doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com A Very Close Call

Ya think!!!!

Only if you get the chance to think about it first!

binko

Hi all

I tried to follow this thread, but when you're not involved right from the start it becomes very lengthy, and very hard to read all posts.

As a professional hunter I have full understanding for those who do not like hunting something like the big cats. However, that male lion has been past his prime, and especially on a continent like Africa wild animals need to pay its way, or face extinction. This is a seriously unfortunate situation, but the death of that lion has ensured the protection of at least 5 others with the trophy fees etc paid for that hunt. And this is a fact that nobody should ever loose sight of.

To be involved in a hunt like that, and come out of it alive to tell the story, is something that will stay with all the PH's involved, as well as the client, for the rest of their lives. I've read and heard stories like this, but somehow I have been fortunate enough, or maybe unfortunate, not to have been involved in such an encounter. But all (African) PH's live for the day to face one of the Dangerous 6 (Big 5 + hippo) charging, wounded or not. When it happens to me I'll tell you all if it is worth the wait and the thrill ;-)

Cobus

Excellent job by Johan Calitz, the other PH's and trackers in a very tense situation that can very easily and rapidly wind out of control..

Some good reality based posts by Joe Taylor, Brian and SAHunter.

If one is being eaten alive by hyenas, the prerogative is not with the eaten.

Being that you are a PH, what is your take on this mess?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7yUZsWUmX0&feature=related

I posted this earlier but you may have missed it with all the threads...I guess I should have started a new thread with it?

binko

Hi Binko

I know this clip all too well. This was actually one of those times that I was rooting for the big cat as well. Under normal circumstances, in open country, my good wishes would be with the hunter.
This was, as far as I'm concerned, an unethical hunt. Fences are clearly visible in the background, suggesting that the hunt took place in a very small fenced in area, which, to my mind, is highly unethical.
What amazed me the most was the fact that Lammie Potgieter from Hunters Unlimited, and Bob Luna from Colorado Hunting Expeditions actually advertised their names on this video clip. If I was a prospective client I will NEVER deal with one of these two outfits .... EVER!
My lion hunts are done on 5,000ha (±12,500 acres). This hunt was clearly (to me) one of those canned hunts that has resulted in a global outcry against the hunting of captive bred lions. I do not necessarily have a problem with hunting captive bred lions. What most people do not understand about these lions bred in captivity is that they will charge without provocation, which makes them extremely dangerous to hunt. The other fact about this is that the hunting of captive bred lions takes the pressure of wild populations.
I can tell you stories about so-called "wild" lion hunts allover Southern Africa, where those lions were actually captive bred and released into a very large hunting concession (62,000+ acres) a day or two before the hunt. The lion received a microchip in the shoulder for tracking before released.
I'd rather do my hunting the ethical way, and not get involved in situations like this.

I have to say, judging the client's squealing when that lion jumped on him, that I think his underwear was fairly messed up

Cobus

Cobus,

Thanks for the reply and I do appreciate your resolve. I thought that this hunt was a slap in the face to upstanding PH's everywhere, and a disgrace to big game hunting in general. I for one am glad you are here on this board to explain the ins and outs of your sport, and there to represent the world wide sport of hunting.

binko

Binko

I cannot agree with you more. It is hunts like these that gives the hunting industry in general a bad name. PH's like these are known as "Kamikazes". It was not only unethical to shoot that lion in a small fenced in area, but also extremely irresponsible. Client safety is #1, and in that small area it was always inevitable that the lion would charge if wounded, or just charge without being wounded, placing the client in grave danger.... unnecessarily.

Cobus