Water Buffalo

[Phillip Fields]

I'm planning on going after a cow water buffalo. I am concerned that I'm not shooting enough bow and arrow. I currently shoot an A&H ACS longbow, 55lbs at my 28" draw. I shoot the Arrow Dynamics Trad hammerhead arrow with a 125 gr 4-blade Magnus Stinger weighing 650 grains. I would change to a 2-blade broadhead. I'm 67 years old so working into a heavier bow is problematic. Any advice?

[Trick]

Did you use the same setup with that buffalo in your avatar? Good luck to you and take lots of pics!

Matt

[Bisch]

I would definitely at least work up a heavier arrow. Maybe in the 700-800gr range. Those water buffs have huge rib bones!

PM Buff or Chunky, they have both been buff hunting in Austrailia!

Bisch

[n8vtxn1]

I have a friend that hunted Australia for water buffalo this summer. The guide had him using 950 grain arrows. Talk to Buff on this site. He's killed elephant with a recurve.

[Chunky]

My first shot in Austraila was at a cow at about 20 yards. I was shooting a 69 lb Black Widow with about 650 gr arrows. I hit a touch forward of my spot, but what would have been awesome on a deer. I got zero pentration. I don't think the whole Zwickey went in.

I borrowed Buff's back up bow and some over a 1000 gr arrows.

When I shot my bull, I hit him in mid ribs and angling forward. I got about half an arrow in him, or perhaps a bit more. This is with the heavier set up.

I am not saying that you can't kill one with your set up, but I am saying that there is a good chance with your set up....you will do everything perfect and it won't be enough. You might think about looking for a quartering shot and try and go in right behind the ribs with a good angle forward, or (I know we don't normally recommend them) but a neck shot....thinking out of the box here.

[Phillip Fields]

I took the bison in my avatar with a 57lb Massie Longhorn shooting a 620 grain arrow with a Magnus 2 blade broadhead. It was a slightly quartering away shot and I didn't get quite the penetration I wanted. She ran about 100 yards and went down. We were in North Dakota with no real cover so I could see her the whole time. She was still alive when we came up on her so I put a finishing arrow in her.

I know water buffalo have more massive ribs and are tougher to take down than Bison. I've got a 65lb longbow hanging on the rack so maybe I'll see if I can work into it

[Buff]

I don't want to rain on your parade but 55 is going to be a challenge on water buffalo

[Phillip Fields]

I don't want to rain on your parade but 55 is going to be a challenge on water buffalo

You're not raining on my parade, I was looking for honest input. I didn't think 55 was enough, I was just double checking.

I'm going to restrict myself to a cow and think I might possibly do it with a 65 lb bow and an 800-850 grain arrow. I'm not totally confident at that level, but am looking. If that's not enough I'll rethink the whole thing. I'm not going to try it if I don't have complete confidence in my set-up.

[M.E.B.]

Where are you planning to hunt?

[Buff]

I bet that set up would take a cow.
The problem with the bulls is how thick there ribs are

[Phillip Fields]

Where are you planning to hunt?

Haven't decided for sure yet, but I'm leaning toward Triple S in Oklahoma, I'm open to suggestions.

[SAVIOUR68]

Phil I am sure you have looked at A@H website, Mike Mealey has shoot cape buffalo and larger african game with a 58@28 pd A@H bow as well as Karen Campbell with a large water buff with less weight. Get your arrow weight up to at least 850grs.

[Phillip Fields]

Phil I am sure you have looked at A@H website, Mike Mealey has shoot cape buffalo and larger african game with a 58@28 pd A@H bow as well as Karen Campbell with a large water buff with less weight. Get your arrow weight up to at least 850grs.

I have read the A&H website. Karen used a 70# at 29" ACS built for her by OL Adcock. She draws it to 29".

[M.E.B.]

I have read the A&H website. Karen used a 70# at 29" ACS built for her by OL Adcock. She draws it to 29".

Seventy at 70# at 29"!

Ok I'm a wimp.

[Loreva13]

I can't add anything to this, just want to say good luck!