THE BUFFALO 203 



enough even for a buffalo at close quarters. The 

 weapon, whatever it is, should be a double one, and 

 the bullet solid. It is to be remembered that this 

 animal has a very thick skin, and that bullets of the 

 hollow-pointed express type break up too readily and 

 fail to inflict the severe wound required. When aiming 

 for the heart, the shot should be delivered low down, 

 well below the middle of the body. The buffalo 

 stands low, as compared with other game, and when 

 seen standing in covert his aspect is somewhat de- 

 ceptive. When lying down he may be killed by a 

 shot planted in the centre of the forehead, just 

 below the horns. 



In approaching a herd there is no great danger, 

 and the sportsman can usually obtain his shot without 

 much risk. If the troop is a big one, however, it 

 may happen that in their fright they may come 

 galloping back in the direction of the hunter, in 

 which case he may look out for a tree or some other 

 safe shelter, otherwise he may be knocked over and 

 badly injured. Shooting buffaloes in fairly open 

 ground is by no means dangerous sport, and single 

 animals or small troops can be approached without 

 great difficulty. But even when a buffalo is down 

 and apparently dead, he should be approached with 

 great caution. Instances have often occurred where 

 the apparently moribund beast has sprung to its feet 

 and charged savagely just as the hunter came up. A 

 dying buffalo nearly always groans forth a peculiar, 

 querulous, moaning bellow, which can seldom be 

 mistaken. 



