Cutting through some small talk, we got down to the more interesting stuff and started talking about remote areas of the African interior, hunting and guns. I couldn’t keep my eyes off the display of big game and fish trophies, and unlike those one sees in a museum, these appeared to come alive as he spoke. It turned out that Manny was a retired big game hunter, with an enormous amount of experience. There was so much I wanted to ask him, but was too embarrassed; I’d never hunted with a rifle before, let alone ever visited a big game area, and didn’t want to make a fool of myself – it was better listening to him anyway. Nevertheless, he casually got around to asking me what I intended hunting and where. Now I was really stuck for an answer: how do I tell him I have no intention of shooting anything anywhere at this stage – I just wanted a rifle, a ‘real’ rifle of my own. However, it didn’t take him long to get my measure; turning to the row of rifles behind him he selected one and carefully handed it to me. ‘This is a 30/06, one of the best all-round rifles ever made,’ he said. He went on to say it would be suitable for most antelope in South African conditions; in fact, I remember him saying that with the right ammunition you could shoot just about anything with it … how could I resist?
The brand-new rifle, an Austrian-made ‘Voere’, cost R249.00, and while there were other more expensive makes on display, Manny had read the situation perfectly: the rifle was a standard sporter without any fancy cosmetics; he could see that what I needed was a reliable and functional weapon. Could he possibly have known that all I had in my pocket was R8? I somehow doubt it - Irving helped out with another R10. Without comment he took the small deposit and filled out an application form, after which he wiped the rifle down with a soft cloth and told me he would store it away for me pending the granting of the licence. Three anxious weeks later I received notification to collect my license at the local police station. I borrowed the balance of the money from my father and collected my rifle from a beaming Manny Laxton. Possibly the fond memories of his first rifle as a young boy brought on the smile as he slid my rifle into the second-hand gun bag, which he threw in for free … It certainly wasn’t for my meagre custom.
Good rifles and shotguns can be bought, but the ability to use them skilfully cannot. I realised I would need to take every opportunity and maximise my advantage in becoming a better marksman. As a young lad I never gave in to peer pressure to try alcohol, even though I must admit there were times when I thought I may be missing out by not joining in and ‘letting go’ occasionally, but I didn’t want to risk it. I’d seen an alcoholic once whose hands shook uncontrollably and I thought, rightly or wrongly, that if I had a beer or two on a regular basis, I’d also start shaking, and this in turn would affect my shooting ability. To this day, even though I love a glass of good wine and the odd draught or two, that’s about my limit. However, my motivation for this limited intake has nothing at all to do with shooting, but rather to do with having being plagued with migraine headaches for most of my life – and in my case, alcohol was found to be catalytic in bringing on a migraine.
I spent most of my spare time outdoors camping, fishing, catching snakes, and when I could I’d spend ice-cold winter days wildfowling and pigeon shooting. Wingshooting with a shotgun is not what most people would have you believe; it is extremely difficult to master shooting rapidly moving airborne targets with regularity. A shotgun is a great equaliser, and there is no better arena to sort the men from the boys, or those who believe you cannot miss with a shotgun, than a field of ripe sunflowers on a windy highveld day. Shooting – or rather, trying to shoot – speckled pigeons with the wind up their tails as they fly in to feed has been known to reduce grown men to tears of frustration. A fair shot on their first outing will score no more than five birds per 25 shots fired! … five’s actually quite good.
Shooting a scattergun is excellent practice; it hones your ability to snap shoot at moving targets with a rifle, and this is the most likely scenario a ranger would have to deal with. Hitting the vitals of large animals moving through thick bush is difficult, and it can mean the difference between an injured animal getting away, or in the case of confrontation by a wounded dangerous animal, serious injury or even death. This was so aptly described by the author and big game hunter, Robert Ruark, who wrote that he was not interested in knowing if his white hunter could shoot the eye out of a downwind gnat at 300 yards. He wanted to hunt big game with a man who could hit a charging buffalo at five yards!
The question I’m most often asked in regard to dealing with dangerous game in tight situations is what goes through your mind when you’re being charged by a dangerous animal, and what does it feel like to be in that situation? The answer can be as varied as the wide-ranging circumstances that will influence how you feel at the time – for example, the species involved, the individual character of that animal, the terrain and vegetation, and who you have as a backup gun, etc. Speaking for myself, I find there is usually a definite brief moment of calm acceptance that prevails when staring danger in the face … not fearlessness, please don’t confuse the two. As far as I am concerned, there needs to be a healthy measure of apprehension and fear when going into thick bush or reeds after a wounded buffalo or lion, otherwise complacency will get you killed sooner than later. There’s nothing that sharpens your senses quite like the fear of knowing that going home to the wife and kids in one piece that day depends largely on making snap decisions, composure under pressure and your ability to use a rifle. You get to understand some of what base jumpers mean when they say you need to have death touch your shoulder to really appreciate being alive. The fear is visceral, it dries the saliva in your mouth, and causes a wobble in the knees; however, unlike base jumpers, I don’t choose to put myself in these precarious situations for fun.
