I have to mention this, before I forget to...My first ele I thought I understood how and where to place the bullet on a head shot...I was given the opportunity to shoot an ele at 30 feet approx. and wham!!! he started down but he recovered and turned and another bullet, but that too missed vitals and off went my elephant...Did I hit him Damn right I did but I slid the bullet too low...It was hit hard the ele fell three times running away but lost him and blood at darkness...
You ask what went wrong??? Angles, did not know fully the proper angles or should I say I acted like I thought I knew...
Then I read our own AR members book "Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" Now after reading the book, I said this guy is an elephant hunter...Well I read again and again till I knowingly had a full understanding of brain location and all angles to slide a bullet into...I would look purposely for ele pics to see where to stick the bullet..This I did over and over till my time comes...
It did and many of you have read my story from the safari of my bull ele..I unconsciously raised the rifle looked for landmarks and fired sliding that bullet right to left on the frontal brain shot and the rest is history..

So 'Will', thank you for being an elephant hunter and passing your understanding on to us novices...

Mike

Am I free to use this as my obituary?

Glad to hear the book was of help.

Thanks,

Bill

Will and Mike,

I hunt elephants. I sometimes kill elephants. I often run from elephants. No... that's not good enough. I often run like hell, about to piss my pants, from elephants.

I plan to hunt/kill one again in March (and I hope my friend 1115 is with me to kill his first). There is no greater thrill.

Of course, I am a notorious know-it-all. Yet, I know enough to defer to you. Mike is right. Your book is priceless to a prospective elephant hunter (and enjoyable reading to boot). The book should be required reading for all first-time safaris where elephants may be on license or just a possible threat.

Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, is like having an elephant raising hell and coming at you with ears pinned back and little beady eyes focused on your sternum. Even a quad 23mm gun hosing green shit at you doesn't tighten your butt so damn much.

Will, I self-learned most of the wisdom in your book from sitting in an HHK camp rolling an elephant skull round and round, but dang if I didn't get a better understanding from your efforts. The pictures are invaluable and confidence building. Your book is always on my bedside table and I pick it up often and dream of my next trip to see ndovu.

I thank you.... even if you wear funny britches.

This buffalo hunter picked up a gem or two on brain shots from this book, too. Thanks again, Will.

"Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" by Bill Stewart

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:
Will and Mike,

I hunt elephants. I sometimes kill elephants. I often run from elephants. No... that's not good enough. I often run like hell, about to piss my pants, from elephants.

(...)

that was a very expressive phrase that said it all when jumbos are concerned ...