Tag Archives: buffalo

“TOP END” Buffalo II

by Dennis Kamstra

The first day of the hunt was an exciting one. We spotted several buffalo as well as a few scrub bulls and wild donkeys. We passed on all the buffalo because both Barry and Kim had seen larger bulls during their pre-scouting trips.  This initial trip into hunting country gave us a feel for what was to come – Rough four wheeling for two hours or so, following by 5 to 6 hours of walking and spotting. We generally walked 10 to 14 miles per day.

On the second day of the hunt we had a little excitement. After fording the Milton River we came upon a small group of wild hogs. They were all walking in single file, into the wind, and oblivious to our presence. Bill and I were able to run right up to the last hog in the line when she whirled and gave a grunt that stopped the whole procession. We launched our first volley of arrows hitting two of them. Bill’s arrow completely penetrated one boar and hit a small piglet running with the group. This piglet took great exception to an arrow in its side and began to squeal with a volume the likes of which were disproportionate to its size. This squealing had a very unsettling affect on the rest of the group. Bottom line is that they started charging Bill and me. In unison, we both looked for a tree to climb and discovered that there were none! Barry and Kim were observing all this through binoculars at several hundred yards distant. Although I’ve certainly seen larger hogs in my day, I don’t remember any being more determined. We were both equipped with very heavy arrows made for the buffalo hunt and they became very useful at this point. Bill turned one boar with a well placed shot which left the sow that was coming directly at me. My choice was to run or shoot and I decided on the latter. Thank God I actually hit her where I was aiming. The 860-grain “Grizzlystik” tipped with a 190 grain Grizzly head entered the hog right between the eyes and exited behind her ear. With their numbers greatly reduced that rest of the group decided to run off which pleased us greatly.

This whole fiasco made for a real confidence booster regarding our equipment. Bill was shooting an 80-pound Black Widow and I was carrying my trusty old 80-pound Stotler longbow. Both of us carried arrows made for this trip by Bob Burton of Whispering Wind arrows. Bob had made some Purple Heart shafts for Bill’s previous trip for Cape Buffalo in Africa. Since they worked well on that trip (nice buff and giraffe), Bill ordered more for this hunt. Bob could not find additional purple heart shafts for me so he came up with an option of resin impregnated Poplar shafts that produced a finished arrow weight of 1140 grains. In addition to these arrows, I was field testing some new heavy carbon shafts called the Grizzlystick from Alaska Bowhunting Supply. I really liked the advantage of the heavier wood arrows, but the Grizzlysticks are almost indestructible, which means a lot on a trip where you can’t run downtown to get more arrows. I’ve purposely hit a granite bolder with a Grizzlystick and had it recoil 20 yards in the opposite direction. In fact, I’ve broken three Judos on one of the arrows I’m still shooting. True to form, the one I shot through the hog’s head is still in my quiver. No matter what shaft I use, the business end always carries the 190-grain Grizzly broadhead when I hunting dangerous game. This one inch wide, three inch long head has served me well over the years.

While Barry and Bill continued to pursue one large bull they saw the second day of the hunt, Kim and I struck out for some new territory that was not previously hunted. The chance to hunt truly virgin territory really appealed to me. From the topo maps for the area, Kim found a long string of small ponds all connected and that eventually drained into the Milton River. From the map, it was apparent that we could walk over twenty miles from the first pond to the river. We drove (if you could call it that) as far as the terrain would allow and logged in the waypoint on our GPS’s. Then we struck out on foot towards the coordinates pulled from the map. Once we reached the water holes we started seeing buffalo in large numbers. One impressive bull was traveling with over 20 cows and calves, which made the ensuing stalk even more difficult. With so many eyes and noses covering his backside, this bull simply grazed with impunity. Finally the inevitable happened when we spooked an unseen cow and the whole herd bolted in a thunder of hooves and a billowing cloud of dust. Back to the string of water holes, we parted some of the dense vegetation to reveal a large group of buffaloes all circling a small pond. While I was busy looking for a trophy in the bunch, Kim stabbed me in the ribs and whispered that the herd bull was in the water ten yards below me. Sure enough the entire herd was watch His Nibs take a bath. All I could see was his nose and horns above the water. Slowly nocking an arrow, I figured all I had to do was wait for the King to walk out of his tub and I would smack him. After a mere 5 seconds, one of the cows grunted in alarm and this peaceful scene erupted into utter chaos. The bull dog-paddled to the opposite side and lunged onto the bank. Standing completely broadside he stared right at me with his nose held high and on full alert. I could see Kim’s 500 Jeffery come to bare and heard Kim whisper “take him”. The distance (around 30 yards) was a bit more than I had hoped for and the fact that he was on full alert, looking right through me made me uncomfortable with the shot. Years of disappoint has taught me never to take a shot that I was not completely comfortable with. Hence, I passed on the shot and was immediately second-guessing the wisdom of what I had just done. I could tell that Kim was disappointed as well.

We had been hunting hard for four days and this was the best opportunity to date. It was with a heavy heart that we finally returned to camp well after dark. Two gins and tonics helped a lot as Bill and I compared the day’s excitement. Bill and Barry had spotted the big bull they were looking for but it had given them the slip after a long hot pursuit. After one of Sonia’s great meals and several glasses of fine Australian Cabernet, I was prepared for a good nights rest and whatever tomorrow might bring.

