Leaving Aug 7 for Tanzania for an area around Tunduru. This is my first elephant hunt and my first time in Tanzania. Any tips on what to look for or look out for. Also has anyone used KLM this season how was it? I think the best thing about going is that I can stop shooting at the range with the 458 lott; I hope it hurts the elephant as much as it hurts me.

Thanks

Only one suggestion! Take me with you, I have a very nice 500/450 double rifle to back your play with!

Oh,

A friend told me this when you see trackers rolling up their pants and or taking off their shirts...That is when the ele is close and trackers are getting ready to run...


Mike

oh58
We just returned from Namibia/RSA flying with KLM. I won't say it was an enjoyable trip (because of the distance/time) but KLM was better than most I've flown with.
Here's a tip, call KLM and tell them you will be traveling with guns. They make a note on your ticket. Otherwise, they may not let you fly.

Actually, I am in Dar as I type this - just having completed 12 days of buffalo hunting in the Selous. Northwest Airlines and KLM were acutally very good coming over, and hopefully will be the same when we return to NC Wednesday.

Let me see if I have got this right.

Take you all with me
When the trackers run the elephant is near
And call KLM

Thanks
Lee

oh58,

I have a few "tips".

Take a LOT of pictures.

Return home safe.

Keep a journal.

Then tell all of us of your adventure.

Have a great time.

Don

oh58,

Can you tell us a little bit about your hunt? Who are you hunting with (Company & PH), how many days, more description at to hunts location and what else is on license?

Can't wait to hear more. Must be nice.

My .02
Kill a big one!

oh58,

(Did you really fly those things?)

I would have a heart to heart with your PH about what constitutes a good elephant for the area you are hunting. Some areas are more equal than others when it comes to ele, your PH will have his finger on the local pulse.

Good hunting.

jim dodd

1. Stick with solids
2. Discuss with your PH what kind of ivory you want, and how hard you are willing to work for it
2. Take the heart-lung shot
3. Settle whether your PH should shoot at your elephant after you do (I'm talking about immediately, not in a charge scenario, or where the elephant is close to a park or concession border)
4. Don't drink the water unless it's been boiled or filtered by you personally
5. Have a great time!

George

Wear comfortable shoes. You will likely be walking lots.

GeorgeS has great advice for you.

The head shot is really cool if it works but you'll never forgive yourself if something goes wrong. The heart/lung works really well, my bull didn't run 100 yards.

My bull was near a park border so the PH shot for the hip after I shot the lungs (he missed the bone but it was a good idea). I told him to do whatever he thought was right at the time. But George is right to discuss it before hand.

Although you do have to make sure the water is safe (I carried Polar Pure iodine crystals), make sure you drink enough. If you're doing it right.... there is a ton of walking. I do a lot of walking for my usual guiding work but not those distances in that humidity (at least in Zim. where I hunted) and for the first couple days I wasn't drinking enough water. I learned the hard way.

It's an awesome experience. Enjoy and bring back lots of pictures to post.

Kyler

SBT: I am hunting with Zuka Safaris my PH is Piet Steyn, it is a 21 day with everything on license but I am really focusing on Elephant. I will be hunting along the border with Moz on foot. We are going to take porters and for 10 days go on foot looking for the elephant.

HunterJim: Yes I did fly OH-58's and also was a infantry officer. I can see you and your PH need to be thinking alike, on shooting and what you are looking for. Leave Aug 7th and can not wait.

Lee

Infantry, Rotor Head, and officer all in one. And they are letting you have a gun and ammo? Are they crazy???? The ele's are totally safe!!!

Just kidding!! You cant expect a tanker to let a crunchie go to Africa without him and not catch crap for it. I cant give you any advice on ele's but have a great time.

Hi oh,
You got some good tips so far...solids all the way..but I personally like to take the brain shot as a first choice...obviously it all depends on what he gives you, but if you are confident enough with your shot placement a brain shot is awesome! Its a special feeling when a big boy goes down in one...and without a doubt there will be more than one shot fired...insurance is non-negotiable...but you know right away if the shot was good or not. It also depends a bit on how you handle your lott and how fast you can cycle the bolt...believe me when that big grey head/engine-room comes up behind your sites...that recoil will feel like the soft hands of a fine woman! That said...a brain shot done wrong can be spooky and it is unimaginable how fast a big ele can spin around on one heel to take flight if it does go wrong...and then you are left with trying to clean up a mess with spine and/or hip-shots on a huge ass rockin from side to side as he sways off at full tilt into ???

Have a great hunt!
Andy
Live to Hunt, Fish to Live

A portered ele hunt on foot - that sounds GREAT!

You will likely not get to look at as many ele as if hunting for tracks via vehicle, but perhaps you will get to some places not often hunted. Depending on the terrain, probably lots of walking and glassing (if a hilly area). Don't be ashamed to let one of the trackers carry your rifle especially in the beginning of the hunt until you get your legs. With the boarder close, you may need to be real careful that the ele does not go far after the shooting begins. I wouldn't rule out the brain shot, especially a side shot if close enough. As others have said, chat w/your PH at length about this and other topics mentioned.

If you have not read it already, Ron Thomson's "Mahohboh" is an excellent book and would help make that KLM flight go quicker. Although mostly geared towards Zim, has a lot of info about ele behavior, some good stories, and an excellent section on shot placement (photos, descriptions, pros and cons of all possible shots). Safari Press has it on sale now for $40: MAHOHBOH

Good luck, looking fwd to hearing how you make out.

Learn your anotomy, shoot straight, and do what your PH tells you to..He is your only teacher...

...and read Rich's posting on his "Last Teppi Elephant Safari"



-Steve