Just passing along a good interview with PH Fred Bezuidenhout published in the most recent edition of the African Hunting Gazette.

Here's the link:

AHG Interview with Fred Bezuidenhout

My son and I once shared a camp with Fred in the Caprivi. My son still remembers Fred's advice on how to shoot a Cape buffalo standing broadside.

Fred told him to aim for the top center of a triangle roughly corresponding to the shoulder/heart/lung area of the buff's chest. Fred described this area as a big target

Then Fred added the following: "If you're going to f#ck up . . . f#ck up low."

Fred is a terrific and very hard working PH. He's done everything, and can tell a hell of a good yarn about any and all of it.

Thanks for posting, Mike. I was fortunate to do my first safari with Fred back in 2006; he is quite a character and has a lot of great stories. He taught me a lot about Africa and African hunting over those two weeks.

quote:

Fred told him to aim for the top center of a triangle roughly corresponding to the shoulder/heart/lung area of the buff's chest.

Nothing quite like vague advice.

It does not matter what animal.

It does not matter what angle.

Just aim to get the bullet to the center of the chest.

Works every single time.

Even when you shoot them up the arse!

This not old wives tales.

Nor arm chair advice.

Personal experience, beats anything one can read.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
It does not matter what animal.

It does not matter what angle.

Just aim to get the bullet to the center of the chest.

Works every single time.

Even when you shoot them up the arse!

This not old wives tales.

Nor arm chair advice.

Personal experience, beats anything one can read.

NO, NO, NO.

According to Robertson's Perfect Shot Shot Placement For African Big Game, every animal requires a different shot placement.

You rookie.

quote:

Originally posted by Will:

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
It does not matter what animal.

It does not matter what angle.

Just aim to get the bullet to the center of the chest.

Works every single time.

Even when you shoot them up the arse!

This not old wives tales.

Nor arm chair advice.

Personal experience, beats anything one can read.

NO, NO, NO.

According to Robertson's Perfect Shot Shot Placement For African Big Game, every animal requires a different shot placement.

You rookie.

And I hope remain a rookie!

Something to learn every day!

Like Lou Hallamore’s SALT LINE!

One has to take it with a sack full of salt!

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
It does not matter what animal.

It does not matter what angle.

Just aim to get the bullet to the center of the chest.

Works every single time.

Even when you shoot them up the arse!

This not old wives tales.

Nor arm chair advice.

Personal experience, beats anything one can read.

Very sound advice...no matter the angle - the vitals are ALWAYS in the same place!

My long-lost twin Brother:



One of us was kidnapped from either Kentucky or Zimbabwe Rhodesia.
One of us uses a .458 Lott as his back-up rifle, the other uses a .458 WIN+P for everything, the more powerful choice.
One of us has been married for 34 years, the other has been married for 44 years.
Nature versus nurture, a twin study.
We both find this quotation very meaningful, great words to live by:

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift from God, which is why we call it the present."

.458 WINCHESTER MAGNUM PERFECTION

Non Illegitimi Carborundum

quote:

Originally posted by RIP:
My long-lost twin Brother:



One of us was kidnapped from either Kentucky or Zimbabwe.
One of us uses a .458 Lott as his back-up rifle, the other uses a .458 WIN+P for everything, the more powerful choice.
One of us has been married for 34 years, the other has been married for 44 years.
Nature versus nurture, a twin study.
We both find this quotation very meaningful, great words to live by:

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift from God, which is why we call it the present."

.458 WINCHESTER MAGNUM PERFECTION

Non Illegitimi Carborundum

I don’t know the first thing about the guy but he certainly looks like he’s seen some things. I’ll have to learn more.

Yep, he has seen some things. Would love to go on a family reunion elephant hunt with him and catch up on the details. Caprivi of Namibia now, not Zimbabwe Rhodesia.
Ron B. and Fred B.'s Excellent Adventure.
Heck, maybe he will take me on as an apprentice.
B&B Safari Company, LLC.
Limited Liability, unlimited adventure, the BB Safari.
.458 WINCHESTER MAGNUM PERFECTION

Non Illegitimi Carborundum

I’ve spent a lot of time with Fred in camp and a bit of time in the bush. He is indeed a character!

Fred is restrained and diplomatic in this interview - which is right and proper given the medium.

In real life, if he thinks you need straightening out on any subject, he will do what needs doing, within the realm of rhetoric, to move you in the right direction.

And I must admit that I can’t remember how precisely Fred described and defined the vital triangle on a buff’s broadside torso.

But my hazy recollection should not give rise to criticism of Fred.

It was clear as crystal in the minute, and only my memory is to blame for any losses in restatement.

I’d hunt with Fred anywhere, anytime.

Fred was my first PH in Namibia. A great guy. We killed a 9 foot Black Mamba that got too close to our ground blind. I shot it and Fred beat it to death with a log.

I also hunted with him in Namibia. What a great guy to spend time with. A wealth of knowledge and a true no bullshit kind of guy. Would hunt anything anywhere with him.

Sounds like my kind of guy!

I don't know...

The first thing he said to me was to ask what rifle I had brought. I told him a 416 and his response was "Good! The 375 is no good!"

Fred has an opinion on just about every subject. Just wait a minute and he will tell you what he thinks! Lol!

quote:

Sounds like my kind of guy!

quote:

The first thing he said to me was to ask what rifle I had brought. I told him a 416 and his response was "Good! The 375 is no good!"

Sorry Saeed, you're screwed on that one!

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:

quote:

Sounds like my kind of guy!

quote:

The first thing he said to me was to ask what rifle I had brought. I told him a 416 and his response was "Good! The 375 is no good!"

Sorry Saeed, you're screwed on that one!

I have convinced Roy Vincent, the man who thought the 585 Nyati was too small!

Now all he says "it just WORKS!"

Roy used to complain about me using what he called “minimum” calibers.

Several 270 wildcats and the 375/404.

Year after year, despite being in the African heat, where it is well known for evaporating any useful matter between the ears, he managed to realize that these minimum caliber do their job!

Hence his statement “it works!”

Worst is his son Alan!

I remember once we were trying to get close to an eland, in an open plain.

He put the shooting sticks up miles away - that is what seemed!

Saying “he is a bit far. You have to aim high!”

We had a good laugh afterwards at this, while cutting up the eland.

He added later “If you can see it, you can hit it!”

You see the sort of people I hunt with??

I had a PH tell me once, as we were arriving and he and his client were leaving camp, that my .500 A2 was a “PH rifle”!

I told him no, it is much bigger and better than that!

A couple of days ago a friend called.

He said he has a visitor who wanted to shoot the biggest rifle I have.

I sent him the above photos of a 308 Winchester and a 338 Lapua Magnum rounds in the barrel of our 700 NE.


He called back laughing his head off.

He said his friend never even imagined anyone made a rifle this big!

Is it just me, or does Fred closely resemble our beloved Walter?

quote:

Originally posted by Bud Meadows:
Is it just me, or does Fred closely resemble our beloved Walter?

Yes.

What both lack in brains make up for in looks

Saeed, you have far exceeded the point of diminishing returns with that cannon! Still, I do love the idea of owning one!

We had a visitor here once, and said he might try shooting the 700.

Walter said to him he had to pass a test first.

One has to prove that his dick won't fit inside the muzzle!

Our visitor laughed, and said "does sideways count?"

Have shared camp with Fred a couple times, very enjoyable. Owild hunt with him in a heart beat