Deeply pocked by the great hooves, the path narrowed in a thicket. We slowed, stepping sideways to limit the disturbance of our passage. Peering to either side, we could see mere feet into the bush.
It was enough. A wink of sun on a massive black boss stopped us. Crosswind, the bull faced our next step. Only a horn showed. I resisted the urge to ease the rifle up.
Seconds passed. “Too … big.” I read my partner's silent lips, and nodded slightly to the corner of his eye. This buffalo was exceptional, not the aging, stub-horned “Dagga Boy” I sought. The decision was now the beast's: to yield, or trigger a dustup. At eight meters, it would happen fast.
Morning's breeze shimmied. The bull chose well, spinning, then crashing off, gone in a blink.
With the Mauser back in the crook of my arm, we listened briefly, then turned back to the spoor.
Close shooting in Africa's dense coverts begs a double rifle, say hunters who've had to fire fast, twice. After a second barrel saves you, a magazine won't quite measure up. But for most hunting, bolt rifles beat doubles. If