On the fifth day of the hunt, Kim and I decided to retrace the route of the previous day and continue on into uncharted territory. We did stop on the way to make a stalk on a group of wild donkeys. This heard was more curious than spooked at our presence, which probably attests that we were the first humans they have ever seen. This was their undoing, because I smacked the biggest jack right through both lungs. We watched him fall within sight. The Grizzlystick had struck again. Once we got close for the photo session, I was surprised at the size of these donkeys. The one I shot was in very good flesh and not a tic on him. I was soon to discover that this was true for the water buffalo as well.

As we continued our hunt I knew the donkey had been a real confidence builder. I was now determined to find a good bull and put him down. I’ve found that this feeling happens to me a lot in the field. Sometimes it takes several days of hunting to get into sync with nature and the correct frame of mind for what had to be done. I was now hunting with more intensity. Kim was in the lead weaving his way through heavy palm fronds and low brush. I was scanning the country to my right when I turned to see Kim frozen at mid stride. He was looking right at me with his index finger pointed to our left. As he slowly brought the big Jeffery to his shoulder; my eyes shifted to the direction that the half-inch bore was pointed. There taking a nap in the mud was a fine water buffalo.

He was only 20 yards below me and looking at Kim which gave me an opportunity to nock one of my 1140-grain woodies. I remember thinking- “If he would only stand up”. As if on command the bull slowly came to his feet, still looking directly at Kim. Then I was thinking- “ Just turn a little, so you will be quartering away”. Again, he obliged. It was like my friend Monty Browning likes to say- All the pegs were dropping in the right holes. The only thing left to fill the final hole was for the buff to move his front leg forward to expose a chance at the heart. I could tell he was about to bolt, but I forced myself to wait. Finally he turned his big head in the directly of his exit. In doing so, he made one step with his front leg- Time to drop the hammer! I was already aimed and at half draw when he moved that leg, so it only took an instant to come to full draw and release. As luck would have it, the arrow hit exactly where I was looking. I could hear the metallic click which is the tell tale sign of hitting bone.

When the bull exited the small mud hole he had only one inch of white crown dip visible below the fletching, which meant the arrow had penetrated 22 inches (it’s a good thing to know exactly how long your arrows’ crown dip extends and the distance from the nock to the end of your fletching). It was all over in a split second and now it was time to be silent and wait. I was determined to wait a full 30 minutes. At the end of 12 minutes we heard the bellowing of an animal in distress. After four long bellows, all was silent. I continued to wait out the full 30 minutes before taking up the blood trail. Kim was in the lead with the Jeffery extended. After walking exactly 63 paces, I saw Kim drop to one knee and on full alert. Through the thick brush I could see the head of a buffalo on the ground looking at his back trail. Kim motioned for me to move slowly to the left while he stayed in position for a shot if necessary. Kim wisely had me move to see if the buffalo would move his head to follow my motion, indicating he was still alive.

Thankfully, he stone dead! It’s hard to express my feeling at that moment. During the caping process we did a little autopsy and discovered that the arrow had completing blown through a rib (which was sizable) and pierced the top end of the heart.

MyWaterBuff

Somehow the trip back to the vehicle was not as grueling as I had imagined and back at camp, it was cigars around with scotch substituted for the gin and tonics. Cathy and I spent the next day fishing for Baramundi, which is a great sport fish similar to our bass. These fish get up to 30 pounds in these relatively small ponds. We were successful with the Baramundi and also saw fresh water crocodiles and five-foot sharks all in the same pools. We were 80 kilometers from the coast, so that is some indication how high the water gets during the wet season. That evening Bill and Barry were late of the cocktail hour so that was determined to be a good sign. When they finally arrived, Bill announced that he had finally hit the big bull they had been chasing all week. He felt the arrows’ entry angle was a bit back but a lethal hit. They tracked the bull for over six miles in four hours. Each time they jumped bull it would run again. Not wanting to loose the bull or make it suffer, Bill asked Barry to bring it down with a rifle. This was a very ethical gesture on his part because unlike Africa there is no wounding policy in Australia; you simply carry on with the hunt. Anyhow, Barry hit the bull four times with a 404 and it still refused to stop. When it was too dark to continue the track, they had returned to camp. The next morning the whole camp went out to help pick up the spore. It was hard tracking with very little blood. We were starting to get that sick feeling of loosing a fine trophy when Barry gave a shout. He had found the bull dead, approximately 2 miles from where they left the track the evening before. The Purple Heart shaft was still in him and it had penetrated deep. The arrows’ entry was right behind the shoulder, but our speculation was that bull was angled a little towards Bill when the arrow hit. Regardless, it was a happy ending and we were all grateful that we didn’t give up on this magnificent bull.

The whole experience was something I will never forget and will be forever grateful to Barry, Kim and Sonia for showing us the wonders of Australia’s Top End. Now if I can just sleep for the rest of this flight it might make it more tolerable.

