Most Dangerous

[Phil Lozano]

I am new posting here, but will jump in with both feet.

Rate the following from the most to the least Dangerous - Buffalo, Lion, Both Rhinos, Hippo, Elephant and Leopard.

Make a strong case for your rankings by commenting on why you placed each of them in your 'Bad Boy' rankings.

I will give my opinion after a few replies.
_________________
Best,

Phil

Professional Hunter ~ Tanzania

Stay out of sight and downwind

[mtm1]

Morning Phil and welcome aboard. I'm quite new here as well. Absolutely zero African experience here. I have shot Moose, Elk and Bears and been around many Grizzlies. Personally I'd be most worried about the big cats. They are very fast and scratchy as I have read. I would imagine Elephants could be very dangerous just do to size. For the big thick skinned animals I'd just carry a big gun and try to make good shots.

[Phil Lozano]

A reasonable response, and . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . some good advise.

Originally Posted by mtm1

For the big thick skinned animals I'd just carry a big gun and try to make good shots.

Best,
Phil
____________________________
Professional Hunter ~ Tanzania

Stay out of sight and down wind

Phil Lozano Tanzania Trophy Expeditions - Dangerous Game Specialists

[sell33]

Never hunted dangerous big game but i have always heard buffalo can get quite cranky....

[Phil Lozano]

True enough. Buffalo are bad news !

Best,
Phil

[lefty o]

i am the most dangerous game animal!

[Phil Lozano]

Originally Posted by lefty o

i am the most dangerous game animal!

Maybe ?

Personally, I do not think of humans as animals.

But, maybe you are the most dangerous.

Best,
Phil

[mtm1]

Question for Phil, just curious as to which one you think is the most dangerous and why. Also whats your favorite D/G round and rifle.

[wunhunglo]

I believe the Hippo accounts for quite a few deaths every year after that, Rhino, Effalump, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard. I've not included the Combi taxi!

I have shot a Cape Buffalo with a 375 H&H double, a long time ago with my partner backing me up with a 458.

[ArkansasHunter]

Phil where I live Big Foots are probably the biggest game if you can call them that. They wonder our streets at night, kinda like the Illegals do during the day.
There a scary site for sure and so far no one around here has had to shoot one yet.
If it were determind that there not human like I'm sure there would be some folks that will shoot them.
A.H

[turner]

Originally Posted by wunhunglo

I believe the Hippo accounts for quite a few deaths every year after that, Rhino, Effalump, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard. I've not included the Combi taxi!

I have shot a Cape Buffalo with a 375 H&H double, a long time ago with my partner backing me up with a 458.

+1 I also think the Hippo causes the most deaths per year. I also agree with the order of the remaining animals. I've got a lot of miles riding in an Egyptian taxi, would that be the same? I'll attest to it's danger as well!

[wunhunglo]

Originally Posted by turner

+1 I also think the Hippo causes the most deaths per year. I also agree with the order of the remaining animals. I've got a lot of miles riding in an Egyptian taxi, would that be the same? I'll attest to it's danger as well!

I know that the african Combi Taxi kills hundreds(if not thousands) across Africa every year; I'm not sure if the Egyptian Taxi has such a voracious appetite!

[Phil Lozano]

Originally Posted by mtm1

Question for Phil, just curious as to which one you think is the most dangerous and why. Also whats your favorite D/G round and rifle.

I will list my 'most dangerous' choices after a few more replies (and see if you guys agree).

Favorite DG cartridge, for clients, any of the 416's.

Fo myself, I have 2. A 458 Lott and a 450 3 1/4"

I like the Lott because it has plenty enough power for everything under all situations.

The 450 because I have 2 quick aimed shot when following up wounded animals.

Best,
Phil

[GlockMeister]

Hippo is the worst and nastiest. Then Rhinos.

[andrew cochran]

Originally Posted by ArkansasHunter

Phil where I live Big Foots are probably the biggest game if you can call them that. They wonder our streets at night, kinda like the Illegals do during the day.
There a scary site for sure and so far no one around here has had to shoot one yet.
If it were determind that there not human like I'm sure there would be some folks that will shoot them.
A.H

Defiently the worst! You need a 450 Nitro Express 3 1/4" or a 458 Lott for them big foots!lol

[Nathan123]

Originally Posted by wunhunglo

I believe the Hippo accounts for quite a few deaths every year after that, Rhino, Effalump, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard.

My list would be the same as above, exept i would switch Rhino and Elephant.
So my vote would go:

Hippo
Elephant
Rhino
Buffalo
Lion
Leopard

As for a making a strong case, i would, but then every time i look at my list i would change it. So i will rest on saying i would give them all the same amount of respect.



I have never been to Africa, i have hunted our Water Buffalo and they can get quite a temper but an old half mad scrub bull will have a temper 3 times worse than any buffalo, granted they are not as thick skinned or as hard to kill, but they are every bit as bad for your health. My rifle is a Model 70 Winchester in .375 H&H
If i won the lottery Africa would be the first place i would visit. But on the top of my list ahead of any dangerous game is a Kudu, they are a beautiful animal.

[squirrelbaster]

Originally Posted by ArkansasHunter

Phil where I live Big Foots are probably the biggest game if you can call them that. They wonder our streets at night, kinda like the Illegals do during the day.
There a scary site for sure and so far no one around here has had to shoot one yet.
If it were determind that there not human like I'm sure there would be some folks that will shoot them.
A.H

thats an interesting thought, are bigfoots natural born citizens?
ps
lefty O is SOOOO the most dangerous animal!!

[Phil Lozano]

I asked members to rate the Big 5, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant and Rhino.

First, let me say, I am sure other P.H.'s and other people might have different selections. Even my Trackers have a different order. My Trackers in the Selous have a different opinion than my Trackers in Masailand, Moyowasi and Rungwa.

