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Hans "Scruff" Vermaak is a PH and the Managing Partner of
Coenraad Vermaak
Safaris, the oldest safari company in South Africa.
The Coenraad Vermaak Safari Team
Based upon his years of experience guiding safari hunters in
the field, he offers these valuable tips to hunters preparing for an African
Safari.
Practice your shooting before you come on safari
Many people have the misconception that shooting in Africa is easy, that
it will be from a truck very close to the quarry that the hunters are
seeking. This is the case sometimes but seldom, it also depends on where you
are hunting, the species, the terrain, the cover and so on. This is a topic
that can be discussed and debated for eternity but these are our thoughts
and suggestions.
Practice, practice, practice, shoot as much as you can and not just 20
rounds in one day at the last minute or only, from a bench at an indoor
range that has no other facilities other than a bench. Practicing before a
safari does not mean sighting your rifle once! Poor shooting wounds animals
and as hunters the last thing we wish to do is have animals suffer! Wounds
happen but the number of wounds can be cut down tremendously if hunters
practice, practice, practice and learn to focus, breathe, concentrate and
squeeze! A good shotist is someone who consistently makes good shots and who
knows his / her weapon.
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Before your safari
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Pick the calibre suitable for the game you will be hunting and the
terrain (ask us we will be glad to assist)! We find the 300 Win Mag to be
the ideal plains game calibre from Springbok to Cape Eland. Dangerous game
in South Africa may not be hunted with a calibre less than 375 H & H. The
375 has proved its worth for dangerous game but the choice of calibre
should be determined firstly by the rifle / calibre you are most
comfortable with and the rifle you shoot consistently well with. In the
States we always ask hunters which rifle they enjoy shooting the most and
if that rifle is in the right calibre range that is the one to bring. If
you are heading on a Big 5 hunt, take some deer & other game with your big
caliber before you venture into the field. The more experienced you are
with
the rifle the better! Most PH's will use their heavy calibers on plains
game hunts because the more they use the rifle the better equipped they
will be when the time comes to use it in a dangerous situation.
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If your rifle is sighted in at 100 yards know the ballistics and
trajectory with regard to the bullet drop at 200 yards up to 300 yards or
more, it is always handy to know! Clients have taught us a few tricks over
the years. Stick the trajectory / ballistics stats onto the butt or carry
sling of the rifle, that way you will never be guessing, all you have to
do is glance at the stats when your PH tells you that the Nyala is
standing at 250 yards.
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Practice months in advance, once a week if possible. Don't beat your
shoulder to a pulp each time, shoot as many rounds as you are comfortable
with - if you exceed this comfort zone you will develop a flinch which is
difficult to erase.
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Practice shooting from as many positions as possible:
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Prone.
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Standing resting on three legged shooting sticks.
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Crouching or off your knees on a rest or shooting sticks.
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It never hurts to do a little free hand practicing - short range
distances from 30 to 100 yards max.
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Sitting on your butt and resting your elbows on your knees.
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Not many people have access to ranges where one can practice in all
these positions but I have heard that some ranges have versatile facilities.
The options are endless. It takes about 3 seconds to see if someone has
practiced at all - especially if they do not shoot regularly. Shooting
straight off a bench is one thing, shooting straight when it counts is a
different story altogether. Practicing in the different shooting positions
helps enormously as these positions are real, this is how it is going to be
when you are out there!
Wounded game takes time out of your hunting time, it can put pressure on
the shooter and the PH especially on a high pressure safari. Wounded and
lost game also costs more because we have to add 14% VAT to the trophy fee
according to Government regulations. There is nothing worse than wounding
and losing a beautiful trophy, whether it's a Warthog or a majestic Kudu! In
most instances permits are very limited so if your dream Kudu gets away you
may not get a chance at a second one - the fact remains though, the wounded
animal is out there and he is not happy!
In our concessions shooting distances vary greatly, from day to day from
hunt to hunt. Be prepared to take shots up to 300 yards. We avoid shooting
at this distance or more unless the hunter knows his stuff! It is good to
have confidence as a shooter and confidence is only gained with practice.
With practice your shooting improves and your confidence level rises. A 50
yard shot can easily be missed completely, no shot is an easy shot because
each time you get ready to squeeze the trigger you have to concentrate,
without concentration your shot will be disappointing!
The basic steps to straight shooting all revolve around concentration.
It is also a good idea to know the anatomy of the game you are hunting. The
shot placement book "The Perfect Shot" is ideal reading for anyone heading
on a safari. The Perfect Shot pocket book is also handy because you can
carry it on you all the time.
No hunter must ever take a shot that he or she is not comfortable with
regardless of whether the trophy is a world record or not and despite what
the PH says. Knowing what you are capable of is solely up to you!. A range
finder is always handy, most but not all of our PH's own one, bring a range
finder with you.
If hunters are hunting dangerous game with open sight doubles or bolt
actions it is critical to practice way in advance and regularly. Most people
are not used to shooting open sights and on dangerous game this can have
disastrous consequences. Having said all of this, hunting is hunting,
wounded animals come with the turf but there is a great deal that we as
hunters can do before a safari to reduce the chances of wounding game!
Till next time
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Hans (Scruff) Vermaak
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