If you want to shoot dangerous game..

[Elkeater]

I like every elephant hunting....tuskless ,cow,trophy bull ,but tuskless is surely, unwounded ,the most dangerous animal which u can hunt...next it cropping P.A.C elephant hunt when allowed in the night.

So I have read many times on here. IF and that’s a pretty big IF I ever get a chance to hunt elephant I want the best experience possible. I honestly probably won’t ever be able to afford trophy bull especially one exportable to the U.S. and tuskless seems to offer the best experience from what I’ve read.

 

[bimbo]

U will find tuskless elephant hunt a true challenge at maximum level !Have a nice hunt

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

The first PH I hunted with on Dangerous Game told me Dangerous Game Hunting was meant to be done up close and personal. Shots should be taken at distances of less than 50 yards, and that sub 30 was preferable. He said Buffalo weren’t supposed to be taken from herds, and elephant are killed with your feet. With this being my first Dangerous Game Hunt in Africa I heard what he said but it didn’t register.

I was hunting for management or broken horned bull. Over the course of the hunt we’d had some encounters/blown stalks, stalked into herds early on for experience, stalked in on some great trophy bulls, and had been doing well over 10-15 miles a day on foot. By the morning of the last day we still hadn’t had any shot opportunities. We got up early to try and glass a water hole. Before we arrived we spotted a broken horned bull and a few others presenting a shot at 80-90 yard across an open flat. They’d just left the water hole before we arrived and caught them feeding off. Upon seeing the bulls I grabbed my rifle, saying I liked the broken horned bull and waiting for the sticks that never came. The PH just kept watching them with his Binos. As the bulls walked off into the thick brush I questioned why neither the PH or the trackers grabbed the sticks, saying was a chip shot. The PH said something about hunting them, not just shooting them. Again I heard what he said, but it didn’t register.

We gave the bulls a bit to settle down and got on their tracks. The comment hadn’t fully registered with me, because I was pretty frustrated knowing I easily could’ve made that shot and felt like we’d blown my one opportunity over the course of the hunt. To make matters worse we bumped the buffalo and blew them out of the area. We opted to eat lunch in the bush near a water hole hoping to catch some getting water and I think they could tell I was frustrated. Unbeknownst to me that morning/afternoon several other PH’s (who didn’t have clients) and their trackers were out looking for tracks as well in other areas.

Ultimately I ended up taking a bull that afternoon at around 10 yards and being over the moon excited. Looking back on it now, I’m very thankful the PH didn’t let me shoot. I’ve now been fortunate to have taken several additional buffalo, and 4 of the Big 5. The furthest was 42 yards with most under 20 and several between 8-15yds. It’s only now that I understand his comments, and also now believe Dangerous Game Hunting is meant to be done up close and personal. Are there places or situations that are outliers? Sure, but for most Cape Buffalo (especially all the ranch Buffalo taken in RSA) you’re just shooting a cape buffalo rather than hunting it, if you’re not trying to get within 40 yards. I think you and your PH are doing yourself a disservice from the real experience of Dangerous Game Hunting. I’m forever grateful (my bank account might feel differently) James showed me the meaning of Dangerous Game Hunting.

 

[SStomcat]

Where I’d gently draw the line is that danger should be inherent to the animal and the situation, not a measure of how much we handicapped ourselves to make the story better.

And on the calibre comparisons, preference is personal. Caliber choice, action type, optics, barrel length — it’s less gospel, more palate. Some like their rifles as they do their whisky — one solid peg, classic and reliable. Others want a mixtape of sears, crowns, and artisanal regulation methods claimed to be performed by elves using CNC machines or by hand.

No one here is preaching the One True Rifle from the Book of Blued Steel. We’re exchanging perspectives, not commandments — which is what keeps this forum functional, informative, and moderately less dangerous than the buffaloes we keep referencing.

 

[farmer_john]

The first PH I hunted with on Dangerous Game told me Dangerous Game Hunting was meant to be done up close and personal. Shots should be taken at distances of less than 50 yards, and that sub 30 was preferable. He said Buffalo weren’t supposed to be taken from herds, and elephant are killed with your feet. With this being my first Dangerous Game Hunt in Africa I heard what he said but it didn’t register.

