Dangerous Game Charges - some info!

[Ole Bally]

The following may prove useful to those who figure they can run fast (or need to load fast!) in a DG 'situation'!

Species	Charge speed (kmph)	30m (to cover)	20m (to cover)	10m (to cover)	5m (to cover)
Elephant	40	2.7	1.8	0.9	0.45
Buffalo	56	1.9	1.3	0.65	0.33
Lion & Leopard	80	1.4	0.9	0.45	0.23
Hippopotamus	36	3.0	2.0	1.0	0.5

 

[Ole Bally]

sorry this table won't show as it was pasted but I'm sure you can figure it out!

 

[richteb]

Never,never,never run.

 

[Code4]

Never, never, never miss. Lol.

 

[richteb]

As the saying goes: "Prevention is better then the cure"

 

[timbear]

If you blink, you've missed it - and probably the rest of your life!

 

[richteb]

LOL, wasn't blinking, wasn't even breathing, just comcentrating on the front sight and where it was pointing and trying not to yank on the trigger.

 

[RickB]

As I have heard before. If you choose to run, make sure you run faster than the guy next to you!.....and if you can't.......knock him down!

 

[BRICKBURN]

The Speed Shooting test I did during the PH School does not really take this schedule into consideration.

Three shots, not a hope to get them in on a cat.

The ONE shot had better be good or else...

Good information to consider before entering that bush with one of these critters.

A Good PH is worth every dollar!

 

[richteb]

Very true, and an rifle that is absolutely 100% reliable. A malfunction at the wrong moment will result that your return trip home will be in an wooden box instead of your trophy.

 

[Ole Bally]

OK who fixed my table for me?............Thank you!:

 

[BRICKBURN]

A little nome called Jerome would be my guess.

 

[James.Grage]

In my talking to various PH'S they are always sizing up the client, when a Safari begins.

As shooting skills are demonstrated you will allow a hunter to take longer shots.

However for Dangerous Game (DG) the PH"S would like to work you as close as possible and then try to gain some additional yardage before taking the shot.

When a wounded DG animal is on the loose some PH will not allow the Hunter on the follow up due to there unpredictability under pressure.

For the hunters that are allow along for the followup, extra measures are taken to prevent the client from being the target of the charge.

From my reading and talking to PH"S when a charge is in progress the DG animal has picked a target to go after and seldom changes course.

Now everyone on here can say run and run faster, when you are the target it does not make any difference if you are fast or slow, you are the target of the charge.

Now we have all read where PH have been the brunt of Cape Buffalo charges and keeping the client out of harms way. Then there is the Lion and Leopard charges this year where PH's or trackers have been airlifted for emergency care. Clients are valuable commodities and are to be protected at all costs.

In my opinion most charges could be reduced if the client were to spend time knowing there rifle and shooting a rifle that they can shoot accurately and hit there target.

If you want to see DG charges and learn a thing or two, i would suggest you purchase a DVD from "Mark Sullivan". While we all do not agree with his videos you will be able to learn what not to do. It should be noted in watching his DVD'D that he always try's to make himself the person being charged and keeping the client close by and out of harms way. Also the client is provided the first shots. If you have read the above chart you will note in the DVD that the client seldom get more that one shot in as does Mark Sullivan. Second Shots are rare from Sullivan.

MY2Cents

The Speed Shooting test I did during the PH School does not really take this schedule into consideration.

Three shots, not a hope to get them in on a cat.

The ONE shot had better be good or else...

Good information to consider before entering that bush with one of these critters.

A Good PH is worth every dollar!

 

[richteb]

James, all you say sounds good in theory. I am fairly certain that most hunters going to hunt DG will have read all they can as well as watch the various DVD's that are available, I certainly have.

Shooting practice and getting familiar with your chosen rifle is crucial.

Despite doing all the right preparation for a hunt things do not always go as planned.

I learned from my experience that although placing the first shot accurately is crucial, equally important is correctly identifying the position the animal is standing. Not always easy when partly obscured by bush. This was the error I made on my buff. Despite my shot hitting the animal where I intended it was the wrong spot.

When we finally caught up with the wounded buff and it charged the PH and I were standing side by side about 4 feet apart and therefore we could not determine who the buff was coming for. My guess is that during a charge it depends on where all the members of the party are positioned will largely determine who the target will be. With wounded Leopard this may be different if what I have read is true.

At no time during the hunt did the PH ask me if I wanted to stay behind. I did ask later if he did consider that option. His opinion was that since I was fit enough and had an appropriate rifle (detachable scope) and addition showed a willingness to see the hunt through to the end he was happy to have me there. Now, I dont for a minute think that all PHs will be of the same mind and each situation is different.

I can also say with confidence that at no time during the charge did running even cross my mind.

My 2 cents worth.

 

[driehoek]

First bullet must hit its mark!

As a nursing sister, often helping in a small hospital in the northern area of Namibia, we have been on the
other end of the hunt that has gone awfully wrong! The worst accidents were with Leopards.
We managed to patch up all the guys that came in. One PH had a heart attack 4 days after a wounded Leopard charged and got his best tracker by the neck infront of him. There was nothing he could do for the tracker. That was also the last charge the Leopard undertook!!!

