| Hunting a tiger is banned in India. The tiger is a | | | | The next step is to study the habitat of the tiger. |
| protected species and indiscriminate killing can land | | | | For example a tiger in the Sunder bans In Bengal and |
| you behind bars. In fact killing any protected species | | | | Bangladesh moves in areas which have knee deep |
| will invite criminal action. The Bollywood Film star | | | | water, while a Tiger in the Kumaon hills of Northern |
| Salman Khan had shot a black buck in the Indian | | | | India moves in mountain areas. Again a tiger in Central |
| state of Rajasthan in 1998. He was tried under the | | | | India moves about in thick jungles and small hills. |
| protection of wildlife act of 1972(India) and | | | | The last step is to locate the tiger. This could be near |
| sentenced to a 5 year jail term by the lower court. | | | | the last human devoured by him. You will have to |
| The case is presently in appeal. However once a tiger | | | | pick up his spoor from there. You will need to track |
| is declared a man eater then he can be hunted down. | | | | the tiger from his pug marks hence the guide you |
| Man eating tigers terrorize the villages and attack | | | | have hired will be of immense help. Once you are |
| human beings and thrive on them as their prey. | | | | ready get going, keep yourself mentally and |
| Generally man eaters are known to attack villagers | | | | physically alert and think of further action from the |
| who are walking or sleeping alone. There are cases | | | | tiger's point of view. Hunting a man eater is very |
| of man eaters removing the door of a hut and | | | | different from hunting a normal tiger. In case of a |
| carrying away his victim stealthily. There are also | | | | normal tiger shoot, it is customary to tie bait (a goat |
| cases of Tigers carrying away small children, even | | | | or lamb) to tree. The hunter climbs up the tree and |
| from the arms of their mothers. A man eater is a | | | | sits on a machan (platform) with his gun loaded and |
| very intelligent beast. He develops a sixth sense that | | | | awaits the tiger. In the case of a man eater this ploy |
| makes him aware that an armed man is approaching. | | | | will not work and perforce you will have to track the |
| In such circumstances the man eater will mostly slink | | | | tiger. This is dangerous stuff and a great deal of |
| away into the forest or hide in a cave. Kenneth | | | | experience and nerve is required for such an |
| Anderson and Jim Corbett both veteran hunters of | | | | operation. |
| man eaters will vouchsafe for the cunning of the man | | | | Track the tiger as fast as possible. Follow his spoor |
| eater. | | | | and move swiftly. The tiger will probably sense your |
| The District magistrate will notify all concerned, once | | | | approach and try to slink away as he can sense that |
| a tiger is declared a man eater. You can then opt to | | | | an armed man has approached. There is a good |
| go in for the kill. Shooting a man eater however is | | | | chance that you will be able to confront the tiger if |
| not an easy task. If you have never shot or taken | | | | you move swiftly. Once the tiger is sighted take a |
| part in a tiger hunt then it's better to go along with | | | | shot at him as he is moving away. If you are lucky |
| an experienced hunter. Going alone is very dangerous. | | | | you may get him, otherwise in case he gets |
| Having made the decision, it's important to equip | | | | wounded he is likely to turn around and attack you. |
| yourself as a first step. More important you must be | | | | That is a testing moment as you and the tiger will |
| mentally prepared to confront the beast- because he | | | | come face to face. In one of my tiger shoots in in |
| or she is a formidable adversary. Firstly your attire. | | | | Bengal, I had shot at a moving tiger and hit his leg. |
| Wear a pair of strong jungle boots and slightly loose | | | | He turned around and attacked me. Because the |
| fitting trousers and full sleeve shirt. Do cover your | | | | beast was injured, the leap of the tiger was not |
| head or wear a jungle hat. Apply sun screen cream | | | | effective and he was slow, hence I could shoot him |
| on your face and neck as well as mosquito repellent | | | | by firing two shots in quick succession. |
| cream on your hand and uncovered portions of your | | | | The second option is that the tiger may hide in a |
| body. Keep adequate quantity of drinking water and | | | | cave. You will have to enter the cave. It requires |
| some dry biscuits with you to munch along. | | | | nerve as the cave is dark. Hence use a powerful |
| Next choosing a weapon is of the utmost | | | | torch which will be handled by the tracker. Move |
| importance. A shot gun or small arm will not do and | | | | slowly as the tiger will sense your approach. This will |
| you will have to use a heavy caliber rifle. Preferably | | | | be a face to face meeting with the man eater. In |
| you can use a SLR if you have the license for it. | | | | such a scenario he will rush headlong at the hunter |
| Carry the gun loaded and keep spare ammunition | | | | and spring towards his neck .There will be only one |
| handy. In addition you will need a4wheel drive vehicle | | | | chance in such a scenario. Your aim should be lethal. |
| and an experienced driver. Take a local who knows | | | | Aim for the tigers head and fire quickly. Speed is of |
| the jungle routes well. An equally important part is | | | | essence. In case you miss then you can say good |
| hiring a tracker who can follow the spoor of the tiger. | | | | bye to this world. There is an excellent adaption of |
| Remember tracking a tiger in the jungles of India is | | | | this in the movie "Harry Black and the Tiger" when |
| well nigh impossible without a tracker. Hire a | | | | Stewart Granger approaches the tiger in the cave |
| trustworthy fellow who is familiar with the area. You | | | | and shoots the beast. |
| will have to shell out money for all these hiring's. | | | | |