cape buffalo or tuskless elephant

I know, everyone has an opinion, BUT, basically I am booked in May this year for a cape buffalo hunt. I chose that because it was either that or tuskless elephant. Now the problem is, I have always wanted to hunt elephant, however, my question was, to myself, what will I really have as far as a trophy with a tuskless elephant. So, I chose the cape buffalo, for the reason that I would have a great mount, plus I have wanted to do cape buffalo at some point, but it really isn't at the top of my list for animals to hunt. Don't get me wrong, I definitely want to hunt buffalo, but again, I would rather do leopard - but I can't afford it, or lion and obviously if I can't afford leopard I can't afford lion. I guess what I was hoping to see was, if given the choice between tuskless elephant and cape buffalo, for virtually the same price, which would you pic and why? Again as mentioned, I was simply hoping to gain some insight into my decision and someone may be able to point out a factor that I am not considering. So what are your thoughts?

boy I wish I could help. Im booked to go leopard hunting in Zimbabwe in may so maybe we will cross paths somewhere. I fly out may 7 and return may 20. I know buffalo are fun to get up on but then again elephant are to. I would have to side with you on the buffalo. You get to actually bring a trophy home. If I could suggest something I would get your buffalo euro mounted not on a plaque. Those things are awfully awesome looking just sitting on a dining room table. Its got to be the coolest mount I've seen I want one bad but I keep planning on safaris for animals that are being banned before I can't hunt them anymore. This may Im doing leopard with dogs as its the last year I can hunt leopard with dogs. In September Im going to do the great Okavango Delta elephant hunt as the season closes permanently the day I leave and elephant hunting like that will never happen again. So That means I will go yet another year without taking my buffalo. I promise that at some point I will get my buffalo but as for now I will just keep waiting. I hunted them last year and the adrenaline rush from getting in close was unbelievable. so for that reason I say buffalo.

Both are great hunts, so there is no wrong answer. I've done three ele bulls and three buffalo bulls. One factor you may not have considered, is the availability of other game. Ele are often pretty much a one species hunt, and many areas with good ele have rather poor plains game availability. Not universal, but something to consider. On my first ele hunt, I never saw another game animal the entire hunt. Not an impala, warthog - anything. We saw a number of ele before I connected, but this was a PAC bull in a tribal area, and the small game had been thoroughly hunted out. Never even saw a track of another animal.

Good buffalo areas almost always have decent plains game in the area. You will run into lots of other game on this type of hunt, and depending on quota, etc, you may be able to tack on some other species at low cost. At least you have other animals to watch to keep your interest.

My personal preference is a buffalo hunt. I love being in among the herd, and knowing the buff can be dangerous if I get careless. There is something magical about the ele hunts, but a one animal safari is best left until you have made several other hunts. Just my opinion.
Bill

Thanks for the replies guys. That kind of reasoning was exactly what I was hoping to get. To address a couple of things, as mentioned in my original post, I DO WANT to hunt cape buffalo, but it isn't really at the top. As you mentioned there are other animals I would rather hunt before the cape, and I never thought of it in terms of the burgeoning illegalizing of many species in many areas - and that is definitely something to consider if you love to hunt African game. However a major part of my problem is funding. I am going with Chifuti Safaris and I believe we will be hunting the Zambezi Valley. But more on the funding, I actually wouldn't be able to go on this hunt, but a couple of friends are helping me financially. This is for a couple of reasons, they want me to join them, and they know that financially I am struggling - not paying the house payment struggling, but paying for a $16,000 hunt struggling. Anyway, they would help me with any hunt I wanted, but they are only helping to the tune of $10,000 and that is GREAT, however I have to come up with the remainder, and as it is an easy understanding, coming up with the balance of $6,000 is much easier than coming up with a balance of $15,000 plus. So I know I am blessed with friends like this as well as this opportunity, but I am torn as to exactly which to do - that is why I asked you experienced guys. Both the tuskless and the cape hunt are almost identical in price, and because the elephant isn't a PAC hunt, I can bring home skin panels, ears, and any other part that I want, however, and I appreciate the thoughts on how to preserve my trophy, but as a taxidermist, I have had experience with an abundance of plains game - I have also been on five safaris in South Africa - I was planning to mount the Cape myself. But again I will have a mount that I can appreciate for years to come versus a pair of elephant skin boots, or a belt, or etc. Anyway, again, I am very grateful to have this opportunity, but I was simply asking for guidance for those who have done both, which you guys have provided and I believe I am erring on the side of the cape. But if anyone else have thoughts I am very open to ideas and thoughts. Thanks again to you guys and I hope you have a great leopard and elie safari, especially so, since you said that it will be the last time you hunt in this manner in the areas that you will be hunting.

I went with Chifuti a couple years ago, but for both buff and tuskless together. The price was almost the same for each trophy fee. Tuskless hunting is the most adrenalin filled hunt I have ever been on in my life! Every day we were within 20 yards of numerous herds and it was absolutely scary that an elephant can disappear at that distance. If money was no object, I would do that hunt every year for the rest of my life!

I did enjoy buffalo hunting, and shot a very nice bull on day 4. Whether hunting herds or dugga boys, you will see a lot of buffalo. After seeing 210 elephants in 14 days, I was hooked on the big gray ones tho. I think a person should always shoot at least one buff per trip (my partner shot 3), but I could pass if I had to.

Also shot an impala and a very nice Chobe bushbuck, so there is PG available in the Valley. Saw some exceptional waterbuck, kudu, and warthog also.

Your going to an excellent area with an awesome outfitter. You can have a great chance at an awesome buffalo and PG will be everywhere to enjoy as well. It makes for an awesome hunt. I would definitely say to take the buffalo hunt. I can hook you up with a dozen elephants in one 10 day hunt for $5,000. Look to Rob Timcke with Leopard plains in Botswana. If you go in November when the elephants invade him by the droves you can hunt pac animals for 10 days. He is absolutely over run with them and they are cheap. You pay a flat rate and shoot many pac animals during your stay. You can relive the elephant hunt time and time again. Those pac hunts are always cheap and not to hard to find. Both tuskless and pac hunts will result in very little displayable trophies. On the pac hunts they can easily cut off the tail and have it tanned and sent to you no problem. So in short what I am saying is to do the buffalo hunt. You will never find a cheap buff hunt and those pac hunts are always available. Now that I've had time to think about your situation and realize your budget I think its an absolute no brainer. BUFF all the way bud!

Tough choice. Please send e-mail of friends willing to subsidze your hunt expenses. LOL.

Just kidding, what ever you choose have a great hunt.

from the "Heartland of Wyoming"