Which Buffalo Would You shoot?

[DieJager]

Neither of them looks too old to me, so if it came down to it the one on the left. But I would rather hold out for an older boy.

+1

 

[skydiver386]

....and then I found this.

Thread 'Judging Cape Buffalo' https://www.africahunting.com/threads/judging-cape-buffalo.378/

Before I go on any hunt, I like to read as much as possible about that particular species, as well as what is best for that animal from a long term conservation perspective. This thread changed my view entirely, and I want to say thank you to Jerome, the founder of this Forum for posting to this old thread. This is what makes this forum such a wonderful resource for all of us.

 

[Nyati]

If I have to choose, left one, looks older to me, and I like the drop.

 

[Muting the Goat]

I ran across this dude in Kenya - they still grow some nice ones.

View attachment 616041

What a stud!

 

[Muting the Goat]

On the first days of the safari? I’d probably try and see if we can do older.
On the last days of the safari? The left one does look older, but would need the PH to clear him. Alone I would not be sure enough he is old enough.

I think they're both young bulls.

 

[Muting the Goat]

Lots of good posts and clearly listen to your PH’s input. Ultimately it’s you the hunters decision on which one to shoot.
Also the gap between horns in not always and indicator of age or trophy quality.
Look at the 2 photos Frederick posted. Both are clearly of age and absolutely trophies!

Here is a bull I shot in Tanzania with Michel Mantheakis:
View attachment 616085

The age was estimated at 13 years and he still has a gap.

Agreed, gap isn't the whole equation. That is a great bull - congratulations!

 

[TOBY458]

On the first days of the safari? I’d probably try and see if we can do older.
On the last days of the safari? The left one does look older, but would need the PH to clear him. Alone I would not be sure enough he is old enough.

You must go on some really good safaris. LOL

 

[dogcat1]

Left one for sure....

 

[AES]

Both are younger than what I would prefer, but that was not the question, which was a binary one. I would clap the Left for sure.

 

[Hooknbullet2]

The one on the right.

 

[Houston Bill]

Both bulls are awesome specimens but I would shoot neither and hold out for a very old bull and hope that I would find an ancient scrum cap warrior. I suspect both of these bulls are still breading and I would like to shoot post breading bulls. When my son and I hunt buffalo this year in Zim our goal will be to find the oldest buffalos we can regardless of the inches they measure, in fact we hope we can find at least one scrum cap.

 

[Safari Dave]

The one on the left, but the one on the right would do in a pinch.

Both are magnificent specimens.

 

[Frederik]

Lets face the facts if everyone was lucky enough to shoot bulls 13years plus there would be a small amount of buffalo shot each year.

Now, this is the kicker buffalo hunting is addictive so I say this try and get the oldest everytime you go and if you do find one marginal and it looks good take it. (I'm not talking about young wide soft boss bulls but at least 7 years plus) It just gives you a reason for more buffalo hunting.

For me I'm still saving to be able to take a big duggaboy trophy in the meantime I will hunt cows or young management bulls and be among them. This year I was not lucky enough to be after them hunting but next year for sure.

 

[BeeMaa]

Neither. Both would be a pass for me.

 

[cpr0312]

100% on the left!

 

[Sideshow]

Two for one any one

 

[Sideshow]

Just a bit of context

 

[Iwannahunt]

I think both are a bit on the younger side as others have stated. That being said, contestant on the left in a New York second. I'd sooner shoot him then one that looked like he had 24 hours to live due to old age and a bad case of hungry lions disease.

 

[VertigoBE]

You must go on some really good safaris. LOL

Never long enough and often enough !

 

[TOBY458]

Neither. Both would be a pass for me.

Pfft. I’d hate to be either one of them and walk by you with that R8 set on go. Either would end with a big BANG. LOL!