Bulls and Arrows

by Dennis Kamstra

Some 45 years ago I took up the sport of archery, and I’ve been bitten by the bug ever since. Early on, I dreamt of taking dangerous game with a bow and devoured the writings of famous successful archers like Art Young, Saxton Pope, Howard Hill, Bob Swinehart, Fred Bear, Ben Person and Bill Negly. Their writings fanned the flames of my desire.

However, it takes money to realize such dreams, and it was only later in life that I was able to salt away enough to scratch the itch that had plagued me for years. In a way, I am glad that I was forced to bide my time since, aside from money, one must also have both the right mental attitude and the skills to tackle life-threatening game with a bow. Now, with some fantastic experiences and hard-earned lessons behind me, as payback to the sport that has meant so much to me, I’d like to pass them along. Hopefully they will stimulate other bow hunters to take up the challenge.

While I love to hunt large predators and have taken leopard, lion, jaguar, mountain lion and bears with my bow, I consider the bovine species to be the biggest challenge for bow hunters – not because they are more cunning or more dangerous, but because of their size and bone structure. I’ve never shot a big bore rifle in my life, so I can only relate what I have read and heard from rifle hunters on bullet velocity, mass and construction. (My setup is a longbow that only casts a 900-grain arrow at 185 feet per second.) You can well imagine the additional concerns when dealing with an arrow that reaches a mere 200 feet per second. With the advent of compound bows, bow hunters have been able to increase arrow speed and resulting kinetic energy. However, even these have their limitations, and the real “hot” bows available today have a hard time shooting a heavy arrow (over 700 grains) much more than 260 feet per second.

The biggest asset in bow hunting is being able to get close to the game. By close, I mean less than 15 meters. At this range, the hunter can effectively concentrate on exact placement of the arrow, and no range finder or sights are required. The hunter can think about hitting the heart instead of a lung hit. Even with as little as 20 inches of penetration, an arrow placed in the “arm pit” will do a lethal job.

My journey for big bovines started with a hunt for musk ox inside the Arctic Circle. Although not in the danger category of Cape buffalo, musk ox presents its own real challenges for the bow hunter – not the least of which is shooting a bow at 20 – 30 degrees below zero F wearing arctic clothing. (I found it necessary to strip down to shoot and re-dress before frostbite sets in.) This hunt brought home my first lesson on arrow mass. I packed aluminum arrows with coffee grounds in order to get the maximum weight in my arrows. The result was a complete pass through, even after a direct hit on a far side rib bone. At least I had proven to myself that an arrow, shot by ME, could actually take a large bovine. It’s funny how life’s experiences can lead to that all-important “confidence” for whatever comes next.

My “proving grounds” was water buffalo in Argentina. While larger than the Cape buff, its “attitude” is not as serious. Although I was able to achieve a one-shot kill, I learned some sobering facts. After the bull was down, I decided to try some penetration tests with different equipment. When I hit a rib bone head on with a heavy 875-grain arrow shot from an 80 lb. longbow, I was not able to get enough penetration to pass through the bone! This is when I decided that hitting the heart was the key to taking a large boned animal with a bow. This means getting very close, hopefully less than 10 meters, and requires waiting for the buff to extend its foreleg enough to open a path to the heart.

So, with that information firmly placed between my ears, I sought a knowledgeable PH able to help me realize my dream of taking Cape buffalo with my longbow. Opportunity came unexpectedly when I took my lion after only five days on a 14-day safari. I called around seeking a PH to take a bow hunter for leopard and buffalo and was lucky to be introduced to Sandy McDonald of McDonald Pro-Hunting. Sandy loved cat hunting as much as I did, and he had a reputation as a leopard hunter. While he worked on leopard baits, he assigned PH Ernest Dyason as my buffalo mentor. I struck up an early friendship with Ernest and his tracker, William, who sadly passed away last year. Ernest was keen on shooting a bow and quickly caught on to the sport by experimenting with my spare. Some of the most fun we had in the field was a two-day “mock hunt” chasing white rhinos (and occasionally visa-versa) with rubber blunts to give me practice in slipping up close on dangerous game while teaching me their reaction to an arrow hit.

It was decided that the best opportunity for buffalo would be on a sugar cane plantation just across the Crocodile River not far from the town of Hectorsprut, RSA. The buffalo there cross the river on a regular run into the sugar cane fields. We spent two days just getting close to buffalo to photograph them. This taught me how to stalk in close. I was comforted to note that these buffalo will not “charge on sight” but rather run away at the first indication of a human. At least, that was my experience when approaching a herd of buffalo. I was later to learn that single “dagga bulls” were a bit less predictable. But that’s another story.

Wouldn’t you know that the day I decided to take a bow instead of a camera, the buffalo were harder to find and much less cooperative. Murphy’s Law always seems to apply when hunting.

After three days of blowing stalks and spooking every buffalo we found, we were dejectedly walking back to the Land Rover when we heard the thundering of hooves once more. However, this time the buffalo were coming towards us instead of heading away from us. Before I had time to process this new information, a small group of buffalo suddenly appeared in a clearing right in from of us. Ernest grabbed my arm and pointed out the biggest bull. “Take him!” In the rush of adrenaline, I got off a quick shot.

