ELEPHANT! THE RENAISSANCE OF HUNTING THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT. By Craig T. Boddington.

# 2012 1st trade edition. 8vo (156 x 235mm). Ppxiv,337,ill. Colour and b/w photographs, b/w chapter heading vignettes. Maroon boards, spine titled in gilt.

# "Elephant hunting literature is rich and varied and has brought forth some of the most memorable writings on Africa ever. However, very little is ever written on modern elephant hunting. And strange as it may seem, many of the largest elephants shot in the history of Africa have actually been shot in the last fifty years. While shooting a hundred-pounder is now a very rare occurrence, it may fairly be said that the average weight of ivory shot on safari has risen and risen over the last fifteen years, bringing with it a period that might well be called the renaissance of elephant hunting. Each year the trophies get better, and the total population keeps on rising. Craig Boddington has been fortunate enough to have shot elephants in some of Africa's modern hot spots, including Mozambique, southern Tanzania, Botswana, and Namibia. Not only has he shot some very respectable trophies that are considered "trophy elephants" by any standard, old or new, but he has also taken his share of cows and nontrophy pachyderms." Chapters include: When giants walked; The end of the game; A new beginning; The hunting imperative; Why should you hunt elephants?; The African elephant; Drop twenty pounds; Judging ivory; Elephant country today; Tracks, trackers and tracking; The approach; Elephant rifles and cartridges; Penetration and bullet performance; Shooting and shot placement; Botswana; Mozambique; Namibia; Tanzania; Zimbabwe; Other opportunities; The most dangerous game; Are there hundred-pounders?; Looking ahead.