.500 grains,

We do expect clients to sign the indemnity but it's not my policy (or company policy) to go round shooting other people's animals. We ask the client to sign the indemnity (which is a legal requirement in most countries) and then we immediatly have a long discussion about back up shots, dangerous events, charges etc etc. 99.9% of the time I don't shoot my rifle at all when on safari (except on the range) and that's the way I like it. But just occasionally a client (often an inexperienced one) will ask me to put in a back up shot if I think it's necessary.......and I don't have a problem with that. This is most common on their first ever Buffalo.

Other factors can come into play, such as; what species are we shooting at, and where does the shot take place. For example if it's an Elephant and right on th border of our concession and (for example) close to a village or a photographic area or camp, or even close to an international border, I might be more inclined to put in a back up shot for the obvious reason......BUT I don't like doing it.

A serious charge from close range however is a different matter.............and I can usually get a shot off pretty quickly if I have to.

As with most things in Africa, one should never say never and never say always.

On the subject of charges, Ganyana gave me a tip last year for unwounded charging Elephants.......he suggested I put a bullet through the outside of the ear........ Of course, these things don't happen every day, but it works a treat.

Double D

I agree with you, there's no such thing as a stupid question and I'm happy to help anyone out where I can........and an apology is certainly not necessary.

One of the problems with African hunting is that so many of us, myself included (I guess) suffer from occasional bouts of thinking we actually know it all.

....... I've been hunting in Africa for 25 years and a PH & Outfitter for 15 years and I'm only now realising how much more there is to learn.

Africa's a hell of a big place and what may be true here and now may not be true a few miles down the road or tomorrow.