There is a slight chance that I will be going back to Africa soon for my 3rd trip over there.  One species that has always intrigued me is the bush buck.  I have never seen on on the hoof, but this animal is near the top of my list for the next time I get over there.  Has anyone here ever taken one?  Got any tips?

Have a word with Andy Ivy (Tradtusker) He took a beauty last year, walk & stalk in South Africa.

I have a nice one, just got the mount back from my taxidermist. I will try and remember to take a picture and post it.  The best advise is to get in a blind over a water hole that the animals have to come to  and shoot him !

Leaving in 4 days and besides warthog, bushbuck is on the top of my list as well. Beautiful little antelope.

Thomas, you lucky dog!  I'd love to see a picture of it.  You took it at Vissers, is that correct?

iv been fortunate to have shot several bushbuck when i was younger with a rifle

last year i killed a beautiful old Ram with my longbow walk and stalk in a river bed.





everyone one knows im no fan of sitting in a hide, and from my experience i believe its pretty uncommon to see a bushbuck at a waterhole with a blind unless there is no water anywhere else. The old rams tend to have secluded little springs and water holes deep in thick bush and riverbeds.

Bushbuck are mostly solitary or in pairs and like thick riverbed bush so thats where i would suggest you hunt for them, arrow nocked and walk very very slowly if the wind is good you can often get right up on them, however getting a shot and keeping the noise down is tricky due to the thick bush, always a good chance of running into a rooting warthog ( that i know Jon wont pass up    :D  ) or a big kudu hiding away from the hot sun.

The rams can be quite territorial so if you see one in a particular spot feeding he'l likely be there the next day at the same time.

Speak to the trackers and ask where they have been seeing them.



some of the big rams i believe have a 6th sense and for no obvious reason when your stalking them they will just trot away seemingly un alarmed and the stalk is over.

Andy, your the man,  that's the way to take one by stalking, that's a nice one too. congratulations !
you are right John I took it at Vissers.  where are you headed?

 

That is awesome guys!  I don't know what it is, but I've always had a fascination with them.  Thomas, it's not a done deal yet, but I may possibly be heading back to Vissers.  I really liked Namibia, but they are having some deals right now that are so cheap I just can't pass it up.  Dries said he thought there may be an opening that we could take.  I'm waiting to hear back from him.

thats a beauty to Thomas! nice shooting, congrats

keep us Updated n your plans Jon

I've taken both Chobe and Southern Bushbuck. The longest big game shot I've ever made was on a Southern bushbuck: 42 yards. It was from a 'sort-of' treestand (standing on a log lashed between the limbs) at a waterhole. I had tried a few test shots to the far side on the waterhole earlier, so had the range down. He was head-down and drinking when I shot, and he then became the only animal I've ever seen do a complete backwards somersault, with a half twist. The arrow flew where I'd aimed, but ended up being a broadside hip hit. Fortunately, I had the right arrow on the string. Broke both hips just below the ball joints and cut the femoral artery, with the arrow passing through. He dropped at the hit, drug himself a few yards and died. Still, it forever cured me of long-range shooting.

Ed
TGMM Family of the Bow

Cool pics andy and Thomas....Cohutta wont come soon enough....

Took one in Zimbabwe in 2001. came in to a waterhole and when I radio'd the PH He came back with "you shot what"? Once He got there He admitted He didn't think I knew what I'd shot as there wasn't supposed to be any Bushbuck that far from the river.

I have always wanted to take a duiker, or a dik dik. something about them facinates me. anyone have any experinces with the mini antelope?
please post trophies

Hey Luke buddy of mine shot i think the number one DIKDIK in Namibia with a bow on our last trip but with a compound

very cool little animals

sweet!!! any pics?

I've killed one good one and spent a ton of time hunting them. They are my favorite African plains game, and about the most stalkable because of their preference for thick cover. There is no more beautiful animal in Africa. Follow up wounded bush buck with great respect! They know how to use those sharp little horns. Don

I had one at 15 yds a year ago in Zambia but the grass was so high all I could see was the horns, then the wind switched and the rest is history.

I had two come into a water hole really nice, but 80 yds from my stand but they were really nice.

Does anyone know if there are huntable bushbuck in Namibia?  If there are, would you please tell me in what region and possibly who to talk to about it.

Steve

While we are at it, it seems that they are up in the Kovango River area and the Caprivi strip.  Does anyone know an outfitter/PH that works that area that they would recommend?

Steve

Sorry, I have come a little late.
Anyway, here's a pic of a duiker I shot last month - a little back - but a pass through at about 20 yards - exiting further forward than the entry.

In South Africa, most reputable game farms will have bushbuck.  Yes, can be hunted walk-and-stalk because they like the bushy areas.  To get one coming in to a waterhole with a hide is less likely.  All the best!!