Professional Hunter shot by client: update on Stu Taylor

[Velo Dog]

Velo, basically I agree with you here, but I beg to differ on scopes and the benefit of larger magnification..

As you I am a novice to african hunting..

I changed from a 6x scope to a 3-12 x 50 Schmidt&Bender for hunting the open landscape of Namibia. For me that was a wise decision. I am pretty sure that better optics secured some of the 250 - 300m shots I took.

But surely you dont need that on DG. I have a small compact Leupold 1.25 - 4 on my .375H&H for such..

I think the trick is to vary scopes to hunting conditions....and I always bring a reserve scope..Last year my buddys Zeiss broke down...he had brougth a spare, back to the farm, change over, re-zero and back to business within an hour..

Hi Pondoro,

One man's bread is another man's poison I recon.

I realize that I am the oddball in today's techy/gadget world.

From my life's experiences I have posted my recommendations, primarily for people who are trying to find their way in making ready for their first safari and/or approaching the next natural phase of hunting in Africa which is to book their first buffalo hunt.

If a 3 to 12x, 56mm scope works best for you when shooting antelopes at 250 to 300 meters then, that is exactly what you should use.

My issue with such things for me personally and for my concern with new hunters is that, even in Namibia, anything from steenbok to Kudu can suddenly burst from close cover as you approach a dry creek bed.

Easily distracted guys like me and potentially newer hunters as well risk not being able to find the animal in time for a shot, before it leaps back in to cover.

It has happened to me enough timse here in the US and I have seen it happen to a friend in Namibia, due to forgetting to turn the scope down while walking and he missed a huge kudu bull (had his 2 to 7x Leupold on 7x when the kudu bolted from about 15 yards.)

Speaking of Namibia, that was my first safari and I used a Zeiss 4x on a .300 H&H with 180 gr Nosler Partitions at just over 2800 fps.

Closest shot was probably about 30 to 50 yds off hand on a running steenbok and longest shot over 400 from sticks, measured on the PH's range finder (gemsbok), plus several other animals at virtually everything in between.

They say I am above average with firearms but I really do not think it is all that much, because more than one of my friends here can shoot tighter groups from field positions than I can.

One in particular shoots golf ball size groups at 100 meters from sticks with a simple .30-06 Mauser and older Zeiss scope.

I cannot match that, mine are more like tennis ball size from the sticks.

Yet 400 yd/m shots on the vitals of antelopes from sticks are well within my capability, 4x scope and all.

I have done similar shots on deer and caribou with a peep sight from prone with an M-1 Garand, when my eyes were young.

Now I'm 62 and at 300 yds/m, still nothing would be safe, not even a little jackal or rock dassie, if shooting a proper rifle with peep sight.

A seasoned hunter such as yourself is no doubt very good with large variable scopes, I am no good with them and so have given them up in my 2os.

Anyone new to all of this might also be better off with less moving parts.

Back on track here;
I cannot stress enough that a huge power / huge lens scopes are not good, possibly hazardous to your PH, when mounted on a .458 for buffalo hunting.

Your .375 sounds like it is set up well for Africa, DG or PG either one, by my not so normal way of thinking.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[Velo Dog]

I also generally agree. I no longer take a scope to Africa that cannot be instantly dismounted. Learned behavior during a leopard follow-up which is another story for another discussion. Could not disagree more with the unchambered rifle. If I am participating in a follow-up (and I have on many) I will have a rifle with a round in the chamber. The weapon will be on safe and my finger will be outside the trigger guard. The PH is certainly within his rights to order me to stay put, but if I am coming along it will be with a ready weapon. That said, I have spent a lifetime in the profession of arms, and what can be seen in the video is typical of what occurs with untrained soldiers in a close combat scenario. An excited, scared member of a fire team let's loose with a round, and afterwards has no clue how it happened (not surprisingly, this tends to happen in National Guard formations rather than full time infantry units at about a ten to one incident rate.) Close combat awareness takes an enormous amount of training (and what else is an encounter with a wounded buffalo in dense cover) - and it is not the same as simply having lots of experience going hunting. Were I a PH, I would probably order any client to stay put even if following up a dik-dik. As a client, I personally would not like it one little bit, but as a PH, I have enough to worry about without adding friendly fire.

