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

How many of you, have had this close of a call while hunting? Good thing he had a good double rifle for a backup! The best I can do is tell about a duck shot coming straight on, that the dead Teal landed precisely between my feet. BION! Check this video out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVaD_cOX5so

Interesting to see one of these that isn't a cat trapped in an enclosure. Johan Calitz is the PH in this clip and has a well earned reputation as one of the finest and most ethical hunters in Africa today. A friend spends about a month with him every summer, mainly in the Okavongu. Interesting, by the reaction of the cat, it appears it was the client who stopped him with a brain shot. Good lesson, that even when with the best, one needs to be able to look after oneself as well.

As a lifelong hunter I find it unbelievable that someone would want to shoot such a magnificient creature. Why? Just to be able to say you killed one and now have it's hide on your den floor? I'm about as far as you can get philosophically from a PETA supporter but "Sport Hunting" of this type has never made any sense to me. As you may suspect; while I have kept a few sets of deer antlers over the years I have no trophy mounts in my home. I also imagine their our other here who believe differently and their entitled to their opinions.
Jim

What drives me a little nuts, Jim, is the "find it unbelievable that someone would want to shoot such a magnificent creature" attitude. I can't speak for the client, but I assure you Johan equally appreciates the magnificence of that lion. You make the same basic argument as those who oppose shooting beautiful, elegant deer and lovely song birds such as doves. Leaves me feeling bad for the ugly old steer that caught a nail through the brain. He was simply eaten and made into someone's - maybe our - shoes. Hardly a noble end. But then maybe he was not magnificent or pretty enough? At least that lion, shot from a region with a sustainable population, will be appreciated by that hunter. And probably longer and more deeply than a pair of shoes or a ribeye. Not trying to say you should change your own desires to shoot a lion, Jim, but perhaps to be a bit less judgemental of those who would go to Africa to hunt one.

Different opinions are O.K. with me, Jim. That's what makes the board interesting and a treasure to many others around the world.

I agree with you. When I was young and was teased as a young Hemingway because of my black moustache and hair, I wanted to go to Africa and shoot a leopard like the one he posed with in Life magazine (shot by another hunter).

Now, I'd like to have a look at African wildlife, share the pleasures of a safari in good company, and take a shotgun for birds. I've lost it here for deer, too easy and too beautiful, but moose for meat and trapped for taxes still good for me.

Hard to figure, I suppose, but not different from seeing good in what a political leader does and not agreeing with everything. We're all the same in that respect whether it's politics,the church, the Legion or Lions clubs.

Regards, King

True Jim, there's not alot of people out there saying how they can't live another day unless they have a delicious plate full of lion meat!!!
I don't eat it I don't shoot it!!
However to express my opinion I don't think I ever saw a PH that didn't carry a double rifle. Give the client the long shot with his bolt action rifle or whatever he's carrying but if he wounds that animal,which happens given the size of those animals and their temperment, everyone turns to the guy carrying the double rifle!!

Personally, I wouldn't find pleasure in it. I only shoot defenseless creatures that cook up well.

I root for the lion every time I see those videos.

How many freakin' shooters are in that one, anyway?

OWD

Cobus Roos is a friend of mine in South Africa, He and his son are PHs.
He recently posted a well written essay on hunting.
To save Dave's band width, I am posting the address of his posting. It is a flower forum for those of you that like irony.

http://www.cliviaforum.co.za/forum/index.php?topic=6661.0

Best,
John

I am also of the mind that if I don't eat it why shoot it.