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This was the main purpose of my hunt in Zambia; all the animals taken up to this guy were bait, and it takes a lot of bait to hunt lions.
We had 4 bait sites with good activity. For whatever reason there were a lot of lions in the area. Cameras showed some good prospects and we started building blinds. We had a bit of a setback when, without any notice, a local conservation organization used one of our sites to dart and collar one of the big males.
This matter has not gone away and is now far above my pay grade. Needless to say the GMA Operator was not happy.
Fortunately for us, the other baits were still active and we (the PH) decided we should build another blind.
Not wanting to arrive too early, in case the lions were nearby - we got to the site at 10:30 AM.
Loaded with poles, grass, tarps, ropes, and more bait, we pulled up and stopped about 40 yds from the bait. Looking across and out the driver side window, I could see most of the bait had been consumed - almost an entire hippo hindquarter had been consumed in one night.
The PH cautioned us to be quiet as we began to exit the vehicle.
Exiting the passenger side, I heard one of the guys still on top - "There's a lion, on the left, at the edge of the grass".
I turned my head to the left and there he was, in broad daylight, about 40 yds out, on his side - head raised, staring directly at us. Directly at me to be more specific.
I pulled my rifle out of the seat and took aim.
"Don't shoot, never shoot a lion laying down, I need to make sure he's good" I think that's what the PH said.
My attention was focused elsewhere. 40 yds away was a male lion; through my scope I saw the fixed stare of his gold/green eyes. All I could think was, I am outside the vehicle and the closest to him.
"Everybody, just don't move" - I don't know who said it, but it seemed like excellent advice.
"I need to get a look at his teeth" - I heard the PH whisper. IS HE SERIOUS? And just how do you plan to accomplish that? I didn't say it - I was too afraid to move my lips, but I sure as hell thought it.
Almost on command, the lion opened his mouth, yawned, licked his lips, and laid his head down and went to sleep. I guess a hippo hindquarter will have that effect.
NOW WHAT? Do we send one of the guys to wake him up? Do we walk up and shoot him, tie a rope to him, what?
"Do not take your rifle off him, he's good, he will stand up to move out of the sun, when he does - shoot".
Sounds easy, stand rock steady, crosshairs on a napping male lion 40 yds away. I watch his nose twitch and his ears wiggle to ward off the Tsetse flies, and I am jealous - I never figured out how to wiggle my ears. I suffer the wrath of the Tsetses.
Rifle clenched, scope fixed on the lion, his eyes open. Will he stand? No - he raises his head and gazes in our direction. My first thought is, great - he's had a nap and now he's hungry.
I try to imagine what he sees and what he's thinking. I know he sees the vehicle, does he see the guys remaining on top as people or part of the vehicle? Does he see me or do I blend in with the background?
In an instant I have my answer, his gaze turns to a stare and it's straight at me.
"Just wait - he'll get up". The PH's words are barely audible, drowned out by the throbbing of my heart beat in my ears. I could hear myself sweat.
Through the scope I see him blink and try to match his rhythm.
That scene from the movie "Tombstone" where Doc Holiday faces off against Johnny Ringo begins to play in my mind, I hear Val Kilmer's line - "Say when". Dear God, please let me be Doc.
As if on cue, the lion's front paws squeeze and I see his leg muscles tense as he pulls them beneath him to stand. Front legs straightened, red-dot on his shoulder - I squeeze. Through the scope I see him fall, I reload and fire again.
The lion lies motionless on the ground. I breath, reload, and I'm joined by the PH who cautions me to hold position.
Just when I think it's over, I hear, "Guys, don't move - there's 2 more coming through the grass to the left".
2 females had been hiding in the grass and were now headed at us. Fortunately they stopped and ran off once reaching the edge.
I would like to say this was a piece of cake - just another day of hunting. I'd like to, but I can't.
I've shot animals at close range; an elephant at 21', a hippo at less, a cape buffalo at about 30'. These all happened so fast there was no time to think - just react. Training takes over and when it's over you actually feel pride and a sense of accomplishment. Events like those are why we train.
Nothing prepares you for a standoff with a lion. There is way too much time to think about all the ways it can go wrong. I am just thankful nothing went wrong that day.