Did I remember all the lessons I learned about getting less than 15 meters and aiming for the heart only? Of course not! I shot with reflex action only, and the results showed my error. The actual yardage was more like 30 meters, and my heavy arrow dropped low, hitting the bull high in the front leg. But the bull was losing lots of blood, and I hoped William could follow the spore.

When am I ever going to learn that these trackers can follow an ant in a dust storm? The amazing three-hour race was on. Watching William sticking his hand into every pile of buffalo dung he found, assuring himself he was on the correct track, was something to see. We caught up to the herd and watched as they turned on the wounded bull, starting a huge fight with him in order to protect the herd from a potential predator attracted by blood.

To make a long story short, good professional maneuvering by Ernest and William placed me into position for a second shot. I had my act together now and placed the arrow where I should have the first time. After an obligatory waiting period (exactly 45 minutes), we did the logical thing: We sent William in to sort out the situation. I’m here to tell you that they don’t pay these guys enough money to do what they do. William found the bull lying down in the bush, facing his back trail. We couldn’t determine if he was dead or alive, and Ernest made the hard – and correct – decision to put a lead pellet up his nose. He didn’t twitch, so we assumed he was already dead. However, there is a lesson here for all bow hunters who go in the field for dangerous game: The PH’s decision is final and do not disagree with them – if not for your own safety, then for the other lives that might be endangered by a wounded and lost buffalo.

I recently hunted water buffalo again, this time in Australia’s Northern Territory and place this experience right up there with Cape buffalo; they are every bit as cantankerous and 25% bigger. This time, I finally stuck with my game plan, passing up several shots in order to get in less than 15 meters, waiting until the front leg was extended, and placing a 1050-grain wooden arrow directly in the buff’s heart. The results were as expected: The bull went down for the count within two minutes and only 60 meters away. There was nothing more pleasing to my ear than hearing the “death bawl” of that buff, knowing that it had finally all come together.

buff45
Both hunts were wonderful experiences that I wouldn’t trade for the world.

Dennis Kamstra
safariden@aol.com

Buffalo of the Far North

by Jorge Amador

Thank you to Andy Ivy because this post, nice pictures and incredible adventures from one very nice guy. We have ready another post from him about one bull at very close range !!!. Will be online tomorrow.

The Aventurous Bowhunter team

“Buffalo of the Far North”

Water Buffalo are the pinacle dangerous big game animal on the Australian continent, and walk and stalk with the bow they prove to be a worthy advisory, and an adventurous bowhunt for any hunter.

Typical stare down

The Buffalo where introduced in the late 19th century by settlers on the north coast of Australia as a source of meat, but when the settlement’s where abandoned around 1949, the buffalo spread and established through the northern floodplains.

Swamp country …. Leaches, Mosquitoes, Boars and Buffalo

Secret Paradise Falls

The Water Buffalo tips the scale shoulder to shoulder with its African counterpart the Cape Buffalo, but with no natural predators on the continent they are not quite as weary as the old dugga boys, they are however quite cunning and dangerous. The thick hide and heavy flat ribs protecting the engine room, and the unforgiving wild area they inhabit make it a very challenging big game bowhunt.

Mega Buff!  My biggest Bull to date, Shot front on using a VPA 300gr 3 blade

From the oasis waterholes and endless rivers teaming with crocodile and barrumundi, to the great floodplains dotted with herds of buffalo, the area is wild and diverse, and at times conjures up a feeling of the wild Africa of old.

Hotspring fall

I had the privilege to have hunted and guided Buffalo in several area’s of Australia’s Northern Territory and Arnhem Land over the last several years and have come toe to toe with my share of great bulls over the years

Nigel with his big bull

Old Floodplain Bull

Kuiu Bull

The Bull that charged

Don Goldston buff hunt, Tanzania II

by Jorge Amador

July 3: Up at 5:30 AM and out into the mists. North along ridge to the old mountain top camp, the West along that major spine, where we saw the most beautiful eland bull I’ve ever seen. Young, fat and prime – he looked like prime rib on the hoof. Saw a herd in the far distance that was too far off for practical pursuit, and Rainer figured the wind was bad where they were. Down to the German springs and back to camp via Bitch Hill. (I came to hate that hill. I think I climbed it 9 times. It did get a bit easier as we eventually wore a trail into the grass. It’s a 30 degree slope that drops ~500 ft to the West of camp.) German springs is at 5200 ft, so the day had some significant elevation changes. 10.9 miles today, about 2/3 on trail. Approximately 5400 ft total elevation change.

Lorinyo in the leaf camo I gave him. Had to search hard to find one is Extra Small!

4 July: Independence day! Started off the ridge N of camp. Struck a fresh herd track crossing the ridge and followed up in the mist. After about 45 minutes could see them below us to the East. Crept down to them and got in close contact (50-90 yards) and stayed in contact for another 45 minutes until they got our scent in a flaw in the wind. As usual one old bitch cow got the scent snorted, threw her head and ran. Herds are tough for bow hunters. The old bitch actually ran around the head of the korongo and came crashing up to within about 6-7 yards of me. She stuck her nose and eyes out of the thick bush, snorted again and buggered off. Lorinyo was just behind me and Rainer was furthest off. He could hear her, but never saw her. Lorinyo did a great imitation of her wrinkling her lip at our stink and running off. Mists cleared about 11:00 AM. Had lunch and a nap and followed up again over the next ridge into the korongo. They’d kept going. Climbed back to the main ridge, but never caught sight of them again. The bush is so thick that even after we find a herd we glimpse just 1 or 2 animals at a time. I fear we’re in for a hard time. It’s almost impossible to spot a herd, and we’ve yet to actually see a single dugga boy. Only 5.5 miles today and 3500 ft elevation change.

