Big 5 Hunting
For African Safari hunters, no trophy animal mantle is complete without conquering what is known as the “Big 5″ of the animal kingdom, all of which are native to the continent. Each individual species offers a uniquely challenging hunt, catering to the distinct evolutionary advantages that have powered these beasts to survival over the centuries, whether it be extreme size, speed or strength. Unfortunately for sport hunters, proper licensing can at times be an arduous process as many of these animals are ultimately lower in population. Here’s a look at the five most sought after head-mounts for the serious big game hunter.Lion There is no beast more universally feared than the king of the jungle, giving lion hunting a one of a kind thrill unparalleled by the big cat’s fellow feline cousins. Historically, lion hunting has been considered a rite of passage in many native cultures, with a similar view holding to this day about hunters who have successfully completed a lion hunt and reached the upper echelon of sport hunters.Leopard Despite Leopards relatively large population as compared to other large cat species, they remain an extremely difficult creature to hunt as a result of their nocturnal tendencies and skittish nature. Often when in the face of danger leopards quickly turn and run, quickly reaching impressive top speeds, impossible to trail by foot, difficult to do so even in an automobile.Cape Buffalo Don’t let the relatively docile North American Buffalo breed fool you, the Cape Buffalo is statistically the most dangerous of all the Big 5 species, causing the most hunter casualties per year. The Cape Buffalo is a large bovine creature sporting two sharp horns and quite a temper to boot. Goring an estimated 200 people per year, even wounded Cape Buffalos demand the utmost caution as they are known to still carry enough strength to attack their hunters.Black Rhinoceros The Black Rhino is significantly more hostile than its White Rhino counterpart, though as both often appear more grey in color than either black or white they can be difficult to distinguish to the untrained eye. Typically Black Rhinos are smaller, but this gives them a distinct advantage in speed reaching a top velocity of 35 mph, still large enough to pose a severe physical threat. A hunter must constantly be on guard as poor eyesight causes the animal to charge even at times in which they may not be in realistic danger.African Elephant Relatively gentle giants, elephants are not as dangerous as others on the list, though they have been known to use their prized massive size to their advantage when they feel threatened. Perhaps the greatest challenge aside from penetrating the animal’s famously thick skin is the ability to find an area in which elephant hunting is still sanctioned. Serious penalties has result from hunting without a license or hunting legally protected animals, both of which should be pressing concerns for anyone interested in hunting an African Elephant.