Mark Hampton's Dwarf Forest Buffalo

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!

Very cool. Congrats!

Thanks for posting Darrell! I just returned from Cameroon hunting the rainforest with pygmies 40 miles from Congo. I have been fortunate to take five different species of African buffalo -- Cape (Zimbabwe) West African Savannah (Benin) Central African Savannah (Central African Republic) Nile (Uganda) and now the dwarf forest buffalo from Cameroon. I took this bull with an Encore in 375 JDJ using Cor-Bon 270 gr. DPX ammo. This is a unique experience in a very remote location. Following tracks with the pygmies was quite a treat.

That is awesome. Huge congrats!

Way cool Mark!
I can't imagine how fun that was.

Wow what an adventure. Nice trophy as well.

Envious! Congrats and I'm waiting for the story with more pictures.

Congratulations !!

Mark, I will have to take away your car keys cause you getting to go to to many places

Many thanks for the kind words!

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

Congrats, Mark! I have to admit - first time I've ever heard of that critter. Very unique trophy.

Thanks Darrell! Standing next to these guys I feel like a professional basketball player

Very nice Mark,well done. How many species of African buffalo are there?

Junebug, Until recently there were five. SCI has split the Nile buffalo in to two categories -- those coming from Uganda get bigger than the ones coming out of Ethopia. Long story that I won't go in to but it's basically the same buffalo living in another country. I won't be going to Ethopia to shoot the same one I shot in Uganda.

Congratulations!

Very cool. Congrats on a great trophy. The points on those horns look very sharp.

Good shooting! Never heard of that one before.

I really look forward to your next article.

Nicely done, Mark! Congratulations!

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

Mark, what a fantastic handgun trophy. Congratulations. Quite an adventure I am sure. One of the most remote places on the planet! Thanks for sharing it with us!

Congratulations!

Mark, how long is the barrel on your 375?

17.25 which includes brake. The late Ken French had the T/C Custom Shop make this barrel for me -- back in the day.

Congratulations Mark!! You were definitely one of the handgun hunters that I looked up to back in the 90's and I still do buddy...you talk the talk, but unlike most, you walk the walk...Congratulations Again!!!

If you don't mind, I think some of us would like more information on that particular exploit.

How was the climate? From what I understand, Cameroon is a tropical climate with heat and humidity. Also, I do believe there is the issue of malaria. So how did you deal with that?

What did you eat?

You hunted with the Uturi or what we call pygmies. What were there mannerisms? What was it like to hunt with them?

Thanks

bigbore442001, In a previous post I stated I hunted with the pygmies -- 40 miles from Congo. They don't speak English and I don't understand their language. Communication is a challenge but you deal with it. Yes, the rainforest is very hot and humid. I did not go in to detail on how difficult this hunt can be due to the climate -- and dense forest. You can't see 25 yards most of the time. And sometimes you can't see your feet!! Malaria meds were taken and yellow fever vaccination is required for Cameroon. This is wild Africa.