During the last SCI Convention, I spoke to my good friend and South African PH, Bobby Hansen about the possibility of organizing a big game hunt.

"At that moment all hell broke loose and the whole herd charged..."

With Bobby's help, we organized a hunt with Dudley Rogers in Zimbabwe. Dudley is a long-time, well-known operator in Zimbabwe with access to several different areas. After obtaining a handgun permit, which was issued by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife, everything was set.

Our first encounter with a big buffalo bull was more of an accident. We bumped into one lone bull early one morning and after a short stalk, the big revolver was resting in shooting sticks. The big bull was approximately 50-55 yards away, slightly quartering toward us, partially hidden by some thick bush. Our Zimbabwe professional hunter, Kirk Mason, glassed the bull and told me to take him. I had the hammer already cocked. Trying to line-up the sights on the exact point where I wanted the bullet to hit was not easy.

Mark and Bobby Hansen (left) pose with the first cape buffalo taken with a 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum.

The black sights on a black animal, partly hidden in the bush, before the sun came up, all made for a challenging shot for these aging eyes. Kirk told me to take him on the shoulder. The big cannon roared and the buffalo took off. He disappeared before getting a second shot off. In less than two minutes we heard the bellowing. This is a sure sign the buffalo is calling it quits. The bull hadn't made eighty yards. Everyone was pleasantly surprised. The buffalo hunt didn't last long but I didn't hear any complaining.

The COR-BON 440-grain hard cast bullet entered just inside the point of the shoulder, taking out two ribs before going through both lungs, busting a rib on the opposite side, coming to a rest in the hide. That kind of effective penetration is what makes a good bullet for thick hide, large bones and tough critters that are capable of killing you. The recovered bullet held over 90 % of its original weight.

Many of my non-hunting friends think I am nuts for hunting elephant. They think you just walk out there and shoot. The truth of the matter is elephant hunting involves a great deal of walking and over the next few days that's just what we did, a lot of walking. Several stalks went sour as the elephant caught our wind and disappeared. The giants do not have much in the way of eyesight but more than make up for it in the smelling department. When my chance did come, we found ourselves forty yards away from a small herd of about ten elephant. Kirk pointed out which one he wanted me to take. When a shot presented itself, I sent the 440-grain hard cast bullet into the heart/lung area. At that moment all hell broke loose and the whole herd charged. Kirk told me to back away quickly. I told my wife to take off running and find a tree. Two trackers were forty yards ahead of us running as fast as I have ever seen a human being run. Kirk threw up his 500 Jeffery rifle and Bobby got his 375 H& H ready. The cow I shot has now dropped, in less than thirty yards. The herd breaks from the charge but there is one cow and a young bull still coming hard. Kirk's first shot didn't happen as he dropped the hammer on a misfire. Now the elephant is closing the distance fast. Kirk fires, followed by Bobby, neither shot has hit the brain.

This cow elephant, also a first, was taken with the new 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum from about 40 yards with the COR-BON 440 grain factory load. When hunting dangerous game, an insurance shot to the brain is usually delivered after the game is down so the "dead ones" don't get up and kill you. Kirk, on the left, is lucky to be alive after his encounter with a second cow.

The elephant is not impressed as it is really pouring it on now. Nobody remembers Kirk firing his last round but he is now empty with the elephant a few feet away. Bobby continues shooting, to no avail. I still haven't found my wife a tree yet. Kirk takes off running in an effort to get behind a tree, his only source of safety at this point. Somewhere in all the excitement, the bull retreats. Thank God! Before Kirk makes it to the tree, the tusk swipes violently upward inside the belt, poking a hole in his shirt, raking up his backside. This knocks Kirk off his feet.

Aren't Elephants Endangered?

This question comes up often even among knowledgeable hunters. While their range across the continent as a whole has certainly decreased in the last century, elephants in many areas are now considered over populated. They do considerable damage to their own natural environment as well as crops and a feeding herd can destroy a field of maze (corn) overnight. Poaching is certainly still a threat in some areas but habitat loss is the larger issue in sustaining the African elephant. It's estimated that in South Africa's Kruger Park alone there are about 11,000 elephants. The habitat in Kruger can only sustain about 7,000 elephants and the population is increasing 7 - 10 percent annually. This will likely lead to controlled hunting or culling in the not too distant future. Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique all have large populations of elephant. Botswana numbers are estimated to be 80 to 120 thousand strong. CNN.com To read more on the problem with too many elephants in Southern Africa click here.

Now he is lying on the ground with an empty gun, his cartridge belt has been ripped off, with an enraged elephant on top of him. Bobby shots his fifth and final round, stunning the elephant enough to get off Kirk. Bobby is out of shells, Kirk has an empty gun, and the elephant is standing dazed a few feet away. I shoot for the shoulder and drop the jumbo, then run around it placing another round in the brain. It's a miracle that Kirk was not hurt.

We replayed this horrifying event over and over again. They don't call it dangerous game for nothing! This charge would have taken place regardless what kind of firearm I was using. The elephant I shot didn't go far. However, 99% of the time, cows are responsible for charging hunters far more than bulls. I have been on two elephant hunts now and both times have experienced full-blown charges where another elephant had to be shot. All the meat went to feed the natives and none of it was wasted.

The Smith & Wesson 500 performed well during this hunt. We recovered one of the bullets from the elephant and found it too retained over 90% of it's weight. If I were to hunt with a revolver all the time a scope would definately be in order. We all learned something from this experience. If you hunt elephants enough it's going to happen sooner or later. I was just thankful we all get the opportunity to hunt these wonderful creatures again someday.

Editors Note: Bobby Hansen operates in South Africa but also arranges dangerous game hunts in his home country of Zimbabwe. Visit his website - www.BobbyHansenSafaris.com
Dudley Rogers operates in Zimbabwe. Visit his website - www.tshabezi.com

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