Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-22
Long Letter from Stewart
Edward White in Africa.

l think if hunters would use the liz
grain we would hear no more COM
plants of the action of the Springfield.
Have been using the ammunition l left
out here three years ago, and cannot
see that it has deteriorated in the
slightest degree. Most of my shooting
has been for meat, as l got the bulk of
my trophies last time; but have pick
ed up a few very fine things. We are
absolutely dependent on our rifles as we
can carry only a limited amount of
rotio for the men; and the loss of
donkey transport has pulled that down.
Use about two of the larger antelope
day. Here goes for statistics.
Animals shot at, 1853; animals missed.
"a. Shots fled, all told, PIG; hits, 219.
Animals killed with one shot, "a.
Have made no attempt to pick shots,
but took them as they came. A good
deal of the shooting is off-hand, on
account of long grass; but have sat
down to it when / could. AS sample,
of how the ranges run. I will take our
principal meat animals in detail
zebra.-No. 1. 26o, 377; No. 2, 2s7; No.
! 5, 270; No 4, 95: No. 5, 256: No. 6, 1871;
No. s. 207; No. 9, ESQ; No. 10, $50, $780,
100; No. IA, 100
Two sorts of Hartebeste.-No. 1, 247;
No. 2, $50; No. 3, 237; No 4, 24o No.
8. 210. 260; No. 6, PSI; No. I. 29S; No. s,
t.l3o 135. 1876; No. ., 10; No. 10, 105; No. II,
!. l60; No. u, all; No. ID, 237; No. IA, 242,
242, 1eG; No. Is, 262; No. 16, 1870; No II.
! 200; Nc. IS, $50; No. 10, 237; No. 20, 122;
No. p. 1875. 140. $40.
! Topi.-No. l, $50, col; No. 2. 14S; No. 3,
| 237; No. A, 100; No. 5. 100, 165; No. g. 1870;
No. Z. 243: No 5, POS; No, 8. 1S2; No. 10,
| 1877; No. IL, PIP. 1877: No. r. 1870: No. 10,
210: No. II, 260, 217; No. 15 227; No. 16.
| $50; No. II. 1872; No. 1920; No. 10. 1856;
No. 20, 232; No 81. $50; No. %, 100; No.
%, $50; No. 90, $50; No. "a. $50, $50; No.
4 25, 21o; No. 26. 80; No. 81, 1856; No. rs,
| 146.
Wildebeste.-No. 1, 24O; No. 2, s4S; No.
8, 343, 421; No. 4, BIS; No 5, 300, 80! No.
6. $50, 2s5, $40; No I, S53; No. 8. 81; No.
/ Q. 32S; No. 10, III; No. II, ESQ; No Il.
! 211.
! 1t would be foolish of me to pretend
! that this is not good game shooting, of
! course. ! think the secret of it Is con-
! centration. even if only momentary, on
| thu small individual spot on the animal.
| Forget it is an animal. or that there
are other animals, or that anything is
| likely 10 happen, and give your entire
attention to that shot.
| You need do this only the brief in
slant necessary to pull the trigger. and
| then you can give notice to the situa-
| ton in general. 1t becomes a mental
| habit after bit, but must be cultivat-
| ed AT first. Then you can shoot just as
we'll at game. even in bad light, etc., as
| you can at target q see Xman smile),
and that is good enough to hit the pro-
. per place.
The conditions of heat, physical con-
| ditions and light out here are none
of the best, and yet l made one run
of so animals filled out of So shot at, due
| simply and solely to cultivation of that
mental habit. All of which is intended
mere as a helpful hint than as brag-
| gfng.
/ I brought 500 rounds with me. and
have now PIT left. Used I'VE to target
rife. What has become of the other
| two, ouien sabe; but it checks up near
| enough. Could so on jawing for a week:
| but am nearly out of paper, and you
! fellows don't get another sheet.
| STEWART EDWARD WHITE
September 2S, 1913.