Hunting a hippo is not as difficult as it can be dangerous. Due to the thickness of the hide and the fat layer, it is easy to wound this water dweller. On many occasions, the hunter will be shooting at the head only because the rest of the body will be submerged. The hunter needs to ensure that the rifle shoots where he aims to make the shot count. Other caliber rifles can be used for making a telling head shot.
When the hippo has been shot and the hunter and PH are both convinced that it was a fatal shot, it can take up to two hours before the carcass starts to float as a result of the intestinal gasses. Once the carcass is afloat, it can be recovered.
Walking-and-stalking the hippo is mostly how they are hunted and the hunter needs to take care not to underestimate the senses of their quarry. The minimum suggested caliber for hunting hippo is a 375 and up, using solid bullets.
The average shooting distance when hunting hippo is 30 - 50 yards.
Drom & Sune Beukes
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