Our hunt began around 4am after a light breakfast. Dont ask I dont have a clue, if I even ate. I was sure I had my kit sorted out; because I checked it about a thousand times. In 2012, I dressed like Teddy Roosevelt, with high boots and jodphers; but this time was just typical bush clothes, of tans and olive. I had added belt hooks to my bush jacket to support my ammo belt with 10 spare rounds of ammo and a knife. Yeah I know a knife wasnt necessary; but your hunting in Afrika, so a knife came along. I had a pair of Steiner binos that never came out of my bag and a Delorme Sat "PHONE" texting unit--I was glad I brought that to keep in touch with the kids back home.
RSA game laws require a Game Guide from their version of Fish and Game be on all Dangerous Game Hunts. He makes sure we do everything within the law AND hes there with another gun in case things get ugly. Marius, our PH had also enlisted a buddy (Larry) to come along as another rifle, just in case, too. The thing about KMG, is you come as a client and leave as family. Thats certainly true, and on this trip we added a few more family members. We knew we couldnt bring back the trophy (thank you Mr President) so we hired a cameraman to video the hunt--its WELL worth the price. Filmshoot Safaris is a great group. Ive used them twice and will do so every time I head to Afrika (more in a bit).
So after breakfast, we loaded up and headed out to where the lions had last been seen. The idea was to find tracks, then make a large circle to see if the tracks crossed our route again. We did this for most of the morning, with the plan being, if we didnt see anything by 1100, wed head back for a big brunch, then rest in the heat of the day, and go back out around 3pm. About 9am it started pissing rain, not a down pour, just that constant wipe your face rain. At one point, when the rain was getting on everyone's nerves; we headed to a bush lodge on the property and handed around each others rifles for a "look see". The property owner had a 470 SxS from Butch Searcy, complete with a Trigicon RMR. I had tried adding a RMR to my Merkel but couldnt get it to cowitness and it just never felt right. The quarter rib on the Searcy is higher, so the RMR lined up perfectly. Marius carries a Merkel in 500 Nitro and spare rounds in a custom ammo belt he had made from the hide of his Cape Buffalo, (I was jealous). Our other "shooters" had 416 Rugers, so you can imagine the debate about the new cartridge VS the classics, with an occasional bit about the 9.3x74R (inside joke--ask Marius).
As the rain wasnt getting any better, we decided to head back for an early brunch about 10am. Yep, this is where I wish I had brought my rain coat.... On the way out and back, we saw 100s of game. Buffalo and Wildebeest like the days of Bison on the American Plains. Kudo, Hartebeest, Impala, Springbuck, Cape Buffalo, Baboons, and so many more. This is why game management is so necessary. When a landowner cant make a profit from his game then they are just a nuisance. So they do their own anti poaching details, especially for the protection of the Rhinos.
I must have done something right, in a past life, the rain stopped and we spotted a lion. I saw it; but assumed it was a male because it was so large. We drove past it and I thought nothing more about it. Then we stopped a couple Kms down the road. I was still thinking it was a male we spotted and didnt have a clue why we stopped. I had been working on my Dutch and by extension Afrikaans; but theres only so much Rosetta Stone can do for you, as I tried to listen to what was being said. I do have the profanity mastered! Then Marius said, lets go get your Lion. We started in a column with the trackers in front, then Marius, and me. Bringing up the rear was the Fish and Game Officer and the Larry with his Ruger. Im sure Im leaving out some of the guys.
I realized we were walking in big circles and assumed we had lost the trail--always trust your trackers! We heard a low roar, and the guys in the back, came running up with their version of the Tiger scene from Apocalypse Now..."Its a Fucking LION, right behind us!". How cool was THAT, I made it clear, that I wanted to be CLOSE. Its not dangerous from 100 yards. I turned around and just got on the sticks, with the tracker eagerly pointing to bushes. I didnt see anything but bushes and more bushes, then she came out maybe 20 yards away. She looked at us like she was pissed, then Marius said "take her". I had done a lot of practice with the rifle; but nothing prepares you for a Lion that close.
I dont remember the recoil or the blast. I DO remember seeing her flip and run off. I had aimed just behind he shoulder, so I knew it was a good hit; but I was troubled by her running off. I broke the action of the Merkel and swopped the fired case for a fresh round. The next thing I remember was Marius grabbing my shoulder to keep me from following her up. He said, "give her a minute". We found her just a few feet away in the scrub. Marius and the rest shook my hand and patted me on my back. I smiled and thanked them, then Marius took my rifle and said sit with your Lion. That part was a bit of a blur. My wonderful bride was there, yes there were some tears, not the OMG what did you do tears; but the ones that said you just hunted a Lion. ...and finally the realization that it had turned the hunt onto US!
I had visions of dancing naked around the fire that night, covered in blood, shouting Simba Simba; but my wife had. The food never tasted so good nor the wine so sweet.
Now for anyone that finds this post and wants to give me death threats--bring it on. Im easy to find; but bring friends, just to make it interesting. When you come, I'll be ready, and I'll be adding more trophies to my ear necklace....and if my kids are there, when you come, well then I guess we'll fight over your ears.
