Had heard there were Cape Buffalo in the US in private hands, but didn`t realise they were available for hunts... I have never hunted Cape Buffalo, however I have seen them in the wilds of South Africa and been on the Game captures, where these are resold to other reserves.
A truly magnificent animal and an exceptionally dangerous one too. I only know of one other animal that can compare - the Gaur Bull. Seeing the solitary Buffalo bulls pushing their way thru thorn bush, you really come to realise just how powerful these animals are. Their disposition is created out of their quest for females, fighting other males, fending predators and in the wild, they seem to be just born mean! I have met several people who have had run ins with these fearsome beasts. My neighbours life was saved whilst he was on a Buffalo hunt in Kenya in the 70s' by a quick thinking guide. I met a Zulu Wildlife Officer who had been gored by a Buffalo cow in Natal Province and lived to tell the tale.
What I am leading at here is - this is what makes a trophy Cape Buffalo prized, it is like no other trophy animal. It isn`t just the mount at the end of the hunt, it is the story behind the hunt and the animal who earnt his scars and disposition! No one I know with trophy Cape Buffalo mounts will give you a quick 2 minute talk on the shot they made. They will have you engulfed in a story of the days leading up to the hunt, the tracking of several animals to locate that one you desire, the sights and smells, the hair standing up on their neck and of course, the setting up of the shot to take that trophy... I have heard the stories so many times and never tire of them.
I hear of trophy costs of $5000-$8000 US to hunt a Cape buffalo in the US. At those prices, why not get the "full trophy" - the experience, the story that goes with that trophy you shot. Go to South Africa or Botswana. Shop around and you will be surprised that not all hunts are beyond reach for the every day guy... Some outfitters love the wealthy foreigner and many cater hunts to this high price bracket. However there are the genuine small operators too, who are not there to scalp you. Go out of season. The exchange rate is way in your favour, so you are in front already! Like I said - the Cape buffalo trophy is like no other, it is way more than the mount. Just my thoughts....
ps: to add a few words to some questions.
In reference to Wild Cape Buffalo - Yes they are hard to keep penned up and will kill themselves trying to get out or to get at you. Working these animals in confined areas is a real art. One fraught with danger and risks to the animals if not done with experience.
It is virtually impossible to import any Buffalo from Africa to any country in the world. Disease is the reason [TB, Brucellosis etc]. Buffalo are big carriers of many of the worlds worst bovine diseases. Some of which we introduced when colonizing the continent. However within South Africa there are 2 distinct classifications of buffalo. Those from the disease areas and those from the disease free, which are know as the "clean" herds. Clean animals still cannot be imported, however they can be moved within Africa much more freely than non certified clean Buffalo. Ranchers and Reseves re-introducing Buffalo to a clean area, will buy disease free Buffalo. Which can sell for up to $30 000 US a piece, as against $2000-$5000 for animals from a non certified herd. These have strict restrictions to their movement.... Buffalo are a big investment in South Africa and I have heard of enquiry made to reintroduce Buffalo being bred in Countries outside of Africa, as they have clean status...
Cape Buffalo or just Buffalo as the locals call them are "A" No1 in my book. The "ultimate" animal. Having seen them in their natural habitat, up close and had a very little experience with them. Given the chance I would clean out all my cattle and fill the ranch with them. Hunt one, Not for me, I have been been hooked on Buffalo in a different way. Sit on the porch, watching a herd move to a water hole, or a pair of bulls fighting over cows. This is for me. With a nice cold beer of course
BKS sorry to hear you cannot travel to Sth Africa. If you can travel to Down Under, we have some real mean Asiatic Buffalo in our countrys' north, with numerous wild boar to fill in the time. I know a local guy who may have recently shot the world record Asiatic Buffalo... I will have to check on that, do know the photo was extremely impressive!
