Surely this is another example of "never say never and never say always about anything African" So much depends upon the variables. Is it the clients 1st Elephant or his (or her) 101st Elephant. Is the shot being taken on the first or last day of safari, is the Elephant on the edge of your area or in the middle of it. Can the client shoot well or not. Does he feel confident of his shooting or not etc etc.

I would discuss these things with the client beforehand and come to some kind of agreement before we go looking for Mr Bigears.

Personally, I like the frontal brainshot as if it's done right you know so immediatly, if it's done wrong then the same applies. A wounded Elephant can walk a long way in a short time and often the best thing a PH can do if the shot was a bad on is to get his shot in asap.

As I said "never say never and never say always" A good PH should always judge each hunt and hunter on it's own merits and act accordingly. Don't forget that we also have a responsibility to the animal and to the other people in the area.

There's an old story about how bad tempered Elephants can put their sexual organs on the base of their feet...... the reason being that if it stamps on you, you're fucked..... that doesn't just apply to the hunter & PH it also applies to every person in the area.....