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
Last edited by SAHunter; 03/12/09 11:14 AM.
