DESTRUCTION OF ELEPHANTS. 
59- 
(a) Front or forehead. — The point to aim at is the centre of 
the forehead, near the top of the large bump at the 
base of the trunk, which if a line is drawn between the 
eyes would be about 3 inches above them. Both the 
person shooting and the animal should be on more or 
less level ground, the animal also facing and carrying 
the head in the natural position. 
(b) Ear^ temple or side shot. — The animal standing on more 
or less level ground and head held in natural position ; 
the best spot to aim at, if the person shooting be also 
on level ground, is the ear-hole, in a line to pass 
through the opposite ear-hole. Other side shots may 
be taken in the region of the temple, depending on 
position of person shooting. 
(c) The rear or behind ear shot. — Sanderson describes as 
follows : — The spot behind the ear is in the hollow 
just over the large lump or swelling at the junction of 
the jaw and neck. It must be taken at about an angle 
of 45 degrees with the elephant's course from behind.'^ 
When charging the head is elevated and the trunk curled up, 
so it is necessary to fire at least a foot lower than when the head 
is held in the natural position. If a tusker, fire between the tusks. 
The chief thing in shooting an elephant is to approach as close 
as possible in order to make certain of the shot, as the mark at a 
little distance is easily missed. Cover should be taken, and the 
best time to stalk the beast is while he is feeding ; great care must 
be paid to the direction of the wind, which should be from the 
animal ; the wind should be taken every few yards with feathers, 
wood-ashes, or any very light material. 
With regard to the weapon to be used, there are many advocates 
for small bores, and a rifle such as a '303 with nickel bullet, owing 
to its great penetration, will kill an elephant as efficiently as a much 
larger bore ; still picked shots are required and luck also, and we 
seldom hear of the animals wounded by small bores and not bagged. 
A small bore is a poor weapon when face to face with an infuriated 
elephant. To inexperienced persons, I recommend the heaviest 
weapon they can conveniently carry, such as a '470 cordite (nickel 
bullets), a '577 express, with steel-tipped bullets, or better still, an 
8-bore with hardened lead bullets. It is desirable to have a second 
rifle at hand in case of accidents. 
The body shot should be taken rather low, a little above and behind 
the elbow just near the wrinkle usually observed in that region. This 
shot should not be taken where people are about, as even with a 4-bore 
bullet placed in this position an animal may run for 60 or 80 yards. 
