Kruger Not Having Much Luck....

skydiver386 said:

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The Mrs. asked me to stop watching Tracks Across Africa on the Outdoor Channel because I flip out whenever I see one of the PHs carrying their rifles like that. I'm an RSO and used to teach basic rifle and Hunter's Ed. Old safety habits die hard.

There has been only two times while watching TV that I've been upset enough to get out of my chair and start yelling at the TV. This is one of them.

Buy a $$#@# sling.

#LiterallyAnything
#LiterallyEverything


...........................................................................................................jesus christ.

When we were in Kruger last, we checked our rifles and sidearms in at the gate we entered snd rechecked them when we exited. They put a lock on them and then removed it when we left.

Our guides on our night drives had rifles but I never saw one come out of the soft case. We came up on a pride of lions feeding on a wildebeest at about 10yds and my PH friend and I talked about which one of us was going to grab the rifle if something went sideways ( not that we could have gotten it in time) I don’t think our little SANP supplied guide had it in her to stop a grysbok much less a buffalo, elephant or lion.

I would like to see the official story, I only saw a few places in Kruger that you could get out of a vehicle. They were the designated brai areas, lodge’s, restaurants and on the Tropic of Capricorn.

Ontario Hunter said:

Exactly. I have spent a lifetime hunting alone and gun safety when solo can be "different" than hunting in a gang. First morning of my first safari I told my much younger PH as soon as we were out of the truck, "Listen Glen, yes I've got fifty years experience hunting but I'm not used to others being along. Watch me. If you see something - anything - you think is amiss, speak up. Don't be afraid of offending me. Now tell that to the tracker [in Afrikaans]." He did and the fella's eyebrows go up, he looks at me, nods, and smiles. Wish I could say I never needed to be lined out but that would be a lie. When hunting in Africa, I'm again the little kid who doesn't know anything. And fine with filling that role. Fortunately, my PH isn't the bossy type overly impressed with his authority. I only get guidance when needed.

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Damn, I feel the same. I try not to be a dumb ass but I surprise myself regularly on my ability to do stupid things. Agreed, to my future guides and hunting buddies, please correct me, I won't get offended with gun safety either.

I would hunt with you. Nice story.

roverandbrew said:

Unless you have to hump the pig.
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Note that the GIs in top two photos have some kind of extra padding thrown on their shoulders to help reduce the pain and suffering carrying that beast. It is not fitted with sling swivel mounts for obvious reasons. The movie actor in bottom photo does not have any extra padding, also for obvious reasons.

matt85 said:

Its easier to carry my 16.5lb double in the "African style" than it is with a sling. Even a wide sling will dig in to your shoulder after a while.

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You need to put some wheels on that howitzer.

The tour guide has been released on R5000 bail in court today after the accidental discharge.....

That story is just not believable. So the guide demonstrates to tourist his rifle is real by pointing it at the tourist's "upper body" and pulling the trigger with a live round in the chamber? Okay, I guess that's one way of proving it. But what Canadian would even let someone point a rifle at him? Everyone watches enough TV these days to know that's not the way a gun should be handled. Releasing the guide on 5K rand bond ... pfft. That's $306 US. Lunch money. He will disappear tonight.

My rifles were locked with SAN Parks locks on way in and stayed that way till we left park 5 days later. Inspection both in and out. We were self guided but we did see sidearms and rifles on other "warden" types while in park. Like everything else in the world things are not the same in other places, gun safety being one of them.

Seeing our young PH shoot the gate lock with his 9mm was a sight to behold. He was movie blind, even thinking that 115 gr FMJ bullet would remove the lock. He only fired 1 rnd, we laughed and he jumped.

The incident in question above does raise many questions. A good reason to have dedicated SA wherever you are and go at all times.

MB

MarkB said:

My rifles were locked with SAN Parks locks on way in and stayed that way till we left park 5 days later. Inspection both in and out. We were self guided but we did see sidearms and rifles on other "warden" types while in park. Like everything else in the world things are not the same in other places, gun safety being one of them.

Seeing our young PH shoot the gate lock with his 9mm was a sight to behold. He was movie blind, even thinking that 115 gr FMJ bullet would remove the lock. He only fired 1 rnd, we laughed and he jumped.

The incident in question above does raise many questions. A good reason to have dedicated SA wherever you are and go at all times.

MB

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They allowed your PH keep his sidearm loaded? Our driver was a licensed PH and was in training to become a licensed tour guide in Kruger and they still put the lock on his pistol.
He was our full time driver except for the required ranger driving for the couple of night drives we took.

I did a 21 day self drive all over SA after a 21 day SA hunt. In all the SA parks we visited without any SA people guiding my weapons were SAN Park locked in hard case and stayed with me. When leaving their (park) jurisdiction their locks were removed and mine went back on. This was all approved when I completed my SAPS paperwork upon entry to SA. Little extra as invite letter was 23 days but my weapon permits were issued for 3 months, always under my control.

On the 21 day hunt we got locked in a property fence after dark, nobody had a key, after a 45 min wait our training PH "had a plan". Got out un-holstered his 9 mm, chambers a rnd and went up to gate, positioned lock and let rnd fly. It was hilarious and we all laughed, as rnd went whiz. He only fired 1 rnd.

Gunfighter training taught me the difference between cover and concealment, we shot many "objects" to prove. I understood fully that his idea was "crazy" but "they are the PH's" and don't PH the PH's.

MB

I misread, thought the PH was in the park not on a hunting property, that must’ve been pretty entertaining especially since no one was hurt. Probably a little embarrassing for your PH as well.

This puts a very different complexion on the shooting incident itself. If correct it says the version put out by SAPS and SANParks is untrue. And that the victim was not found for 30 minutes after the gunshot went off?