In memoriam - Prayers for the American Hunter Killed by a Charging Buffalo

[Hunter-Habib]

Just received the sad and unfortunate news, an American Hunter was tragically killed in an unprovoked charge, by an unwounded cape buffalo. The hunter was tracking with his PH/Tracker on Sunday Aug 3rd in Limpopo, South Africa when the incident happened. He was a client and dear friend of the very well known and respected outfitter he was hunting with.

I’m leaving names out for the family and all involved.

I personally knew AW (I won’t mention his name because antis regularly hound these forums and will think of this tragedy as some sick reason to publicly celebrate).

He was a gent whom I’m proud to call my friend and he’d happily give you the shirt off his back if he knew that you needed it. He had quite possibly the largest collection of pre ‘64 Winchester Model 70s in the entire world (that I know of).

It’s a grotesque tragedy as to what happened. I pray for his dearly departed soul.

 

[Hillcountry63]

Condolences and prayers for the family

 

[crackerman]

Sad for sure. It can happen to even experienced hunters. One reason I upgraded to a .375 for everything for my next safari.

To all the people thinking about a buffalo, remember this is a possibility. Be ready if you decide to do this.

 

[BC Tal]

Condolences to the family.

 

[JES Adventures]

My Condolences to the Watkins family.

John Ed

 

[gillettehunter]

Condolences and prayers. RIP

Bruce

 

[MontanaPat]

Condolences to all involved

 

[coreydb]

Words just can't express the sorrow here. This is the second fatality from a buffalo this year.

 

[ForgedInTheFlame]

RIP and condolences to the family.
Having said that I'm very curious about how this could happen??

I too would like to hear the story.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Terrible news. Condolences to the family and outfit.
Prayers are with you friends.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

RIP and condolences to the family.
Having said that I'm very curious about how this could happen??

Charge was unprovoked. Any PH's worse nightmare.

 

[Rifleman97]

RIP.

At least he went while doing what he loved. I consider that a bonus.

None of us should hunt these things without being aware of that reality.

I’d rather go out in a hunting accident somewhere beautiful like Africa or Alaska than in an office or a hospital. That being said, it’s still too soon. Rest in peace hunter.

 

[DLSJR]

very sad and tragic incident, I hope his family comes to grips with his loss and finds comfort in remembering how much better their lives were because of him.

While it’s a terrible tragedy, he was doing what he loved when he passed. The rest of us should be so fortunate when our time comes.

 

[Lily Shi]

RIP and so sorry to hear this.

 

[Mekaniks]

RIP

 

[Bejane]

very sad to hear of AW's passing.

Unprovoked Buff charges in RSA are more common than you think. Videos on youtube on Buff running after landcruisers and other postings, https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbi....3105348446287473&idorvanity=2661696703985985

A friend who videos hunts has a theory that alot of these half tame Buffalo in RSA are actually quite aggressive and often charge unprovoked. Be careful out there Gents, always be ready

 

[bimbo]

R.I.P

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

My condolences to his family.
I sincerely hope that the details of what happened are released, not to satisfy morbid curiosity, but to share valuable information that may just help prevent another similar tragedy.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Such sad news, and especially for his folks and daughter. I often recklessly say if I slip from high trail or pass off away in the wilds somewhere, it would be better than some alternatives, but it brings my family zero comfort, especially when the day comes to pass.

While I don’t usually want to hear of another’s unfortunate end unless I must for work, here I can’t help curiosity in hopes of avoiding same in the future. Love hunting. Buffalo so much, hope to again and again into the future. Just as outdoorsmen and hunters should try to mitigate risk and learn what can emerge from freak accidents or alignment of poor timing and bad luck.

Hopefully none of us stop hunting because of inherent risk, but we all should try to learn to mitigate risk where possible, I mean we owe it to our families.

This gent seemed an overly successful, vibrant soul. About the same age and lived/worked where I went to law school and worked before slipping off to Alaska. Way too young and a damn shame.

 

[grand veneur]

The few details available say the charge was from the bull they had been tracking. I would be interested in knowing how many times, if any, the group had bumped the bull. I recall after bumping my bull twice in the same morning and not getting a shot my PH decided to pull the plug for the day. On the way back to the ranch complex our tracker somehow spotted our two bulls laying in a thicket about 300 yards off the track. We stopped the truck out of sight and then quite a long discussion in Africans between PH and property owner on the radio. Then my PH to me: "Listen, we can try for these two again but they now definitely know we are after them. And they're probably getting fed up with it. They will likely bust with the slightest indication we are in the area, be it sound or scent. Maybe they would run off ... but maybe not. One thing is almost certain: if they get up, they're not gonna stand and wait for you to shoot. They will either run away instantly ... or run right at us. Your choice." I chose to go after them. We closed the distance to sixty yards but the bulls busted as soon as the sticks went up. Fortunately, they chose to flee rather than charge and I shot my guy on the run, taking out both lungs and major blood vessels above the heart.

Above all, it remains a sad event for the victim and his family. The rest is a different matter, since one can only speculate about the causes of the tragic accident as long as one does not have a detailed account of the event. As you write, situations can arise where it is better to abandon the tracking of a buffalo for safety reasons, but we don't know if such a situation existed. A topic in itself, but better not to discuss in the context of an obituary.