What's it like hunting elephants?

[WilhelmM]

How does it compare to other dangerous game in terms of challenge, danger, and the overall experience? I ask this as most people (including hunters) find hunting elephants to be either morally reprehensible or just strange. I find it fascinating, however. So, any elephant hunters out there, feel free to respond!

 

[Justbryan]

I am also interested in hearing responses to this question. I have hunted Cape Buffalo. Please compare to Cape Buffalo in the response if possible.

 

[Luvthunt]

Well, as written for ruff grouse hunters “guns don’t kill grouse legs do”. A parelell for elephant hunters if hunting bulls for good ivory. Cows may be different but you still need good legs perhaps for a different reason.
Hopefully IVW will comment on your question.

 

[Tanks]

Can't describe the feeling, except it is addictive. Going back for more next August.

 

[WilhelmM]

Can't describe the feeling, except it is addictive. Going back for more next August.

Makes perfect sense. Just like how fishing is addictive, can't understand why but you feel like you have to do it over and over again. Where are you going on your next trip?

 

[flatwater bill]

Interesting question from a brand new member. Interesting........FWB

 

[IvW]

Hunting bulls(depends where) is not so dangerous however finding a suitable bull may take many hrs of foot slogging....
Having said that hunting tuskless elephant cows is very dangerous and probably the best adrenalin rush you can have while hunting....
You need to get into the herd, find a tuskless, confirm she does not have dependent calf by getting into position to check the mammaries and then into position to take the shot and then dealing with the maihem that follows...exiting stuff indeed.
So yes elephant bulls are exciting bur not comparable in the excitement, danger, adrenaline rush of hunting tuskless cows especially in thick jess...

 

[WilhelmM]

Hunting bulls(depends where) is not so dangerous however finding a suitable bull may take many hrs of foot slogging....
Having said that hunting tuskless elephant cows is very dangerous and probably the best adrenalin rush you can have while hunting....
You need to get into the herd, find a tuskless, confirm she does not have dependent calf by getting into position to check the mammaries and then into position to take the shot and then dealing with the maihem that follows...exiting stuff indeed.
So yes elephant bulls are exciting bur not comparable in the excitement, danger, adrenaline rush of hunting tuskless cows especially in thick jess...

Hmm, so cows are more dangerous than bulls in general? That's interesting. Does it have to do with cows being more protective and/or defensive over a herd? I've heard from mates that have worked in the Kruger that cows typically are more dangerous than bulls, they weren't lying apparently! Is it also true that old bulls tend to be solitary? Thanks for your answer.

 

[IvW]

Yes cow herds are much more dangerous than solitary bulls or even small groups of bulls. Hunting them or even just on foot phitographic safaris.

Old solitary non breeding bulls stay away from breeding herds they are often occumpanied by 1-3 askaris, younger bulls in attendance.

 

[IvW]

Elephant herd dynamics are a bit different. There is a female a matriach who is in charge. Breeding bulls come into musth(making them unpredictable and more dangerous), these bulls will then wonder around looking for females in heat and then breed them and move on. Trophy bull elephant are not normaly hunted in herds but rather as individuals or in bachelor groups.

 

[WilhelmM]

Elephant herd dynamics are a bit different. There is a female a matriach who is in charge. Breeding bulls come into musth(making them unpredictable and more dangerous), these bulls will then wonder around looking for females in heat and then breed them and move on. Trophy bull elephant are not normaly hunted in herds but rather as individuals or in bachelor groups.

A bit off-topic but have you had any close death encounters while hunting elephants? If so, how were you able to manage to avoid being killed? This goes for either bulls or cows.
Another slightly off-topic question, but which subspecies of elephants (in Africa) are more aggressive towards humans?

 

[IvW]

Yes I have. I have only hunted Loksodonto Africana African elephant.

First thing is to remain calm, panic and run you are dead...(sometimes you have to run depending on the situation and the terrain but experience will guide you).

