Timing Your Shot In Africa

[Cleathorn]

This question comes from the Shot Placement on Leopard thread but seems worthy of a whole discussion itself.

Personally, I grew up in the eastern US, where whitetail deer ARE the big animal to hunt. Whitetails are plentiful but very spooky, wily, at times almost ghostly critters. Most get shot on the opening day (something like 70%) because of the pure chaos but "hunting them" is very tricky. One thing you have to do is take the shot you get. Often that means very or no set-up time. You have to be there, ready and shoot when you can.

When I started hunting the western US, the outfitters biggest complaints were that hunters would not shoot quick enough, because its such wide open country they are used to seeing game all the time. Its usually a long, real long, wat away. But when its in close, hunters are too slow to react. Generally they love whitetail hunters because we have usually shot and are looking for blood while the guide is still judging an Elk rack or a mule deer spread - wondering what the heck happened.

IN Africa, is seems to be some of both. On kudu - shoot when you can, where you can, with a big rifle to knock it down. On Leopard, be silent, patient, wait, wait, wait, study, study and when that shot presents itself, use the the split second you have for a perfect shot. It seems a conundrum - sometimes you almost cannot get the shot going fast enough and others is slow and patient to the endth degree?

Is there a general philosophy or did I just describe the role of the PH?

 

[LouisB]

Hi Clearthorn

In my experience the biggest problem when hunting leopard is just to get the client used to the idea (people get very stressed up and who can blame them) so if you’re lucky enough to have a leopard come into a bait and hang around to feed the first thing I would do is let the client just look at him and steady his nerves(not to say that I am not nervous as well).The hunt is largely mental and you need to control your feelings don’t hide the fact that your nervous but take it in as a good thing this is natural.

I wait for the shot to present itself most of the time a leopard will move around to get a comfortable spot on the branch to start feeding often leaning on the bait. It is very important to wait until he starts to feed before you make any sudden movements the cat will only feed once he is comfortable.

As soon as there is a broadsided shot take it some Leopards don’t hang around for too long.

After the shot they either drop or bolt off at the speed of light in too some densely bushed thicket nearby. This is not an indication off a good or a bad shot but if he drops straight down it is better for the nerves LOL.

The follow up is always tense as it should be but the most important thing will be to listen to your PH he will know best.

Good luck and I hope this helps a bit.

Cheers Louis

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Timing is definitely an essential aspect of hunting that is why practice shooting and getting comfortable with your rifle in various situations, distances and positions cannot be emphasized enough. In Africa, many times it is matter of seconds to seize or miss an opportunity to shoot an animal, so confidence which comes with preparation and experience is really important.

It is very difficult for me to put this into words but I think that it is worth saying so I will try...

Timing for me is not just about the last moment when the trigger is pulled but about all of the moments and succession of events leading up to that squeeze of the trigger.

First it must be said that being off on the timing can go either way, hunters can be either too slow or the other side of it is being too fast and rushing their shots which can result in missed opportunities, wounded game or worse shooting the wrong animal in the group.

Establishing a symbiotic relationship with your PH is really important and when achieved will result in better timing of the shot and a more successful hunt. That is why for a hunter it is really important to listen and engage with their PH. A good PH will be able assess each individual clients skill level, physical ability and "hunting personality" so that he can accommodate and adapt the hunt accordingly so that when it comes to the timing of the shot things go a lot more smoothly... A PH should be able to compensate and adapt the situation to some extent for a hunter who is too rushed to pull the trigger or who is too slow to the trigger though the PH is only human and can only do so much to help the hunter.

As a PH there is nothing better than having the opportunity to hunt with a client who is confident, a good shot, willing to listen and who you can fall into this rhythm or partnership with quickly.

Another aspect of timing while on the hunt is also being able to properly and quickly assess your environment, ie. bush, branches, grass as well as other game in the path of your bullet. Obviously if you are sitting at a blind you have a lot of time to assess your environment which is to your advantage and that is where what Louis talked about the hunt being "largely mental" comes into play.

Every situation is different and those complex skills that comprise this singular moment of what we are talking about which is timing your shot all comes down to practice which will give you that ability to recognize that moment of opportunity and the confidence to pull the trigger without rush or hesitation...

Most missed opportunities occur in those last moments leading up to the pull of the trigger than during the actual shot itself, such as bullet not being engaged, safety on, making excessive noise or movement, scope lens cover on, rifle slings getting in the way, not familiar or comfortable shooting from a shooting stick, miscommunication between the hunter and PH and the list goes on...

