Burden to inform?

[Major Bonkers]

In my observation, there seems to be a graduation in acceptance of risk. The Africans who track seem to be the bravest; going into the bush, unarmed, after a wounded animal certainly earns my respect, even if I regard it as horribly foolhardy. Next come the clients, who generally take an insouciant view, like parachutists, that, 'I hope it doesn't happen, but I understand the risks and voluntarily accept them'; and finally come the PHs and landowners, who don't want to lose a client under any circumstances: motivated by simple humanity and - if we are honest - the desire to avoid the inevitable finger-pointing, bad publicity, and so on.

I dare say that the full facts will emerge at the inquest. For myself, I raise an eyebrow at the statement that the charge was unprovoked.

In our homogenised, de-risked society, where we are scolded not to smoke, drink, drive fast, to eat our greens, eat less salt, take our Covid vaccine and wear a mask, put a condom on our willies, ad nauseam, there will always be those who kick against the pricks. Mr. Watkins' death is a tragedy to his family and friends, but I hope and believe that the man himself would be honest enough to accept that he took his chances and, that of all the deaths available, he died doing something he loved.

Finally, a quotation:

Then out spake brave Horatius,
The Captain of the gate:
‘To every man upon this earth
Death cometh soon or late.
And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of his Gods.'

'Horatius', Lord Macaulay

 

[sgt_zim]

Mr. Watkins' death is a tragedy to his family and friends, but I hope and believe that the man himself would be honest enough to accept that he took his chances and, that of all the deaths available, he died doing something he loved.

Finally, a quotation:

Then out spake brave Horatius,
The Captain of the gate:
‘To every man upon this earth
Death cometh soon or late.
And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of his Gods.'

'Horatius', Lord Macaulay

100% this.

 

[Nyati]

Non issue for me.

On my last Safari I decided on a night hippo hunt, outfitter was handlind the light, and two PH´s were on hand. one I didn´t know, but he was also the landowner, so not his first rodeo.

The other one, my good friend Geoffrey, we have shared buff and lion hunts, a very experienced guy, you can rely on.

So, it is a DG hunt, you plan as best as you can. and everything turns out fine, or not !

It was your decision to hunt, and there may be consequences.

 

[DLSJR]

I look at this topic differently than the OP. Rather than a duty to inform, I regard it as more of an obligation on the clients part to make sure they’re aware of what they’re getting themselves into, and I think the PH or safari company simply needs to at least ask the client if they have DG experience and if not, do they understand that people get injured or killed pretty much every year in areas where DG is present, even if not hunting such game.

Asking the question ‘Does the operator have a Burden to Inform’ strikes me much like California’s Proposition 65 law, where businesses have to post a written notice that certain chemicals, products, areas, etc may be present that are a risk to your health. It’s so ubiquitous that there are notices posted everywhere and nobody pays any attention to them at all. But, millions of dollars are spent by businesses to remain in compliance.

Not everyone should hunt Dangerous Game or be in areas where those animals are present. It’s their own burden to know their limits, IMO. I think a short discussion to simply ask if the client understands that he’s in an area where many things, not just the game he may be pursuing, can injure or kill you is sufficient. It’s as much for the PH’s benefit to know what kind of client he’s guiding as anything.