Introduction
Water buffalo hunting is one of the main challenging hunts in Argentina.
This species from Asia is originally introduced in Brazil as a domestic animal and from there it goes to Argentina.
Large lagoons, marshlands and the thick bush are the ideal habitat for them. The province of Corrientes, Argentina is the first place where they settle.
The most common subspecies of these buffalos in Argentina is the Mediterranean.
There are other species not that common such as Jaffarabadi, Murrah and Carabao.
Argentina Big Hunting hunt them in their areas of La Pampa, Entre Rios or Buenos Aires province.
Main features
Its main characteristics are a robust black body with a hump on the back, short and strong legs with large and sharp hooves. Adult males reach 1000 kilos in weight. The horns are black and solid, triangular in shape with wider rings at the base and thinning at the tips.
Males and females have horns, but those of males are thicker.
Water buffalos have excellent senses of sight, smell and hearing so they are not easy to stalk.
They are diurnal animals that prefer to be in small groups in the vicinity of water bodies.
Older females are in charge of caring for the herd and are usually very aggressive.
The old bulls are usually alone, away from the herd.
Buffalo Hunting in Argentina
Water buffalo hunting is very interesting because they are unpredictable animals. The first shot is essential since once injured they have great resistance and aggressiveness, so it is essential to locate it in their vital organs.
We recommend to use of large calibers for buffalo hunting. The 375 H&H is the smallest of them. It is preferable to use bigger calibers such as 416 Rigby, 470 NE or even larger.
The only sporting way to hunt them is by stalking them on foot in the thick bush or in the grasslands of La Pampa. Stealthy approach with the wind in your face to get within a short range to shoot is the best way to hunt them down.
According to our experience the ideal shooting distance is 50/60 meters.
Main targets
When the buffalo is calm there are two main targets:
1) head and spine (nervous system) causing immediate death
2) Heart and lungs (blood system) where death is slower but equally fatal.
It is important to note that these organs are located lower than in deer.
The Charge
If the animal is injured and charges the hunter, it is best to ensure the first shot to the chest. If the animal continues to approach the hunter, an accurate headshot is the best.
The buffalo attacks with its horns but also jumps on the body of the fallen hunter and hurts it with its powerful and sharp hooves.
This danger is what makes buffalo hunting attractive in Argentina.
Dr. Patrick Geijo / Argentina Big Hunting
