New guy /Lion Safari inquiry

[Reallybigcameraman]

New hear but not to the hunt.
I have been asked to accompany a friend and his group to document their Safari in Africa all expenses paid. The catches I would be documenting their trip and not hunting. Their target is lion and at this point I don’t have a lot of information like the guide name and the company. I was told no not hunting I would need to bring a rifle anyway. I have no problem with that as I carry the S&W when I photograph or fish in Alaska .
I told my friend to relay to the guide that I would most likely bring a marlin saddle gun in 45-70 with a guide scope and depending on the legalities of the country a Smith and Wesson 44 mag 4 inch barrel double action revolver.
The problem is The guy is taking the stance that since I’m a photographer I am an idiot about firearms. My friend said the guy didn’t like my choice of rifle and said he would sell me one when I get there that would be proper for the hunt.
I am already getting all sorts of red flags and even though they all expenses paid trip sounds great I might pass on this one.
With that said I’m curious if my rifle was to be for a CYA situation and I would not be hunting what is wrong with my choice?
I’ve bought this rifle new in the mid 70s.
Being that old it has a half cock safety and holds five rounds. I know this rifle like the back of my hand I can tear it down and reassemble it blindfolded. I have the habit of taking it to the gunsmith every five years for a check up. I thought it would be a good choice because I’ve used it in heavy bush on large north American animals before.
I have no experience in hunting lions in Africa so why would the guide dislike my choice in firearm and round?
Just curious
Take care
Dave

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

If in South Africa, two PH's are legally required. If hunting with a reputable outfit, I would not worry about being armed as a photographer.

In other countries, the PH requirements are probably different.

If you provide the Safari company/outfitters name and country and area to be hunted, someone on AH should be able to provide information.

 

[Andrew62]

Plenty of drama with this situation for me already!! I hope things get sorted out!!

 

[IvW]

Where in Africa are you going?
I would highly recommend you dont bother bringing a rifle and even more so a hand gun....
Just bring the camera gear....simple

 

[Tanks]

A lot of hassle to bring firearms in without being the hunter. As the videographer you should be concentrating on documenting the hunt and not be worried about anything else. I have had my hunts documented by professionals in the past. If you are documenting the hunt you will not have an opportunity to do anything else.

Heck, even if there was a charge I would want my videographer do his job with the camera instead of trying to insert himself into the hunt.

If I was the hunter I also would hire someone locally (meaning based in Africa) rather than try to bring someone without any African hunt experience over there. Cost would actually be less as well.

 

[IvW]

If in South Africa, two PH's are legally required. If hunting with a reputable outfit, I would not worry about being armed as a photographer.

In other countries, the PH requirements are probably different.

If you provide the Safari company/outfitters name and country and area to be hunted, someone on AH should be able to provide information.

2 PH's?

 

[mark-hunter]

Lever actions in 45-70 had brought down the buffalo, more then once. I dont see a problem bringing it as a back up rifle in lion hunt.
But entire story smells fishy.

If you get there, consider trying to hunt something if opportunity permits (plains game).
Rental rifles can be considered as well. Less hasle when travelling.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

2 PH's?

Correct! Maybe because some client hunters could not shoot very good?

 

[BourbonTrail]

2 PH's?

For lion

 

[BRICKBURN]

Dave, no matter which African country you might be headed to the PIA of you bringing a rifle, never mind a handgun without a legitimate purpose, ie hunting, will not be worth it.
Capturing the hunt will be work, plain and simple. It will not be a holiday. If you are up to it, go for it.

As noted already, economically it would be smarter to hire an experienced local guy.

Good luck working this out.

