Hunts for dwarf forest buffalo take place in remote concessions accessible only by boat or on foot. Skilled pygmy trackers and professional hunters follow fresh spoor through swampy, tangled vegetation, often wading through marshes and listening for the soft grunt of a buffalo hidden in the undergrowth. Because the animals are primarily nocturnal, hunting is most productive at first light or late afternoon; shots are typically taken at close range when a tracker glimpses the red hide through vines. The best time is during the dry season from November to April, when flooded rivers recede and tracks are easier to read.

Only a few dozen forest buffalo are taken each year under strict quotas set by Cameroonian and Central African wildlife ministries. Licences, trophy fees and employment of local guides generate crucial revenue for rainforest communities and fund anti‑poaching patrols. Outfitters emphasise ethical shots on mature bulls, and hunts are often part of broader conservation programs that protect surrounding fauna such as bongo and sitatunga. Sustainable offtake helps ensure that this rare subspecies—and the forests it inhabits—remain intact for future generations.