I get the impression a lot of PHs will shoot the elephant if:

1) The brain shot is taken and it doesn't fall instantly; and

2) The heart shot is taken.

From people's experience here is the second scenario above true - ie if you shoot for the heart the PH will usually also shoot as well ?

If this is the case I guess if you want to take an elephant alone, learning the brain shot well is really the only option.

I really don't like the thought of someone else "shooting" my animals for me. In cases where the animal is clearly running and may get away, that's a bit different as you owe it to kill the animal cleanly and quickly. But if a heart shot elephant runs it will die reasonably soon so the second shot would not be required. If the heart is missed it may die but may take a while and perhaps the second shot is a god idea.

Back to the brain shot I guess for certainty.

Any comments on the above?

470Nitro

What practice or preparation did you do for your elephant brain shots? Look at some skulls, or just worked it out from verbal advice or shot descriptions in books and magazines?