Okay, back to the question. What does it feel like to be charged by an enormous animal hell bent on killing you? I would imagine it could be analogous to being chained by your feet to a railway track facing an oncoming train and all you have to stop it within 20 metres is a heavy calibre rifle. The brake system has been modified so that if you hit a football-sized container located on the front of the locomotive, it will stop instantaneously! As fear-provoking as this may sound, there are some mitigating advantages in this hypothesis. Firstly, you will know where it is going to come from. Secondly, the target will be coming at you on an even plane, not bobbing up and down as a living animal would, and thirdly, there is no emotion, no eyes filled with pain, hatred or intent. Of course, if you missed you could dive to one side or the other, either way you will lose both legs – messy, sure, but so is having your body torn limb from limb by some pain-crazed elephant, or being disembowelled by a buffalo. Knowing this, the next question could be, would aspirant hunters who expect professionals to stand there and deal with their botched shots be able to stop the train? Maybe they should have to pass a similar kind of test (even an unchained version) before being issued a permit to hunt dangerous game. I know one thing for sure, if this was instituted, there’d be far fewer wounded buffalo and elephant to deal with, which reminds me …
I will concede, with a little kicking and screaming mind you, that there is a place and there are suitable target species for bow hunting, but I unequivocally draw the line when it comes to hunting thick-skinned herbivores with these relatively underpowered contraptions. In the context of the above discussion, I refer in particular to those bow hunters who insist on maiming thick-skinned dangerous game. These unfortunate beasts are supposedly given a more ‘sporting chance’ than when they’re hunted with a powerful rifle … But please, don’t just take my word for it, come along with me on a typical big game bow hunt and I’ll let you be the judge.
The outfitter has brought the bow hunter within shooting range of the quarry. At a given signal the archer draws his bow, but this is not the local archery range, where he is able to consistently hit a saucer-sized target at 50 metres; this is the real thing and despite its relatively large size, this is a potentially dangerous living
target. Understandably, then, the involuntary flood of adrenalin into the bloodstream makes his hands shake a little more than perhaps they should when the arrow is released. The bow string twangs or doesn’t depending on whether it has those fluffy bits attached or not, sending a piece of wood or graphite with a razor blade on the one end and some chicken feathers or plastic on the other, into the unfortunate animal’s gut, approximately 10 saucers off target. The outfitter hisses between clenched teeth: ‘Hell, if it wasn’t for that blade of grass which deflected the arrow, it would have been a safe lung shot.’ Another common excuse is: ‘Shit, he moved just as you released the arrow!’ And yet another: ‘The arrow must have hit a bone and been deflected.’
Hours later the ranger or warden in charge of the reserve or district is obliged to take up the spoor, crawl after the unfortunate animal, often for days, and finally put an end to its misery with a rifle bullet. Sometimes there is no report and subsequently no follow-up, as we found the other day on a routine anti-poaching patrol. An elephant had been shot with an arrow as described in the preceding bow hunt scenario. It died a lingering death from septicaemia and gangrene some two weeks after being shot in the gut … verrry sporting.
Choosing a personal weapon can be a very difficult decision – so much depends on the person’s budget, individual taste and of course the purpose for which it is required, the latter being the most important consideration. To add to the dilemma, the ‘old days’ are gone, new firearms licensing regulations discourage regular ‘upgrades’ as is common practice with cell phones or computers, for example. Unlike fashion accessories or electronic gadgetry, once you have made your choice, you’re pretty much stuck with it until death do you part, or, until you find a really beautiful one that you fall in love with and can’t live without … and this does happen. But the present draconian firearms legislation frowns upon having two firearms of the same calibre owned by one person, so one would have to go.
Some people are completely besotted with weapons. Many are not hunters or rangers, in fact there are collectors who own weapons that are never used – they merely love to own and invest in beautifully made firearms. There are weapons that reflect some of man’s most exacting craftsmanship and artistry. Such a hand-made rifle or shotgun by one of the leading British makers will cost about R500 000 today, and depending on the detail of engraving and quality of wood selected, could cost much more. So there just might be a modicum of truth about an advertisement which some lonely ranger was said to have placed in ‘The Hitching Post’ section of Farmer’s Weekly, which read. ‘Handsome young game ranger seeks wife to share his life with. Must be nature lover, own a weapon and be able to shoot. Please send photo of weapon.’
In the real world, most of the game rangers employed in the National Parks are issued with weapons for the duration of their service. These firearms are carried around the reserve from one situation to another, or just in case of need. It’s the classic case of rather have it and not need it than not have it and need it. Essentially these firearms are no more than tools used to get a specific job done. Having said this, however, nowhere are the old adages ‘horses for courses’ or ‘the right tool for the job’ more applicable than when a ranger needs to use a rifle for a specific purpose, particularly when it is employed to take a life or save a life. Not surprising, then, that they become reliant on these weapons and get to know how to use them with remarkable skill.
