4 HUNTING TRIPS IN NORTHERN RHODESIA. 



expanse of wild bush below — the haunt of wild beasts and wild men. It is a 

 grand thing to stand on some hill and to look on such a scene, and to know that it 

 is still in the same primeval state as it was at the beginning, untouched and 

 unblemished by civilised man's devastating hand. 



The shooting in Northern Rhodesia is interesting, for, as a rule, the game has to 

 be hunted, that is, spoored up. Most people leave this interesting work to the 

 natives. A fair head bagged in this way appears to me to be a better trophy than a 

 very large one which has been shot by chance. Good heads are a matter of luck. 

 For instance, a man came to this country who had never shot big game before, and 

 in a month or two he had bagged a seventy-pounder elephant, a very fine bull buffalo, 

 and one of the best roan antelopes that have been shot in this country. As he could 

 not have known much of the true art of hunting, this can only be called luck. 



To a keen hunter the interest of shooting is much increased when he is able to 

 follow up, or spoor, the game himself, without being solely dependent on his native 

 trackers, for this is, in my opinion, the most interesting part of hunting, as anyone 

 who can shoot can easily kill game if he gets close enough and keeps cool. 



Sometimes the getting " close enough " takes some doing, and knowledge is a 

 great help. For antelopes one should try to get within one hundred and fifty yards, 

 or nearer if possible. For animals such as elephants, rhinos, and hippos a distance of 

 forty or fifty yards is better, for then one can put the bullet exactly in the right 

 place. I should like to tabulate the qualities necessary for a man to become a good 

 hunter, but in doing so, I hope I shall not be accused of preaching, as my remarks 

 are of course only intended for tyros, and not for experienced men. 



1 . Patience and perseverance in following game. 



2. Keep the wind right — blowing from the game to the hunter, not vice versa. 



3. Shoot coolly, and take a rest for the rifle when possible ; but the barrel should 



not touch anything hard, such as rock or wood, or it will cause "jump." 



4. Go silently — a very difficult matter in rough bush — and never talk loudly. 



5. Carry the rifle yourself, or many chances will be lost. 



6. Observe details, for these count. 



7. Keep a good look out. Try to see game before it sees you. 



8. Get as close as possible. Every yard nearer increases the chance of clean 



killing. 



9. Never approach wounded game with an empty rifle. This applies especially 



to dangerous game. 

 10. Shoot with moderation, and for good trophies; and put wounded animals out 

 of their pain quickly. 



