Why Elephant?

[Alexandro Faria]

**Before I get into it: I am not against hunting elephant- at all- nor am I against the hunting of any game creature walking this planet. This is simply a question behind subjective motivation or appeal.

I'm interested to hear from those of you who have or plan to hunt ellies: what's the attraction or motivation FOR YOU? I understand the conservation aspect, as with any species, I also understand the PAC side of things. My question is more aimed at what the appeal is to you as a hunter on a personal level?


In addition, what's the hunt like? I know a lot of guys who have hunted them and the statement that pops up a lot is "you hunt elephant with your feet", so obviously lots of walking.

Then lastly, I'm quite an emotional hunter- I get attached to what I'm hunting. I'm sure the emotional ride while hunting them (and after the shot) must be pretty intense, anyone willing to share experiences?

Cheers

 

[Pondoro]

You hunt a huge iconic animal..I love the thrill and excitement of the hunt itself..and the rifles and calibres involved...to me it is the pinnacle of hunting..

It is also about nostalgia..to still be able to do what elephant hunters did early in the last century..

 

[Nyati]

I have been close to elephants in the wild, and yes, there is a certain feeling which I cannot explain.

So, I would just love to go through the experience of hunting one, (a good one) if I can somehow afford it.

 

[WAB]

Elephant hunting, done properly, is one of the toughest hunts you will experience. You cover a lot of miles and when you close you are facing one of the most dangerous and intelligent animals that exist. They are incredible creatures and the hunt is challenging, rewarding and emotional.

 

[Tanks]

Elephant hunting, done properly, is one of the toughest hunts you will experience. You cover a lot of miles and when you close you are facing one of the most dangerous and intelligent animals that exist. They are incredible creatures and the hunt is challenging, rewarding and emotional.

Not to mention that it is also addictive, and dangerous to your wallet. I have a tuskless on the menu as an addon for August.

 

[SpringTom]

I'm a little late to the posting.. But up until recently, I never thought I would want to hunt an elephant. I do now. It seems like an experience that I want to have in my lifetime. I can't exactly explain why, but I'm called to it.

 

[Philip Glass]

**Before I get into it: I am not against hunting elephant- at all- nor am I against the hunting of any game creature walking this planet. This is simply a question behind subjective motivation or appeal.

I'm interested to hear from those of you who have or plan to hunt ellies: what's the attraction or motivation FOR YOU? I understand the conservation aspect, as with any species, I also understand the PAC side of things. My question is more aimed at what the appeal is to you as a hunter on a personal level?


In addition, what's the hunt like? I know a lot of guys who have hunted them and the statement that pops up a lot is "you hunt elephant with your feet", so obviously lots of walking.

Then lastly, I'm quite an emotional hunter- I get attached to what I'm hunting. I'm sure the emotional ride while hunting them (and after the shot) must be pretty intense, anyone willing to share experiences?

Cheers

I like these questions. The reason is a am truly a hunter at heart. I’ve hunted and trapped anything I could since I was a child. I don’t have ANY idealistic notions that it seems so many hunters these days have. Some say “I wouldn’t hunt this or I wouldn’t hunt that”. Sorry I do not fit into that category. I want to hunt everything that walks or swims as long as it’s legal and not detrimental.
The elephant is second only to the lion in my opinion as far as a truly African trophy. A big challenge and truly dangerous. It takes a bigger gun than we normally hunt with so there are logistics that make it challenging.
I liken it to a story from my first safari. We were hunting on a package at Frontier Safaris years ago. My hunting partner said he was not going to hunt the small antelopes even though he had already paid for them (Steenbuck & duiker). I was there to hunt everything I could. The small antelopes, as many of you experienced hunters now know, really can become an obsession. I hunted them and now have a passion for the Tiny 10.
Once you hunt Africa and become really addicted you will understand why many of us want to hunt everything on the continent.
Regards
Philip

 

[WilhelmM]

I've never hunted elephants but it is a goal of mine to shoot at least one in my life. Honestly, I'm not exactly sure what I find appealing about it other than the animal itself. Everyone knows elephants are big on paper, but they don't really know just how big they are in person. They're both beautiful and terrifying creatures. A trophy elephant bull with heavy ivory is one of the most magnificent sights in this world, in my humble opinion. An even more beautiful sight is finding, again, a trophy elephant bull with heavy ivory only that it's an unknown and unseen animal meaning that if you were to shoot it, you had just partaken in a once of a lifetime experience. You have further cemented yourself in nature and it's no longer just a typical elephant, it's your elephant. You've fully earned the hunt and the harvest. At least that's what I think it feels like so people are more than welcome to correct me lol.

 

[SpringTom]

I like these questions. The reason is a am truly a hunter at heart. I’ve hunted and trapped anything I could since I was a child. I don’t have ANY idealistic notions that it seems so many hunters these days have. Some say “I wouldn’t hunt this or I wouldn’t hunt that”. Sorry I do not fit into that category. I want to hunt everything that walks or swims as long as it’s legal and not detrimental.
The elephant is second only to the lion in my opinion as far as a truly African trophy. A big challenge and truly dangerous. It takes a bigger gun than we normally hunt with so there are logistics that make it challenging.
I liken it to a story from my first safari. We were hunting on a package at Frontier Safaris years ago. My hunting partner said he was not going to hunt the small antelopes even though he had already paid for them (Steenbuck & duiker). I was there to hunt everything I could. The small antelopes, as many of you experienced hunters now know, really can become an obsession. I hunted them and now have a passion for the Tiny 10.
Once you hunt Africa and become really addicted you will understand why many of us want to hunt everything on the continent.
Regards
Philip

Philip.

