Ducks and Other Dangerous Critters By Lowell E. Bittner artwork by stan beloncis O NE OF MY FRIENDS was on an African safari years ago and managed to get a shot at a Cape buffalo. The Cape buffalo is considered by many to be the most dangerous of all big game. Some claim that a wounded buff will live long enough to get who or what inflicted the hurt. My friend made a good shot but the beast ran off as if untouched. After determining that a mortal wound had indeed been inflicted, the professional hunter (PH) suggested they wait a reasonable time (no one really knows what that is) before tracking the animal. While on the track, they came to a JANUARY 2011 small clearing and the PH stopped and said they would either find a dead buff in the grass or the buff would come for them from the right side of the clearing. When they stepped into the clearing, he came at them as predicted. My friend hit him again with a slug from his .458 Winchester and the buff fell dead at his feet. My friend said that within a few days he had regained his power of speech and in a week he was able to hold a cup of coffee with one hand. However, the slight stutter he 31