Is it possible to stop a buffalo charge with an arrow through the nose to brain?

[C.W. Richter]

Precisely. I might volunteer videography for this one as it's going to be memorable, as in memoriam!!! lol We look forward to your follow-up inquiries...I believe even Fred Bear's response to this question would be "WTF?" LOL At that point, guns should be a blazing!

 

[Sarg]

Sooo, I asked Tim (The Slock Master) & he said with “age comes wisdom” if this was to happen on our hunt he would be shouting “Shoot Sarg, Shoot !”

With that I’d say possible but 99.9% of the time someone or more will be injured or killed & it is not recommended practice !

PS as a child Fred Bear was one of my hero’s, incredible person all over.

I wonder if he swore, I would have thought not ?

 

[steve white]

Shooting an arrow up the nasal passage. Not a lot of Buffalo looking at you with their nose up during a charge. So, ......

1. Yes a proper arrow (etc) can penetrate the skull of a Cape Buffalo.
Cape buffalo (African buffalo) possess an incredibly thick, heavy skull, particularly in mature males. The frontal bone (where the horns meet) can measure from 2 to 4 cm (0.8 to 1.6 inches) thick. Including the fused, heavy layer of horn known as the "boss," total skull thickness at the crown frequently exceeds 7 to 8 cm (2.7 to 3.1 inches)

2. Hitting a moving grapefruit with an arrow is another thing.

3. If you are about to be stomped and your at full draw you might as well go down swinging.

In your next life. Practice being much quieter and more sneaking and just shoot them properly with your bow and avoid the extra effort.

exactly a #3 scenario only. Clearly I had too much time on my hands yesterday....

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Hypnosis might also work stopping a Cape buffalo. Must be a psychology course offered for that somewhere. Maybe Wharton College?

 

[Rare Breed]

When contemplating a challenging problem, I usually approach it something like this:

1. What is the list of worst-case scenarios that might occur?

2. What is the probability of these bad outcomes actually materializing?

3. Do I have the resources or wherewithal to mitigate the fallout if the situation heads south?

4. Is previous history or any laws of math, physics or the universe against me pulling this rabbit out of a hat?

I've given this some serious thought and as a betting man, I'm putting my money on the buffalo in this particular instance. It doesn't appear to be an endeavor that you can actually practice at & grow as a skill set over time. Feels more like a "one & done" kind of event.

Also to use top gun Maverick, "if you think up there you are dead" With a bow in hand on a Cape Buff seems to fit.

 

[wildwilderness]

I have seen pictures and spoke to a hunter who claimed to have killed an Elephant with an arrow on a frontal brain shot base of the trunk lifted head….

This was about 2009-10 guy was T. D. from Grand Jct CO, custom home builder, shooting a Darton Bow and a double arrow (carbon in an aluminum) built by the One-eyed Indian Gabe who owned Red Rocks Archery in GJ.

Said the shot was less than 20 and the only angle the Ele gave him and it was looking to come at them so he shot and it went up the nasal passages and it dropped. The PH had them put a reassuring bullet to the head though before touching it


Also I have seen video of an arrow up the nose shot of a full on charging wounded CBLion (and 2 PHs on either side shooting as well) and the lion skidding to a stop touching the feet of the videographer! That was 2020 at Motshwere


So you can try a buff and see how that goes!

 

[Rare Breed]

Okay, now that's funny Doug!!!!!

 

[Rare Breed]

exactly a #3 scenario only. Clearly I had too much time on my hands yesterday....

You're a good man Steve!!! It caused some good, friendly humor!!!

 

[leslie hetrick]

will filled out, next of kin to be called. all important papers in a single location for easy access. last confession-last rights. then have at it, but i think the buffalo will have the last word.

 

[DLSJR]

I simply want to be the beneficiary on the life insurance of anyone who cares to test this out. It could fund a lot of hunting for me.

 

[IvW]

Not saying you would WANT to take such a shot, but even though backed up by a rifle, things can go wrong. Would an arrow actually penetrate the brain from straight on?

NO....
even if you hit the nose the angle is wrong to reach the brain......

 

[Hedge774]

Hahaha! I'm glad you picked #3 @steve white. When I first saw this thread, I thought, "This has to be one of those "If you could have any rifle in the world..." questions" for sure!"

 

[Brent in Az]

I wouldn't want to find out

 

[Altitude sickness]

If the bull held his head in this position

a well made broadhead with sufficient arrow weight and construction would have little problem reaching the brain. That portion of the skull is not built like the honeycomb top.

But bulls usually only hold the head that high when curious or when trotting away. Not when charging.

So yes it’s possible. Just not probable.

Iron will broadhead 1100 grain arrow. My testing on a mature Angus front leg bone. Much more mass and dense than the front of a buffalo skull. One proved easily penetrated. So I lined up two. It went through two leg bones.

To get great penetration, the arrow has to fly perfectly straight and impact with all the momentum behind the broadhead. With zero flex.

 

[Mihai Ionut-Daniel]

Theoretically it's possible. Practicaly I dont think we will find a hunter willing to try. There are better ways to die
I have hunted a few buffs using either rifles or my bow and I had to stop 3 buffalo charges in thick cover using my 470NE. My PH used a 460 weatherby
All those 3 bulls soaked the shoots like they where 22.

 

[Brian]

Theoretically it's possible. Practicaly I dont think we will find a hunter willing to try. There are better ways to die
I have hunted a few buffs using either rifles or my bow and I had to stop 3 buffalo charges in thick cover using my 470NE. My PH used a 460 weatherby
All those 3 bulls soaked the shoots like they where 22.

Exactly! Thank you for saying it.
When you need to get a wounded, wound-up, cape buffalo on the ground, you'll be grateful if your cartridge and bullet have a little extra instead of not quite enough.

 

[Mihai Ionut-Daniel]

Exactly! Thank you for saying it.
When you need to get a wounded, wound-up, cape buffalo on the ground, you'll be grateful if your cartridge and bullet have a little extra instead of not quite enough.

I have hunted manny dangerous animals with my bow but I never did a fallow up with my bow in my hands. Why?? Because I want to kill without being killed or mauled. I have helped once(first aid) a PH that got mauled by a leopard. I will never forget that day

 

[Altitude sickness]

I have hunted manny dangerous animals with my bow but I never did a fallow up with my bow in my hands. Why?? Because I want to kill without being killed or mauled. I have helped once(first aid) a PH that got mauled by a leopard. I will never forget that day

Happy to see you post here my friend. Perhaps you can occasionally show us some of your amazing firearms. And archery equipment.