 

[Scott CWO]

New hear but not to the hunt.
I have been asked to accompany a friend and his group to document their Safari in Africa all expenses paid. The catches I would be documenting their trip and not hunting. Their target is lion and at this point I don’t have a lot of information like the guide name and the company. I was told no not hunting I would need to bring a rifle anyway. I have no problem with that as I carry the S&W when I photograph or fish in Alaska .
I told my friend to relay to the guide that I would most likely bring a marlin saddle gun in 45-70 with a guide scope and depending on the legalities of the country a Smith and Wesson 44 mag 4 inch barrel double action revolver.
The problem is The guy is taking the stance that since I’m a photographer I am an idiot about firearms. My friend said the guy didn’t like my choice of rifle and said he would sell me one when I get there that would be proper for the hunt.
I am already getting all sorts of red flags and even though they all expenses paid trip sounds great I might pass on this one.
With that said I’m curious if my rifle was to be for a CYA situation and I would not be hunting what is wrong with my choice?
I’ve bought this rifle new in the mid 70s.
Being that old it has a half cock safety and holds five rounds. I know this rifle like the back of my hand I can tear it down and reassemble it blindfolded. I have the habit of taking it to the gunsmith every five years for a check up. I thought it would be a good choice because I’ve used it in heavy bush on large north American animals before.
I have no experience in hunting lions in Africa so why would the guide dislike my choice in firearm and round?
Just curious
Take care
Dave

Not enough information to be able to help.

What country?

Free range wild lion safari in Zim, Zambia, Mozambique or Tanzania? Or captive bred lion in South Africa behind a high fence?

Unless hunting, it is very difficult to take a rifle, let alone a handgun, to Africa. I’m not sure you would be issued a gun permit in Africa unless you are hunting. In addition, without dangerous game hunting experience, you’ll be more of a danger to yourself and others if armed as a photographer on a lion (dangerous game) hunt.

What were you filming when your avatar photo was taken while wearing a helmet and goggles?? Is this inquiry for real?

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Welcome to AH Dave!

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Legally & Procedurally Speaking: It’s hard enough to travel there with more than one rifle sometimes even if you’re the hunter. You can forget all about bringing a handgun. And this applies double when you’re just the photographer and not there to do any of the hunting yourself.

I’m also curious how the “Guide” offered to just “Sell you a rifle”. That’s not legally possible. And he’s supposed to know this if he’s really an outfitter.

Ballistically Speaking: A .45-70 Government would be pretty low amongst my list of choices for hunting any African dangerous game (barring leopard). For lion, I’d say that 9.3x62mm is a good start (while .375 Holland & Holland Magnum is the legal minimum in most African countries for dangerous game hunting).

 

[Nyati]

. My friend said the guy didn’t like my choice of rifle and said he would sell me one when I get there that would be proper for the hunt.

That is a big red flag, as it it is impossible.

 

[Tanks]

...I was told no not hunting I would need to bring a rifle anyway.

... My friend said the guy didn’t like my choice of rifle and said he would sell me one when I get there that would be proper for the hunt....
I am already getting all sorts of red flags and even though they all expenses paid trip sounds great I might pass on this one.
...

Speaking of Red Flags:

1) Asking you to bring a rifle even though you are a photographer.
2) Selling you a rifle in Africa (illegal).

No reputable outfit would suggest either of those two mentioned above.

 

[nztimb]

Giday Dave and welocme to the A H forums. Hoping you get clarity on this dilema.

 

[Safari Dave]

Something smells a bit fishy...

 

[375Fox]

A group lion hunt can only be South Africa. I’d ask about the experience of your PH. Demanding an observer bring a rifle sounds like inexperience and someone very eager to have a showdown with a lion. Also, since you wrote you have no experience hunting lions, I’d encourage you to research CBL lion shooting and decide if it’s something you even want to be associated with. I find farm raising lions on chickens in small pens their whole lives and releasing them for “hunting” into a “fair chase” farm a week before shooting very distasteful. Nearly all the lion hunts offered in South Africa fall into this category.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

You don’t need a rifle if you are not hunting.

Lion hunts can be complicated and clearly dangerous!

It’s my understanding that Lions really don’t give a shit about the rifle or caliber. If things go wrong, you likely will have little effect on the outcome…

You may want to pass and let the outfitter arrange the photographer/videographer and let the client pay them.

 

[R.M.C.]

Welcome to the best forum on the internet!! And yes it sounds like a shit load of red flags for sure!!