Gain experience which takes a long time, study elephant behaviour and signs, they will let you know when things are not going to their liking, understand these and take appropriate action.

When the pawpaw hits the fan use enough gun, with the right bullet, shoot straight(you have to know exactly where to aim to hit the brain), most people mis high....

Un wounded elephant can be stopped or turned by, raising your rifle above your head, shouting, shooting over them, putting one through the ear or even high through the head over the brain. However again experience will determine the right course of action in any given scenario...

My choice in bolt action is 500 Jeff never let me down, in a double I would use a 500 NE, that is as a guide and PH not a visiting client.

 

[WAB]

Elephant hunting, done properly with shoe leather, is one of the toughest hunts you will do. Count on long days in difficult terrain covering many miles. When you do close it gets very up close and personal. The animal is huge but the target is not. Shoot straight! It is a very rewarding hunt. I love to hunt on foot, not drive and spot, so tracking hunts are what interests me. This puts elephant, buffalo and eland at the top of the list. I would love to do a tracking hunt for wild Lion but I don’t think budget realities are going to allow it.

 

[crs]

lvW,
My compliments on your responses above.

 

[IvW]

Elephant hunting, done properly with shoe leather, is one of the toughest hunts you will do. Count on long days in difficult terrain covering many miles. When you do close it gets very up close and personal. The animal is huge but the target is not. Shoot straight! It is a very rewarding hunt. I love to hunt on foot, not drive and spot, so tracking hunts are what interests me. This puts elephant, buffalo and eland at the top of the list. I would love to do a tracking hunt for wild Lion but I don’t think budget realities are going to allow it.

Yip well said proper elephant hunting you kill them with your feet...

 

[IvW]

lvW,
My compliments on your responses above.

Thx elephant are my favourite animal to hunt and take people close to on foot safari. I have been lucky to hunt and guide on them for a long time, PAC included.
I just wish I was born a lot earlier to have had more oportunities that we now can only read about, however that would mean I would have been pushing daisies by now.....

 

[WilhelmM]

Yes I have. I have only hunted Loksodonto Africana African elephant.

First thing is to remain calm, panic and run you are dead...(sometimes you have to run depending on the situation and the terrain but experience will guide you).

Gain experience which takes a long time, study elephant behaviour and signs, they will let you know when things are not going to their liking, understand these and take appropriate action.

When the pawpaw hits the fan use enough gun, with the right bullet, shoot straight(you have to know exactly where to aim to hit the brain), most people mis high....

Un wounded elephant can be stopped or turned by, raising your rifle above your head, shouting, shooting over them, putting one through the ear or even high through the head over the brain. However again experience will determine the right course of action in any given scenario...

My choice in bolt action is 500 Jeff never let me down, in a double I would use a 500 NE, that is as a guide and PH not a visiting client.

Thank you for your reply. Last question, how big was your biggest elephant in terms of tusk length?

 

[IvW]

Length I do not remember exactly but I recall just over 2 meters, but weight heaviest tusk 105lbs..we missed an opportunity by a very short margin on a bull that I estimate would have gone 120 lbs matching pair both left drag marks next to the tracks...last hundred pounder I tracked...

 

[WilhelmM]

Length I do not remember exactly but I recall just over 2 meters, but weight heaviest tusk 105lbs..we missed an opportunity by a very short margin on a bull that I estimate would have gone 120 lbs matching pair both left drag marks next to the tracks...last hundred pounder I tracked...

Wow! Even though you missed a bigger bull I'm sure you must have been elated with such a superb trophy!

 

[WAB]

Thx elephant are my favourite animal to hunt and take people close to on foot safari. I have been lucky to hunt and guide on them for a long time, PAC included.
I just wish I was born a lot earlier to have had more oportunities that we now can only read about, however that would mean I would have been pushing daisies by now.....

You and me both. I’m re-reading all of Corbett’s books right now then on to Bell. We are the leftovers of a bygone era.