Now elephant hunting was something i wasnt sure i wanted to do. But I was told if i wanted i could take a PAC elephant if I chose to. I decided I would make that decision after Id been there a while.
We spent a few days tracking and looking at elephant. Saw some decent bulls one was probally 45+ lbs. A 68 lber was taken at another camp just before i arrived. I was to take a bull or cow depending on wich animal was found first.
Well when you check the villages they all have a "problem elephant" and must take you to the water and gardens to hope you find tracks and bag their problem. Most places didnt pan out. We saw elephant and sign but no signs of "problems". After a few days of this we cut tracks of an animal with a hurt leg and decided this would be an animal to take. After following the tracks it was plain to see the animal was with many others and the tracks were not as fresh as wanted. So we decided to come back to the same area in the AM and try and cut fresh sign.
The next morning we indeed found fresh sign of a large group in the same area. We headed out on the trail. After quite a hike we heard branches breaking. After stopping it was something how elephant just starting appearing at about 80 yards. The more you looked the more you saw. We glassed the group looking for one of 3 animals an old problem cow, an old problem bull and the one with the hurt leg. It was decided the first to offer a shot was the one i would take. Well the old bull was spotted and as we worked into position the entire group decided to feed in our direction. Well we had to run to the side to keep from being winded an hope they didnt smell where we had been. They came just short of where we were and stopped. They all just stood there fanning their ears and blowing dust. Well the bull was now in the middle. We worked back up and glassed some more the old cow was on the outside offering a decent shot. I took a 60+ yrd almost broadside shot. She stumbled a bit went about 40 yrds and piled up. All hell broke loose as the rest ran every which way screaming out their anger! After what seemed like a long time I put in a follow up shot and the hunt was done. As you can see she was an old dried up cow and was a good animal to cull.
I hope the day comes when I can spend quiet a few days on the trail of a throphy bull. I cant see how it could get any better. I might even use the win mag again!
Dean


68 lb tusks taken in the area


[ 09-23-2003, 15:47: Message edited by: tonto ]

Way to go, Tonto! What area where you hunting in?

Thanks Ann
I hunted with Kruger Human in the Monjola campfire area bordering Chizazira national park Of Zim. Saw many elephant some 45+ lbs. The game was scattered as water was short and fires were burning through out the area. But did manage to get my bag, a buffalo bull and this elephant cow.
Dean