Reading Ian Nyschens' book Footsteps of an Ivory Hunter. Ian did not suffer fools lightly (gave them the "bush treatment") and the concept of political correctness was something completely unknown to him. He describes his efforts to sort out a problem with elephant destroying graves in Tuli. He suggested to the administrator for the area that a trench that had collapsed be re-dug to prevent the elephant from reaching the graves. His suggestion was rejected and he wrote:

"This area was controlled by a pompous, arrogant man, so I wrote an official letter to him describing the above facts, and I told him that I found his attitude overbearing and bureaucratic. He was later mauled by a lion, and this so pleased me that I wrote another official letter to him, describing my appreciation of the lion and pleasure at the attack."

Bought the book at DSC. It's in the queue to be read.

Read it and agree with you Mike
Look how he dealt with hunting in general
Gun, water bottle, ammo
Unfortunately lots of us Hunters become slaves to technology and easy does it nowadays
He wouldn't give 90% of us a second look

Those were the days Mike those were the days!

Political correctness has put paid to that, and what we had always believed to be obnoxious and unnatural is celebrated now!

quote:

Unfortunately lots of us Hunters become slaves to technology and easy does it nowadays

Sadly very correct..among other things I flatly refuse to hang a GPS receiver on my gundog.....to see if he is standing...what happened to the aspect of sport..??

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Originally posted by Saeed:
. . . has put paid to that . . .

One of Ian's favorite phrases apparently. I like it.

We did a afternoon of interviews with him shortly before his passing. We are going to do something with them one day. A one of a kind. A honor to just stand near him for a few hours...

Dave, I'd like to buy that DVD. When Buzz did his first elephant DVD, I thought the interviews with Ian Nyschens, Sten Cedergren, and Richard Harland were pure gold. I have re-watched them many times.
Seeing and hearing them really brought their books to life.

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Originally posted by Marty:
Dave, I'd like to buy that DVD. When Buzz did his first elephant DVD, I thought the interviews with Ian Nyschens, Sten Cedergren, and Richard Harland were pure gold. I have re-watched them many times.
Seeing and hearing them really brought their books to life.

I agree wholeheartedly with Marty's sentiments - there is no telling how many times I have watched those interviews.

He was a unique no BS kind of guy, but he was also a poacher and an obnoxious egotist. I admire the type of adventurous like he lead, but as a human being he left a lot to be desired. RIP.

Now that makes for a balanced debate?

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Originally posted by GunsCore:
He was a unique no BS kind of guy, but he was also a poacher and an obnoxious egotist. I admire the type of adventurous like he lead, but as a human being he left a lot to be desired. RIP.

Did not know that you knew him personally. Perhaps you will share with us some stories about Ian.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by GunsCore:
He was a unique no BS kind of guy, but he was also a poacher and an obnoxious egotist. I admire the type of adventurous like he lead, but as a human being he left a lot to be desired. RIP.

Did not know that you knew him personally. Perhaps you will share with us some stories about Ian.

Now now Mike and opinion from others does not warrant such sarcasm.

But I can understand you standing up for Ian being his best mate and all.

Sarcasm, moi?

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by GunsCore:
He was a unique no BS kind of guy, but he was also a poacher and an obnoxious egotist. I admire the type of adventurous like he lead, but as a human being he left a lot to be desired. RIP.

Did not know that you knew him personally. Perhaps you will share with us some stories about Ian.

I talked to him last night. He told me you should get a job.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Interesting. What else do the voices in your head tell you?

Stay away from unemployed lawyers.

I doubt that any of the old geezers would fit in today's world.

And I think some of them have taken their fame a bit too far in telling stories that cannot be true.

That should not distract from the fact that they have lived a life many of us would envy if we were alive at that time.

At the same time we should not be so impressed with them that some other aspects of their lives, which might not be to our liking, should not be shown.

I have enjoyed reading everything Elmer Keith has written, from magazine articles to books, and I admire him a lot.

But, he did take the liberty of telling lies which defy comprehension, so he can put his point across.

You couldn't say it better Saeed

All I can say, was that in my mind, I was in the presence of a man the type that we will see no more of, and who saw my beloved Zambezi valley when it was truly wild, raw, and free. It was an honor then, and I am thankful to my friend Richard Harland for introducing Tim and I to what I believe is a safari legend, warts and all.