I was hunting for management or broken horned bull. Over the course of the hunt we’d had some encounters/blown stalks, stalked into herds early on for experience, stalked in on some great trophy bulls, and had been doing well over 10-15 miles a day on foot. By the morning of the last day we still hadn’t had any shot opportunities. We got up early to try and glass a water hole. Before we arrived we spotted a broken horned bull and a few others presenting a shot at 80-90 yard across an open flat. They’d just left the water hole before we arrived and caught them feeding off. Upon seeing the bulls I grabbed my rifle, saying I liked the broken horned bull and waiting for the sticks that never came. The PH just kept watching them with his Binos. As the bulls walked off into the thick brush I questioned why neither the PH or the trackers grabbed the sticks, saying was a chip shot. The PH said something about hunting them, not just shooting them. Again I heard what he said, but it didn’t register.

We gave the bulls a bit to settle down and got on their tracks. The comment hadn’t fully registered with me, because I was pretty frustrated knowing I easily could’ve made that shot and felt like we’d blown my one opportunity over the course of the hunt. To make matters worse we bumped the buffalo and blew them out of the area. We opted to eat lunch in the bush near a water hole hoping to catch some getting water and I think they could tell I was frustrated. Unbeknownst to me that morning/afternoon several other PH’s (who didn’t have clients) and their trackers were out looking for tracks as well in other areas.

Ultimately I ended up taking a bull that afternoon at around 10 yards and being over the moon excited. Looking back on it now, I’m very thankful the PH didn’t let me shoot. I’ve now been fortunate to have taken several additional buffalo, and 4 of the Big 5. The furthest was 42 yards with most under 20 and several between 8-15yds. It’s only now that I understand his comments, and also now believe Dangerous Game Hunting is meant to be done up close and personal. Are there places or situations that are outliers? Sure, but for most Cape Buffalo (especially all the ranch Buffalo taken in RSA) you’re just shooting a cape buffalo rather than hunting it, if you’re not trying to get within 40 yards. I think you and your PH are doing yourself a disservice from the real experience of Dangerous Game Hunting. I’m forever grateful (my bank account might feel differently) James showed me the meaning of Dangerous Game Hunting.

Thats a pretty stellar recomend what ph did you use?

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Thats a pretty stellar recomend what ph did you use?

James Cameron he does freelance hunting in the DRC, Botswana, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zambia, and South Africa. He also co-authored a book with his uncle My Wanderings Through Africa: The Life & Times Of A Professional Hunter

 

[Safari Dave]

I really wanted my buffalo to be very close, so I could take him with my open-sighted DR.

However, that opportunity NEVER presented itself when I was hunting in Mozambique in 2021.

I had to use a scoped .416 Rigby to make the shot at 70-80 yds.

In a perfect world, I wish I could have taken him at 30 yds. with the DR. But, I was faced with the reality of what the hunt afforded, and I took it.

Now, he could have got up and charged me at 10 yards, and I was ready, as was my PH (Reinhardt Fourie.)

I am a hunter education instructor and a member of the International Hunter Education Association.
We used to teach that step 4 of 5 in the progress of sportsmen was the "method" hunter.
We no longer teach that, but if that's where you are, it's no problem as far as I'm concerned.

I don't think it is "wrong" to shoot a buffalo at 70 yards, because that was as close as we could get in 7 days of hunting.

Every situation is different.

 

[Rhoyland4]

I've not been to Africa yet, but I look at this like I do bourbon. Drink it however you like it, so hunt DG however you are comfortable.

Some people are after the tradition, some the thrill of the danger, and some just want the trophy. Does it really matter?

The guys who used to hunt them with pointy sticks probably laugh at close range with a bolt or double!

 

[EarlsSon]

I have never hunted DG. I hope to maybe hunt buffalo in the future and I think maybe once the kids are grown up a tusk less elephant could be within my grasp.

That being said I Don’t think we should be telling anyone how they have to hunt. If a hunter is happy and satisfied in making a well placed shot resulting in a dead buffalo at 80 yards then that is that hunters hunt and none of our business.

I agree with you 100%, as hunters we should try to let others "hunt as they choose" as opposed to trying to get fellow outdoorsmen to fit into "their mold". There's more than enough bad publicity from the anti-hunting community for which they love to watch us argue or shun our own people perusing their "way of hunting". As long as its legal and safe "how" a person collects his trophies are none of my concern, I hunt for me !!!

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Truth is, circumstance (I hunted a single old arrogant bull in thickets and bush most of the morning and afternoon, figured a close shot, end of the day the shot presented was 60 yards). The PH also approves/calls the shot or at least determines your level of comfort and commitment.

