That's a fair point about personal preferences. We all have them. One of mine is that, for some strange reason, I prefer to hunt buffalo with open-sighted rifles - anything else just doesn't feel quite right to me (bow aside). That said, my friends enjoy their scoped rifles, and we all get along.

Aside from these philosophical ramblings, you are correct that hardly any bowhunters have hunted elephant without rifle backup; Bill Negley is the only one, I believe.

Although the great Howard Hill committed a few sins back in the '50s whilst filming an African bowhunting movie - which has been a case in point for us bowhunters to learn what not to do - he did manage to shoot dead an attacking lion that he encountered whilst out for a lone stroll, with his longbow. He had no rifle, and the guide was back at camp. He wasn't expecting to encounter the lion, it just happened.

Rumour has it that there have indeed been a few modern instances of bowhunters claiming bow-killed elephant which actually did perish from a good dose of lead poisoning. I wish it wasn't the case, and that every bowman was inclined toward truthfulness. However, I hasten to point out that there are also very honest, arrow-only bow-killed elephants, where the rifle was absolutely not required.

On dangerous game hunts, the presence of rifles exists to prevent possible tragedy to the people and suffering of the game should the need arise. Bramble made the excellent point that what we hunters do is mostly adventurous rather than brave - bravery being a quality which those making or risking the sacrifice of their own lives for the betterment of others possess. And because of this important fact - that I am pursuing adventure rather than bravery - I am quite happy with the reassurance that behind me is a good friend who is handy with a heavy rifle when I am crawling up to a buffalo with my bow. That much adventure is enough for me, though I understand that for others it would be inadequate (as it was for Bill).

Thanks for the thoughtful, polite discussion, gents! It is more pleasant to electronically banter back-and-forth with well-mannered folk who hold different views to oneself, than to attempt to discuss world-views and philosophical matters with impolite, dogmatic types who may hold similar views to oneself!

Bramble - hat's off to you for having a go with that heavy longbow! My bow is considered heavy by bowhunters (buffalo heavy, not elephant heavy), but it is still seventy pounds lighter than the one you tried! I couldn't imagine the strength required! Incidentally, it seems the average elephant bow is around the hundred pound mark.

Regards,

Ben