Bill - Thanks !!! Excellent pics! I wouldn't have minded this on the other thread at all. The hide loks to be about a 1" thick? Also, how close were you when these pics were taken?

This is in response to Boss Kongini's question about how close do you get to an elephant on another thread, which I did not want to hi-jack...



Here are some pictures extracted from a digital video of an ele bull that we were maybe 20-yards from, as noted in the 1st pict which is on the same relative plane as Buzz and I. He was following a herd of cows that we too were following, although his intentions were a bit different then ours,



We kept bumping him, and he us. Buzz estimated him to be about 35-pounds, about what to expect in this area of Zim...but he kept getting bigger the more times we ran into him!



BossK, note the great frontal shots he kept giving us. I would study Thomson's book, and be ready for ALL potential shots (side heart/lung, side brain, frontal brain and rear spine and/or hip). I watch every elephant show on The National Geographic Channel, Discovery, etc. that's on, and visualize the angles. I even went to the zoo a few times and discretely did the same. This way, when you talk to your PH about it, you can do so with some understanding. In doing so, of course you learn more about elephant, which is equally important considering the cost of an ele hunt, and the respect and preparation that this animal deserves.



Your PH may have a strong feeling as to the shot he wants you take, which may be based on his past experiences with clients.



But don't think a side heart or lung shot is a sure bet....I shared a camp in the Caprivi with a gentleman from Germany that shot a tree instead of the elephant, the PH thought the ele was hit and administered the follow-up shots from his double, which were proven to be the kill shots. But not until the ele had covered a lot of ground. It was found weeks later, and I do not know if the hunter was able to prove it was the same ele or not, and get "his trophy". A very nice gentleman with more money then God, but I don't think he prepared to well in advance...



















We eventually lost the cow herd in some rock after hours of painful tracking.

In my experience most eles will haul ass if they discover that you are around. It is that 100%-most, the ones that come for you, that make it really exciting.



(I'd guess more like 25 lbs., max.)

I have read that when you see a bull elephant with secretions coming from his temples that he is not to be messed with. It means either that he is "in musth" or he is stressed. And either way, he is likely to be more aggressive.



Regards,



Terry

I saw a special on elephants on television once and they were showing them in musk or whatever the spelling is. one guy was bumping the truck and in an aggressive mood. he chased the truck a couple of times. I guess that the younger males during that time of year can cause quite a bit of damage.

Red