Nhoro
AH fanatic
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2014
- Messages
- 998
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- 1,878
- Location
- Harare,Zimbabwe
- Media
- 29
- Member of
- Cleveland Gun Club
- Hunted
- Zimbabwe
Hi All,
I helped out with the Pro Hunters and Guides shooting tests this weekend. The other thread, https://www.africahunting.com/threa...bwe-professional-hunter-proficiency-exam.2604, has had a lot of interest so I thought I would post my experiences and some videos. I think that the test is a good guide to general dangerous game and hunting skills, so hopefully it will be of use. Most of these tests can easily be set up at your home range and would be a great practice session for a hunt in Africa.
I went on Friday and Saturday for the practice and then Sunday for the tests. The other thread dwells a lot on weapon failures so lets start there. I saw 2 weapon failures- a CZ 550 in 416 rigby -trigger screws came loose and backed out with the heavy workout-fixed on site in about 15 mins and a 458 win mag of unknown heritage that wouldn't load from the magazine. There were other problems that I believe were operator error-short stroking the bolt etc. There were about 5 x 375 H&H, 2 x 416 rigby, 1 x458 win mag. Actions were varied, 1 x Weatherby action (highest score !) and winchester/CZ/mauser/What was very clear was a vast difference between the guys that were well practiced and drilled and the chancers. The guys who were serious, turned up Friday and Saturday for the practice and made it through. Some others turned up but had obviously not practised enough and it showed in their results. Well done to the graduates, there was some excellent shooting.
On to the tests- To give you an idea, I will attach videos of some of the tests. I was helping out with bits and pieces and so did not video every test. Below is the canoe guide test with me on the trigger. 6 shots on 3 targets in 8 seconds, left/right/and behind you with a 44 mag or bigger. You will see my 6 th shot is just after the time and so doesn't count but I had 4 scoring hits + 1 outside the bull + 1 in the bull but outside the time. It would have been a pass.
Hunters do more shoots and need a higher mark to pass (120) Guides face fewer shoots and need 80. So hunters started with a gong (I ran the range and scored so no pictures) Simple 75 m shot at a round gong of about 6 inches diameter and 10 points for a hit, 2 shots in your own time. Shooters are able to use sticks/a tree/prone but not bench. All used the tree in a seated position.
Next the hunters did fire and movement- Shooter runs down about 30 m, shoots at first target at about 10 m (10 inch bull scores 5, next ring 4,next 3 etc) 375 scores full score for a bull but 1 less on the outer rings) Then he moves 5 m to the right and shoots the second target, then 5 m right and 3rd target. The score is divided by the time taken in seconds.
Next both hunters and guides did the quick fire 3 shots mandatory reload 3 shots. Start furthest to closest and then closest to furthest. Same scoring as above. See the video below. This simulates an animal charge and then turning to run away.
After that, guides and hunters do the run down,50 m run and then 4 targets
10m/15m /20m from left to right and then a target far left at 25 m so you have to break your rythm and go right then left. Again 10 inch bulls and score divided by time.
Last but not least, the charging lion. See the video below. Hunters and guides have two rounds with one shot each round. The target sled runs straight towards you at about 30 km/hr and you have 3,5 sec to shoot and get out of the way.
All scores were entered on a spreadsheet and then passing certificates issued to successful candidates.
I helped out with the Pro Hunters and Guides shooting tests this weekend. The other thread, https://www.africahunting.com/threa...bwe-professional-hunter-proficiency-exam.2604, has had a lot of interest so I thought I would post my experiences and some videos. I think that the test is a good guide to general dangerous game and hunting skills, so hopefully it will be of use. Most of these tests can easily be set up at your home range and would be a great practice session for a hunt in Africa.
I went on Friday and Saturday for the practice and then Sunday for the tests. The other thread dwells a lot on weapon failures so lets start there. I saw 2 weapon failures- a CZ 550 in 416 rigby -trigger screws came loose and backed out with the heavy workout-fixed on site in about 15 mins and a 458 win mag of unknown heritage that wouldn't load from the magazine. There were other problems that I believe were operator error-short stroking the bolt etc. There were about 5 x 375 H&H, 2 x 416 rigby, 1 x458 win mag. Actions were varied, 1 x Weatherby action (highest score !) and winchester/CZ/mauser/What was very clear was a vast difference between the guys that were well practiced and drilled and the chancers. The guys who were serious, turned up Friday and Saturday for the practice and made it through. Some others turned up but had obviously not practised enough and it showed in their results. Well done to the graduates, there was some excellent shooting.
On to the tests- To give you an idea, I will attach videos of some of the tests. I was helping out with bits and pieces and so did not video every test. Below is the canoe guide test with me on the trigger. 6 shots on 3 targets in 8 seconds, left/right/and behind you with a 44 mag or bigger. You will see my 6 th shot is just after the time and so doesn't count but I had 4 scoring hits + 1 outside the bull + 1 in the bull but outside the time. It would have been a pass.
Hunters do more shoots and need a higher mark to pass (120) Guides face fewer shoots and need 80. So hunters started with a gong (I ran the range and scored so no pictures) Simple 75 m shot at a round gong of about 6 inches diameter and 10 points for a hit, 2 shots in your own time. Shooters are able to use sticks/a tree/prone but not bench. All used the tree in a seated position.
Next the hunters did fire and movement- Shooter runs down about 30 m, shoots at first target at about 10 m (10 inch bull scores 5, next ring 4,next 3 etc) 375 scores full score for a bull but 1 less on the outer rings) Then he moves 5 m to the right and shoots the second target, then 5 m right and 3rd target. The score is divided by the time taken in seconds.
Next both hunters and guides did the quick fire 3 shots mandatory reload 3 shots. Start furthest to closest and then closest to furthest. Same scoring as above. See the video below. This simulates an animal charge and then turning to run away.
10m/15m /20m from left to right and then a target far left at 25 m so you have to break your rythm and go right then left. Again 10 inch bulls and score divided by time.
Last but not least, the charging lion. See the video below. Hunters and guides have two rounds with one shot each round. The target sled runs straight towards you at about 30 km/hr and you have 3,5 sec to shoot and get out of the way.
