How to shoot guineafowl
27 November 2009
The farm was a tranquil place nestled in the foothills of the Drakensberg in Natal, South Africa. Hendrik would take the shotgun out occasionally and do a spot of hunting. More often than not the target was guineafowl. Those attractive birds with tiny white spots on black feathers, a bright blue and red head with the little crested helmet on top.
Sifiso, the farmhand, used to eye up the shotgun enviously. One day he asked Hendrik if he could go and hunt guineafowl with the shotgun like the baas?
"Sure" says Hendrik.
The next evening Sifiso dutifully collects the shotgun and just two shells, one for each barrel. Half an hour later the boom of both barrels cuts across the stillness of the evening air. Twenty minutes goes by and Sifiso walks in clutching seven guineafowl!
"How the hell did you do that?" exclaims Hendrik.
"Baas, I find a big group of inpangele in the grass and I walk slowly to get close. Then I wave my hat in the air and shout WOZA WOZA! They all look up and I shoot both barrels."
"Jislaaik Sifiso, now that's how to shoot guineafowl!"