Elephants don’t have tear glands but a temporal gland secretes a sticky liquid from the side of the head called musth. Stress and mating activities play a part in the amount of liquid secreted.

Elephants can be found on their own (bulls) or small groups of males, small family groups of 10-20 individuals or bigger groups of 50 or more.

They move great distances every day for food and water. When they seek out shade in the heat of the day they sometimes stand daydreaming while swinging their trunks. They stand and sleep or lean against a tree or ant hill. Babies lay on their sides to sleep.

Elephants are very vocal and make different sounds. They can communicate in low frequency sound waves between 14 and 35Hz, a sound people can’t hear.

Sight and hearing is very poor. They use their smelling sense a lot more to investigate their surroundings. Young bulls and cows are very noisy when they move but they can be very quiet when danger is near. A herd is led by an old cow. Bulls are not permanent members of the herd but they visit when cows come into season. Bulls in musth are very aggressive and can be very dangerous. Musth has a very distinctive and strong smell. Young bulls come into musth the first time when they are about 25 years old.

We concentrate on rifle hunting as bow hunting an elephant is prohibited in South Africa.

Always make sure the wind is right for their sense of smell is very strong and then they’ll leave an area and it’s hard to catch up with them again.

Signs to look for when hunting elephant:

Tracks

The front feet have a round shape where the hind feet have a pointed shape. This can help to determine the direction of the animals’ movements. The length of the front foot is about 500 mm and of the hind foot about 520mm. The shoulder height of an elephant can be determined by taking the circumference of the front foot and multiplying it by 2,5. Elephants walk into their own footsteps.

Dung

Dung is big and cylindrical shaped. Fresh dung consists of a mixture of grass, leaves, twigs and bark. When you find undigested plant material it’s probably from an old elephant.

Noises

Elephants communicate constantly and can be heard from far. Also they break branches and from that you can determine their position.

Feeding

They are very messy feeders and broken branches, bark and leaves show that they are present in an area. They also dig holes for roots and water.

Mud and dust baths

Mud on trees and around waterholes show that they were there enjoying something they love to do. It also helps with parasite control, body temperature and moisture through the skin.

Smell

Elephants have an unmistakable smell especially when they are in musth.

Hunting techniques

Hunting elephant on foot can be very successful as long as you stay under the wind. Lone bulls are easier than breeding herds and be careful not to walk into one of the herd. Cows are very protective and won’t hesitate to charge.

Choice of caliber

The combination of caliber and bullet should deliver 4 300 foot pound energy. Good choices include: .458 Lott, .458 Winchester Magnum, 600 Nitro, 505 Gibbs, .460 Weatherby, .416 Rigby or .378 Weatherby. The competent hunter can use a .375 H&H.
A monolithic solid is ideal for a brain shot.

Danger Signs

• Trunks high up to smell the air.
• Animal is high and upright.
• Animal stares at you.
• Ears are wide and flapping.
• Trumpeting.
• Throwing objects around and kicking dust.
• Coming closer (trotting)
• Running with ears folded back against body.
• Trunk under chin.
• Speed of charge about 40km/hour or 11,1m per second.