Ontario Hunter
AH legend
I got the impression the outfitter was something of a bully. Well, more than just an impression. The client is trying to make the best of a bad situation. What happens if he refuses to shoot this designated bull waterbuck ... which is almost certainly something the outfitter/PH/property owner wanted culled. Then the rest of the safari goes in the toilet? Client is just hoping the next day might go better. It didn't.I agree you’re paying the PH for his expertise in field judging and knowledge of the area. Where we disagree slightly is I believe the PH’s responsibility lies in determining the maturity of the animal and/or size if a hunter has communicated wanting a certain size or medal class animal. Is the outfitter partially to blame yes, however the Op knew this was the only mature bull on the property, got multiple looks at it and is also particularly to blame IMO. Any experienced African hunter (the OP admitted he was) that sees a couple of substandard animals that they believed were immature (Ex other hunters Impala & Warthog) means YOU NEED to look extremely closely at EVERY animal the sticks go up on. If you’re not 100% sure it’s something you’re going to be happy with you need to be passing, not shooting and demanding to not pay or be charged cull price. For me personally, if I was told this is the only mature bull on the property I’m taking that animal off my list. If the property only has bulls and no females, it’s off my list. Your example of being told about asymmetrical horns or not very good likely had to do with hunting a property with multiple shooters on it.
If the outfitter behaved as described and was vindictive in head shooting the OP’s giraffe or intentionally caused the slice in the neck that’s completely out of line and unacceptable behavior. I’m not trying to absolve the outfitter of that.
Where I disagree is about putting all of it on the outfitter, especially the shape of the Waterbuck. That is/was the OP’s original complaint. He claimed “it’s ugly and he’s not paying”. The shooting of that Waterbuck is on the hunter regardless if it’s a first timer or experienced African hunter (like the op). Only you as a hunter know if you’ll be happy with the shape. Even as a first timer you’ve seen photos, you know what a symmetrical one looks like. If you’re a hunter who doesn’t like odd shapes or deformities, and won’t accept just a mature old bull, and YOU haven’t got a good look at the horns then you need to pass on the shot even if it means not getting your number 1 animal.
The argument and verbal altercation stemmed from this. I’m in no way excusing the PH’s behavior because how he behaved should NEVER happen but everyone is only seeing the OPs side. I guarantee you the Outfitter felt like he was being cheated/stolen from because he was out the Waterbuck money plus the OP’s refusal on the giraffe (again I’m curious of the outfitters POV). Again, not excusing it, but I know how I’d reacted if I felt that way.
There’s a lot to unpack in this report. There’s a lot of lessons all hunters can take away. I know a lot of people disagree with some of my views and maybe that’s because I’m biased given my former life but when I send a round down range whatever it kills is on me and me alone even if it passes through and hits something else. I pulled the trigger. i sincerely wish the OP better luck next time and hope it hasn’t turned his girlfriend off from joining him on future hunts.
I find it hard to believe a proper property manager would let a crappy bull like that one reach maturity. Waterbuck stink anyway but this one smells even more of inbreeding = shitty management.