 38 minutes before a suitable cow presented itself.

I had noticed @BAYLY SIPPEL SAFARIS had an offer for 3 buffalo cows on a government reserve. This promised old school hunting, tracking buffalo in the bush and warnings that you need to be fit ! This was what I wanted, up close and personal, on first name terms with my quarry.
A few emails and WhatsApp conversations had me hooked and booked on KLM to Johannesburg. KLM are as difficult as hell to get approval to bring a firearm. Frustrating is a gross understatement.it is impossible to actually speak to a human being. It’s all done by a bott as far as I can see.

Anyhow 14 1/2 hours after boarding in Dublin I was disgorged at Oliver Tambo. Clearing my rifle with the SA police was all going smoothly until I noticed him trawling through recent imports to find someone else from Ireland who had cleared a firearm. Alas, I was one document short ! The European Firearms Pass is not acceptable in S. Africa as proof of export. There is a removal order issued by our police force.
Long and short my rifle was impounded for the week. I did however manage to snag my ammunition box containing a few life essentials, 20 rounds of 375 loaded with 300gr Woodleigh PPSN and whatever else.

The next morning Dempsey, the co owner of Bayly Sippel safaris collected me at my lodgings. We had another attempt at sorting things out but no go and it was a long drive ahead. So near and yet so far ‍. Along the way we picked up Eric the tracker for the week and 480 kms later arrived at the Blouberg reserve. I settled in, unpacked my meagre possessions and we took a Brno 375 out and I popped a round out of it. Perfect ! The day was drawing to a close so an early dinner and off to bed for a 6 am start.
To be continued.

Great start, pity about the rifle. You write well Sika.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Not to steal the thread, but buffalo smell very pleasant, ie you put your snout to the hide and breathe in. I wouldn't try it on a live one though.

 

[IvW]

Both "smelled" and "smelt" are past tense forms of the verb "smell," but their usage differs by region. "Smelled" is the more common past tense in American English, while "smelt" is also used in British English.

Always a smart ass......and english is my third language......

 

[Sika98k]

Both "smelled" and "smelt" are past tense forms of the verb "smell," but their usage differs by region. "Smelled" is the more common past tense in American English, while "smelt" is also used in British English.

Always a smart ass......and english is my third language......

I speak British English !

 

[Sideshow]

I speak British English !

Me too not like most of the heathens here…need google translate most of the time. Looking forward to the rest of the story.
I here KLM can be a right PITA

 

[Sika98k]

Breakfast was on the table at 6 am. As the week wore on I was wondering if Tucker (aptly named) our chef was a cannibal and fattening me up for the next hog roast Barbie ! In all seriousness the food was great and the portions substantial, too substantial.
After breakfast and a couple of cups of strong coffee I was contemplating the next 5 days in “the gentleman’s study”.

Was I fit enough ? Since Dempsey had advised me that you need to be fit, fit I had been pounding the trails nearly every day. 10-15kms . The first couple of days were hard. But as the days wore on it got easier rapidly. Then I realised I needed to load up with a rifle and binoculars. That left me with a fantastic blister on the ball of one foot !

Did I have the bottle to crawl up to within spitting distance (ok,you’d have been a world class spitter) of a herd of buffalo and shoot one ? I can now quite understand that it might not be for everyone.

We loaded up the bakkie, water, soft drinks, Mrs Balls Chutney crisps, I became fond of them. Of course rifles, ammunition, binoculars etc.and away to the first watering hole.
Büffel pan to give it its Afrikaans name was the first stop. 150 yards out we stopped and walked down quietly. At this point I noted the seriousness of this game. The PH was carrying his 458 with no sling. Those of us in the know will understand that hunting buffalo in the bush your rifle is always in your hands. There was also a buffalo bull wounded 3 weeks previously that had not been recovered despite getting a helicopter in to search.

Not much sign so we drove off to check and see if buffalo had crossed any tracks. We saw some likely tracks and a discussion was held between the PH’s and Eric as to whether we should track. Eventually on one set of tracks the decision was made. Off we went.