Our hero during the lunch break

July 5: Back down Bitch Hill to German Springs, then up the southernmost finger ridge. Seeing the most sign ever, of herds and dugga boys. About halfway up the ridge Lorinyo came rolling back down to our feet, with Rainer’s double tumbling beside him. He’d climbed over a nose in the ridge right into two bedded dugga boys. I kidded him that he usually moved like a cat, but this time had looked like a log. Dugga boys long gone, and nobody but Lorinyo ever saw them, even though we were all within 15 yards. The bush is thick! Went another few hundred yards and a single bull got our scent above us and left the country. Nobody saw this bull at all, even though he was within 25 yards. I’m beginning to sense a pattern here.

Could hear a herd and vectored over to them. Got to where we could see a few head, then they got our scent in a swirl. The wind is very tricky in these steep valleys. Lorinyo had heard a lone bull take off “across the korongo and past the elephants.” I suggested following him up, but Lorinyo was so afraid of tembo we could make no progress, we were literally creeping along at a snail’s pace. Apparently these elephants are here to escape from poachers and are very bad tempered. Finest example of passive-aggressive behaviour I’ve ever seen. Gave up and headed home, arriving after dark, as usual. About 6.3 miles and 4000 ft elevation change for the day, ending by climbing Bitch Hill yet again.

July 6: Started out down Bitch Hill to Beacon Hill (the separated ridge to the SW of camp.) We watched some eland, including a nice bull for a while. Then we saw a lone buff on a ridge about 1.5 miles further West. We got all hot and wet, planning our route to avoid three giraffes, then a calf stepped out! A weird time of year for new calves, but we saw several. Returned to camp for lunch – up Bitch Hill!

After lunch began the trek up the hill at a normal pace, then got word of a herd and moved out. Total time from south camp to the top camp was 1 hour 10 minutes, which is going some. As we’re scoping the herd from the ridgetop a swirling wind sets off a stampede. Watched the herd for a couple of hours and they never got to a position where we could approach with the wind. Decided to leave them and try again in the AM.

9.1 miles and about 3600 ft elevation change today, about 1/2 on trails.

July 7: Up at 0500 and trekked to the top to await the lifting of the mist. We’d hurried up the hill, so I was wet with sweat and as soon as we stopped it got cold. The wind was whipping and the mist was almost rain. I put on my fleece, cap and rain poncho, got into the hollow of a tree and shivered my ass off until Noon. When the mist lifted we went a little further up the hill then cut West and down the hill towards the sound. We finally caught up and saw them, across the bottom of the korongo then and we planned an approach.

One cull bull with a bit of white on his face and a hard boss was lying exposed from our side of the korongo. There was no shot on any other animal, much less a bull, so he was the target. It was down a REALLY steep slope on our side and about 30 degrees on his side. It took us about 45 minutes to get to within 150 yards, then 45 more skidding downhill on our ass an inch at a time to get within 40 yards. We were 7 days into a ten day hunt and this was the only shot opportunity so far. With 2 bulls on license we could possibly improve later. When Rainer said “Shoot” I did not hesitate.

The bull was lying down chewing his cud with his ass to us and his head away. I took a high lung shot aiming through his body to the far shoulder. The arrow struck about a hand’s breadth behind where I was aiming, but the result could not have been better. The arrow entered between the last two ribs, tracked through almost a foot of the near high lung lobe, then crossed under the spine and transected the front lobe of the right lung, exiting just behind the front shoulder.

The bull lunged to his feet and crashed through a large bush and vanished from sight. Rainer is immediately worried I hit too far back, and I get infected. Then Lorinyo says something to Rainer and we all listen. After about 30 seconds we hear the death bellow. (Lorinyo had heard him crash.) Rainer and I were immediately on cloud 9!

All the planning, effort and expense had paid off. Rainer Josch of Wild Africa and me

July 7, cont. 2:30 PM: The broadhead is a custom design I had made at Vantage Point Archery. The entire head assembly weighs 400 grains on a 750 grain arrow with about 27% FOC. The shaft is a GoldTip Kinetic Pro with a 2.5″ footer of 2014 aluminum shaft. Fletching is 2.25″ shield cut Gateway feathers. This arrow penetrated almost 36″ of buffalo, then about 9″ of dirt. The head ripped out of the soft earth with the shaft intact, then broke when the bull crashed through a big bush. Both halves were recovered. The head is pristine, and could be used again. I hope to use it on my grizz hunt later this year.

The bow is a Bowtech 101st Airborne 73#@29″ putting about 86 ft-lb KE onto the 750 grain arrow at 227 fps. I had a seven pin sight, with pins at 10/20/30/35/40/45/50 yards. Needless to say, I had practiced

July 8: Day off for me while the crew recovers the meat we hung in the trees yesterday. Took a short 3 mile walk looking for my lost binos. No luck.

