Here is a picture of the elephant... not big at all and one that would have been passed up by most hunters. Still, it was about average body size for Chete and obviously sexually mature as the musk glands were working overtime. I WILL go elephant hunting again and will set a weight limit, I'm sure, but I'll never forget the "up close and personal" aspect of this hunt.



You can see from the background that there was absolutely nothing between me and the elephant, and in fact, I had 30 yards or so to run before I could have even gotten behind a 2" bush. Great fun for a "first-timer".



I wish everyone could have seen the 19 guys in the boat with half of the cut up elephant coming back from the kill site to the fishing camp. Since they had cooked some meat while chopping up the beast, their smiles were about as big as a quarter moon and their guts distended like they were pregnant. It was pretty darn basic.



Before the jokes begin about the "giant tusk"... yes, I plan to have the ivory cut up and used for a one octave piano..

What a wonderful bull! Even better, your hunt certainly depicts you earning him. You've accomplished something few people will ever do. Cherish the memories....

Ann:

This picture invokes some pretty good memories, too!



Anybody got a rich sister who doesn't mind a fellow who disappears off to Africa a couple of times a year and looks like he had a ring record of 2-11-0? Damn, I'm a beat up old fart, but ain't Vic Falls grand!

HI,

Way to go JUDGEG, you must have had a great time,Kev

Judge,

If you find her, please ask if she has a sister !

Judge,
Great story. I've enjoyed this tremendously tonight. Will probably have dreams of chasing elephant and other DG tonight.
Semper Fi
LtCol Chris Hastings
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Fallujah, Iraq

Ernest,

When you get a chance I want a first hand report .

The steaks are getting bigger at Benton Lee's . I had a small one recently, and they had to cut it in two to keep it from hanging off the platter .

Jim

JudgeG
Again WELL DONE.
"Walking" up on an elephant, with a double rifle... It just does not get any better than that.
While 100lb [per side ] ivory would be a plus, it actually has nothing to do with the quality of the hunt, the danger of the stalk, and the finesse of the shot, the spirit of the adventure.
YOU SIR, ARE AN ELEPHANT HUNTER!

Let the Single malt flow.

Judge ,That is a truly awesome Beast ! Congratulations , it is not about the tusk its all about the Trunk. Thanks for the great post. Rug

.450 No.2:



As I read your post, I am enjoying a glass of McClelland's Islay single malt..... perhaps the most inexpensive (though not cheap) scotch that's worth its snuff. I paid $17.95 for the 750 ml. bottle and it's darn fine stuff... worth twice the price. BTW, how often do you get to write twice in two sentences words that end with .. uff???



McClelland's... It is being recognized as a quality single malt. There was an article about it in one of the magazines in the seat pocket on the airline on my last plane flight.. quite complimentary. Though I'll bring some exotic stuff to Dallas, let's drink a toast of McClelland's each to my elephant, your elephant(s), HHK, my wonderfully great buddy and African hunting partner (1115) who will be with me in Dallas.. I hope, Pierr'e van Tonder, the last good guys in Zim (God bless all six of them) though the Boma was great in Vic Falls last week, Jim Wooten, Leon Brown, Butch Searcy, Westley and Richards, Ray, Rusty, F4U's and A-4E's, David Wampler, retirement with enought funds to get back to Africa, the NCAA, the CIA, Hill 881, Snickers, Browning Model 1895's, Black Lab's that can find a damn duck, full-auto M-14's with some other fool carrying the ammo, analog watches, the NFL, GWB, the NAACP but not Mr. Imfume' (sp?), CZ rifles, Roger Ferrell, UPS, USPS, Joe Shit the Ragman, good ribs cooked better than imaginable by 1115 on a Sunday evening, our esteemed host-Saeed, the DRSS and .470's, Arthur Godfrey, Bo Diddley, Roy Orbison, the Van Zant brothers, whoever invented plastic tits, Merck, Pappy Boyington (while Blacksheep are in my thoughts), my VMA-311 brothers, Reader's Digest, napalm, the Red States and Homer Simson. And a Merry Christmas.



Rich Elliot, too... Ann, Walterhog... how many drinks in 750 ml?



Maybe we can get some help from the other guys as to other toasts and a supply of libations? What do you say, Rusty?



Tony.. have you yet booked for elephant again? I've got two buff reserved in Tanzania for 2005. I'm afraid I'll have to wait until 2006 for my 50 #'er.



Until the evening of the 7th!

Flying Leathernecks is on the tube and John Wayne is shooting down Zeros like crazy. Semper Fi and lets figure out a way to go to Africa together.... We'll discuss it in Dallas. I've got a story to tell you about Brent Hein and his comments about you when we have our first toot on Friday night. You shoot well... or so is the rumor in Zim?

Brent Hien speaking of me??? I am curious. We haven,t hunted together but we have met. I wish you would e mail me with his comments as I might want to have my friends with Immigration waiting for him at the airport.

I will bring a bottle of Bruich Laddich with me. It is an Islay Single Malt smooooooooth.

I am planning to retire in 2006. I will go back to Africa and do another long Safari. I would like to buy a one way ticket and stay until I get a lion, leopard, 2 buff, 5 cow elephants, and 2 big bulls. Then maybe get a job in Botswana as I hear they need some elephant culling done.

Ann, Have you thought about comming to the Dallas Safari Show and hanging out with the Double Rifle Shooters Society?

A good time is guaranted.

N.E. 450 no.2

As I stated in the e-mail, all comments were of good cheer. Evidently, you shoot quite well!

Ann:

You can sleep on my couch in Dallas.... there's free breakfast and you get to see Ray's exorcism. Reach deep in that pocket and come to see us all.

Judge, I concur what Tony says walking up to an ele is the ticket...A memory cherished forever...

We accompished our life long dream....

See all in Dallas...



Regards,



Mike

Ann, there is going to be an AR floor at the Marriot..

Mike

That's what I hear, I spoke to the Judge this morning!

Ernest,

I really enjoyed your post, have a little more scotch and you could write even better . Seriously you do have a talent.

Whereas I have not yet fulfilled my life long dream to hunt elephant yet it's coming up in 2007 and I am on the trail of an H&H .500/.465 to get up close and personal with to take a bit of history with me.

Congratulations on a great hunt and story.

CFA
Fred

CFA:



Have you seen the H&H's below:



Hallowell albeit a .500/450 nitro



Thad Scott



Good luck in your elephant quest and the search for the .465!

Fred,
It was good to meet you at the Texas Oklahoma Game. Are you comming to the Dallas Safari Show?

JudgeG,
Terrific writing. Thanks for sharing.

Kyler