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deepest sympathies to Owain's family! A reminder to all of us heading into the field to remain focused. "...Them, they were Giants!" J.A. Hunter describing the early explorers and settlers of East Africa hunting is not about the killing but about the chase of the hunt.... Ortega Y Gasset | |||
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Very sad news. My condolences to his family and friends. ______________________ Age and Treachery Will Always Overcome Youth and Skill | |||
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Owain was a very good friend of my friend Nigel Theisen...but I had never met him. Nigel spoke very highly of Owain and had hunted with him back when he (Nigel) was with Alan Lowe. Alan and Owain were good friends as well. Alan was killed by a cow ele in Chewore South 20+ years ago (there is a plaque on a Baobab tree there to mark the spot) and now Owain in Chewore North. I am sure Alan and Owain are catching up as we type in God's safari camp. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ J. Lane Easter, DVM A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991. | |||
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Sad sad story!!! My condolences to Owain's family and friends. | |||
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It's a tough line of work when a man may have to pay with his life for another's mistake. All too often, that's what a DG PH does. My condolences and sympathy to Mr. Lewis's family and friends for their loss. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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I just said a prayer for the family. cannot say anything more at such a sad time. Great to know that AR is a place where people really care for other hunters. "When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick." | |||
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Wow terribly sad outcome. condolences to his family. Sounds like he stood his ground to the end nothing more can be asked of a PH. Very unlucky chain of events for sure. Going on my first Buff hunt in Oct. thinking if changing from .416 to .458 Rest in Peace White Mountains Arizona | |||
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I met Owain in 2010 while on safari in Chewore South. We shared a table several times with Owain and Mike (his client) and I thought to myself on several occasions "I hope I get a chance to come back here and hunt with this guy". I just read this thread and my heart sank. Any chance of hunting with this gentleman have been forever dashed. What a terrible loss. My heart goes out to Owain's family, blood and Chifuti. I hardly knew him and I'm nearly in tears. I can't imagine the hole for his loved ones. SCI Life Member DRSS "In those savage countries success frequently depends upon one particular moment; you may lose or win according to your action at that critical instant." Sir Samuel Baker | |||
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I probably don't have the right to add anything to this subject but all of the posts seem to be from people that Have had their souls touched by Owain. I know I did. People that have had the privilege of hunting with him and people that have met him and wished they had. God rest his soul. Hopefully, he died peacefully and quick and hopefully, he died doing what he loved. What more can a MAN ask for??? To be lost and missed by his friends, acquaintances and those that bearly knew him, like me. His passing brought tears to my old eyes. He was the man. A man that I could strive to be. God rest his soul. | |||
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Not to take anything away from what this great man accomplished. BUT: the fact remains: No one can kill game of any kind or size unless you hit them right. In such a case as this nothing other than a shot to the CNS mattered and they all failed to connect with such a shot. Resulting in this mans death and many others filled with sadness because it happened. My best to all. George "Gun Control is NOT about Guns' "It's about Control!!" Join the NRA today!" LM: NRA, DAV, George L. Dwight | |||
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Very sorry to hear. My condolences to his family and friends. Torbjorn | |||
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Owain Lewis Memorial Fund Most have herd the news of the tragic death of Chifuti’s Senior PH Owain Lewis. This has been a difficult thing to settle in my heart and mind. Like you, I’m one of the many that loved Owain and Robbie. They stayed at our house during the last safari show season, and traveled to visit as many of their friends as they could get to. My first reaction was to depart the states to attend his funeral. But the needs of Owain’s family have quickly become apparent, and cannot be overlooked or neglected. If Owain would ask anything of his friends ... he would ask that we take care of his wife. There’s no insurance, and little savings or resources. Like most, they lost everything when they lost their farm. This family was dependent on a PH's income. Robbie Lewis needs the help of friends and the safari community that Owain loved and lost his life to. Safari Classics has opened a memorial account in Owain’s name for just this purpose. This is a short-term account intended to address the multitude of Robbie’s immediate needs. I leave for Harare in 6 weeks and will deliver to Robbie, the entire amount. There will not be a deposit into the Zim banking system. We wish, as do you, that Robbie receive 100% of the Qwain Lewis Memorial Fund. Please see the banking details below. A wire transfer from your bank to Owain’s account is most efficient. You may also send a check to either the bank directly – or to the Safari Classics office, both addresses are provided. We will make the deposit and keep current for Robbie, a list of all who have donated in Owain’s memory. Bless you all for your concern, compassion and desire to help this extraordinary man and his beautiful Robbie. There are not words to describe the void his passing has left in our lives. I’m proud and fortunate to have the right to call Owain Lewis my friend. It’s because Owain had so many friends that we have this opportunity to grieve and share this loss, and to come together to help our Robbie. Tamela Moss Safari Classics and Chifuti Safaris Wire Instructions *** When wiring please MEMO: Owain Memorial Fund, FOB Robbie Lewis Account Name: Safari Classics Owain Lewis Memorial Fund Account Number: 1440000453610 Account Address: 5206 McKinney Ave Ste 101 Dallas, TX 75205 Routing Number: 111017694 BB&T Swift Code: BRBTUS33 Bank Address: BB&T Bank 717 N. Harwood Ste. 100 Dallas, TX 75201 Owain Lewis Memorial Fund | |||
