What happens with rifles when staying in a big 5 tented camp and a self defense question

[Hunt anything]

Where is home?

Coastal Alabama

 

[grand veneur]

The danger emanating from the game we hunt in Africa bothers me less. I was more and more in the country in west Africa where I hunted for years wary of the danger that emanated from humans, especially fundamentalist islamic people. The course of things in Burkina Faso proved me right, more and more areas in the east of the country were no longer accessible over the years due to the increasing insecurity. In the meantime our camp was destroyed by fire, the hunting area has become a restricted military area and has been mined. Game over in the whole country.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

The danger emanating from the game we hunt in Africa bothers me less. I was more and more in the country in west Africa where I hunted for years wary of the danger that emanated from humans, especially fundamentalist islamic people. The course of things in Burkina Faso proved me right, more and more areas in the east of the country were no longer accessible over the years due to the increasing insecurity. In the meantime our camp was destroyed by fire, the hunting area has become a restricted military area and has been mined. Game over in the whole country.

It is a great pity and a tragedy. Before criticising the game farms in southern Africa people should realise what the alternatives might look like.

 

[grand veneur]

There were very good hunting areas spread over three countries, Burkina Faso, Niger and Benin. We already had to stay away years ago from the border of Niger and especially from the Parc National du W because of various terrorist activities. At some point it then covered the entire region and in the meantime almost the entire country.

I would also be careful in other regions of west and central Africa. What is meant is the northern Cameroun and the Tchad among other. I was a bit surprised that hunting can be made again without any problems in RCA. Just because you don't see the danger doesn't mean it's not there.

We don't want to unsettle @SRvet . In the countries in south east and south Africa where the majority hunts, one don't have to worry too much at this time and don't have to sleep with a loaded rifle next to the bed.

 

[Philip Glass]

Please excuse the novice questions…
Next year I’m hoping to travel to Africa for a second time with some friends. We plan to hunt from a tented camp located within the a big 5 area. In such a situation are there any protocols or standard practices regarding carrying rifles whilst in and around camp. Is it usual to keep your rifle to hand all of the time or are they normally stowed until actually hunting?
Also on a totally unrelated subject, if a non target animal is shot in self defense, what are the legal and financial implications? Let’s say during a buffalo hunt we were charged by a hippo…
Thanks in advance

You will be in charge of your gun and keep it with you in your tent/room. DG hunting is dangerous and a scenario like you describe has happened to a PH I hunted with. Keep your head on a swivel but don't be freaked out about the rare possibility of an unprovoked charge.

 

[Philip Glass]

Another point is that in all of the DG camps I've been in there was lots of staff around and a night guard. This may not always be the case. You might ask about this if it makes you more comfortable.

 

[Safari Dave]

I was last on the banks of Cahora Basso in Mozambique. So were the hippo...

One wandered through camp in the middle of the night.

 

[Slider]

I keep mine in my Tent with a Torch right next to my gun. Another camp was Robbed at Gun Point one night while I was in Zim!!!

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Many instances have occured at night of lion pulling people out of tents and in some cases killing them. One case was mentioned earlier in this thread. I know of several others:
A honeymoon couple years ago were attacked in their digs in Hwange park, may have been a hut, and she was killed.
Some sailors doing a regatta on Kariba overnighted at Tashinga. A lioness pulled a guy out of his tent by the head, they chased it off with air horns. He survived but lost an eye.
A British tourist at Spurwing was woken by a lioness in his tent, he rushed out and the other ten killed him and ate him. The young PH/guide didn't have his rifle to hand and I believe he lost his license.
My friend and business partner was killed by a lioness in camp as he left the shower block in the Mana area.
I had to chase off a lioness with an improvised flame thrower that was menacing our kids in the adjacent tent on the Ume river on Kariba. The armed guard was off at a beer drink. If I was armed I would have shot it.
So yes I would keep a rifle by my bed, not loaded, but with ammo readily to hand.

 

[Safari Dave]

In camp or at home, I have rifles loaded and on "safe" close at hand.

When I have grandchildren, I'll change the home situation.


I've live in a rural area with known drug dealers, drug labs, thieves, pedophiles, and poachers nearby.


Pity the fool, who tries to do a "home invasion".