 

[Calhoun]

....Jerome you basically said it all! I know exactly what Cleathorn is saying as I basically only Hunt Whitetails & that's the way it is! Get on the animal quickly & get the job done!
... I have had one time in Africa where my speed almost got me into trouble. We were hunting Blue Wildebeest & after 3 long tough days of tracking & stalking This certain animal my shot was presented. I took aim in about 3 seconds was squeezing the trigger when he said wait! I tryed getting my finger off the trigger & jerked the gun. It was to late! My Ph was mad because as I was taking aim a young one walked into view, which I never saw as I was concentrating on the front shoulder! Needless to say the shot was high but I did recover it after a lengthy search.
....Christo - my Ph jokes with me now about my speed & precise shooting. It comes with lots of practice. I mentally have visualized killing the animals I have shot hundreds of times before I ever go hunting. I have read the perfect shot probably 20 times & visualize all the shot placements on these animals so that it becomes second nature of where to aim!
....For Leopard I would agree with Louie I would have to relax & watch , It would be tough But I have never shot with out permission from the Ph. Excepting in the case I described before which really wasn't my fault, I was quicker than he thought!!

 

[RayAtkinson]

Hunting is hunting, in your whitetail home or in Africa..If the window of opportunity presents itself then its up to you to take advantage of the situation..Your shooting ability is the difference, if you practice and you are confident then you will always be the one to bring home the bacon.

Not much different than sports of any kind or for that matter life in general..It has always amazed me how many of our hunters have never fired a gun at an animal without some sort of rest, and never considered taking a running shot. If one learns to shoot offhand, then he can shoot from any position and shoot well IMO...I, personally see little difference in a running shot than I do in a standing broadside shot, the action on the shooters part is exactly the same, but only if the shooters has practiced and has the confidence...I never consider a miss when I shoot, I expect a solid hit.

The same thing applies when I rope, I expect to catch..of course it does not always work that way but if you are confident in your ability it will work most of the time. I think any athelete will tell you that.

I can suggest a couple of things that are too often over looked...When you shoot at an animal, hit or miss, immediately chamber another round and be ready...When hunting always be ready, too many times I see hunters caught with their pants down..

With Leopard, let him settle and pick the "spot" you want to shoot, not just at the Leopard.

If you have not prepared yourself for this then use the sticks, take your time and try and be sure of the shot..and you will lose a few by not being quick, but wounding is far worse than losing one because you weren't fast enough..

Funny thing is I can't shoot off sticks and most of the PH I work for won't allow me to shoot with the sticks!! True story...

 

[Karamojo Bill]

shot timing

I hunt mostly Columbia blacktail here in Oregon. They are VERY wiley and even Jim Shockey says they are among the hardest animals to hunt. Thick brush and super senses combined with the fact that they are not patternable like some other species of US deer. Yep! When the chance is there you better get the job done or you have an empty freezer for the year.

BUT in Africa I learned two things. 1st, with dangerous game you WANT to do it RIGHT. We will agree on this. You DO NOT want a wounded dangerous animal in the brush!

2nd, If you draw blood you bought it. It would really feel lousy to fly home having paid for a trophy you didn't recover, (not that any of us wants to loose an animal EVER or ANYWHERE).

 

[Calhoun]

...I agree with Ray that most hunters never practice off hand shooting and miss a lot of opportunities because of it. I've shot Deer & a Kudu on the run by I definitely prefer & try not to if at all possible. I fully agree I never consider missing it's not in my mentality, but it does occur on occassion!
... The biggest thing is chambering another round immediately & being ready for another shot. My PH was impressed that I did that, as he said too many Americans shoot once & stand there and admire there shot instead of possibly getting a 2nd shot off and preventing a long tracking job!
...Believe it or not I have never shot off the sticks even though I got a pair for Christmas last year. I still have never tried it. Most of my shots are either off hand, sitting, or resting against a tree. My worst position is kneeling. I practice it a lot but it just does't feel right, but I still practice it because some day I may need to!!

 

[Cleathorn]

I hand load and shoot a lot. I do alot of off hand shooting, usually at 25 to 50 yards, just to practice. I do a lot of still hunting and off hand shooting in the name of the game.

I agree with everyone who says that practice is key to being able to do that. At my club we have a neet way to practice off hand shooting at moving target. We hunt a big tire from an angled telephone pole and ran a long rope to the side with a counter weight. Lift and drop the counter weight and the tire swings for about 20 ti 30 seconds (depending on ho high you lift it. The tire swing back and forth and swirls around. The backrest is always behind it.

