Distance of first shot on the big 5 or dangerous 7?

[Ike85123]

Tim Wells

I was just curious. I have no experience with a bow.
I bought one at a garage sale when i was 12. Shot it at a hay bail a few times. The string broke. I busted myself in the face. So I never touched one after that !

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Tim Wells

Skip to the 12min45 mark.

 

[Ike85123]

Skip to the 12min45 mark.

That is crazy !
But I think I will stick with the rifle !

 

[Milo]

Lots of great replies.
In the end, do you really want your dangerous game experience to happen at 200 yard?

 

[WAB]

Well I spent a military career deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. I like the enemy dead and a long ways away.

Different game entirely. I spent an hour within 50 yards of two elephant bulls before we could get a decent look at the ivory. At 100 yards you might have gotten a glimpse of their backs. I shot the larger bull at 25 yards or so. That was in the Kalahari.

If you think you’re going into the bush to snipe elephant and buffalo at 200 yards you are in for a surprise. Even if you get an opportunity to shoot at that distance, your PH isn’t going to let you take the shot. There is a lot of experience on this forum. Do with it as you will.

 

[Tanks]

...

I have never hunted dangerous game in Africa only plains game, but when I do I am not going to go looking for those 15-50 yard situations, nor turn down shots at 200 that would result in a dead animal.

I don't think any PH is going to let you take a 200 yard shot on DG and take a chance of a wounded animal running around. If all you wish to do is snipe at animals from a distance I'd stick to farm raised PG in RSA.

 

[375Fox]

I don't think any PH is going to let you take a 200 yard shot on DG and take a chance of a wounded animal running around. If all you wish to do is snipe at animals from a distance I'd stick to farm raised PG in RSA.

Here’s an example of a 200 yard (bad) buffalo shot. Not the experience I’d be interested in, but they got their buffalo. Also in this situation lots of opportunities for follow up shots in open. 200 yard shot is at 4 minutes.

 

[Tanks]

Pretty open. Where I hunt in Zim that shot would not have been possible due to foliage. Still, longest I have ever taken an elephant is at 55 meters and don't plan to extend that to 200 yards. Heck, even PG I don't think I have gone too much beyond 150 yards. Now, Elk in Montana yeah way beyond 200 yards, then again different game, different environment.

 

[MarkB]

I am still with those that say why would you want to shoot any of the D 7 further than as dam close as you can safely get. THATS THE REASON FOR HUNTING, at least for me. Close proximity to any prey is what gets my hands a shaking and heart rate up. Not sitting on a tailgate table and sniping way out there. I have that conversation with the PH at the start of safari, I will be happier with a specimen of less inches hunted rather than a record sniped.

Even here at home, the moose at 350 yds, first question, how can I get closer.

MB

 

[thriller]

The buff I shot was all the way out at about 12 yards. While we were judging the group (about 50-60 yards) he came out of the thick stuff right in our face. It was exciting to say the least and the follow up was in stuff where we could only see about 20 yards. Needles to say my heart was pounding and I will never forget that hunt as long as I live.

 

[Scott CWO]

Well I spent a military career deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. I like the enemy dead and a long ways away.

The human body is nothing compared to a lion, buffalo or ele. Humans are easy to kill. You also don’t have to recover your quarry in wartime. At 200 yards with DG calibers and animals, you can do a lot of wounding. Then the situation becomes much more dangerous than a good first shot at 50 yards ever was.

 

[Vashper]

Buffalo first shot was 22 yards, second was 25yards, third was at 72 yards.

he ran 72-22=50 yards after the first shot. What if he'd run the other way?

 

[IvW]

he ran 72-22=50 yards after the first shot. What if he'd run the other way?

He would have died at 10

 

[IvW]

Here’s an example of a 200 yard (bad) buffalo shot. Not the experience I’d be interested in, but they got their buffalo. Also in this situation lots of opportunities for follow up shots in open. 200 yard shot is at 4 minutes.

And he cannot shoot first shot too high spine shock....
Too much crap when shooting for outdoor tv shows...they take shots they should not....

 

[MarkB]

When "that" show comes on TV I immediately change the channel. They promote every portion of sniping game that goes against what I think "hunting" is. Tailgate sniping kudu at 900+ yds just is NOT hunting for me. They clearly put killing ahead of hunting and do not understand the purpose of the "hunt". At least in my mind.

MB

 

[Ike85123]

Ya. That range needs to be left to the military and competitive shooters !

 

[kidogo]

Take what Diana gives you, but in general, closer is better. I do agree that elephant needs to be close, and buffalo ideally. I disagree on leopard. If you shoot well, and the terrain cooperates, I think around 100 yards between the bait and the blind is ideal.

 

[IvW]

Take what Diana gives you, but in general, closer is better. I do agree that elephant needs to be close, and buffalo ideally. I disagree on leopard. If you shoot well, and the terrain cooperates, I think around 100 yards between the bait and the blind is ideal.

Why? Are you going to be the one identifying if it is a male leopard or female at night at 100 yards?

Very few people can shoot accurately at 100 yards in nirmal leopard hunting conditions...

 

[kidogo]

I've never hunted leopard at night or hunted where that was legal. And I've passed shots when it was just too dark. I've done it closer, but think you are better off getting the leopard to come to the bait with a little more distance. A hundred yards off of a steady rest is a pretty easy shot. I realize that no shot on a leopard should be taken for granted or considered easy.

 

[IvW]

I've never hunted leopard at night or hunted where that was legal. And I've passed shots when it was just too dark. I've done it closer, but think you are better off getting the leopard to come to the bait with a little more distance. A hundred yards off of a steady rest is a pretty easy shot. I realize that no shot on a leopard should be taken for granted or considered easy.

Why??