Everett Headley
Talk me through this.”
“OK, we are going to get low, real low as we move to about 300 yards of these buffalo. Then we will be on our bellies until we are close enough that I feel like we are going to spook them. I’ll ease up the shooting sticks. When I do, you slowly raise yourself and mount your rifle. I’ll tell you which one to shoot.”
My professional hunter had enough buffalo under his belt, he had developed a sort of telepathy. He was willing them to stay in the pan and to ignore the movement we undoubtedly were creating. We were in the position that all hunters want to be in, easing into a shot on game undisturbed and unnoticed. I took my time and made the shot. Whether it was high or on target, my guide and I are still debating. Either way it ended with us shaking hands over a dagga boy.
Many times it doesn’t end this well for clients. Animals are wounded and lost or never seen. The professional hunter receives, and often accepts, the blame despite bearing none of its responsibility. The teamwork needed for success is the result of the PH and client giving one hundred percent. Hailing from around Southern Africa, I asked three of those who make their living taking hunters into the bush what clients can do to ensure they get exactly what they are pursuing on safari.
Riding in the back of a Land Cruiser is not the moment to learn the features of your new scope. The first appointment is at the range to check zeros and make small adjustments. The expectation is, you have already proven your weapon system at home and are making sure that an errant baggage handler didn’t change your rifle’s point of impact. Significant expense and time is budgeted for logistics, but equally important is your time at the range honing your skills. Poor shooting has lost animals but also the lives of those who have pursued them. Taking a shot or a life should not be taken lightly.
The rest of your gear warrants the same inspection. Appropriate gear for your destination, the weather and the season should be arranged with the input of your host. The Scout motto the world over is “be prepared”. This isn’t a licence to bring everything, but a well-fitted kit can save a day or the entire hunt. Failing to inspect worn gear can be perilous in remote locations and there may not be an extra in camp. Ask any questions regarding clothing and equipment long before your hunt.
“Appropriate gear for your destination, the weather and the season should be arranged with the input of your host.The Scout motto the world over is “be prepared”.”
I once watched my PH and his head tracker have a small “disagreement”. A few short words in a language I didn’t speak and the tracker relented, albeit with a look that said “you the boss, but I don’t know about this…” As much as he is working for the client, this is his domain. He knows the patterns of each species, the prevailing weather and variables hard earned from days afield. All of this is leveraged in the hunt.
Kyne Edwards has made a career as a dangerous game PH in Mozambique. His thoughts are instructive: “For me it’s about trusting your Professional Hunter. Instead of losing interest and wandering around, ask questions. Why we are doing a thing, what and when. Clients often get irritated because they would do things differently. But we are usually working ten steps ahead and they don’t see that. So it’s worth asking questions instead of dawdling along behind.”
The wrong shot can cost more than just a trophy fee. Hunters owe it to the game to be able to quickly and accurately identify species, sex and age class. For those who have never been on the savannah or veld, the number and variety of creatures with four legs can be overwhelming. Subspecies with colour and size variation can add to the difficulty. Knowing behaviour and biology can also help predict movements and anticipate reactions, which makes an educated hunter more effective.
For those who have not hunted African species before, an anatomy lesson is in order. The vital organs of most plains game tend to be more forward in the body than with other big game around the world. Shot placements tend to be directly on the shoulder instead of slightly behind. Dangerous game require follow-up shots, oftentimes targeting the brain. Before the moment arrives, ask your PH where he would like the first and second shots placed.
Don’t be afraid to speak up about the experience you desire on safari or if something isn’t working for you. Then be a good listener when the responses come in. Francois Potgieter, PH in Namibia, explains: “Tell him what you want and how you would like to hunt. Be honest about your skills and limitations. If you let something build up over a couple of days, you or him, or both of you, are likely to explode – ruining the experience.”
While afield, communication is often truncated and hand signals replace words. Read the situation and if possible ask for clarification. If not, ask when the stalk is over or back at camp so you can be prepared for the next hunt. Study your PH and tracker’s body language and mirror it closely, especially when in the final steps of the chase. Lastly, when in a group setting use a common language everyone can understand.
Other wisdom that was offered: Take adjustments in stride. Accept what the bush offers and don’t be married to your list. Manage your expectations. Always be ready. Admire the scenery but don’t get lost in it, neither mentally nor literally. Everyone wants a good hunt where each man comes back safe and the truck is heavy with game. More than that, it is impossible to not fall in love with Africa and you will want an invitation to come back.
Everett is an outdoor writer based in Montana, USA.
You can find more of his work at www.everettheadley.com
From the 2025 issue of Huntinamibia
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