This all makes sense to me.
I think I'm finally approaching the point in my life where I can honestly start planning to take my first trip to the Dark Continent, to hunt. I've read about it since I was young, and it always seemed like the "pinnacle" of adventure so to speak. As I'm getting older and more comfortable with truly being myself I'm realizing how much these ideals call to me. And why they do. Its allowing oneself to shed the shroud that modern society has cast upon so many of us. For so many years (and still sometimes) I felt like I had to be discreet and almost apologetic about my hunting, and love of conservation. Probably just the societal conditioning that is overwhelmingly all too common. This year, among many things, im working to be true to myself. I know that I will be a better human being for it.

I'm very glad to have joined this forum recently. It's wonderful to know that I'm not the only one who still has feelings like this.

Semper Fi,

Tom

 

[Cam Moon]

I think that the allure mat be that they are the largest land animal we have. There has to be some excitement in that alone. They are dangerous. You hunt them at very close distances. All of these things seem to appeal to me. But somehow, I don't know if I could do it. I don't know how I'd feel about it. There just seems to be something magical about them. That's not it though. I think maybe a sense of awareness? Like @WAB said, they are one of the most intelligent animals in existence. Maybe I've read too much about them, or heard too many stories about them...about them having emotions and self awareness. I just know that I've been a bit of an adrenaline junkie, and SO many things about it scream excitement, but I just don't know if I could do it. I'll say one thing though..... I'm thankful that there are those that can and DO. That's something that the anties don't seem to be able to understand.

 

[WilhelmM]

I think that the allure mat be that they are the largest land animal we have. There has to be some excitement in that alone. They are dangerous. You hunt them at very close distances. All of these things seem to appeal to me. But somehow, I don't know if I could do it. I don't know how I'd feel about it. There just seems to be something magical about them. That's not it though. I think maybe a sense of awareness? Like @WAB said, they are one of the most intelligent animals in existence. Maybe I've read too much about them, or heard too many stories about them...about them having emotions and self awareness. I just know that I've been a bit of an adrenaline junkie, and SO many things about it scream excitement, but I just don't know if I could do it. I'll say one thing though..... I'm thankful that there are those that can and DO. That's something that the anties don't seem to be able to understand.

I’ll admit, when I first found out elephant hunting was completely legal just a few years ago, I was weirded out. I could not for the life of me understand why someone would want to shoot an animal like that. I then realized that the reason I had developed this perception is due to societal factors. I think for people in the modern age to truly understand the appeal they should first start off by reading all the old and classic hunting novels, and then see how African hunting is done today by watching a few outdoor channels like J Alain Smith. Jim Shockey is even better!

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Five years ago I had only dreamed about Africa. Then I joined this great forum. After two trips already and third coming up this year with 3 DG animals in it, I am planning 2023 already. It will include only DG animals, looking at possibly Tuskless elephant, hippo and croc.
I am not sure how many of this years trip animals will even be brought back home.
I have learned it is the thrill and adrenaline rush of the hunt that matters. So elephant of some type will be in 2023 plans if I am still able to make it over there.

 

[Pondoro]

If you REALLY wanna feel the adrenaline rush..try hunt them at night. That is an unforgettable experience..

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I don't know if I could either. I love hunting, I not only agree with the nature value economy, but promote it often. Hunting is saving, saving is hunting. But being a third generation African I have interacted with these magnificent beasts too often, always on their terms. I know of no other wild animal that recognises that line between itself and man and willingly crosses it often, I really dont know why. I have had one gently step over me in my sleeping bag when he clearly could have gone around. One came to our breakfast table and sniffed all before going back to his leaves nearby. At the end of their long magnificent lives they must die, and no nobler an end than at the hand of a hunter that loves them. I have half of that equation in place, maybe one day I will step up to what is as much of a responsibility as an honour to get to the hunting pinnacle, but for now I will leave it to those of you whe are there.

 

[Cam Moon]

@Kevin Peacocke Well said!

 

[Pondoro]

I don't know if I could either. I love hunting, I not only agree with the nature value economy, but promote it often. Hunting is saving, saving is hunting. But being a third generation African I have interacted with these magnificent beasts too often, always on their terms. I know of no other wild animal that recognises that line between itself and man and willingly crosses it often, I really dont know why. I have had one gently step over me in my sleeping bag when he clearly could have gone around. One came to our breakfast table and sniffed all before going back to his leaves nearby. At the end of their long magnificent lives they must die, and no nobler an end than at the hand of a hunter that loves them. I have half of that equation in place, maybe one day I will step up to what is as much of a responsibility as an honour to get to the hunting pinnacle, but for now I will leave it to those of you whe are there.

That is fair enough Kevin...and I have to admit that I am hesitant to take the big cats..

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

That is fair enough Kevin...and I have to admit that I am hesitant to take the big cats..

Buffalo is it - big, mean, black, heavy buffalo that are as likely to kill me ( because I am a kak shot) as I am to kill them. Besides, you cant eat lion balls.

 

[Cam Moon]

That's interesting. Why hesitant to shoot one of the big cats?

 

[Pondoro]

I have no rational answer to it....just reluctant..

But elephant..man are they addictive to hunt..

 

[Cam Moon]

Fair enough. I appreciate your response of "no rational answer"! lol It's funny what drives each of us as hunters. Me, I'd jump at the opportunity to hunt a big cat. It's my finances that restrict me. I value that others have different ideas and opinions. As I said before, I'm thankful for those that can and do hunt Elephant. It's a necessity really. And we all need to remember the importance of that. It's far greater than our own personal ideas, thoughts, or beliefs. If we, as hunters, don't support each other, one day it will be us who are no longer around.