A good PH will not allow you to put yourself, his tracker, and himself in harms way to satisfy your ego…

 

[coreydb]

I dunno.....I've shot DG close, but then again, I don't want to be like the unfortunate hunters who died earlier this year from charging buffalo. Stay calm, be patient and aim carefully. I can't run like Forrest Gump.

 

[farmer_john]

Kind of a sidequest in the topic.
When yall are hubting dg/ big 5. Do you get an opprotunity to eat some steaks?

 

[Wildwillalaska]

I have have the DG bug and hope to relish it for many years to come. For my goals and ethics, do it proper…do it smart too. Tracking hunt, get in close, age over inches. Those are my main factors for a good hunt. A strong 4th is as wild and remote as reasonably possible.

Presently I also have a strong preference for a double, but my first three buff were with a bolt action.

I am sure at some point I’ll want an ele or buff with a single shot falling block… I don’t think I’ll ever require a situation of being barefoot, loincloth, single edged spear and mandatory single digit yards to find satisfaction. The actual kill shot (Or stab as that hyperbole requires) is not anywhere as important as the chase itself. I love to hunt. Same holds true for high mountain sheep hunting.

Last three years I haven’t pulled the trigger on a sheep, but helped a buddy take his first ram, even though it took two seasons. I personally passed up a nice ram the first year with him because we could only pack one out, and this year I passed on 3 different legal rams. I’ve killed enough, where if it isn’t something that really speaks to me, I’ll check ‘em over, photo and video them, but ok leaving them on the mountain. We’ve had lower numbers for a few years, so I feel good about it. And for me, being up high, stalking in close, that’s what I truly enjoy. The pleasure is spending time in sheep country, harvesting one is just icing on the cake. I do require it to be proper, and try my best to manage risks where they exist to hopefully allow my participation in yet another season.

I look to enjoy DG the same way. Proper, within reason, enjoy the search and the hunt itself, manage risks to hopefully allow enjoyment in the next one.

 

[farmer_john]

I have have the DG bug and hope to relish it for many years to come. For my goals and ethics, do it proper…do it smart too. Tracking hunt, get in close, age over inches. Those are my main factors for a good hunt. A strong 4th is as wild and remote as reasonably possible.

Presently I also have a strong preference for a double, but my first three buff were with a bolt action.

I am sure at some point I’ll want an ele or buff with a single shot falling block… I don’t think I’ll ever require a situation of being barefoot, loincloth, single edged spear and mandatory single digit yards to find satisfaction. The actual kill shot (Or stab as that hyperbole requires) is not anywhere as important as the chase itself. I love to hunt. Same holds true for high mountain sheep hunting.

Last three years I haven’t pulled the trigger on a sheep, but helped a buddy take his first ram, even though it took two seasons. I personally passed up a nice ram the first year with him because we could only pack one out, and this year I passed on 3 different legal rams. I’ve killed enough, where if it isn’t something that really speaks to me, I’ll check ‘em over, photo and video them, but ok leaving them on the mountain. We’ve had lower numbers for a few years, so I feel good about it. And for me, being up high, stalking in close, that’s what I truly enjoy. The pleasure is spending time in sheep country, harvesting one is just icing on the cake. I do require it to be proper, and try my best to manage risks where they exist to hopefully allow my participation in yet another season.

I look to enjoy DG the same way. Proper, within reason, enjoy the search and the hunt itself, manage risks to hopefully allow enjoyment in the next one.

How do you get taga on sheep? I thought was almost impossible to get?

 

[wildwilderness]

How do you get taga on sheep? I thought was almost impossible to get?

You move to Alaska where residents can hunt Dalls sheep with a free harvest ticket every year.


Sheep tags are not hard to get in many areas in AK, BC, Yukon, NWT, Alberta- it’s just that Non- residents are required to hunt with a registered guide and that’s pricey.

 

[Kharn]

Settle down Rambo

 

[rookhawk]

Can we have a civil discussion on this topic..?

To my mind, if you want to hunt dangerous game, let it be dangerous, otherwise you may as well just shoot deer. DG is to be shot at as close range as possible, either with a bolt rifle or a double..

A buffalo is not dangerous when you shoot him at 80 yards with a .375H&H from sticks.. I mean..if you hunt DG, isnt the taste of danger a part of the experience..?

I completely agree, but sometimes you get a 12 yard shot on Buffalo, other times in wilderness areas you can only get 80 yards. Both of us want the former, but remember that you can land in a wilderness area and find out drought has made A.) Cover non-existent, B.) Leaves as noisy as corn flakes so close is impossible, or C.) Controlled or Uncontrolled burns have taken away your cover.

