Management buffalo hunts

[Keelebilly]

Educate me on management bull buffalo hunts please. Are these usually limited to private fenced game ranches or is it possible to do them free range? What is considered a management bull from a size and age standpoint? Are management bulls exportable? Are there opportunities for a management bull hunt in all of the major countries where buffalo are hunted? Thanks for any input

 

[Moody808]

I looked into one in Nambia, it was a free range hunt, and the only difference from a trophy hunt was that I would be unable to keep any part of the animal. But it was significantly cheaper than the trophy hunt.

 

[Flipper Dude]

Took a management bull in Zimbabwe at Sengwe Research area. Let me tell you, a management bulls spoor looks just like a trophy bulls spoor. You gotta track it for hours to see what ya got. So took 8 days of a 7 day hunt to get one. Also took one in the Klaserie outside Kruger. That one was determined to be a management bull by the PH accompanying us representing the area. The government game scout and my PH made the call on the Zim bull. You can often make them exportable with a $1000 adder. I brought one home and have pics and memories of the other.

 

[BJH65]

I can only speak to SA and what the warden and game rep told me on my hunt in the Greater Kruger and other hunts I’ve been on in SA on private fenced concessions. I don’t think “management” is synonymous with “non exportable,” at least in SA and the Greater Kruger or Open Area, which has free range management bulls available to hunt on quota, 36” bulls or less, hard bossed and at least 9 years or older are management bulls and fully exportable. A bull with a broken tip or broken horn would fit this criteria but interestingly enough, a “scrum cap” cannot be taken in the Greater Kruger, it’s their rules, I asked.

Various other fenced concessions in SA that include various game reserves and Big 5 reserves offer “management” bull hunts and the outfitter determines what is considered management, usually an older hard bossed non trophy bull that is 36”-37” or less. Whether your are hunting free range or a fenced concession, if hunting a management bull you have to be prepared to wave goodbye to a trophy bull you may come across!

I think the Greater Kruger would be an excellent place to hunt an exportable management bull, there are lots of buffalo there and reasonably priced.

 

[K-man]

Almost any area with self-sustaing herds will have management bulls. Sometimes it's weak genetics, sometimes broken horn and sometimes even old dry cows. All are worthy hunts, usually well discounted trophy fees. The Save in Zimbabwe has large herds and plenty of management animals. Makes a fun hunt. I'm sure our sponsors on here will be along shortly...good luck choosing!

 

[375Fox]

It depends on country. Namibia offers “own use” buffalo in Caprivi that can technically be any buffalo but is typically reserved for non-trophy bulls. It’s probably the best value in buffalo hunting today to see a wild area and hunt buffalo for a fraction of price, but they are non-exportable. There are no buffalo on game farms in Namibia. Some places in Zimbabwe on private land like Bubye or Sace Valley offer non-trophy bulls that are exportable. It’s less expensive than a trophy hunt but not inexpensive. The reserves adjacent Kruger receive buffalo quota by the size combined with age category and are exportable. Most management hunts offered will be on fenced farms in South Africa. Some will be true management hunts on self sustaining herds for non-trophy bulls others will be for non-trophy bulls from highly supplemented herds or a particular bull, do your research and ask questions if hunting high fence. These would be your primary options. There is a community quota in Mozambique similar to Namibia’s own use, but I don’t know how widespread it is. There is no non-trophy buffalo offered in Tanzania, Zambia, or Uganda that I know of. Usually non-trophy will fall into something under 35”-37” but could be larger on fenced ranches depending on management plan.

 

[Flipper Dude]

Management bulls

 

[BJH65]

Another management bull.

 

[Keelebilly]

Excellent explanation. Thank you