Hi Red Leg,

Guess I must've missed the information that this bad shooting had happened during a follow-up, and not just a general buffalo hunting walk-about.
If this PH was shot during a follow-up for a wounded animal, I then have misinterpreted part of what I saw in the footage.
That part would be: Since they were more or less in single file when the buffalo ran toward them that until that moment, I thought they had simply been scouting about, hoping to find an as yet, evasive and unscathed quarry.

It did not cross my mind they'd go single file after a wounded animal (I have followed up a wounded grizzly at Little River Lakes on Kodiak Island and we spread out abreast, but only about 2 to 4 paces distant from each other).
Likewise, I have seen this abreast formation used, in a half dozen or so other African hunting DVDs, for follow-ups on DG.
I guess that if the beast charges from one side, then suddenly single file becomes your abreast formation?

Last but not least, I recall the Client doing a small advertisement about his ammunition being all the new Nosler 500 grain "Solids" before they set out.
And although solids are preferred for following up wounded buffaloes, I heard no mention they were following one up.
(This of course would not be the first time I was caught failing to pay attention in class though).

I agree with you, it is very likely that any PH who wanted to have the Client in stack during a DG follow-up, should indeed expect said Client to have a round chambered.
The single file thing is still a head scratcher for me though.

Well anyway, I totally agree with you on the quick detachable scope thing, especially on a DG rifle but on my hunting rifles in general as well (even though my only DG safari so far was accomplished with only iron sights - LOL).

Likewise, I totally agree with you on your other points as well (also made a profession of being armed and well trained, also have stories to tell if you ever get up this way some year).
In summary, where I got off track was when I presumed the client was carrying his rifle in "condition one" during just your typical pre-contact, buffalo hunting walk-about.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[Red Leg]

Hi Red Leg,

Guess I must've missed the information that this bad shooting had happened during a follow-up, and not just a general buffalo hunting walk-about.
If this PH was shot during a follow-up for a wounded animal, I then have misinterpreted part of what I saw in the footage.
That part would be: Since they were more or less in single file when the buffalo ran toward them that until that moment, I thought they had simply been scouting about, hoping to find an as yet, evasive and unscathed quarry.

It did not cross my mind they'd go single file after a wounded animal (I have followed up a wounded grizzly at Little River Lakes on Kodiak Island and we spread out abreast, but only about 2 to 4 paces distant from each other).
Likewise, I have seen this abreast formation used, in a half dozen or so other African hunting DVDs, for follow-ups on DG.
I guess that if the beast charges from one side, then suddenly single file becomes your abreast formation?

Last but not least, I recall the Client doing a small advertisement about his ammunition being all the new Nosler 500 grain "Solids" before they set out.
And although solids are preferred for following up wounded buffaloes, I heard no mention they were following one up.
(This of course would not be the first time I was caught failing to pay attention in class though).

I agree with you, it is very likely that any PH who wanted to have the Client in stack during a DG follow-up, should indeed expect said Client to have a round chambered.
The single file thing is still a head scratcher for me though.

Well anyway, I totally agree with you on the quick detachable scope thing, especially on a DG rifle but on my hunting rifles in general as well (even though my only DG safari so far was accomplished with only iron sights - LOL).

Likewise, I totally agree with you on your other points as well (also made a profession of being armed and well trained, also have stories to tell if you ever get up this way some year).
In summary, where I got off track was when I presumed the client was carrying his rifle in "condition one" during just your typical pre-contact, buffalo hunting walk-about.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

Well hell. It is far more likely that I am the one confused about the confrontation. You are correct, if they were simply tracking in thick stuff, then I am surprised he had a rifle in a condition capable of that accidental discharge. One reason I like the K-guns and the Blasers is that whole cocking to un-safe the weapon.

