Q & A With Brian ‘Wato’ Watson

[RIGBY]

Q&A with Brian ‘Wato’ Watson - John Rigby & Co.

Brian ‘Wato’ Watson is an Australian big game hunter and adventurer, renowned for his extensive hunting experiencesLearn more

www.johnrigbyandco.com

Brian ‘Wato’ Watson is an Australian big game hunter and adventurer, renowned for his extensive hunting experiences across Africa and other remote regions. A passionate Rigby supporter, Wato has documented his adventures in his autobiography, sharing his journey from early hunting days to present endeavours. We were delighted to chat to him about his stand-out hunts and learn which Rigby he’d love to see in his gun safe…

Can you recall a moment that first sparked your passion for hunting?

A defining moment for me was when hunting for the humble rabbit with my father, grandfather and uncle at around seven or eight years old, I was fascinated to watch grandpa slowly circle a rabbit he had detected in a grass tussock, but not fire until he could see the eye of the animal. At that age, wandering the rocky gullies and hills hunting rabbits for the pot was about the most exciting thing imaginable. It wasn’t all joy for me, though, as I was only allowed to watch, when all I wanted to do join in. Around 73 years later, I estimate my lifetime bag for rabbits is probably 30,000 with rifle and shotgun. Boyhood experiences often have a profound effect on man’s ultimate achievements. In later years, it has become somewhat of a tradition to return home from a big game hunt and immediately go rabbiting with my mate Wisey.

You’ve had countless adventures across wild terrains around the world, can you share one particularly thrilling or dangerous hunt that stands out in your memory?

The most memorable hunt in my experience was with Felix Marneweke, who sadly died from typhus earlier this year. We tracked a massive bull elephant and his companion across seven kilometres of burnt-out wasteland in Bushman Land. We dodged and darted here and there a further four kilometres through forest, in an attempt to outwit the bull’s very alert askari.

After stalking behind a giant anthill that the bull had stopped next to, I stepped into view and was stunned into momentary immobility at the size and magnificence of such a large specimen, but I knew he was the right one to remove. I took a quick heart shot, and a follow-up shot from my trusty Miss Rigby. The bull moved off and I waited until he had cleared the trees and straightened before ensuring a swift conclusion. The successful harvest was met with appreciation from Felix and the trackers that were standing back watching.

In your book Wato, you share amazing hunting tales, but is there one story that you think captures why you head back into the wilderness time and time again?

There is a chapter in my book titled, ‘The Happy Walk’. The circumstances of the hunt clearly demonstrated the old adage, ‘you hunt elephant with your feet’. We had tracked five large bulls for 32 kms before they melded with a cow herd late in the afternoon. We decided to call it quits for that day and resume at first light the next day.

Initially, tracking was easy on flat ground, but, as the wind was following, it was only a matter of time before we were busted. Sure enough, we had to wait for 45 minutes before continuing. The terrain then became steeper and steeper. At one point the tracks went over the side of a cliff and to follow we had to shimmy down on our backsides, using the rifle as a prop. Very dangerous. Finally, we caught the group and shot a nice bull.

At this stage our GPS showed that we had covered 32 kms once again. I looked at Marthinus and said, “Please tell me there is a track just over the river so we can radio the driver to pick us up, so we don’t have to walk all the way back”. He said “No, but it will be a happy walk”. What now faced us, was a trek along the river dodging the hippos and crocs in the dark with no torches. Better than trying to clamber up those treacherous mountainous slopes. Eventually we arrived at the pickup point at 2:30 in the morning. In total we had walked 54 kms over 21 hours but we had an amazing story to tell that you don’t experience in the armchair at home. Further, the things one encounters and is exposed to during time in the wilderness cannot be adequately verbalised. There is no way to explain the thrill of the moment.

What first drew you to Rigby, and how has their craftsmanship influenced your hunting experiences over the years?

As an avid reader of hunting books and magazines, I gained an early appreciation of the regard Rigby guns are held in by the world’s hunting fraternity. Notably, famous men such as Corbett, Bell and Selby. I count myself extremely fortunate to have been able to procure and use my .416 in many hunts for dangerous game. It has performed flawlessly and given me a serious pride of ownership. Some good friends have later been drawn along the Rigby path, usually after seeing my collection.

Of course, I still have that rifle, and it still draws gasps of admiration whenever I take it out in the presence of other hunters, be they serious riflemen or novice hunters. It is carried with the absolute confidence a hunter needs to have with his rifle. When I give up following the game tracks of big game it will be the last gun I pass on to some other fortunate individual.

Is there a Rigby rifle that you’d love to own but don’t yet have? If so, why that particular gun?

I would love to own Uncle Jim’s .275 or Harry’s .416. Maybe, because I recently had the pleasure of spending some time with iconic Tanzanian big game hunter, Luke Samaras, I would covet his beautiful old Rigby .416. But to be serious, a Rigby .350, or a Rigby .375 H&H would fill a gap in my armoury, which consists of a .275, .416, and a .470 double.

As a hunter and outdoorsman, are there any mentors or figures in the hunting world that you’ve always admired or who shaped your journey?

Several individuals come to mind. Zambeze Delta Safaris principal Mark Haldane gave me an opportunity to work with him many years ago. The time spent with him in Mozambique was a fantastic experience. Zimbabwean Spike Classons mentored me with information about elephant hunting that was of inestimable value, as well as being the first guide to trust me to be able to make a final approach on elephant solo. Felix Marneweke of Camelthorn Safaris also showed confidence in me to make the final approach on my own. Felix had an amazing feel for the bush and the creatures that were part of it, seemingly able to read the mind of our quarry’s next move.

Recently I have had some amazing hunts with Marthinus Kok of MJK Safaris. Lastly, my great mate Ian Head has been an amazingly positive force and companion on many dangerous game hunts. Apart from being able to source some fantastic locations for our hunts as a booking agent in Australia, it has been wonderful to have a like-minded companion to talk over the day’s events come sundowner time.

If you had to give advice to someone just starting their hunting journey, especially those looking to explore big game hunting, what would it be?

A dog will never learn how to retrieve game when it’s sitting in the kennel all day. So too, a hunter needs to get out into the area of their interest, walk and carry his rifle. Find a rifle that suits his purpose and practice with it until he develops muscle memory that enables him to shoot quickly and truly. It doesn’t come easily. In short… just do it.