Mark Hampton's Dwarf Forest Buffalo

[darrellh]

Our friend Mark Hampton has just returned from another successful hunting adventure where he took this dwarf forest buffalo. I'll let Mark chime in with some details. Congrats Mark, looks like another great adventure!

[Ken O'Neill]

Cameroon?. CAR Mark? Certainly not many, if any, other Dwarf Forest Buffalo taken with a handgun.. Congratulations!
Darrell, that's an awful nice Australian buff in your avatar, too.

[markhampton]

Thanks for posting Darrell!  Just returned from Cameroon where we were hunting with the pygmies 40 miles from Congo.  I have been fortunate to take five different species of African buffalo with a handgun -- Cape (Zimbabwe) West African Savannah (Benin) Central African Savannah (Central African Republic) Nile (Uganda) and now this dwarf forest buffalo from Cameroon.  Took this bull with an Encore in 375 JDJ using Cor-Bon 270 gr. DPX ammo.  Hunting with the pygmies in the rainforest (jungle) is quite an experience in this remote, special place.

Ken, Leon Munyan has taken the only other one that I'm aware of.  

[sheriff]

Great trophy, Mark! Congratulations!

[jfs]

Another notch in your gun Mark.....Sincere congratulations

[sixshot]

Mark Hampton never ceases to amaze me, either with a single shot or revolver. He's truly hunted all over the world in some really remote places & taken so many different animals yet does it in a very humble manner, much like friend Ken O'Neill. Many of these hunts are extremely rugged, many times in steep mountains or rain forests, he does it the right way, his way. I like that! Great trophy Mark, congratulations! Another interesting fact is, his wife goes with him on many of these out of the way hunts!

Dick

[darrellh]

Hey Mark, who is the handsome guy in the photo?

[markhampton]

Thanks Darrell!  And thanks for the kind words gents.  Standing next to these guys I feel like a professional basketball player

[COR]

Well put Dick. Great trophy and quite honestly one that I had to look up so I also thank you for educating me. What an amazing feat with a handgun.

Thanks for sharing the adventure I'd love some more details regarding the people and hunting style.

[markhampton]

COR, There are basically three methods commonly used hunting dwarf buffalo in the rainforest -- dogs, sitting in a high seat, and tracking.  Personally, I found the tracking with the pygmies to be the most challenging -- and most rewarding.  These guys are following tracks that you and I can't see most of the time.  It was a real treat just watching them.  The heat/humidity is a factor on top of the dense, jungle-like rainforest.  Honestly, I didn't think we would pull this off -- and I told my wife several times we were just going thru the motions.  But, somehow it came together and I'm most thankful for the experience.  

Someday I'll tell you about the silverback gorillas...........................now that will raise the hair on your back!

[whitworth]

Nicely done, Mark! Congratulations!

[coldtriggerfinger]

Yes, congratulations!! Very nice. Are the dwarf buffalo notably aggressive?

[markhampton]

coldtriggerfinger, I have been told by more than one PH who hunts dwarf forest buffalo -- these guys are nothing to mess with.  Especially if they are hunted with dogs.  One PH I spoke with was lucky to survive a charge when he was following up a wounded buff.  They have a temperament of an ex-mother-in-law.  And the thick, jungle-like growth in the rainforest lends itself to close range encounters.  Most shots are measured in feet -- not yards.  

[coldtriggerfinger]

Makes your hunting with a single shot all the more impressive!

[KRal]

Well done, Mark! A great addition to the trophy room.