There is a board in the middle that you staple you targets too. Drop the weight (or have your buddy do it) and then practice hitting your tagerts while it is swinging and swirling. Once your timing is down, its pretty easy. First time to try it, everyone around keeps there head down.

It is usually funny to watch the competition shooters try it because they are not used to working the bolt and firing off hand. If you can rig something up, I suggest trying it. It relly makes a difference, and I feel really good at just about any target out to 100 yards, running or not, if I have a clear shoot.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Please give us your thoughts on the topic.

 

[CAustin]

Would like some of our PH friends to speak to the leopard shot!

 

[Buckdog]

I agree with jerome and all first practice practice and more so you come to africa with some ability to shoot. then you have to communicate with your PH and listen to him and form a bond of trust or partnership shall I say you gotta get in the "zone" and be on the same page all the time. For instance many times it went as follows get your gun on them ok the 4th red hartebeast from the left with his head down and one in front of him 310 have you got him, hes dead, ok when the shot clears take him, hold on #4, window to shoot opens, boom, flop, cheers! (that is how red hartebeast die). I was told PH dont like clients to 2nd guess them, that dont shoot when told, shoot poorly, etc. They are watching us to evaluate listen to them and boom flop the 1st couple and your PH will be a happy camper!
also be honest with the PH, if your max range is 200 tell him if its 300 tell him there is no shame in that they will work with you. By the way he had already seen several animals boom flop so he was confident enough in me to call shoot into a herd at 310 yds. its a partnership and bond.
Practice and work with and listen to the PH and you will be sucessful they know what they are doing!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Would like some of our PH friends to speak to the leopard shot!

............. The hunt is largely mental and you need to control your feelings don’t hide the fact that your nervous but take it in as a good thing this is natural.

............... It is very important to wait until he starts to feed before you make any sudden movements the cat will only feed once he is comfortable.

As soon as there is a broadsided shot take it ........

Those three pieces of advice that will steer you well on your Leopard hunt Charlie.

Disimilar to other game you hunt, cats will lay down. This changes the entire shot placement picture. Which is why many PH's don't want you shooting at them when they are laying down.
Which comes back to point three above.

If you want to practice for a Leopard blind hunt: Build a blind, set it up in the woods with a lawn chair and sit in it for eight hours one evening in the pitch black when you can see nothing and see if you can stay awake and interested. (Toughest damn thing you can do)

Do not work yourself up to the point of distraction. (Once in a Lifetime hunts tend to do this to people.)
Get excited, it is an incredible opportunity to hunt a Leopard, but don't blow it out of proportion.

It is a Blesbok with Spots. Soft skinned, medium build.
(and you only have to worry about the claws and teeth later, if you screw up)

 

[CAustin]

Good advice Wayne. My excitement is starting to build. I am 70 days away from this hunt of a lifetime. I went to the range this past Saturday with fellow AH members Art Lambert. We got my 300 win mag with new Leupold VXR scope sighted In. This has the illuminated reticule.
The Ruger Guide Gun 416 was still sighted in very well. Art shot it a couple of times and cut the X ring. I would suspect that an expanding round from the 416 hitting spots on the shoulder s going to be devastating to his body.
Obviously I'm hoping for a one shot kill.
As the Boddington video on leopard hunting suggests I want to hear a thud hitting the ground after the shot.
From what everyone tells me patience is the name of the game with this critter. There will be three of us in the blind so hopefully I will not fall asleep and start snoring!

 

[siml]

Like all other animals, don't take the shot unless you sure.

 

[curtism1234]

2nd, If you draw blood you bought it. It would really feel lousy to fly home having paid for a trophy you didn't recover, (not that any of us wants to loose an animal EVER or ANYWHERE).

I think this reason alone is the most important thing to most people, particularly those who have saved long-term just to go on a hunt they probably still can't really afford.

The more animals you hunt on a trip, the less painful a wound would be (especially for first/second timers still soaking the whole experience in). But if you're hunting a short hunt package, wounding your kudu can be mentally crushing when all you get to bring home is an tiny impala and ugly wildebeest. Although you would save money on taxidermy

... The biggest thing is chambering another round immediately & being ready for another shot. My PH was impressed that I did that, as he said too many Americans shoot once & stand there and admire there shot instead of possibly getting a 2nd shot off and preventing a long tracking job!

I think that's because Americans are used to shooting whitetail deer.
1. They just fold over backwards most of the time if hit in the shoulder or broad part of the neck
2. If you make a good chest shot, there's no sense in putting a 2nd bullet into in the guts or ham if the thing is going to run 50 yards and collapse.