A hunter recently shared his experience of booking a Watusi cattle hunt. That might not sound like a very interesting type of hunting for most, but there is an interesting element.
He had long desired a Watusi European skull mount, and upon discovering that the cost of such a hunt could be comparable to purchasing ground beef over the next couple of years, he decided to proceed.
As of early 2025, ground beef in the U.S. averages $5.79 per pound, according to USDA and recent economic reports. Drought conditions, reduced herd sizes, and feed costs have driven prices up sharply—nearly 13% in the past year alone.
We decided to compare the cost beef with the cost of those hunters who choose to shoot a watusi or an Asiatic water buffalo both of which are not rare to hunt in Texas. Dozens of ranches offer these hunts.
Meat Yield and Cost Comparison
Watusi Cattle
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Live weight: 1,000–1,200 lbs
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Hanging weight: ~600–700 lbs
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Final yield (edible meat): 400–500 lbs
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At today’s average price:
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400 lbs x $5.79/lb = $2,316
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500 lbs x $5.79/lb = $2,895
Many guided Watusi hunts fall between $1,500 and $3,000, depending on services included (lodging, guiding, meat processing). That puts the cost per pound of meat from a Watusi hunt between:
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$3.00/lb (at $1,500 for 500 lbs)
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$7.50/lb (at $3,000 for 400 lbs)
Asiatic Water Buffalo
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Live weight: 1,300–2,200 lbs
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Carcass yield: ~45–68% of live weight
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Final yield (edible meat): 500–700 lbs
At today’s average price:
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500 lbs x $5.79/lb = $2,895
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700 lbs x $5.79/lb = $4,053
Guided Asiatic Water Buffalo hunts in Texas range from $2,950 to $7,500, depending on the outfitter and package inclusions.
For hunters with a good electric meat grinder, processing your own meat can be a cost-effective and rewarding option. Electric meat grinders suitable for home use are available in various models, which can handle large quantities of meat efficiently. By processing your own meat, you can save on processing fees and have control over the quality and packaging of your meat in general with normal game like hogs and deer.
We’re not endorsing hunting exotic cattle, nor are we speaking against it. It’s legal and if someone eats the meat it’s not any different than shooting other exotics. This is a hunter’s choice to make.
But when a hunter reached out saying he’d booked a perfectly legal Watusi hunt not just for the mount but because it was cheaper than buying ground beef for the next couple of years, we were intrigued. So, we ran the numbers.
Between rising grocery store prices and the amount of meat one large animal can yield, the economics were surprising. Whether it’s Watusi or Asiatic Water Buffalo, the cost per pound—especially if you process the meat yourself—can sometimes undercut what you’d pay at the supermarket. USDA oficials said ground beef can stay in a freezer indefinitely but about two years is the max for taste quality and 3-4 months is the best option.
It’s just one more strange sign of the times: in 2025, hunting an exotic bovine might make as much financial sense as pushing a cart down the meat aisle.