There are some animals which people have an issue with hunting.

I have had some clients and some people who are not say,
“I don’t know why you would want to shoot one of those”
This comment normally comes out when discussing a big cat, a zebra (Equus quagga) or more often than not a giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardalis).
On average I hunt two a season with clients. Not all had the intention of hunting one when they got on their plane to depart their home country but as soon as it is made known that these giants are available, they start the ball rolling.
Many believe they are a simple animal to go after and not a challenge. Most of this coming from seeing them from a vehicle or in an area where they are seldom hunted.
They stand and watch the vehicle or tourists go past and stare in their direction from their six meter vantage point.
This point is one that many don’t take into account. These animals reach six meters or 19.5 feet in height. With this is mind they can see your approach from far away. This is one reason why other animals stick around these periscopes of the bush. Nervous is an understatement and they will alert others of the slightest threat approaching from a good distance.
You then have two options for shot placement when you have managed to get unnoticed into range.
The first is into the body for a heart shot. Remembering that the vitals are not in the same place as those of other animals. Buy the book “the perfect shot” by Kevin Robertson before you venture down to hunt in Africa. This shot will result in the animal running. Offering more shots but could end in a horrendous recovery. I have been very fortunate with the body shot bulls I have guided on. They have all taken a couple of extra shots from heavy bore rifles assisting in them going down reasonably close to where the first shot was. These big bulls weigh in close to two tonnes or four and a half thousand pounds. You want it tall fall somewhere you can get a vehicle for the easiest recovery.
The second shot is for the head. This if done correctly will drop the animal on the spot. Quite impressive to watch as a bystander. Damage to the trophy won’t be an issue as the skull is like sledge hammer.
This personally is my favourite. If correctly executed it will give a clean and quick kill. No need for back up shots or chasing.
My first ever giraffe was with a great Texas lady who has from then moved on to achieve a great trophy collection. She decided to go for a big dark old bull on her first safari. We searched on a damp day for the herd and eventually found them. We saw the old bull, he stuck out being much darker and physically bigger than the rest. His size and strength had stopped other more fertile bulls breeding and the herd was no longer producing young. Possibly he was sterile due to age. We would harvest him and hopefully the breeding process would start again through a younger bull which was being kept on the side lines at the time. We moved in using a riverbed to get closer. Knowing that if we showed ourselves we would have a very long walk. The plan worked perfectly and we got in nice and close. A body shot had been decided on and the sticks were put up. The shot went off but hit a little far back. The bull started to run. Covering ground with incredible ease with each stride. Another shot hit but also not quite right. The third shot completely missed. Reloading started but the buck fever was fully underway and the shells spilt onto the floor. Then as the client tried to gather her thoughts and bullets she twisted her ankle.
Down on the floor now holding her foot. Her husband looked up seeing the giraffe making his way off. I was then instructed to sort it out. We followed quickly and as we got into range my tracker said for me to wait. I looked at him and he said you’ll see. As the bull dropped into a river bed and then reappeared on the other side. He then said “shoot”. I did and the bull stumbled from the Swift A-frame from my 375 H&H. I shot again and he collapsed on top of a small tree. Flattening it with ease. The bull had fallen right by the road. Perfect for loading. We were very lucky.
Another bull was in the same season with a perfect brain shot. Falling to a 300grain 375 Ruger. He fell where he stood. We had seen him from a long way off and he had seen us too. Rather than trying to stalk up and run the risk of looking suspicious we continued on a path which ran about 120 meters from the herd. They stood and watched us and when we were in the perfect spot I placed the sticks and the rifle was quickly positioned. Perfectly executed the bull dropped on the open plain for us.
The last bull was taken by this season and not all went to plan. The client had decided on the head shot but the shot went slightly back. Hitting the bull through the flesh on the back of its neck. Those of you who don’t know Africa may be interested to know that if you draw blood the animal is going onto your invoice. Thus we needed to get this bull down otherwise it was going to make for an unhappy ending to the hunt.
We followed this bull for a number of kilometres in which we had a faceoff with an elephant bull and avoided a herd of buffalo. We eventually caught up with him and again buck fever came to the party. Most would think it impossible to miss a target the same size as truck but I can say I have seen it a few times. The bull eventually went down and the team came in to do their work of recovery. Tractor, trailer and JCB.
What people must realise is that these old timers must be taken out every now and then to open space for new blood to spread through herds. The meat also goes into the human food chain rather than rotting on the plains. This protein is greatly appreciated on a continent where meat is a luxury to many.
So if you thinking of something big on your next safari, don’t rule out a giraffe and ask your outfitter if you are interested.