cape buffalo

[cam69conv]

A friend of mine is going on an exotics hunt here in the states and has a choice between a Regular buffalo or an african Cape buffalo..Ive never Tasted Cape buffalo and would like to know if the taste is comparable to american buffalo..Thanks for any responses...Lynn...Oh I need this answer today because he is leaving at 3am tommorrow..Thanks again

[JJHACK]

I cannot imagine that he is able to pay the same amount for either one. I assume that when you say it's a "choice".

There are several factors involved. I have never had Cape Buffalo from America, and much of the taste depends on what they eat. Also when you say regular buffalo are you refering to Asian Water buffalo?  Maybe American Bison? Bison are not actually buffalo but many people call them buffalo.

Next is the sex and age. No big old trophy male is going to be excellent eating. It can be OK or it can be tough as rubber.  If he has the choice and is shooting for "meat" I would prefer a cow bison, or a bull bison under 2 or 3 years old.  I'm not sure from a trophy standpoint that I would ever care about shooting a Cape Buffalo in the USA. It's just not right to hunt cape buffalo outside of Africa. It would be like hunting an Alligator in Montana to me, just silly or a novelty IMO.  I would certainly not consider it a "trophy hunt", but for the meat value it would be fun I suppose.

Hope this helps.

[Graybeard]

I think it highly unlikely these folks actually have a Cape Buff for your friend to hunt. When this subject came up awhile back I made personal contact with a place who had in the past obtained some for hunting in the US. I was told they had none and had a long list of folks waiting to hunt them IF and when they ever got anymore.

I was told that the major source of them IF you can consider one every year or two a source was old bulls from zoos which were tame and hardly fair game. They also are usually sick or diseased I was told.

Now at that particular place in MO he said they will not take such animals and thus very seldom are able to obtain any for their clients to take.

Now water buff and bison are both readily available and getting more reasonable. While I've never eaten any those who have say bison is excellent table fare, even better than beef many say.

[tundragriz]

I am not sure exactly why but I think for some legal reasons it is not possible to hunt Capes in the US.  Seems like the reason was because they were considered dangerous game.  Water Buffalo is possible.  

I killed 3 water buffalo bulls in Australia and the aussies and aborigines consider them inedible.  The meat wasn't even taken so I didn't try it.  I think cape buffalo is excellent eating.

[AfricanHandgunner]

I agree with Graybeard about the bison meat.  I just killed a cow bison, and the meat is excellant.

[Lawdog]

The following is a list of animals offered for "hunting" here in the United States as listed on Mike Lapierre's Back Country Journal.  

Sitatunga $1,800 & up
Eland $1,800 & up
Gemsbok $1,800 & up
White Tailed Gnu $1,800 & up
Springbuck $2,400 & up
Scimitar Horned Oryx $1,800 & up
Grant's Gazelle $1,800 & up
Grant's Zebra $3,000 & up
Dama Gazelle $1,800 & up
Brindled Gnu $1,800 & up
Blesbok Antelope $1,800 & up
Biesa Oryx $1,800 & up
Addax Antelope $1,800 & up
Thompson Gazelle $1,800 & up
Impala $2,400 & up
Kudu $4,000 & up
Sable Antelope $4,000 & up
Cape Buffalo $5,000 & up
Waterbuck $1,800 & up

His web site address is http://www.backcountryjournal.com/har.htm.  I know nothing about the man or his hunts but there is legal Cape Buffalo hunting available here if you got the money.  High Adventure Ranch at http://www.highadventureranch.com/african.html also offers Cape Buffalo along with other African Big Game.  Just search the web and the hunts are there.  Lawdog
 

[Don Fischer]

Befor you lay out that kind of money you should look at savage shooters.com. hhmag is putting together an Aferican trip for $4000 that includes three animals, no cape bufflo tho. Just a thought!

[JJHACK]

for 2006 I will have a remote tented camp that will be really inexpensive. It will require you cook your own meals but I will provide maid service for doing dishes kitchen cleanup, house keeping, and laundry. It's dark at 6PM during the hunting season why not broil up some fresh impala for dinner and save a bundle on daily fees?

The camp is remote bush with no electricity. Propane sove lights and fridge. Solar powered hot water and oil lamps. This will be nearly like the old Teddy Roosevelt safari camps. We will be doing 150.00 per day daily fee unless the exchange rate goes up or down between now and then.

Think about having a group of buddies in an inexpensive camp like this!

[Ramrod]

JJHACK, what would be on the menu on days when no game is shot? It might be a problem flying with a more than a week supply of canned goods.
But this does sound interesting. Not so much for the $ savings, but for the "African Experience". And I love to cook. But then again, that full bar you mention on your website, would be missed. I bet it's even harder to fly with all that beer!

[JJHACK]

The menu consists of what ever you buy at the store on the way to camp. The reason the trip is cheap is that I don't supply the food or have a staff cook for the camp. Its not for everyone but certainly gives the average guy a chance to save some money and get to hunt Africa.

The camp is accessable by vehicle and there is a store in town to collect the food items you like. After that your on your own where food is concerned. We can take an afternoon to drive to town if you need something else. It will be an inexpensive bush camp that will remain in your memory for the rest of your life!

[Dusty Miller]

It sounds like a lot of fun to me.  Who supplies the cookware?  On the other hand, if you get a bunch of guys together who don't know squat about cooking it could be a real "gut wrenching" experience!

[JJHACK]

Not a problem I can supply a cook, it's just a means of saving money for those who can feed themselves

[armymp71]

Just a quick note that I have been to the High Adventure Ranch, this place was full of sick animals, and the ones that were not sick were walking around like it was some sort of petting zoo. I would not recommend this place, nor will I ever return.

Rick