Death of Bryan Smith

[Velo Dog]

Hello everyone,

It is my regrettable situation to announce the sudden death of Bryan Smith.
He was Peter H. Capstick's former boss when capstick was a PH in Zambia.

Bryan had semi-retired to Limpopo District, South Africa and was operating a buffalo breeding project on his land there.
These animals were not hunted on his place but were for sale as part of the South African re-introduction of buffalo to their former home ranges in that country (had been destroyed to make room for domestic cattle over the decades).
He was standing on a gate and looked away from a buff briefly when the bull lurched him over backward, into the pen and immediately gored him through the chest with one horn.
Bryan died instantly.

He was a good man, incredibly intelligent, generous and had a very quick sense of humor.
To say that he will be greatly missed is a huge understatement.

Regards,
Paul Ard (Velo Dog).
Anchorage.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

My sincere condolences to the Bryan's Family and the people close to him.

 

[bluey]

heart felt sadness,to his family and friends

 

[James.Grage]

Prayers go out to the Smith family...

Tough way to go...

 

[Buff-Buster]

Prayers and condolences to Bryan's family and friends.

 

[BnC 04]

Thoughts and Prayers to the family.

 

[BWH]

Horrible news.... sorry to hear. Deepest condolences.

 

[enysse]

Sorry to hear, condolences to his family.

 

[bassasdaindia]

RIP .

 

[thi9elsp]

My thoughts with all in the PH community. Yesterday, 6/9 was the 2 year anniversary of Owain Lewis' death from a buffalo in Zimbabwe. It gives me pause to thank the Lord for my blessings and each precious day on this earth. RIP.

 

[spoonieduck]

Hello everyone,

It is my regrettable situation to announce the sudden death of Bryan Smith.
He was Peter H. Capstick's former boss when capstick was a PH in Zambia.

Bryan had semi-retired to Limpopo District, South Africa and was operating a buffalo breeding project on his land there.
These animals were not hunted on his place but were for sale as part of the South African re-introduction of buffalo to their former home ranges in that country (had been destroyed to make room for domestic cattle over the decades).
He was standing on a gate and looked away from a buff briefly when the bull lurched him over backward, into the pen and immediately gored him through the chest with one horn.
Bryan died instantly.

He was a good man, incredibly intelligent, generous and had a very quick sense of humor.
To say that he will be greatly missed is a huge understatement.

Regards,
Paul Ard (Velo Dog).
Anchorage.

Velo,

I've seen the post and it is, of course, a tragedy and reminds me that I should respect buffalo perhaps a little more than I did in the past. Once, just west of Victoria Falls national park, I was walking down to the Zambesi armed with a fishing pole. Unbeknownst to me, a herd of 200 buffalo were watering at the river. Sensing my presence, they came stampeding past me. I could touch the closest one [if I wanted to] with the tip of my fishing pole. Believing that unwounded buffalo in a herd are somehow harmless I can't recall feeling a twinge of fear. I continued walking down to the river where I went fishing.

On the other hand, a few years ago I was with some friends driving through their large ranch choked with thick thorn bush. There were a number of buffalo which were occasionally hunted, on the ranch. The vehicle was crowded so I was hanging onto the back of the vehicle. Suddenly two female buffalo burst from adjacent cover. The closest one tried to hook me from the back of the vehicle--she missed me by a hair. This was a completely unprovoked attack. I can still recall that the angry buffalo was red in color. Then again the soil there was reddish and she might have been rolling in the dust.

I've since wondered about the situation. Is it possible that these ranched buffalo--because they were hunted/captured/harassed on limited hectarage property--are even more aggressive than buffalo in completely free range situations? "Canned" lions also have a reputation for special aggression. A PH put it to me like this: The lion is fed and controlled by humans from the time it is a kitten. It recognizes people and feels no gratitude. It resents human presence. It certainly isn't afraid of people. Then the day comes when people arrive and BANG! The lion immediately recognizes the source of its injury and reacts aggressively.

 

[ActionBob]

Sincere condolences to the family and all his friends.

 

[johnnyblues]

Terrible way to go considering the years he hunted dangerous game. Ironic ending. My condolences to his family.

 

[peras]

Condolences to the family.

 

[ScottG]

Prayers go out to his family.

 

[kathy]

Prayers for his Family. Forrest

 

[Pheroze]

a very tragic loss. My condolences to the family.

 

[Bruce Fletcher]

My sincerest condolences and prayers to his family.

 

[Bobpuckett]

My condolences to the Bryan's Family and Friends.