Keep your Rifle With you in DG Territory

Michael458

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From the "Grizzly Attack" thread we mentioned in Dangerous Game areas that one should always keep your rifle close, even when you go to the bush to relieve your "burdens" so to speak.

We were in the Caprivi Strip, Northern Namibia 2001. It was hard hunting, we had been walking 15 plus and minis miles every day for 6 full, long, hot, dry days. Much of the ground was soft sand as well, made walking even tougher. This was also Pre-B&M days and I was carrying a 10.5 lb 24 inch barrel Winchester M70 458 Lott, from the Custom Shop at Winchester. It got bigger every day and heavier.

We had seen quite a few elephants, got surrounded by one herd, mock charged by a couple of irate cows, but had not seen a big bull.

On the seventh day the PH decided we would have a easy day, instead of walking our ass off, we would ride over to an area and check out a waterhole to see if any big bulls had visited, and possibly find some tracks. So off we go. We get to the waterhole, check all around, but no big bulls had been around. Lots of other elephant, but nothing worth going after. Back in the vehicle, and we decide to follow another road out, but going slow and having a couple of trackers lead the way on foot, looking for any big tracks crossing the road.

Sitting in the back, I felt that all familiar urge......I grabbed a roll of toilet paper, rolled off the back, told them I needed to sort some business out, I would catch up to them. Off I go! My only weapon to do battle, "roll of toilet paper"...................

I jump in the bush off the road, find a nice spot and proceed to relieve my burdens. I thought to myself "now would be a hell of a time for an elephant to walk by" kind of chuckled to myself at the thought. About the time I stifled that chuckle I hears something just off to my left and front, and "Oh Shit for Real", here comes a damned elephant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wind is blowing from him to me, he don't smell me! He is not aware of me, Elephants do not see very well, and if he continues on the path he is on, he will pass within a few short feet of me, and then he is going to notice me in not a good way, and way too close. I am talking if something is not done, he will be less than 10 ft before he catches me, With my pants around my ankles no less!

Not much time, he is ambling along, something has to be done! I decide the best action is to grab my pants, stand up, make a small jump to my left, just something to alert him to my presence but not enough to let him know what I am. He could be prejudiced, who knows? Grabbed my pants, more or less got up, but not full height and made the jump to the left!

Ears went up on full alert, like radar, Trunk up in the air searching for sent, startled he took a step or two sideways, trumpeted at me, and took off to my right in a full elephant trot! Whew, OK, that worked! I was some what relieved and figured to clean myself up and get back to the vehicle! I stepped off to where the elephant was when I made my move, it was 9 steps. A lot better than 9 feet which had I done nothing is about where it would have been.

Pulled myself together, went back to the road/trail really, and sure enough here is the vehicle backing up, they had heard the elephant trumpet. They had heard, asked about the elephant, but it was a young medium size bull.

We decided to follow up. Possibly this bull might lead us to something bigger. After about another 3 hours, it panned out, he did lead us to another herd, and one big bull. I gave the big bull a side brain shot at 30 yards with the 458 Lott, and it was done. The hunt that began with "encounters of the Poop Kind"

NamibiaElephantNewScan.jpg
 
Neat story.

I think I'd need to buy a bigger freezer.
 
Awesome story.
Is that considered legal ivory and did you get to keep it?
 
Awesome story.
Is that considered legal ivory and did you get to keep it?


Yes, it is legal ivory. Up until the Obama ban in some countries all sport hunted Ivory was importable with CITIES permits. I am not sure where that is now and what countries can be imported, if any. Back in those days all sport hunted ivory is legal.

Yes, that ivory is above the fireplace now, along with another set............
 
Thanks for sharing. Been traveling around Kenya during a few exercise and always keep a magazine of live ammo in either chest pocket for the XM16E1 or in the mag well of the M14/M9. Had a lioness at 25 yds, luckily she wasn't hungry. Had to chase cape buffalo and elephant off the drop zone prior to air drops. Having to pull croc watch while crossing lakes in dugout canoes. Troops of baboons outside the camp at night which I sleep with my 11" magnum Tanto in reach. In Ethiopia had hyenas running thru our camp at night. Love Africa.


CD
 
Thanks for sharing. Been traveling around Kenya during a few exercise and always keep a magazine of live ammo in either chest pocket for the XM16E1 or in the mag well of the M14/M9. Had a lioness at 25 yds, luckily she wasn't hungry. Had to chase cape buffalo and elephant off the drop zone prior to air drops. Having to pull croc watch while crossing lakes in dugout canoes. Troops of baboons outside the camp at night which I sleep with my 11" magnum Tanto in reach. In Ethiopia had hyenas running thru our camp at night. Love Africa.


CD


All good fun............Even better when you get to shoot..........
 
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What does elephant taste like?

We took some strips off this elephant hung them over the fire, for about 2 minutes before the bushmen snatched them off. By that time I was up to my eyeballs in vodka, so I would say my taste buds were not quite in proper order. I figured it was about like chewy beef at that point, very red! On another occasion some years later, about the same, but without the vodka...........Hippo steaks and Buffalo filets are to die for however.........
 
@Michael458 , Have you ever hunted leopard? I hear they are pretty dangerous.


Yep, spent many a night in a blind hunting leopard. They are dangerous if you don't put them down and you have to go after them. I have only shot one, and spent over 70 nights in blinds. I hate the bastards and the only way I ever shoot another one is if he stands in the road in front of me! I hate sitting in blinds.
 
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