Game rangers have an innate respect for firearms and not surprisingly, many of them take this to the next level and become interested in ballistics, bullet performance and accuracy. All to one end … to get to know the parameter of the weapon’s capability and the purpose for which it was built, and to use this knowledge to be as effective as possible when making that vital shot, be it to cull antelope for rations, put a suffering animal out of its misery quickly or to stop a charging buffalo.
In some private nature reserves guides are required to have their own weapon (I use the singular in reference to those rangers that conduct guided tours and walking trails in big five reserves on a contractual basis). Wardens and conservation managers employed by private nature reserves will invariably make use of a number of company weapons at their disposal; however, many still prefer to use their personal firearms.
When selecting a rifle, do some research first, speak to people who have weapons, professionals if possible. What rifle and which calibre you choose can be quite confusing, despite being given the broader guidelines and criteria: there is such a wide range, with so little to choose between them. The decision can vary considerably, depending on individual skill and personal preference. Once you have made your choice, get to know how to use it well. Getting to grips with the way your rifle fits, how well it points and the all-important confidence that a weapon you’re familiar with instils in you is vital. This is where reliance on a personal weapon is preferred, particularly when having to deal with potentially dangerous animals in difficult situations.
In a similar vein, I have a selection of fly rods, each of which is specifically designed for the various conditions and species of fish one may encounter. (This is what I tell Meagan, anyway). In essence, then, this analogy is not too far removed from the preceding discussion – however, I strongly suspect that like me, you may find yourself reaching for a specific weapon or fly rod more often than any other, a favourite if you like, despite the specification not being entirely applicable. You are able to present an artificial fly without a ripple or place the bullet with perfect precision, due to your familiarity and confidence with that rod or rifle … you get the job done without thinking, in a reflexive way.
To try and discuss the merits of the individual firearms, makes and calibres that are used by game rangers in the course of their duties, and to give a fair appraisal of them all, would be an arduous task to say the least. However, I would like to very briefly share with you what I have learned through practical experience and what I consider to be a very basic battery of suitable weapons. The following recommendations made and opinions expressed are based on personal preference.
Starting from the smallest, moving up to the larger calibres:
.22 Long rifle. Bolt action. This is used mainly for pest control, small game and birds. Due to the total absence of recoil and cheap ammunition, it is also an excellent training tool for teaching young children basic marksmanship. The other advantage of this little weapon is that it is relatively quiet, and can be made even quieter by using a silencer and subsonic ammunition, where it can be effectively used in very selective culling operations or built-up areas.
.223 Remington. Bolt action. Although not my favourite, it does an excellent job as a ration rifle when long-range head shots on impala-sized antelope are called for. I have never used a .222 Remington, but feel that it would be equally effective for the same purpose. For this application, choose the most accurate rifle you can buy – one that consistently groups 5 bullets under 25 mm at 100 metres, would be a minimum requirement.
30/06 Springfield. Bolt action. This is probably the most versatile medium calibre rifle I’ve ever used. I also have a lot of respect for the 7 x 64 mm Brenneke and the .270 Winchester for use in general-purpose antelope hunting applications. Remingtons are apparently among the most accurate mass-produced rifles, but don’t take my word on this. A controlled feed bolt action is not as important here, so choose any smooth action rifle that feels good in your hands and shoots a respectable grouping. Remember only accurate rifles are interesting rifles, and pretty rifles don’t always shoot well.
.416 Rigby. Controlled-feed Mauser-type bolt action. This is my favourite all-round heavy calibre for dangerous game. The .458 Winchester mag has a good reputation for reliable penetration and stopping power: I have used one on many occasions with good results. It is probably the most widely used large-bore cartridge in Africa today. As an aside, if I were allowed only one rifle, I would have to choose a .375 Holland and Holland mag – arguably the best all-round cartridge ever made. Howev
er, as with most all-round calibres it comes with compromises, so be aware of its limitations.
.470 Rigby. In side/side double barrel configuration. A proven charge stopper, one of the best weapons to have as a back-up when the poo hits the fan. Not recommended as a carry-around, general-purpose weapon. They’re heavy on the shoulder and in a double barrelled setup, are prohibitively expensive.
12 bore shotgun. Preferably a double barrel in over/under barrel configuration. (Not the riot pump specification.)
For security/anti-poaching purposes the old R1 assault rifle in 7.62 calibre using military rounds is recommended; it can also be used for protection against dangerous game if necessary and has been used for big game culling operations. These weapons are usually carried by anti-poaching and field rangers, but would be virtually impossible to licence under the new laws.
Telescopic sights are essential on all but the heavy calibres and assault rifles. Never skimp here: if the scope costs more than your rifle you’re on the right track. The Austrian-made Swarovski and Khales range are the best, with Germany’s Zeiss and Schmidt and Bender following closely behind. The optics on these sights are streets ahead of anything from the USA or Japan.
The new laws governing firearm ownership mean that guns are becoming more difficult for the average person to obtain. What is of major concern is that the law doesn’t discriminate either: I know of game rangers, game farmers and professional hunters dependent on weapons for their livelihood who are also being hampered by these laws. Any youngster interested in shooting today is so overwhelmed with procedural requirements that it puts them off before they’ve started.
Mhudi Page 29