Hunting crocodiles in South Africa

Nile crocodile scientific name: Crocodylus niloticus

Hunting crocodiles in South Africa is for the hunter to complete his / her Dangerous 7 hunts.

Crocodiles can be hunted while in the water as the head usually shows above the water. However, these shots are not always recommended. There will always be a possibility of losing the trophy if the shot in the water is not instantaneously fatal.

The hunter needs to wait until the crocodile is in such a position where a well-placed shot can enter the vitals. A full broad side shot, or at the very least, an open neck area shot should be attempted where the projectile can penetrate sufficiently.

Below are a few suggestions with regards to minimum caliber, shot placement and tips for hunting crocodiles in South Africa.

General info for hunting crocodiles

Crocodile hunting price

The crocodile hunting prices 2019 South Africa are calculated per foot of the overall length of the animal. There are a number of suppliers whom we can make use of and would like to individually price every application for a crocodile hunt.

Crocodile hunting calibers

The best caliber for hunting crocodiles is the one you can shoot most accurate over 50 yards. A 243 will work well, but we recommend any calibers in the 300 range:

• 243
• 270
• 30 – 06
• 300 WSM
• 300 Win Mag
• 375

Ammunition for hunting crocodiles

The recommended ammunition for hunting crocodiles in South Africa is premium grade soft nose ammunition like Hornady, Federal Premium and Woodleigh.

Gun Scope

A good 2 – 12 X 50 gun scope should be sufficient for hunting crocodiles in South Africa due to a wide zoom range and a long eye relief which will allow for greater flexibility to view the cross-hairs quicker. An illuminated dot or illuminated cross-hairs can be very handy in low light conditions.

Average shooting distance

The average expected shooting distance when hunting crocodiles in South Africa is 50 yards depending on the river front or the lake shore you are hunting.

Shot placement when hunting crocodiles

Broadside shot

Crocodiles have a rather small area covering the vital organs for adequate shot placement.

Depending on the available angle, place the shot right behind the shoulder of the croc. This shot should result in a lung shot leading to the croc having to breathe regularly above water.

A shot to the exposed neck of a crocodile could lead to the spine being severed. A neck shot is the desired area to place your shot.

Head shots

Head shots are often recommended when there is a distinct possibility of the animal escaping into the water if the brain is missed, or when the only available shot is a head shot.

From the side the shot should be placed right behind the smile formed by the mouth.

Quartering away shot

Place the shot immediately behind the shoulder, aiming for an exit on the opposite shoulder.

Tips for hunting crocodiles in South Africa

The following tips for hunting crocodiles are done from the perspective of hunting from a blind along the banks of a river or lake.

Crocodiles always seem to be sleeping but the instant they sense any danger a mad dash ensues to water with nothing visible sticking out above water.

The hunter must wait for the croc to be out of the water or at least in shallow water where the vitals can be reached on a broad side shot.

Have metal hooks attached to a long rope ready to retrieve your trophy crocodile.

Bow hunting crocodiles is to complete the hunting of the Dangerous Seven or the Big 7.

Best time of year for hunting crocodiles in South Africa

We suggest the best time of year for hunting crocodiles in South Africa would be between September and April. Reason is that crocodiles are more active during the warmer / hotter months.

Crocodiles can be hunted year round.

African hunting trips 2019 South Africa