Lion Hunt that almost went wrong

nope other the I have hunted with Jacques the man whos gun had jammed. I have not talked with him in 3 years maybe but always chat if I do see him at the shows. Just don't like people talking smack on someone without knowing all the facts or the person.

I think if you think of what happened he handled it all very well. Most people could not handle the lion charge period now add a gun problem with people scrambling and a guy with a big male lion on him. He showed more by handling all that then you give him credit for.

Hogpatrol said:

The jammed gun seals the deal for me. If you don't know your firearm or what can happen with the ammo, you are either doing something unprofessional or are just getting overconfident and sloppy or both. And to answer another's post. I would NOT hunt with these guys. Again, YMMV.

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What part of he was using FACTORY HORNADY ammo did you not get? It would be unprofessional, sloppy and overconfident if Jacques continued to use that shit. But he doesn't as a result of this incident.

Hogpatrol said:

Do you have a vested interest in defending these professionals?

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No Bill doesn't, but I do just to be clear. Once again I ask the question, are you basing your quite strong conclusions solely on this video?

Hogpatrol said:

The jammed gun seals the deal for me. If you don't know your firearm or what can happen with the ammo, you are either doing something unprofessional or are just getting overconfident and sloppy or both. And to answer another's post. I would NOT hunt with these guys. Again, YMMV.

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I'm more than a bit surprised by your conclusion, at least insofar as its based on what you've read or seen on this thread.

I was hunting buffalo a few years ago with a .404, using Hornady DGX ammo. My gun jammed when I tried for a second shot - the bullets in rounds in the mag had been pushed back (due to recoil and improper seating, I assume) and the second round hit in the wrong spot. I had a superb custom made rifle, and the ammo let me down.

In this case, I believe Jacques was entitled to rely on what Hornady said - and continues to say by the way - about its ammo in its advertising. Doing so doesn't make him less of a professional, or less reliable or less whatever. Can you predict what can happen with every round you put into your gun? Never had a mis-fire, a hang fire, or any other issues? Do you shoot much? Because if you do, these things will happen. It doesn't make you, or him - or me by the way - less professional.

So be careful getting off that horse - it seems you're a long way from the ground.

It is easy to look at this video and be a Monday morning quarterback. We can all look at the video and critique it, coming up with points that we would do better. The only problem is unless we have been in the same or similar positions, we have no idea how we would react. Unless we have been in war, been a law enforcement officer being drawn down, faced an armed intruder, or faced a charge by a dangerous animal, etc. we truly can't say what we would do.

(You have to view both videos to best understand what happens)

I believe this was Reinhardt's (PH that was mauled) client and Jacques was acting as second on this hunt. Let's looks at what Jacques did correct:

1. Jacques is in front of the main body and is out of the picture to the right. When the lion charges he is coming back to the group.

2. He goes to one knee, getting on the same level as the lion to shoot. Unfortunately the DGX doesn't perform even though the lion was shot in the shoulder and the bullet should have carried through to the chest cavity.

3. When the lion gets Reinhardt, Jacques puts himself between the hunting party and the lion. The lion has Reinhardt by the shoulder. Jacques tries to draw the lion off of Reinhardt and finally does, shooting the lion in the head.

4. He is immediately on the radio calling in a medivac helicopter. He is also sending one of the trackers back to the vehicle to get the emergency bag.

If I was a client, he just put his life on the line to save mine. I think he did a fabulous job and I would be happy to hunt with him any time!

Well stated @Hank2211 .

If Jacques was shooting a Ruger Alaskan in .416 Ruger then he was shooting Hornady factory fodder as it's pretty much the only thing out there for those who do not load their own. All I can say is, Hornady better get its act together when it comes to their DG line of ammunition. Seriously, their incompetence is going to wind up getting someone killed (if it hasn't already).

Hogpatrol said:

................ Fourteen firearms was the limit, the last I was told.

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Licence to possess a firearm for dedicated hunting or dedicated sports shooting (section 16) and professional hunting (section 16A)
The Firearms Control Act, 2000, does not put a limitation on the number of firearms a person may possess under this category.

MMAL said:

Not saying i would not do anything different but I hate when camera men miss the shot. The hunter or other PH, not sure which hung in there. Hope is is alright.

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The "actual" cameraman did not miss the shot or the mauling.
You'll note that camera being handed off in this video when aid is being provided to Reinhardt.

The "other" video demonstrates quite well how Jacques jumped in, yelling at the Lion to draw it off Reinhardt and then immediately shot it in the head from a very low angle ensuring he would not hit Reinhardt.

Shooting the still twitching lion was adrenaline all round.
If I recall this group just experienced a charge by a lion and watched mauling.
Can you blame them for the insurance shot?

Did anyone notice how the sticks stopped the client from swinging onto the charging lion?

I've had one expended cartridge stick on a rifle in my life time. It was someone else's reload. NEVER AGAIN.
If it would have been factory ammo I can sure see swearing it off forever.

I would like to have seen the penetration results on the carcass.

When did he last use the rifle.

gordon kings langley said:

When did he last use the rifle.

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Wondering if it is for sale?

BRICKBURN said:

The "actual" cameraman did not miss the shot or the mauling.
You'll note that camera being handed off in this video when aid is being provided to Reinhardt.

The "other" video demonstrates quite well how Jacques jumped in, yelling at the Lion to draw it off Reinhardt and then immediately shot it in the head from a very low angle ensuring he would not hit Reinhardt.

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Where is this other video?

this incident was sad indeed. I have personally been at Serapa with Jacques. My friend and I were his first client at serapa. He was not my PH but my friends as I hunt with his good friend Andri Fox. But I know the story and I can assure you I would hunt DG with Jacques any day any way he is first class and I would have no fear he would have my ass if it went bad and I know Andri would the same they have taken down a lot of lions! I believe he had a big double when we were there in 2016. Personally I want the PH to have a double if we are hunting DG and I handload my own and check each round and try each load in hot, cold everything when my ass could be on the line and I shoot swift a frames and barnes solids. NO SHIT HORNADY WILL EVER FOUL MY BARREL

I watched the video and have no idea what could have been done differently. Both PHs behaved bravely and it was a very dangerous situation for everyone involved.

Jacques is certainly one of the most qualified PH's out there for DG. He has guided hundreds of hunters for lion, myself included. I would hunt DG with him anytime, and plan to do so again in the future!

BRICKBURN said:

The "other" video demonstrates quite well how Jacques jumped in, yelling at the Lion to draw it off Reinhardt and then immediately shot it in the head from a very low angle ensuring he would not hit Reinhardt.

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No doubt! amazing footage of a heart pounding situation.

I hunted lion with Jacques about 6 months before this accident. His knowledge about lions goes beyond just knowledge it is almost instinctual. An absolute professional that I would hunt with anytime. I believe this is why Reinhard is alive today and the client was unharmed. And as said on multiple posts above, unless you have been in that situation, we should be careful with our judgement.

CTDolan said:

Where is this other video?

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It was actually a pirated version taken of the video being played back on the camera screen.

Here is some portion.

Totally different video of a Lion charge
Nobody on sticks. Everyone on their knee.

My goodness. He's extremely lucky that it was his shoulder in the lion's jaw and not his head or neck.

That's the thing with lions...one bite in the wrong place and it's game over.

As far as I am concerned Jacques couldn't have handled it any better. The lion had his partner down and in his jaw and yet he managed to distract the cat and get off a safe, killing shot before it was too late. I'd feel 100% safe hunting lions alongside either one of these two PH's. They displayed a level of professionalism quite impressive, in my book.