I am back from the bush

.

First blood on my Chapuis 470.

Fantastic adventure, unbelieveble heat close to 120, ticks everywhere, difficult chase with dozens of kms on the jungle and savanahs.

Two days of tracking to catch a couple bachelors, as this is the worst time of the year to chase them. Woods were dry and in some places had 4 inches of dry leaves.

Small bull required 4 shots (1 shoulder too high, 1 from the back running, 1 from the front after he got sick and was going to charge and a final shot after it had dropped then stood up and charged again

). It really struck me that killing buffalo with the recurve bow (which I have done a few times) can be easier, demonstrating placement is everything.

In the end I have much less confidence for the .470 nitro and much more respect for the buffalo

This experience suggests shooting a 470 in the shoulder of a charging (30 yrds) large water buffalo bull may NOT work. This time, with this small guy it did work (he turned), but even after the 470 solid hit the point of the shoulder he run away and it took a while for him to drop... and rise again...!!! Ok, the shots were too high and above the heart and due to a couple inches left or right the shoulder was not broken. But I expected more from 3 shots through the lungs...

After a couple days carrying the heavy .470 I had longed for my 9.3mm double, and was thinking a .400 would be a perfect compromise...NOT ANYMORE...

Hope you enjoy the pictures...

My tracker with the bull...

His happy family in the middle of nowhere...

Flowers from the amazon

Fish for dinner...

Burning a couple thousand ticks from legs and pants, and doing it fast!!!

Turtle

This peackock bass was cut in half by a BIGGER fish (trairao) as my friend was reeling in...