Not my idea of a hunt, but we were shooting Bison from trains back then, and punt-gunning Passenger Pigeons, so times were different, I guess.

Damn Biebs, your getting on up there. I didn't realize you were that old when I asked about trading you my 458 Lott.I still have an old Sharps you might be able to handle.

Aaron

When reading the old books a few things become apparant. There were a lot of tigers around and the cost of organising such a hunt was affordable only for the royalty. Immaging 20 elephants and 300 men! The other factor is that the tigers often charged the elephants and were shot while charging. The howdah pistol was used to kill the tiger if it reached the elephant and tried to climb on top to get at the hunters!

By the 1940s such big hunts had almost completely stopped. It was no longer affordable & the number of tigers had dropped from over 60,000 to less than 10,000. During the 50s & 60s all tiger hunting was done froam a machan over a bait or kill and the only elepahnt hunts were for follow up of wounded tigers. By 1971 the Tiger numbers in India & Nepal was down to less than 1900.

looking at the hunters attire, I would think the hunt took place in the 50s or 60s.
I do like the rifles.. Particularly the low recoiling double. Possibly a 450/400J or 375F?

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:
looking at the hunters attire, I would think the hunt took place in the 50s or 60s.
I do like the rifles.. Particularly the low recoiling double. Possibly a 450/400J or 375F?

..or perhaps a 12bore paradox.

Adam, you may be right, as this was in Nepal where the Royal family continued the old traditions a bit longer.

Just imagine the cost of organising such a hunt today.... 20 elephants and the cost of feed, grooms, stables, a vet etc. Daily wages for 300 men. Food for all the people involved, .... must be a lot more than a Tanzanian safari for 15 days!

Yes I could imagine this hunt would cost a pretty penny but with some African wages today at a bit over one dollar a day it may not have been as expensive as one would think (even in Asia).

I remember being shown a similar film, though in color, back in the 1950's by Dr. Howard
Liljestrand of Honolulu, an old friend of my parents who was able to do much world travel. Google his name if you want to see a gorgeous house in paradise. It's now a landmark.

quote:

Originally posted by Kathi:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...mxMo&feature=related