Head shot on charging lion saves dudes life

[Alpha Sierra]

Let me offer a counterpoint to "safari" hunting.

While the meat of anaimals killed on safari cannot be imported back, it is not left to waste.

The meat from ungulates such as antelope, bok, impala, etc. is consumed at camp both fresh and stored frozen, and/or sold at market.

The meat from larger animals such as giraffes, elephants, and the like is also sold at market and/or donated to local villages, charities, and some of it is also eaten at camp.

[Gutshot John]

As a hunter I don't find the notion of hunting lions all that flawed from an ethical standpoint. It's not what I want to go to Africa but I don't see the difference between killing a deer and a lion other than the meat is better on a deer. Most hunters dream of trophies. It may not be a lion, but it might be bear or mountain lion or any number of other magnificent creatures.

The real flaw I find in this is that it seems borderline suicidal and sets up lots of Darwinism jokes and awards.

If the point of this is to train warriors for combat well than I guess there is a legitimate purpose there but I would think hunting as a general practice, even of non-dangerous species like deer is pretty instructive from a tactical point of view.

When people think of Indian warriors they also think of hunters. It was a lifestyle of constant practice for combat. People forget that for more than two hundred years, with limited access to firearms, the Eastern woodlands Indians practiced in centuries of forest hunting and warfare, contained Europeans to the Atlantic coastlands. They also delivered staggering defeats to people Europe's greatest armies, one such battle is about a mile from my house today called "Braddock's Field".

[Mac5.56]

You are not alone at all.

I can't Imagine myself killing any big Cat. I find myself having too much respect for them. That would have to go for all predetors in my book. Cats, bear, wolf, I don't think I could kill any of them unless it was about to kill me.

I don't get it either. Why kill such a beautiful animal as a Lion?

That's three of us actually!!!

[Belmont31R]

As was pointed out earlier a lot of the meat from animals goes to local villages and kept around as camp food. Usually the only thing the hunter gets is the cape and horns.


Also hunters are paying the majority of the cost for the wildlife programs over there. Without sport hunting in Africa most of these programs would not exist, and there would be no desire on the part of the Africans to conserve the wild game over there. It pays for conservation areas, anti-poaching units, parks/game rangers, etc. Some of these animals are going for 100k a pop.


And I don't really care what other people do to get their jollies. As long as they are not committing a heinous crime or destroying shit other people use then have at it. What I don't appreciate about sport hunting is all the shady people tend to flock to it, and become plain dumb. The golden era of the african safari was a long time ago. Now its mostly PH's leading fat rich men around to shoot off bait, and its the PH doing 95% of the work. Even see in some videos the PH will take a shot right after the hunter because they dont trust the hunter to make a good 1st shot.

[99HMC4]

Thats why I would love to use my 50 BMG to hunt lions....

[ST911]

If the animals are harvested in responsible quantities consistent with good resource management, and the meat of the animal is used rather than discarded, I see no ethical issues in such big game/trophy hunts.

I find the canned hunts for captive species in the US more distasteful and less sporting than the safaris.

On eating... Bear meat is good eating, properly prepared. As is the mountain lion/cougar. I have not had African lion species, but a colleague that has said it is very much like cougar. Other exotics are good, too.

Hunt safe, respect your game, keep it sporting, and don't waste.

[WillBrink]

Maybe I'm the only one here, but I just don't get sport hunting. I hunt deer and hog for food but I couldn't or wouldn't ever want to kill a lion or other big cat, same for elephants. I just don't get it.

I'd rather shoot them with a camera personally.

[David Thomas]

Awesome video. Thanks for posting.


Not really sure why there exists such a rift between the tactical (for lack of a better word) crowd and hunters. The large number of tactical guys that have a problem with hunting (one form of it or another) and the large number of hunters that have a problem with the "tactical" guns, always astounds me.


I would relish in the opportunity to hunt a lion or any of the African big game except the elephant and the Hippo. However, my choice not to hunt the elephant or Hippo is a personal one, and I would not look down my nose at anyone who chose otherwise. I see no problem with sport hunting if done right.


I am sure some would object to me face shooting an innocent little bunny with a 12 guage, but I will not apologize for having done it.


Also without hunters and their money a lot of the African game would not fare so well. Hunters fund conservation efforts and provide financial incentive to protect the land and protect the animals from poachers.

[David Thomas]

Hunt safe, respect your game, keep it sporting, and don't waste.

I am not arguing with you, but I would like to use your statement to illustrate a point.

I do not eat snakes, coyotes, prarie dogs, nutria, etc...
I do not think that one has to eat his game to justify the hunt.

[ZDL]

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