Aram von Benedikt

What seems to be a chip shot at a Hawaiian Axis buck presents. But hidden challenges lurk behind the scene. Will you take the shot?

The author searched for hours to locate a particular big old buck, and now he has him in his sights. But so are the barns and buildings of the Winery Headquarters. Can he take the shot?

The author is presented with a shot at a giant buffalo, but the shooting light is poor and there is a screen of twigs in the way. Should he take the shot?

A young hunter stalks within easy range of a big antelope, but the buck is facing him and he’s shooting a 1700s-era patched round ball. Should he take the shot?

A traditional bowhunter is offered a mid-range shot at a moving bull elk. Should he take the shot?

The author finds a good coues buck at last light. He has to sprint 1300 yards and then shoot steeply uphill through a thin screen of grass. Should he take the shot?

The author faces an edge-of-dusk opportunity at a huge buck, but he’s shooting an unproven prototype cartridge. Should he take the shot?

The author has a fleeting shot opportunity through a screen of brush at a big Cape Buffalo. He’s worked hard for this opportunity, and he may not get another. Should he take the shot?

Two hunters are presented with back-to-back shots at big aoudad rams. The first is straightforward, the second steeply uphill and distant. Should they take the shots?