Quest for the ultimate Dagga Boy

[Csnakes03]

Can't help you with your questions, but being a father of twin (fraternal) boys myself, I can 100% empathize on how "life" can change things (I've found for the better). Im excited for your future hunts, and am hopeful I can target a buffalo in 2028 as well! Good luck sir!

 

[375Fox]

You mention the Zambezi Delta in Mozambique. I’m hunting there in June with none other than Zambeze Delta safaris. You have 2 types of hunts; the traditional tracking hunts which I’ve done several of looking for old lone Dagga Boys, or the Swamp Hunts where you’re often hunting large herds. My Mozambique hunt will be the later, since I want to experience both. After that, I’ll likely consider something in Uganda or possible Western Africa for one of the other subspecies.

I have to wonder what the average age and oldest age is of bulls from Zambezi delta? There should be a lot of old bulls there, but they don’t appear to get the old face and worn down horns like other areas.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Best and oldest Buffalo I am currently seeing consistenly, is coming from Mashambanzou Safaris in Moz.

 

[DieJager]

Look if you can find the DVD from Rainer Josch, hunting the mountain buffalo. He stills does this hunt in Tanzania albeit in a slightly different area. It is a gem.

 

[Green Chile]

I have to wonder what the average age and oldest age is of bulls from Zambezi delta? There should be a lot of old bulls there, but they don’t appear to get the old face and worn down horns like other areas.

How much of that could be related to swamp vegetation (reeds) versus trees, thorns, etc in other locations?

 

[spike.t]

If you want a scrumcap bull I would say it's going to be luck of the draw.....and happening to come across one ...my son shot one a few years back in northern moz.....but they aren't something you are going to find in specific hunting areas or countries...could be anywhere that has good numbers of buff ....

 

[dchum]

I have been told that the Niassa reserve and many of its blocks are littered with old smooth buffalo. I’ve seen quite a few scrump caps come out of the Niassa on social media.

Never been there, but I bet it’s worth a look.

Paul stones has a good block and takes pride in killing the oldest buff he can. Reach out to him for sure.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I have to wonder what the average age and oldest age is of bulls from Zambezi delta? There should be a lot of old bulls there, but they don’t appear to get the old face and worn down horns like other areas.

I’m honestly not sure. It seems like a lot of the hunters target the widest buff they can find there vs the oldest. Multiple hunters I’ve talked to mentioned shooting a wide one would take some time and work, and recommended a scoped 375. My intention is to use my double, and width doesn’t matter. Obviously older is better, but just because a bull is broken or a scrumcap doesn’t mean he’s the oldest bull there. If a scrumcap is spotted it might be tempting to ask for my scoped 375 though.

Like @Green Chile said, I also wonder if some of it has to do with the vegetation and habitat. I know that’s a big reason the area produces some great warthogs. There are very few rocks/stones for them to break or wear their tusks down on. I also wonder if their bodies look to be in a little better condition because they don’t contend with the droughts and water scarcity like in other areas.

Honestly great question, remind me to ask in June and report back to you.

 

[Major Bonkers]

Africa's Most Dangerous, Kevin Robertson - this book appeared to be out-of-print the last time I looked, but it really is the bible of buffalo hunting, written by someone who knows his stuff. Well worth hunting down a copy.

Buffalo!, Craig Boddington - Oh dear, Oh dear. Why do Americans buy this rubbish and encourage the man? He can't write for toffee, and he has padded his nonsense book out with filler. Worse, he has written a sequel!

 

[Bandera]

Sometimes you do not get to choose the Buffalo, the Buffalo chooses you.

 

[doctari505]

Unfortunately, my Africa's Most Dangerous is out of print, but copies can be found on ebay



I am working on a revised edition but it will be some time before it is published.

 

[Major Bonkers]

This chap - https://www.anglebooks.com/ - may have a copy. A very good bookseller of scarce and secondhand safari and countryside books, based in Wales but posts worldwide.

By the way, Mr. Red Stag, be aware of the costs of going after a buffalo. My one cost me the equivalent of the price of a car *.

* for the wife, not for me.

 

[wvfred]

For an old scrum cap bull I think Uganda is the place to go. Look at safari classics videos on youtube and there are some hunts in that area on there.

 

[Keelebilly]

Tim Herald has some hunts on YouTube where they found scrum caps in Uganda. I think there that it’s more of a numbers game. Lots of buffalo, big herds, and open terrain where you can see lots of bulls. Look at enough and you’re more likely to find one