STALKING AND SHOOTING. 23 



be visible. Looking over it you might be outlined against the sky. With bushes and 

 grass you would always fire through them if possible. 



Be careful that the bullet does not touch a twig or reed, as it might be deflected. 



Carefully think out the range before shooting, and the exact spot on the animal 

 you wish to hit with regard to the angle he is standing at. 



As it is of great importance to be able to judge distance accurately, it is worth 

 while practising as you are walking along a road or path, pacing supposed distances 

 to see if they are correct. 



The common error in Central Africa is to overjudge distance, unlike countries 

 with rarefied air such as Somaliland and South Africa, where distances look less than 

 they really are. 



Shooting at long ranges should be avoided, as the head cannot be properly seen, 

 and you wound more than you kill. Many so-called sportsmen who would miss a 

 I -ft. bull's-eye at 300 yards, with all the advantages of time and position on a range, 

 would think nothing of taking a running shot when out of breath at a galloping buck 

 at that distance. At an unwounded buck we think 200 yards ought to be the limit 

 when the animal is standing, but it is most unfair to shoot him moving at that 

 distance. 



If a buck has been badly wounded, it is perhaps permissible to fire at longer 

 ranges, as a lucky shot might kill the animal, saving it from much suffering and 

 probably being worried to death by hyaena and jackal. After your shot do not let 

 your hunter run forward as he will always try to do if the animal falls, but stand still 

 and reload at once, listening for the sound of your hit. There is a very different 

 sound between hitting flesh and bone, as in a hippo's head, and striking earth or trees. 



If the animal, after your shot, crumples up and collapses, he has probably been 

 shot dead, whereas if he falls over he almost invariably recovers himself, and is able 

 to move off. 



If he lies struggling on the ground one should shoot again, for if he once gets up 

 he will probably get away. 



If he draws himself together and starts off at full speed he is presumably hit 

 vitally, and will be found dead a few hundred yards on. 



Should game go on aftir being hit, don't show yourself, but wait until it is out 

 of sight, and on following it will probably be found lying up in the nearest thick cover. 



In following after a wounded animal, top all rises carefully, for it may be 

 standing on the other side. 



Blood spoor will sometimes not be seen for several hundred yards, and with small 

 bores sometimes not at all. 



