Water Buffalo Hunts

Hunting Water Buffalo

A water buffalo, also called the domestic water buffalo or Asian water buffalo, is a large animal initially found on the Indian subcontinent and in Southeast Asia. Now it is found in Europe, Australia, North America, South America, and a few African countries. 

Small herds of water buffalo are still found in parts of Southeast Asia, but they are not legal to hunt. Therefore, all water buffalo hunting refers to feral populations of domesticated water buffalo. Two types of water buffalo are recognized, the river and the swamp type. Both are well adapted to living in wetlands and can thrive in harsher environments and on less nutritious food than domestic cattle. Large populations exist in South America, specifically in Argentina and Uruguay, and some game farms in South Africa also offer the species. However, the most popular destination for hunting water buffalo is in the north of Australia.

Australia Water Buffalo Hunting

Water buffalo can be hunted all year round. Most outfitters, however, suggest that the best time for hunting them in the Northern Territories of Australia is during the dry season, which runs from June to September. Water buffalo hunting in Australia is a dangerous game hunt second to none. Water buffalo hide in flooded riverbeds where the hunter and the PH must carefully approach the animal and simultaneously dodge highly poisonous snakes and saltwater crocodiles. Domestication didn’t make the water buffalo any tamer (remember who actually killed Sher Khan in The Jungle Book?), and a bull can soak up a lot of lead and still go for the hunters as well as any Cape Buff. 

Do not let the “feral” status of the species delude you: water buffalo hunting is dangerous game hunting. A mature water buffalo is bigger than a Cape buffalo and every bit as mean. You’ll need a reliable big-bore rifle of at least .338 or .375 caliber, a cool head, and a steady hand. The hunt follows the traditional spot-and-stalk method, with the hunter and the PH covering the ground (often on foot, as the water buffalo’s preferred habitat isn’t always suitable for vehicles) in search of a decent trophy and then carefully approaching it close enough for an accurate shot.

Argentina Water Buffalo Hunting

Argentina is one of the top destinations in the world for water buffalo hunting, where you can hunt three different species of this magnificent animal. This is due to the thousands of acres of land, forest, and marshes that provide the perfect habitat for these animals.

The water buffalo found in Corrientes, Argentina were all introduced years ago and currently inhabit the Paraná River Delta and surrounding area. They turned out to be unmanageable as livestock and were either let go or escaped. Today there are an untold number of these wild animals in the province. Herds have no boundaries or fences. However, they tend to remain in specific areas, often private property and near water.

These bulls average 2,100 lbs, are 2.7 meters long, and are 1.7 meters tall. They are every bit as dangerous as their cousin, the African Cape Buffalo. River buffalo prefer deep water. Swamp buffalo prefer to wallow in mud holes they make with their horns. During wallowing, they acquire a thick coating of mud. Both are well adapted to a hot and humid climate, with temperatures ranging from 0 °C (32 °F) in the winter to 30 °C (86 °F) and higher in the summer. Water availability is important in hot climates since they need wallows, rivers, or splashing water to assist in thermoregulation. Some breeds are adapted to saline seaside shores and saline sandy terrain.

Water buffalo can be hunted all year. The primary method for hunting them is spot and stalk. Shots are taken anywhere from 30-100 yards.

Texas Water Buffalo Hunting

Water buffalo never shed their horns, and their hide stays the same all year, so they can be hunted year-round in Texas. There are no seasonal restrictions on hunting water buffalo in Texas. Hunters of water buffalo can choose the spot and stalk method, bow hunting, rifle hunting, black powder, safari style hunting, handgun, as well as hunting from a blind.

Florida Water Buffalo Hunting

Water buffalo – giant beasts with thick horns, some curved, some pointed straight to the side – are hardly a common sight in Florida. But they find these vast, soggy fields a perfect home, with plenty of grass to eat and an abundance of mud in which to roll and stay cool.

In 1974, four water buffaloes were imported to the United States from Guam to be studied at the University of Florida. In February 1978, the first herd arrived for commercial farming. Until 2002, only one commercial breeder was in the United States. Water buffalo meat is usually imported from Australia. Until 2011, water buffaloes were raised in Gainesville, Florida from young obtained from zoo overflow. They were used primarily for meat production and frequently sold as ground beef. Other U.S. ranchers use them for the production of high-quality mozzarella cheese. Water buffaloes are also kept in the Caribbean, specifically in Trinidad and Tobago and Cuba.

Africa Water Buffalo Hunting

Water Buffalo can be Fast AND Furious. Though domesticated buffalo are gentle enough to be milked (and even ridden), wild buffalo are notoriously aggressive. They aren't afraid to face off with their only natural predators: tigers and lions. And they are fast. When threatened, water buffalo can reach speeds of 30 mph. In addition, water buffalo use the size of their herd to attack and kill lions. Of course, water buffalo aren't the largest prey that lions are known to pursue, but that doesn't make them any less deadly.

California Water Buffalo Hunting

Experience a new side of exotic hunts and redefine big game hunting in California. The Asian water buffalo is a massive animal with great mount potential. The meat is lean and healthy and makes excellent steaks. This rare animal would make a great addition to any game room. The water buffalo roam a California landscape of rolling grasslands with native shrubs and natural water sources. The trophy bulls are rated and priced based on age, weight, and horn size.