July 9: Started out down Bitch Hill and around via German Springs and up to the main ridge from the West side. Molel calls on the radio with a herd in sight. After a bit of confusion about which ridge they’re on we start down that spine. We’ve got tembo in the mist down in front of us in some very thick bush, so we are being very careful.

After 45 minutes or so we are down to the herd. Bush was so thick we could not see any of a herd we later estimated at 20 head at a range of 20 yards or less. The elephants are 45 yards away to our right. After some skulking Lamaiba, Lorinyo and Rainer are all seeing buff and they’ve positioned me where there’s a 15 yard long shooting lane (maybe a yard wide, at most.) Rainer says to get ready for an old bull to walk across. After a minute I can see a wild-eyed cow at the end of the lane. Rainer is only 2 yards from me and he’s seeing a young bull. I hold off and Rainer moves a step nearer to me while I’m whispering “cow” and he’s saying “young bull.” Even now I’m still convinced we were seeing two different animals in a classic dense bush situation. Then a cow – I think the same cow – charges up the shooting lane at us. I go to full draw and face her. She stops at about 8 yards and turns away, almost falling down in her sudden turn. She then disappears into the very thick bush.

As I look to Rainer with my eyebrows up, she comes back and charges to 5 yards. Again I go to full draw. Rainer says “cow – don’t shoot she’s got a calf!” and steps up beside me. He says something to this wild-eyed bitch of a cow who snorts a couple of times like she’s gonna charge, then she turns away. Rainer says he’s glad he didn’t have to shoot her, and that he had her dead to rights since she was below us on a steep hill. She was damn sure close enough to get my attention!

We tried to sort a bull out of the confusion, but failed. 8.4 miles and 4000 ft today.

July 10: Hike out to the main camp on the N side via Bitch Hill and German Springs. This was Rainer’s way to leave me with the full impression of the mountain – and it worked! 8.7 miles and 5800 ft of elevation change. Since 3200 ft of that was downhill to the main camp at 4000 ft, the day was not bad at all.

Don_G

Don Goldston buff hunt, Tanzania I

by Jorge Amador

Don Goldston gives us permits to publish in our blog his Tanzania buffalo hunt. A bit longer than typical posts, because is a diary, we think that we need to stay with the original idea and format from Don. Good reading !!

Thank you Don

The Adventurous Bowhunter team

28 June, 7:45 PM: Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport with all my luggage and bowcase – may miracles never cease! Met by Ernest Digitata Ngoli of Rainer’s Arusha office. Glad he was there, as the TZ government was busily changing all the rules daily. With a bit of grease and some fast talk he got me and my bow into the country.

Stayed overnight at the Mt Meru Hotel. Highly recommended.

29 June, 10:30 AM : Picked up by Ernest and transferred to the office, where we loaded the truck and took off for Mt Losimingoor. (I never saw this name spelled twice the same way, so you may see a lot of variants. Get over it – this is Africa!) Boscoe was the driver, an engaging young live wire like many young Tanzanians I was to meet in Rainer’s employ. He taught me some useful phrases, and assured me my Swahili would impress the trackers. He was right – I made ‘em giggle every day.

Rainer was stuck in Dar still trying to pry the hunting permits out of the gov’t that was busily changing the rules to extort the last farthing out of the hunting industry. I had come early to see the mountain and get acclimatized a bit, so Rainer was staying where he was needed most.

We were e few weeks past the rains and the plains were already dried up and over-grazed by the Masai cattle and goats. It was a circumcision year, so there were many black-robed young men like these along the roads. The white-faced were circumcised and would be deemed men in a month, and the black-faced young men were soon to be circumcised. They were all “away from home” until the process was complete.

A young Tanzanian PH named Kepha greeted me at the Mountain Camp at the South edge of the forest. He was to find out that his license (along with most others) had been retracted by the same gov’t ministry pending some mysterious review process.


The view from camp. Another volcanic mountain visible in the distance. I was to see Mt Meru twice from here, and Kilimanjaro very faintly once.

29 June, 3 PM: Kepha and the camp staff greet me. I ate a quick lunch, tested the bow, then went for a quick non-hunting walk up the mountain with Keffa (TZ PH) and Lorinyo and Lamaiba the principle trackers. It was a short walk, as Kepha had been completely taken aback by the fact that I was 60 years old. He walked like it was a funeral procession. We made about 1.5 miles round trip up to the nearest overlook/scoping point. It was probably only a 500 ft climb to that point. I got the mistaken impression that this was gonna be a cakewalk physically, since we stayed on the main ridge trail. The bush along the ridge was thick and the bermuda grass was between knee and waist high. It was easy to see why the buff like the mountain. The contrast with the sere plains was dramatic. Saw no buff in the distance. Lorinyo did not want to go higher for fear of bumping buffalo we could not shoot.

Pic from the overlook

29 June 7:30 AM: Awakened for a nice breakfast, practiced with my bow and sorted and arranged my gear in the morning. Mist broke up at about 9:30 AM. After lunch went for a stroll below the camp. 3.1 miles total and about 2000 ft total elevation change, in 500 ft sections. Saw 1 bushbuck(F), 9 eland (F), two groups of Mtn Reedbuck (1M/1F; 1M/4F), and two zebras. The Masai herdboys below camp came up to beg us to kill a zebra and give them the meat.