But to go to an RSA ranch and shoot one from 80 yards when you could have done it at 22 yards? Yeah, not my thing at all.

 

[ftrovato]

The first PH I hunted with on Dangerous Game told me Dangerous Game Hunting was meant to be done up close and personal. Shots should be taken at distances of less than 50 yards, and that sub 30 was preferable. He said Buffalo weren’t supposed to be taken from herds, and elephant are killed with your feet. With this being my first Dangerous Game Hunt in Africa I heard what he said but it didn’t register.

I was hunting for management or broken horned bull. Over the course of the hunt we’d had some encounters/blown stalks, stalked into herds early on for experience, stalked in on some great trophy bulls, and had been doing well over 10-15 miles a day on foot. By the morning of the last day we still hadn’t had any shot opportunities. We got up early to try and glass a water hole. Before we arrived we spotted a broken horned bull and a few others presenting a shot at 80-90 yard across an open flat. They’d just left the water hole before we arrived and caught them feeding off. Upon seeing the bulls I grabbed my rifle, saying I liked the broken horned bull and waiting for the sticks that never came. The PH just kept watching them with his Binos. As the bulls walked off into the thick brush I questioned why neither the PH or the trackers grabbed the sticks, saying was a chip shot. The PH said something about hunting them, not just shooting them. Again I heard what he said, but it didn’t register.

We gave the bulls a bit to settle down and got on their tracks. The comment hadn’t fully registered with me, because I was pretty frustrated knowing I easily could’ve made that shot and felt like we’d blown my one opportunity over the course of the hunt. To make matters worse we bumped the buffalo and blew them out of the area. We opted to eat lunch in the bush near a water hole hoping to catch some getting water and I think they could tell I was frustrated. Unbeknownst to me that morning/afternoon several other PH’s (who didn’t have clients) and their trackers were out looking for tracks as well in other areas.

Ultimately I ended up taking a bull that afternoon at around 10 yards and being over the moon excited. Looking back on it now, I’m very thankful the PH didn’t let me shoot. I’ve now been fortunate to have taken several additional buffalo, and 4 of the Big 5. The furthest was 42 yards with most under 20 and several between 8-15yds. It’s only now that I understand his comments, and also now believe Dangerous Game Hunting is meant to be done up close and personal. Are there places or situations that are outliers? Sure, but for most Cape Buffalo (especially all the ranch Buffalo taken in RSA) you’re just shooting a cape buffalo rather than hunting it, if you’re not trying to get within 40 yards. I think you and your PH are doing yourself a disservice from the real experience of Dangerous Game Hunting. I’m forever grateful (my bank account might feel differently) James showed me the meaning of Dangerous Game Hunting.

I think you captured the essence of hunting dangerous game perfectly!

I'll add that for me, a sport of yards can become a nightmare of feet maybe even inches when bad decisions are made. And I suspect it doesn't matter if you're in Africa, Asia or Alaska.

A good/great PH/Guide will always do his best to insure a proper hunt that is safe, ethical and has the best chance of a good outcome.

However we own a part in this too. A lot of the 'safe' comes down to our shooting! It's our job to understand the anatomy of the animals we pursue, shoot well and to use the best bullets available to us.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

How do you get taga on sheep? I thought was almost impossible to get?

Wildwilderness hit it spot on. As an Alaskan resident I don’t have to hunt with a guide. I’ve essentially acted as an Alaskan tracker/packer/guide helping a few close friends, daughter, and even ex-wife harvest sheep, while poking holes in a half-dozen for myself over the past years. This December will be my 20th year as an Alaskan resident. I have never had to pay for a tag, and every animal I’ve killed, except my Chugach ram in 2020 (this was a draw tag) which I did as a solo hunt before my daughters Mt Harper sheep hunt, were taken on over the counter, general harvest tags. I’d say many if not most non-resident hunters take their sheep in over the counter, open tag areas, they just cost so much because of the guide requirement.

Alaska has some of the best opportunities for nonresident hunting, over the counter. Many Alaskans (myself included at times) get grumpy at the number of nonresident hunting opportunities and how few we see from other states…but such is life. And no guide needed for deer, caribou, moose or black bear.

 

[Sh1kar]

In my book DG is never DG (except maybe elephant) until the first shot. If that goes well then still not DG. If it goes badly…. Ahh then…. Unlike PG. mostly. Which doesn’t fight back

S