By the way, I know Texas is a long haul from your corner of the country, but the light is always on and a single malt is on the counter.

 

[Velo Dog]

Well hell. It is far more likely that I am the one confused about the confrontation. You are correct, if they were simply tracking in thick stuff, then I am surprised he had a rifle in a condition capable of that accidental discharge. One reason I like the K-guns and the Blasers is that whole cocking to un-safe the weapon.

By the way, I know Texas is a long haul from your corner of the country, but the light is always on and a single malt is on the counter.

No worries Red Leg,

Regardless of Who's on 2nd and What's on 3rd, the important thing is that the PH survived (lucky and tough both no doubt).
Might get down to Texas some day, you never know.
I certainly did like what I saw of it when I passed through a few years ago.
And it turns out that I do enjoy a single malt on the rocks now and again.
Likewise, there is always a bottle of same here in "The Safari Bar" (my basement), in case you ever get up to Anchorage.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[BWH]

Any word on how Stu is convalescing?

 

[Ole Bally]

Stu is doing really well. A positive and tenacious attitude has him doing what he loves again.

 

[BWH]

That's really great.... I was just thinking of him. Haven't heard updates in a while. Thx!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Stu is doing really well. A positive and tenacious attitude has him doing what he loves again.

I know he did the re-qualification. Is he back hunting?

 

[BWH]

Obviously the greatest concern is his health.... Gaining his passion/livelihood back is awesome. Hope the settlement/indemnification was swift & fair. Hope the very best for him!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I know he did the re-qualification. Is he back hunting?

X2, I sure hope so!

 

[johnnyblues]

Lets hope so....

 

[Ole Bally]

Stu did a couple of hunts this season. He's sending me some pics! I'll post them up when I have them!

 

[Bruce]

Good news re Stu and recovery and hope he gets back to PH work ASAP.
I ALWAYS worry about this when hunting...for myself behind the PH and ALSO for the Game Scout who is traipsing behind me with a loaded fully auto AK 47...good to discuss these SAFETY issues before the hunt starts and in articular when on final approaches for elephant, lion and buff... each must know what to do and when/ how etc... PANIC does creep in when serious charges occur, so the more we talk and rehearse this the better for all.

 

[enysse]

I watched that episode over an over again. I tried to figure out what happen. I hardly think it was an accidental discharge, either the safety was off or someone had their fingers where they didn't belong. Like Red Leg said this isn't the first time a nervous gun handler did something dumb.

I'm sure the hunter didn't mean it, but poor Stu paid for it in FULL.

 

[Ole Bally]

View attachment 38838 It's been 2 seasons now since Stu was shot from behind through his left shoulder and he's still has not been able to return to his chosen profession. This last season Stu at least went back to the bush and worked fixing roads and camps etc. His employer said that unless he could pass his shooting exam again, he couldn't be employed as a PH.
His injuries were such that he was unable to raise his rifle with his left arm...the shoulder that was shot through with a .458 Win Mag by an errant client.
Well, things are on the mend and whilst he still is disabled - still can't lift the arm past shoulder height - and damaged, we put him on the range with his rifle at the February Pro Hunters and Guides Shooting test and are happy to say that he aced it!
This is a huge mental milestone for him and we hope that he'll be able to hunt again on a professional basis.
I take my hat off to a tenacious young man!
Here's Stu at the exams with his .416 Rigby giving that paper lead!
Would I hunt with him as my PH?...100% yes!

 

[Ole Bally]

Stu back on the job!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Stu back on the job!

Outstanding!

 

[Royal27]

Stu back on the job!

Awesome..... thanks for sharing!

The big smile says it all.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Stu back on the job!

View attachment 53249

Good to see, thank you for updating us.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Stu back on the job!

View attachment 53249

Incredible tenacity.