Holy Mother ! Ok, you do not have to be able to walk 10-15 kms a day. If you can it will help but you do have to be capable of walking an hour or two or more bent over at the waist or crawl.Those of us distinctly pear shaped are advised to hunt somewhere else !

We got onto buffalo a few times but the wind was not in our favour. A cold front was moving in and it was all over the place. Mind you to be working our way closer to a thicket purportedly holding buffalo and then see it shake and hear the clatter of hooves heading away certainly gets the juices flowing.

We broke for lunch and repeated the form, checking waterholes looking at tracks crossing the sand. The knowledge of these people, trackers and PH’s is phenomenal. Buffalo, bulls cows, calves, impala, hyena, zebra, giraffe, leopard, baboon, they were all there. Eventually I was able to recognise and identify some but imho buffalo seem to walk backwards, just a personal opinion.

One the way back to camp I shot a “ community “ impala ram. Meat from the culling program on the reserve is shared with the local tribe under a complicated system I had no real interest in but was happy to contribute some meat.

Monday night the cold front moved in and a strong wind obliterated all tracks. It was full moon virtually so the animals traveled a lot at night. Tuesday was a washout. The buffalo seemed to have departed for pastures new. Not a sign. They may have drunk early and eaten and bedded down early as animals get more cautious in strong winds as predators can get closer.

 

[Sika98k]

Me too not like most of the heathens here…need google translate most of the time. Looking forward to the rest of the story.
I here KLM can be a right PITA

I see you on SD also I think. Find me an airline nowadays that isn’t a PITA ! Lufthansa are ok but their charges for firearms down to Africa are eye watering.

 

[SRvet]

I see you on SD also I think. Find me an airline nowadays that isn’t a PITA ! Lufthansa are ok but their charges for firearms down to Africa are eye watering.

Great write up so far! Were you in RSA the first week of June? If so we shared the cold front !! From the UK I can recommend flying with Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow. It’s a direct flight and you just rock up with your rifle (and a broad smile!!) to check in. Bummer about your rifle… Did you have a company like Africa Sky guest house or Air 2000 sort your import permits?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I speak British English !

I'm an American living in Canada. So I speak wildcat British/American English with a French flavor ... er ... flavour.

At my wedding reception my father-in-law said "You and Cathy go sit on the Chesterfield for a photo." I was looking around for quite a while. Finally he asked what was the matter: "Go sit down." "But I can't find the cigarettes." I thought it must be some weird Brit wedding thing like Jewish breaking the drinking glasses. He was referring to the sofa (couch). Everyone had a good laugh.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Air Canada and Swiss Air are relatively gun friendly. Swiss flies to Tambo. Air Canada still charges $55 last I knew (2023). It is my understanding one must ALWAYS have temporary export documents from country of origin when landing in RSA.

 

[DieJager]

Great start of the hunt. Whisky, cigars, Africa and hunting. What can go wrong?

Sorry for our national airline being a PITA.

 

[spike.t]

Reading the title of this thread I thought you were shooting sardines at Cape buffalo. Man, you would have to get the velocity up to warp nine to achieve sufficient sectional density.

You have smelled Cape buffalo.

FYI.....

 

[AZDAVE]

Sorry to hear about your rifle getting heldup. (Time for an ancient Druid curse on whoever mucked up the paperwork) Like your writing style. Looking forward to the rest.

 

[Green Chile]

Hah, I loved how this report started...well, except for the impoundment by SAPS. Bollocks.

You're picking up on the right stuff...rifles in the hands with no slings attached...seriousness of the unrecovered wounded buff in the area. You're spot on about the awkwardness of walking hunched over, which can be challenging over distance. Where it gets even more interesting is when you get close and you have to watch when/where the PH or tracker is moving and move with them and stay close to them. When the sticks start to come up, you need to be moving onto them right now.

I laughed when you said Mrs Balls Chutney...I know you're talking about the crips but that chutney is the best stuff and I use it for most meals in Africa. It's kind of odd how it doesn't need refrigeration...but whatever.

Keep it coming.