NitroX
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"The Joys of Nyama!"
See "The Joys of Nyama" Part 1 on a post below.
Go to "The Joys of Nyama" Part 2 to see the rest of the photos



Nothing quite says it like these photos. The joy at the end of a successful elephant hunt!
-------------------- John aka NitroX
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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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Ben
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Loc: Northern Territory, Australia
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Great photos of those happy faces, John! Thanks for sharing them.
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CHAPUISARMES
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Loc: DUBBO, NSW, AUSTRALIA
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Hi John,
No matter what race or color, a happy person shows it with a smile, a nice touch to end an elephant hunt.
Cheers,
Jeff Gray
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NitroX
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"The Joys of Nyama"
Part 1

PH Paul Frodsham and I.
The tuskless cow elephant was small due to malnourishment from having its trunk cut off in a poacher's snare.
But for me it was fine, as it was a true cull, both tuskless and a beast in pain. Plus the game scout had told us it could be shot for free, almost instant decision on his part, so there was no trophy fee. A true cull.
I would also have a chance at hunting another.

Shaun Buffee, a PH whom I had hired to film the hunt is taking some photos, while Paul looks on/

The trunk is clearly closed off, except for a small hole through which the cow breathed in a loud wheezing manner.


Examining the trunk.

Trophy shot with myself, Shaun and the guys.
-------------------- John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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NitroX
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Presentation of the tail ceremony.
At one time, the old ivory hunters kept track of the number of elephant they had hunted, by collecting the tails and looking for that number of elephant later.



Cutting along the backbone.


Cutting around the foot pad.


Starting the cutting of the hide into four panels.


Helpers join in. Many hands make the work of skinning go quicker and the sooner the meat can be had!

Removing the ear.

Local villagers waiting patiently for their turn. The ear lies on the ground.

Some hunters tan the ear into a map of Africa.

Skinning the head.

Removing the trunk.


This elephant had a diseased trunk. About a third of the trunk had been "amputated" by a poachers snare. The end of the trunk had subsequently partially "healed" over, leaving only a small hole for the cow elephant to breathe through and drink through. We could hear her wheezing in the bush. The trunk was also diseased inside and filled with pus.

-------------------- John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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NitroX
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Reged: 25/12/02
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The shooting path down which I shot the elephant. However it is far more open now, having earlier been cleared for the "trophy" photographs.
At the time it looked like an open highway. Later before it was 'cleared' I was amazed at how many twigs, branches and trunks were in the "path" which I did not see when shooting. Guess I was concentrating on the elephant and where to place the bullet.
Shaun Buffee is in the photo. A young PH whom I had hired as a cameraman. He asked me to step right out into the 'open' of this path, so he could step in behind me and when he tapped on my shoulder, I could shoot.
I had been told by the PH previously that the cow due to its being both tuskless and "trunkless" (ie in pain) would immediately charge so not to take my time.
On stepping out, the elephant which had its broadside to me, immediately turned its head and body towards me. Its ears flapping out and the animal reacting in alarm. Maybe it trumpeted or the others did, I have some recollection of an elephant trumpeting, but really don't know as I was concentrating on something else. Shaun tapped my shoulder, and I immediately fired at the elephants brain front on. It dropped to the ground.
The story will be continued elsewhere. 

Bullet hole in the elephants head.

Before the nyama hungry locals can begin to collect the meat, their names are recorded in a register, so it can be shown whom got meat, and the number of persons, and also over time that the meat is shared between villages. Politics I think !
-------------------- John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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NitroX
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Reged: 25/12/02
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PUSH!



Going ... going ... gone!
  

Skinning underneath.

People power.

Looks a bit like a giant chicken!

Staff taking choice cuts of meat for their own rations. Plus meat was taken for the local tribal chieftain.
Hey little Dude!

The chieftain also traditionally got the trunk. Though in this case, he was presented with it, a large amount of extra meat was also given, as the much of the trunk was inedible.

Meat for the staff and the Tribal Chieftain.
Go to "The Joys of Nyama" Part 2
-------------------- John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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Mike_Bailey
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Loc: GB
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Great stuff, Mike
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EricD
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Excellent thread John. It's fun seeing pictures of Paul again, whom my wife and I spent part of our honeymoon hunting with back in 1998!
So what part of the cow did you and Paul dine on?
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NitroX
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Gentlemen,
Thanks for the comments.
-------------------- John aka NitroX
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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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DarylS
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Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
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Good photo run-down. Well done and Thanks.
-------------------- Daryl
"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V
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NitroX
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Daryl
Originally I had an idea to try to write an article on elephant conservation for mainstream magazines. Maybe the less "gory" photos could be used (are they gory? I don't think so. ). But if successful I think I could already hear the keyboards tapping out the death threats! 
May still give it a try. 
Certainly this elephant was a choice example of an elephant needing to be culled, perfect for such an article.
Also got a substantial amount of video shot, but maybe in red and green technicolor that may just be too much. 
Thanks for the comments.
-------------------- John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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GroovyMike
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Reged: 07/04/09
Posts: 229
Loc: NY
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Thank you for posting the photos. A true need for culling here. Well done. This may be as close as I ever come to seeing an elephant butchered. Thanks for sharing the photos.
What cartridge did you use?
-------------------- Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
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