I found what I consider to be a great riflescope for my .35 Whelen Improved and its upcoming use on a Cape Buffalo hunt. You can check out my review of the Vortex Strike Eagle using this link.
‘The Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter’ by W.D.M. ‘Karamojo’ Bell
Man, I use to really hate writing book reviews in school. That’s why I am so surprised by the enjoyment I get from writing them now. But, then again, the books I read in school often held little interest for someone in love with the writings of Ruark, O’Connor et al…
My newest review discusses the autobiography of the great elephant hunter, ‘Karamojo’ Bell. Bell’s claim-to-fame was the use of what would be considered ultra-light calibers for taking the toughest of Africa’s game animals. I hope you enjoy my foray into Bell’s life as a hunter. Check it out here.
Use Enough Bullet: .35 Whelen Improved and Swift A-Frame Bullets for Cape Buffalo
This ‘hunting’ story or more accurately, ‘preparation for hunting’ story, was very enjoyable to write. It allowed me to dream of using my late-Dad’s custom built rifle to take a Cape Buffalo. It is yet to be seen whether that dream will become a reality, but I’m going to give it a go this November. Hope you enjoy this article as much as I did putting it together. You can check it out here.
A Day Well Spent
The continuing story of our wonderful day with Jérôme Lanoue and all the other artisans at L’Atelier Verney-Carron just appeared in the Houston Safaris Club publication, Hunter’s Horn. You can find the article – ‘A Day Well Spent’ – within the Spring Issue using this link.
Two Birds With One Stone!
I had a ton of fun using Lilian Camelet’s (4StableSticks) newest model. Killed two birds with one stone; I used the rest I’ll need for Cape Buffalo hunting with Mark Haldane’s Zambeze Delta Safaris, and saw whether I was accurate with the rifle I’ll use from Kerry and Carol O’Day of MGArms, one of their Ultralights chambered in .416 Taylor. Check out the article on TheTruthAboutGuns.com!
Book Review: ‘African Rifles and Cartridges’ by John ‘Pondoro’ Taylor
My latest book review, this one on Taylor’s African Rifles and Cartridges, just appeared. This is a text I return to over-and-over-again when researching rifles and cartridges for hunting in Africa, and elsewhere. I hope you too love this classic Africana!
Craig Boddington on BuffaloII!
The next article from Frances’ and my time at the Dallas Safari Club Convention appeared. This article involved my interviewing one of my heroes, and mentors, in outdoor writing, Craig Boddington. Please check out (here) what Craig has to say about his latest treatise, BuffaloII!
After Big Game in Central Africa by Edouard Foà
You can find my latest Book Review of Edouard Foà’s, After Big Game in Central Africa at TheTruthAboutGuns.com using this link. I hope you enjoy my take on this classic of Africana!
Quotes of Note: Don’t Wound Lions!
This may be the understatement of the century from W.D.M. ‘Karamojo’ Bell.
“The reason of the high mortality among those who hunt lions casually is, I think, the simple one of not holding straight enough…This frequently results in flesh wounds or stomach wounds which very often cause the lion to make a determined charge; and there are a great many things easier to hit than a charging lion.” The Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter
Quotes of Note: Wildlife Photographers
J.A. Hunter was a Professional Hunter that worked as an animal control officer, Hunting Guide and also a Guide for those folks who might not care to hunt, but instead wanted pretty photos of wild species. The following quote from Hunter’s book, Hunter, relates to the latter group:
“Yet I must admit that animals are sometimes remarkably tolerant of picture taking. I have watched in amazement while a group of photographers ducked in and out of brush within thirty yards or so of a herd of elephants…The elephants must have known they were there…After considering the matter carefully, I am convinced that the elephants thought that the photographers were a herd of baboons.”