30 June 6:00 AM: Awoke before the camp to a very heavy mist/fog envelopment. This was to be typical of the weather here, although some days the it was more fog than mist and vice-versa. On misty days it was very wet and my gaiters would be flooded from the top in the waist-high sections of the bermuda grass.

This was the last of my pre-hunting days and Kepha and I climbed the ridge to the old mountain-top camp. This was a 6.7 mile round trip from the camp at 6100 ft to the mountain top at 7200 ft, the ups and downs along the ridge trail doubled the total elevation change from 2200 ft (+/-1100) to 4400 ft according to my Garmin. Still it was all on a main trail so the walking was relatively easy. Since we were often travelling at a stalking pace to sneak up on bushbuck and to avoid bumping buffalo it took three hours to get there, and three hours back. Again Kepha would not let me break a sweat. “I must deliver you back safely to your grandson.” We saw several bushbuck, but no buffalo. A lot of buffalo sign.

Rainer arrived in camp in time for a late supper, still no permit, but he had the permit number and a willing game scout, Molel. Molel turned out to be a hunter and a valuable addition to the team. Not a common occurrence in my experience.

1 July 0530: 5:30 AM is to be the usual awakening time, breakfast at 0600, depart at 0630-0700 depending on prep and planning time. Excellent breakfast of toast, omelet, fresh fruit, yogurt, coffee, tea and juice. I’d had opening day jitters all night like a 14 year old kid, and had gotten almost no sleep. We left camp out the west side down a 30 degree slope with no trail in knee-high grass hiding loose soft-ball sized rocks. (Hereafter known as Bitch Hill.) I knew I was in trouble before we hit the bottom of the slope. The day was all cross-country with about 3800 ft of total elevation change. Like an idiot I had refused to take walking sticks, since on the trails they’d just been a burden. They’d have been invaluable cross-country. To add to my stupidity I did not drink enough fluids even though I knew I needed to average at least a liter every two hours. We went down the hill and climbed a ridge to the west, bumping a lone bull that we never saw. From the tracks Lorinyo thought it was an old nemesis with a drooping horn that they’d hunted unsuccessfully with a rifle several times. The old bull circled downwind, got our scent and scarpered. He was within 20 yards of us but the bush was so thick we never got a glimpse.

The dream team: (L-R) Kepha, Lorinyo, Julius, Lamaiba, Molel

This was the only buffalo we saw or bumped that day. At about 2 PM that afternoon I told Rainer that I was all-in, and that we’d better head to camp unless he wanted to carry me. It took me until dark to struggle back to camp. The total day was again 6.7 miles, with only 3800 ft total elevation change, but the combination of no trail with bermuda grass from knee to waist high hiding rocks on 30 degree slopes totally kicked my ass. The return up Bitch Hill took me 30 minutes.

I’d basically stumbled and staggered all day, and recovering my balance thousands of times did me in. From then on I carried the walking sticks, and they were invaluable.

2 July 0530: I’m using CYTOMAX powder in my trail drink and RECOVERITE drink mix when I get back to camp. I think the stuff must work gang-busters, as I know from elk hunting experience that days like yesterday can hurt me for several days. I seem full recovered and ready to go. I slept like a log.

The plan for today is run the ridge back to the Northern slope. Molel wants me to kill a bushbuck for camp meat, so we are travelling a little slowly and very silently. There’s never any talking, just a quiet hack from Molel every once in a while. We saw several bushbuck, but never got a shot. After we crossed the divide the grass was a bit shorter and the bush not so thick. Mist lifted at 11:30 AM. No buff sign at the top water or the North water. A relatively easy day staying on the ridge trail for the most part. Today was 8.3 miles and 5200 ft elevation change. Saw a herd of bedded buff about 2 miles off on the way back to camp, but too far and too late to pursue.

Typical lunch break after the mist lifts: drying socks and moss-covered trees.

by Don_G

Second buff with bow hunter

by Dennis Kamstra

Just completed my second Cape Buffalo hunt of the season with a bow hunter. The previous client shot Howard Hill longbow (86 lb.) as was successful.

This second safari was with an American client whom I’ve known for years (as seasoned bow hunter). He had given up shooting with his recurve as his busy farming schedule prohibited him from the required practice. So, he brought a new Martin compound set at 70 lbs. At my advise he was using heavy arrows (650 grain Grizzly Stiks with a 320 grain broadhead by Alaska Bowhunting Supply) with a total weight of 970 grains.

We were in an area of heavy buffalo concentration (well over 400 animals) so we had time to pick and choose which bulls to go after. Because of some health issues, it was decided to hunt his buffalo from a hide, near a water source.

On the third day we identified a very old bull with a hard boss and a width approaching 40 inches. Once the bull was at a slight angling away position, I gave the client the “green light”. The shot placement was a bit further forward than we would have liked. The arrow got about 5 inches penetration and was immediately snapped off. We figured that it may have hit the top of one lung but no more. This could mean that the bull might even fully recover. It was certainly not a lethal shot and we needed to follow up quickly in hopes of getting another arrow into him. The bull was with 5 other bulls and they moved off only 200 meters before stopping to access their situation. We quickly worked our way into favorable wind and closed the gap.the thorn bush was quite heavy and it made for slow progress, but we were finally able to make out the body outline of a few buffalo.Naturally, none of these were the bull we were looking for.