 

[richteb]

Baobab, Out of all the DG, leopard would be the one that I would really, really not want to follow up if wounded. I think but do not have any statistics, bul leopard would be the most frequent DG that actually injures hunters when followed up wounded.

 

[Ole Bally]

In my talking to various PH'S they are always sizing up the client, when a Safari begins.

As shooting skills are demonstrated you will allow a hunter to take longer shots.

However for Dangerous Game (DG) the PH"S would like to work you as close as possible and then try to gain some additional yardage before taking the shot.

When a wounded DG animal is on the loose some PH will not allow the Hunter on the follow up due to there unpredictability under pressure.

For the hunters that are allow along for the followup, extra measures are taken to prevent the client from being the target of the charge.

From my reading and talking to PH"S when a charge is in progress the DG animal has picked a target to go after and seldom changes course.

Now everyone on here can say run and run faster, when you are the target it does not make any difference if you are fast or slow, you are the target of the charge.

Now we have all read where PH have been the brunt of Cape Buffalo charges and keeping the client out of harms way. Then there is the Lion and Leopard charges this year where PH's or trackers have been airlifted for emergency care. Clients are valuable commodities and are to be protected at all costs.

In my opinion most charges could be reduced if the client were to spend time knowing there rifle and shooting a rifle that they can shoot accurately and hit there target.

If you want to see DG charges and learn a thing or two, i would suggest you purchase a DVD from "Mark Sullivan". While we all do not agree with his videos you will be able to learn what not to do. It should be noted in watching his DVD'D that he always try's to make himself the person being charged and keeping the client close by and out of harms way. Also the client is provided the first shots. If you have read the above chart you will note in the DVD that the client seldom get more that one shot in as does Mark Sullivan. Second Shots are rare from Sullivan.

MY2Cents

However for Dangerous Game (DG) the PH"S would like to work you as close as possible and then try to gain some additional yardage before taking the shot.
The client is sized up from the shooting range where accuracy and general firearm familiarity as assessed.
As shooting skills are demonstrated you will allow a hunter to take longer shots. [COLOR="#0000FF"]
Most shooting will take place under 100m...the guy has to show exceptional skill to be allowed further shots! And besides it's a matter of pride and skill for (most) PH's to get their clients close in. But having said all that just sometimes terrain doesn't permit. The objective of the PH is to get the client close enough in to try and ensure to the best of both their abilities that when the shot if fired...the animal dies as quickly and cleanly as possible.
When a wounded DG animal is on the loose some PH will not allow the Hunter on the follow up due to there unpredictability under pressure. [COLOR="#0000FF"]
This is really a matter of big discussion amongst PH's. And everyone has an opinion. Personally, my view and practice is /was that the client MUST do all the shooting so he has to be there on the follow up and be first in line - behind the trackers - walking next to the PH to be able to finish off his animal. The PH is there to protect the life of the client and staff....not to shoot the clients animals!
For the hunters that are allow along for the followup, extra measures are taken to prevent the client from being the target of the charge.
Like someone once said "Proper planning prevents piss poor performance!" Or this case 'blood loss'!
Clients are valuable commodities and are to be protected at all costs.
Absolutely, but by the same token, they ARE choosing to hunt DG so they are also aware of the risks and possible consequences. I reckon some 'kitty rash' scars would be quite becoming on some of the 'loud mouth frogs' out there! In reality, (and I'm going to get scorched for this) a wounded DG charge story means that the PH didn't set the client up correctly, either by not calming the client down sufficiently from his 'buck fever', didn't get him close enough, or got him too close. There are so many factors the PH has to consider before taking a client up to a DG animal the mind boggles! But a wounded animal charge is technically a 'blunder', someone didn't do it right! You just got to make sure it isn't you!
100% correct, but the PH also has to know to factor the 'adrenaline' rush in too! He's an adrenaline junkie himself!
It should be noted in watching his DVD'D that he always try's to make himself the person being charged and keeping the client close by and out of harms way
My 5c worth! He is the worst possible mentor I could think of for this!! There are so many more experienced people out there to learn from! I'll say no more!

 

[Ole Bally]

Leopards scratch and bite but are not known to kill often....Elephants KILL whether by design or by accident!

 

[James.Grage]

Ole Bally

I can show you paper punchers who can hit bulls eyes out tho say 200 to 300 yards all day long.
Now you put a live animal in front of them, and they will miss at 30 to 50 yards or wound them for a long days tracking if you find the animal. Your opinion on that is yours that if a person can punch paper that he is good to go.

On the DVD i said that: While we all do not agree with his videos you will be able to learn what not to do.

Have a great day

 

[richteb]

My approach to shooting practice prior to my hunt consisted of setting up trargets in a gully system on a wooded property of about 100 acers. The targets were located randomly and had about 6 - 8 inch bull. I would then walk the gully system taking different routes each time. When I spoted the target and had a clear shot I would shoot. All this was done without sticks and shot were from standidng, sitting or kneeling positions. Due to cover on this property alll shot were 100 yards or less.