Zim PH Buzz Charlton is putting together a video about elephant hunting, including clips from many of his recent hunts with clients (including AR members). To add some depth, he will be interviewing two of Zim's more famous living elephant hunters, Ian Nyschens and Sten Cedegren.

Buzz's question is, what sort of material would we like to see discussed with these gentlemen? Specific harrowing experiences, the old days, ramblings, shot placement, calibers...what?

And in general, what would make a good ele hunting video, besides lots of kill shots (which he has)?

I'll fwd replies to Buzz, and/or you can email him at buzz@cmsafaris.com

Thanks!

Let's see?

I already told Buzz what I thought about his video (voice overs of Nyschens and Cedegren, etc.), but on second thought...

Just video of me should make an excellent package.

Buzzard needs to have a sit down and have hunters discuss shot placement, calibers, etc. which I am afraid he didn't have when I was there.

But when I watch videos, what is the punch line? Watching the KILLS!

After watching Boddington's video on Cape Buff, something similar in content with a lot of info on preparation, mental aspects, tracking, equipment - would be good.

He should talk about the differences between a bull hunt vs. PAC hunt vs. a tuskless cow hunt as well.

Some shots of the various sizes of tusks with comments on trophy judging would be good.

I'd like to see some discussion about shot placement accompanied by an actual look at an elephant, not just a skull.

im with sbt id like them to talk about shot place mainly brain shots from quarting away side on and frontal and from differnt head postions and then pictures of each and maybe a vido of afew of the shot...

ps if my post is messed up i apologize i just had my tonsils removed yesterday im a bit groggy.

shot placement, calibers, field judgment of trophies (while on the hoof), hunting techniques etc. I.e. make the video instructional as well as entertaining.
- mike

The head shot has to be talked about how is the ele holding his head high or in a relaxed position...

Mike

Bill

Seems we are basically on the same page. The "Whack 'em and Stack 'em" video is not what interests me. A few kills have to be in the video but a discussion of all aspects of the hunt up to the shot would interest me. Also as suggested closeups of the vital areas would be good and shot placement from differnet angles.

At some point it might be interesting to see something that described the different body size, weight of ivory and relation of weight to length of ivory from one geographic area to another.

Mark

How about something explaining Elephant body language and how it should be interpreted by a good PH.

it would be nice to show us and interprete that small details that his skilled eye catch and are essential to take a certain action in a certain moment (good and bad ones) regarding preparing for hunt, tracking, taking the decision to go for it or not, shot timing ...

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
How about something explaining Elephant body language and how it should be interpreted by a good PH.

I agree with Shakari on this one! The body language of any animal you wish to hunt is important, but especially for an animal that has the ability to absolutely kill you. Addtionally, one needs to know these things to avoid takeing down an ele that is simply bluffing. PHs who hunt ele regualrly reccognize this, but the client, most often, will never hunt enough elephant in his life to know them this well, without some tutoring!

Another thing I like to see in a film is, the mention of the type, make, and caliber of rifle being used by every client featured in the film. This is a thing, I believe, that would be valuable to to young hunters who are thinking about takeing the big step!

Some mention of the camp life in Africa, and the field care of one's trophies, along with the shots, and some talk about the logistics involved in baging an Elephant. None of this leaving the camp in the hunting car, then jump forward to the shot. There is a lot of land to cover between those two places.

The two interviews, should include some input about what rifles these men used, and what they would have used if it had been available to them, and how they liked those rifles to be set up.

I'm with Mark Young, rackum, and stackum is not what I want in a safari film!

I agree with dogcat, something like the boddington on buff video but with elephants.

Great stuff guys! It is clear that this is the type of "market research" that Buzz should have done BEFORE doing the filming. The original intent was just to make a promo video out of the mounds of footage collected, so we'll see if and how well it adapts to a production video. Buzz's intent is to indeed make it educational.

I'll pass this along, and please, any other suggestions and specifically in regards to the interviews, is appreciated I am sure.

I think he was going to ask Will for an interview too, but we know what Will would have said ("Buy the book!!!").

Would like to see Buzz's video on buffalo and elephant. Kill zones from different stances and quartering shots (If they should be taken.) should be discussed.

Dak

Many hunting videos only show sucessful kills(whisper,whisper,stalk,bang,flop). How about instead of editing out the bad stuff, put in,say, a blown stalk or a botched shot, explain what went wrong and how to avoid it the next time? Perhaps a section on common mistakes and how to avoid them. Might bruise some egos but might add an interesting perspective.

While I agree with all of the commments on body language, shot placement, etc. I think that given the many years these two great hunters have had; that they spend some time talking about the old days of elephant hunting a bit, how it was done, etc. and also some of their most memorable hunts, experiences. That bit of color would go a long way to move from a whack em stack em.

IMO

quote:

Originally posted by Bill C:


I think he was going to ask Will for an interview too, but we know what Will would have said ("Buy the book!!!").

Does Will have a book out? If so what is the title, and where can I get a copy?

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:

Does Will have a book out? If so what is the title, and where can I get a copy?

I think he is hoping to have it ready for the SCI convention. I do not know the title.

quote:

Originally posted by Will:
...Hopefully will be in Reno, pimping my book if it gets done in time.

I think it's entitled "How I Lost My Fear of the Peep Sight"

quote:

Originally posted by Charles_Helm:
[I think he is hoping to have it ready for the SCI convention. I do not know the title.

Thanks Charles, I'd like an autographed copy, if that is posible without going to Reno!

30ott6,

Sort of funny! Actually I'm still not convinced and do my best shooting with open sights, within my limited range of 25 yards anyway!

I think the book will be titled Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game. I'm basically done and will ship it to the printer probably next week. It's mostly elephants, and where to shoot 'em.

Will,

I'll enjoy your book I'm sure as long as it's not to "flowery". Please be sure and let us know when and where to get a copy.

As far as Buzzes film I have to agree with all of the posts so far. I'd also like to see some hunts gone bad and follow ups. I hate when you see the animal get hit poorly and then the camera fades to the glory shot of the hunter and his prize later in the day or later that week as far as you know.

How come videos and books don't tell bad stuff like the newspapers...Looking at the news rags one would think the end of the world is here..

Mike

Will, I want one of those books from one educator to an other...