After about 30 minutes of creeping along checking the other visible bulls, we saw the one we were looking for. He seems quite content among his buddies and was quite calm and not on full alert. The client got into position for another shot at approximately 30 meters. I could not see him getting any closer and he indicated that he was confident with the shot. As he dropped the string the bull quickly turned in the opposite direction, causing the arrow to enter far back in the rib cage but in front of the hind quarter. The arrow completely disappeared and we hoped against hope that it had continued its forward progress through the stomach and into the vitals. After about 30 minutes we decided to follow up since day light was slipping away from us and we were concerned about predators getting our trophy (if it died during the night).

With a great amount of luck, we walked right upon this bull lying on its side with his head on the ground. The whole team started congratulating the client with hugs and back slapping. Then the bull raised its head and looked right at us. I knew if he was still strong enough, he would get up and initiate a full charge. He did manage to stand but on weak legs. I made the decision to finish the game with my .416 (we were too close for safety should he charge through the brush). I offered my rifle to the client who dropped the bull like a stone! I’m quite sure the bull would have died if we had waiting another 15-20 minutes before doing the follow up, but hind sight is always 20/20 and safety is always my prime concern.

The client had no remorse what so ever and claimed a very fine trophy that taped at 38 inch spread.

Lesson learned is always try to get an absolute side on shot on big bodied, thick skinned animals. We were very concerned about the penetration on the first arrow, but amazed at the 30 plus inches of penetration on the second arrow. It had entered near the back rib and ended up lodged in the opposite shoulder after cutting through the stomach, liver, lung and top of the heart.

Dennis Kamstra
safariden@aol.com

Cape buff with longbow

by Dennis Kamstra

Just completed a safari with a longbow client from America.

This was his first trip to Africa and he wanted to take a Cape Buffalo. His equipment was equal to the task. He was shooting an 86 lb. Howard Hill Longbow with Hickory shafts and 320 grain Tuff-Head Broadheads (two blade, 3.2 inches long by 1.2 inches wide, single beveled, factory sharpened with Teflon coating). Total arrow weight was 950 grains (heavy arrows are mandatory for deep penetration).

This was a 10 day safari and we were in a good area with lots of old bulls (Dagga Boys). On the third day we made contact with 3 lone bulls and the stalk was on. When we closed to within 15 meters, one of the bulls presented a slight quartering away shot. The shot placement was very good (right on the shoulder crease and 1/3 up from the belly line). We waited an hour before following up and found the arrow about 40 meters out. He had achieved about 15 inches penetration and we saw large pools of blood. We were confident that the bull was down in the close vicinity. We followed a decreasing blood trail for the rest of the day without making contact. This was a very stressful day, expecting a full charge at any moment. At the end of the day I was physically and mentally drained.

We picked up the trail on the second day. Finally, the blood trail was non-existent and we were now following only spoor. We spent the entire second day without making contact.

On the third day, we decided to drive the area were we left the spoor in hopes of seeing this bull on his feet. Our spirits were low as we now knew that the hit was not as good as we had thought. By mid morning we made contact with 4 lone bulls, all slowly feeding into the slight breeze. We tried hard to find one with an arrow wound, but could not be certain. Then one of the bulls turned and we saw what I thought was dried blood on the shoulder. He had rolled in the dirt and the shoulder appeared to be caked with dried mud. At close inspection (30 meters) with binoculars we saw a swollen spot on the shoulder with a tell tale broadhead slit in the center. We were able to finish the job and the bull was finally down. On inspection of the carcass we discovered that the arrow had sliced behind the shoulder blade, breaking a rib and cutting the top end of one lung. The blood lose was heavy, inside of the body cavity, yet this bull was walking along as if he had never been touched. It always amazes me that these beasts can take so much punishment and can keep on ticking. In reviewing the hit after the fact, we concluded that the hit was too far forward. The arrow was well placed if the bull was standing directly broadside, but not at a quartering away angle. Another lesson well learned- Always aim for the opposite shoulder to achieve a double lung hit. Something we all know, but sometimes forgotten in the heat of the moment.

We continued the hunt and the bow hunter accounted for a 24 inch Impala, huge Bush Pig, and two Wart Hogs (one with 14 inch tusks!)

Dennis Kamstra
safariden@aol.com

African Cape Buffalo

by Dennis Kamstra

One of the most impressive animals in the world is the African Cape Buffalo.

For a bow hunter, it is truly an ultimate challenge. I talk to a lot of bow hunters who want to come to Africa specifically for this species only. My advice has always been to get a few safaris under your belt before tackling this animal. Stalking close to a Cape Buffalo can be a very daunting undertaking. Your nerves can get the best of you. So, I would rather do some plains game hunting in areas where buffalo can be seen. Spend some time stalking them with a camera. Take photos and back out without being detected.

This will help you gain the confidence required for when your big day comes.

Dennis Kamstra
safariden@aol.com