I've been a competitive shotgun shooter most of my adult life and have literally traveled around the world shooting with various teams but nothing made me as nervous as that first shot on paper, in front of the PH and trackers, to check zero.

I've noticed that as soon as you reach for your rifle the PH is checking out how you handle it, do you know how it works, are you afraid of it, are you safe with it, etc.

On my 2nd safari we checked it on paper and went out to shoot some impala for bait. Just before dusk we spotted some impala near the road and as the PH slowed down he told me step out and shoot one well I stepped out before the truck was fully stopped and slid on some gravel causing me to slide, as gracefully as a pregnant cow, down into the ditch....the impala took their leave. I got up as gracefully as I could and walked across the road to take a look....I didn't want to get back into the truck just yet. As luck would have it, just as I crossed the road, a small ram walked out from behind a bush with a "where did everyone go" look on his face. I shot him off-hand at about 75 yards and as he dropped a warthog ran out from a hole to my right-front and as I swung on him the PH yelled shoot. My shot, at about 50 yards, knocked him on his nose as he came to a skidding stop.

I felt like blowing down the barrel --- redemption is sweet.