Why you dont want to hunt elephant..?

[Mtn_Infantry]

You explained the points game pretty well. I’ve been building points for many years in most of the western states that I want to hunt. Every bit as importantly, I started building points for my son, who is now 38. He’s drawn some great tags, especially in Arizona where he’s drawn 2 great elk tags and killed 2 real good bulls, a Kaibab deer tag where he shot a big buck and he’s in line for some sheep hunts as he has 26 sheep points in Wyoming and Nevada; and 30 in Arizona.

Persistence and consistency matter for western tag draws. I’ve drawn some great tags including a Desert Bighorn tag in California after 34 consecutive years applying. I’m sitting on 27 elk and 30 sheep points in AZ, have drawn unit 9 elk, AZ Strip deer and unit 10 antelope, all by consistently applying without missing a year.

That’s one thing I wish my dad did when I was younger for me hunting wise. He didn’t have the income or desire to hunt anywhere other than the 20 acres of family land, or occasional piece of state land. The only “hunting trips” I can remember were a long weekend with friends driving to Maine, New York, or Vermont. I suspect they were really just a boys beer drinking weekend since I don’t recall anyone ever being successful. Many people don’t realize they can start building points in some states, as soon as they’re legally allowed to hunt.
Based on what you’re saying, I’d venture to guess I’m 6-12 years behind your son points wise in most states, despite only being a year or two behind him in age. That’s the difference in starting as a senior in High School vs a parent putting them in at 10 or 12 years old. Good news is, as a non resident that pool is typically small especially the ones who’ve been consistent the entire time.

I don’t have children, but if I did I’d start building points for them in a couple states as soon as they started showing interest and keep putting in as long as I was. I’d also get them lifetime Hunting/Fishing Licenses once they were born.

 

[375Ruger416]

I started collecting points for my oldest this year. Will start for my eight-year-old when he gets old enough.

Very excited to head out in the field with them again in 2026. Would love to take them on a dangerous game hunt someday but my wife says they’re not old enough yet and I agree.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I started collecting points for my oldest this year. Will start for my eight-year-old when he gets old enough.

Very excited to head out in the field with them again in 2026. Would love to take them on a dangerous game hunt someday but my wife says they’re not old enough yet and I agree.

How old were some of the current PH’s when they killed their first DG animal? Many were 8-15 years old protecting the farm or joining their dad on a hunt.

Women ruin all the fun ….

 

[Handcannons]

I've taken one elephant in Zimbabwe in 2025 and have a hunt for another one booked in 2027. The long stalk and the ending shot within almost spitting distance was pretty darn exciting. But the big payoff was watching tons of meat getting distributed to those in need. That part of the hunt was heartwarming to say the least. The monetary cost is certainly high but I'll spring for one more then go back to my buffalo.

 

[Russ16]

I've taken one elephant in Zimbabwe in 2025 and have a hunt for another one booked in 2027. The long stalk and the ending shot within almost spitting distance was pretty darn exciting. But the big payoff was watching tons of meat getting distributed to those in need. That part of the hunt was heartwarming to say the least. The monetary cost is certainly high but I'll spring for one more then go back to my buffalo.

Where in Zim was your hunt? I’m getting serious about booking an elephant hunt and looking for as many hunt reports as I can.

 

[DLSJR]

I started collecting points for my oldest this year. Will start for my eight-year-old when he gets old enough.

Very excited to head out in the field with them again in 2026. Would love to take them on a dangerous game hunt someday but my wife says they’re not old enough yet and I agree.

You can probably start your 8 year old now or in the next couple years.

 

[Philip Glass]

I really enjoy hunting 2x1 with my son, but also a few special friends. That often means I’m not going to shoot anything, but I’m fine with that as I get to watch them hunt.

The last time I took my son to Africa, we hunted Madaba right in the center of the Selous Game Reserve. He was right beside me on an intense dry land hippo hunt and nearly fired a backup shot but realized my shot was true and the hippo was about to go down. Then a few days later we tracked a trio of Dugga Boys from where they’d watered and got close after a few hours following them. My son shot a very nice bull and since one of the others didn’t depart, I shot it. There’s really nothing better than hunting dangerous game together with your kids.

He’s not interested in shooting an elephant, but did say he’d like to tag along with me when I hunt them again. He was sitting next to me when I shot a leopard on that Selous hunt; and when I asked him if he wanted to shoot a leopard himself on our next safari, he declined and said it was enough to be next to me on that last leopard.

There aren’t a lot of people I’d consider hunting 2x1 with, but for the few I do, it’s about a shared experience more than me shooting another animal. I’d love to share an elephant hunt with my son.

Very cool!

 

[Betterinthebush]

I don’t not want to hunt elephant.

 

[Siennacoyote]

I live in South Africa and have had the most incredible hunting opportunities. However, there are some game animals I simply can't shoot; I just can't bring myself to do it. These include lions, monkeys, plus some others and, of course, elephants. I can watch these incredibly intelligent animals for hours. But to shoot one? Never, ever.

What I find most incomprehensible is when hunters from other countries come to Africa to hunt elephants. If a local ranger or farmer does it, okay, that's different. But a tourist? When someone asks me what the difference is between shooting a buffalo and an elephant, I start to wonder about the person asking…

The way I under stand it is hunters form other countries help keep Africa going . If they stopped the wildlife is in trouble

 

[TKessel]

Elephant has always been at the top of my list of things to hunt. I’ll finish my big 5 hopefully with one.
I have a feeling it will be the same as Buffalo and will want to hunt more. I enjoy watching my wife hunt and shoot plains game, but after Buffalo I’d rather stick to them.

 

[grand veneur]

But the topic here is about why some of us don't want to hunt elephants.

 

[Woodcarver]

But the topic here is about why some of us don't want to hunt elephants.

To not answer the question of the OP is the norm, donchaknow. Without regular derailment, threads drift into oblivion. They also require encouragement like yours to get back on track, very often in some threads.

 

[Tanks]

But the topic here is about why some of us don't want to hunt elephants.

The honest truth, most likely, is cost. Same holds true for dating models.