In general, how you rate the animals will often be based on the animals you have had the closest calls with. Also, a P.H. that does more Buffalo Safaris than Elephant Safaris, would most likely rate the Buffalo as the most dangerous, because he has more experience with wounded Buffalo. And he very well may be correct. Buffalo are Bloody Dangerous !

However, I believe I have made a reasonable case for my choices, so, I rank them as follows;

1 - Elephant - Very smart and very dangerous. If he gets to you, you are NOT hunting any more, or doing anything else either. I do not know ANYONE that has been caught by Tembo and is still here to tell the story. However, he can be turned (MAYBE), to veer off if you miss the brain a bit. If you miss the brain (easier than you might think) and he comes for you, you have a VERY BIG problem, that will arrive much faster than you think. There is NO chance of getting away from him if he comes for you. You cannot out run him, and you cannot climb a tree quickly enough that he can't push over before he gets to you. After a short chase . . . . . . . . . .you're done . . . . . . . squished.

2 - Lion - Very fast and if he gets to you, you are in BIG trouble. He will mostly finish what he starts, so if he intends to kill you, . . . . . . well you can guess the rest. If he is coming for you and you do not hit him properly, if you are lucky, he can be turned (but don't bet on it) to veer off. Sometimes he will growl or roar and 'tip off' his position, when following up. If he gets to you, you are dead and he hasn't broken a sweat. How deadly is he ? He eats Buffalo ! How tough of a fight do you think you could put up ? What are your chances when he gets to you ? Not too good. I know three people that have survived Lion maulings. I know many that can't tell their stories. If he gets to you, . . . . . . . . you won't have to worry about that business meeting you had when you got back.

3 - Buffalo - Relentless. Most determined of all of them to get to you. Won't side step a small tree, won't stop or turn. He will come straight until he kills you. . . . or you kill him. You MUST hit something in his central nervous system to stop him. When he comes, forget shooting for his heart, or the base of the neck, etc., you must brain him, period ! A VERY TOUGH customer. However, quite a bit slower than a Lion and the reason he is # 3. I know about as many people that have been stomped/gored by Buffalo and survived, as I do the one's that have come out second. . . . . . . . . . . . (how tough are they ? Have a look here under "post your pics" on this forum).

4 - Leopard - Quickest of the bunch. The MOST LIKELY to get to you in a charge of the one's on the list. Least likely to kill you. The most likely % wise to make you bleed (and anyone with you, cuz, he is going to scratch everyone before he runs off) (so I have been told). He is the one most likely to put you in the hospital, but you have the best chance of walking out of the hospital (once you beat the infection, and you will have a serious infection depending on how many new tatoos he has given you). He WILL make you bleed. But you have the best chance of surviving, with your new conversation decorations. Your keloid scars are a sure fire way to get you attention at the beach. I know many people that have been "hit" by Chui, and no one that didn't survive. However, there are many tails of maneaters as well. I just don't know of anyone that has died. I have said this more than once " I would rather face a cobra with a fishing pole, than follow a wounded Leopard into the thick stuff". Following a wounded Chui into the bush is one case where you don't get paid enough. Closest I have stopped one coming full speed was about 3 1/2 to 4 feet (I thought it was my turn for sure that night).

5 - Black Rhino -(not huntable now. I included for knowledge only. The Black would rate #4 if huntable, because if he gets to you, you are history). A lot more dangerous than the White, but slower than the others (1, 2, 3, 4). Both Black and White can kill you. But I have hunted a number of them (with clients) and never had a real problem, or more problems than with other Dangerous Game. I would say, if you have had a problem with a Rhino, it would be the Black Rhino. Both are more agile than you might think. The Black a bit more so.

White Rhino, pretty much like stalking your pickup truck parked in a large parking lot (not very challenging). Not very quick, and does not seem dangerous, but can be. I think the new darting hunts are MORE dangerous than a hunt to kill one, because you have to be darn close. (just my opinion).

Hippo are not considered as part of the 'Classic Big 5'. However, please keep reading.

Most under rated - Hippo. They are pretty mean, have a very bad attitude, and can give you a go. I have been charged by more unwounded Hippo than any other unwounded animal. And they are as tough as any Buffalo. If he was a member of the Big 5, I would rate him just slightly below the Buffalo, they are no joke.

Regarding my # 1 choice, I have only been charged by a few Elephants, far fewer than the rest of the animals in the list. However, I still rate him number 1, for the reasons I listed. I have additional written material to back up my choice on the Elephant and will post it if anyone is interested.

Thankfully, I have not left any of my own blood in Africa (yet).

I think I have made a reasonable case regarding my choices. Agree or disagree, make a reasonable 'pitch' for your choices, or tell me where you think I am incorrect.

Best,

Phil

Stay out of sight and downwind
Professional Hunter - Tanzania

[Nathan123]

Thanks Phil, that was a very interesting read. As for hitting the nervous system of a charging buffalo. I have heard so many stories of heart/lung shot buffalo (both our water buffalo and your cape buffalo) charging dead on their feet. They are an animal not to be underestimated. I had no idea just how thick and heavy they really were until i shot my first one. You hear the stories but when you see it up close it is amazing.
I have never been on a guided hunt, i could not afford it, but luckily my dad knows a bloke through work that owns 1.4 million acres in the Northern Territory (only a small place by Territory standards) and he lets us go up there to shoot.

[Phil Lozano]

If you "brain them" at under 10 feet, you had best be ready to step aside, cuz, his nose goes straight down, into the dirt, and his back end is coming over in your direction. If you are too slow, you have a pretty good chance of getting crushed by his (literally) dead weight.

Best,
Phil
______________________________
Stay out of sight and down wind
Professional Hunter ~ Tanzania