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Personally, while it is always bad for someone to die before his time, he was doing what he enjoyed. I may be a little different, but I'd rather get mashed by an elephant at 60 than spend 10 years in a nursing home and die at 80 while bankrupting my children to keep me alive. There are worse ways to go than this, trust me I've seen them. A shot not taken is always a miss | |||
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My condolences go out to Owain's family and friends. Friday, Dave Fulson and some of Owain's other friends will be live on high caliber radio sharing their memories. If you want to listen go to www.highcaliberradio.net at 1pm Friday or 5pm(cst)Sunday and click the listen live button for KFPW 1230. | |||
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Qwain was a big man in so many ways. His loss leaves an enormous void. My condolences to his family and good friends. | |||
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My check is in the mail. Where's yours? The intent is to hand deliver 100% of the donations to Robbie Lewis in 6 weeks. After expressing your condolences, get a check in the mail, PLEASE. Mike ______________ DSC DRSS (again) SCI Life NRA Life Sables Life Mzuri IPHA "To be a Marine is enough." | |||
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I Fedexed a check the day the information came available. Having thought about this, I see a way to get the family more with with no more net cost to the contributor. Contributions to this Fund are not tax deductible. If a charity was involved, a larger amount could be given that was tax deductible and have the exact same net cost. For me personally, a $1 donation to the Fund is the same as giving $1.56 to a charity. The math is: $1.56-($1.56x.36)= $1.00 I imagine a 50% increase to the family would be meaningful. Just a thought for the organizers of this worthwhile cause. | |||
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 Owain is the gentle giant on the far left. A soft spoken Gentleman if ever there was one. I've known him since 1981 and we tried to stay in contact throughout the years. Candi and I last visited with he and Robbie at SCI LV this year. Such a shock to hear of his passing. Our hearts go out to Robbie. Rich & Candi Elliott Rich Elliott Ethiopian Rift Valley Safaris | |||
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Interesting pic, is ist possible to get more background to it? Many thanks! | |||
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Correct me if I wrong, but I think this pic is taken during the production of the DVD Bolted to Death by Mark Buchanan/Big Bore Production. Mr Buchanan is the person nr 3 from right. Rob and Barry Styles (Buffalo Range Safaris), Mike Roden and Joe Smithson (both from Granite Mountain Rifles) also on the pic. Rifles in caliber 275 Rigby, 375 HH, 416 Rigby, 404 and 500 Jeffrey`s, 458 Lott and 505 Gibb`s. Torbjorn | |||
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Correct. Mark sent it to me a few years back. Rich Elliott Rich Elliott Ethiopian Rift Valley Safaris | |||
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British hunter killed by buffalo he was trying to shoot http://www.telegraph.co.uk A British man working as a professional hunter on a private game reserve in Zimbabwe has been killed by a wounded buffalo he was trying to shoot. By Peta Thornycroft, Aislinn Laing in Johannesburg 2:45PM BST 11 Jun 2012 Owain Lewis, 67, had been tracking the animal for three days to finish it off after it was shot and injured by a visiting American hunter he was escorting. Paul Smith, the owner of Chifuti Safaris in the lower Zambezi Valley, said Mr Lewis was "very tough and experienced" but had been caught unawares when the buffalo charged from the undergrowth and tossed him in the air. "It turned on him and attacked him and unfortunately the apprentice hunter with him could not shoot the animal as Owen's body was in the way," he said. "It was a very tough fight. Owain's neck was broken but the apprentice did manage to kill the buffalo. "We are very shocked. This is the first time we have had an incident like this. "We have had so many messages of support from people who hunted with Owen. It is a tragedy." One of the people who hunted with Mr Lewis, Alan Bunn, posted on a message board that he was "a man who had probably forgotten more about Africa and hunting than any of the younger professional hunters will ever learn". "He was a kind soul who worked hard and always carried with him the very best of attitudes," he wrote. Mr Lewis is understood to have adult children, who were travelling to Zimbabwe from their homes in the United States and New Zealand for a funeral on Friday. He previously ran his own ranch in the Chegutu district of central Zimbabwe but it was seized by Zanu PF supporters in 2001. The Cape Buffalo is one of African safaris' prized Big Five and one of the most dangerous animals in the world, also known as "The Widow-maker". It can grow up to 1.7 metres in height and 3.4 metres in length, and weigh as much as 910kg. Elton Rambin Mail/Ship: 1802 Horse Hollow Rd. Barksdale, Texas 78828 Phone: 479 461 3656 Ranch: 830-234-4366 Check our Hunt & Class Schedule at www.ftwoutfitters.com 4 Rules of Gun Safety 1/ Treat all guns as though they are loaded. 2/ Never point the muzzle at anything you do not want to shoot. 3/ Do not put your finger on trigger until your sights are on target and you are ready to shoot. 4/ Be sure of your target and safe background. | |||
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My condolences to Owain's family and friends. I have also sent a donation to the Owain Memorial Fund. Do I interpret this correctly (from the below statement)......that Owain knew the buffalo was there and was able to engage it (fire 3 shots), but not stop/kill it before it got to him? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ From Aaron Neilson's post on 6/11/12 of what they found at the scene "FYI - Owain was carrying his .458 bolt gun. I found 3 spent rounds in the path, and exactly where Owain was standing when he initially got hit.......just 12 feet behind where the bull initially hit him" _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ . | |||
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Therre are several mistakes in this article. First, Owain was not British. He was born in Rhodesia and died a Rhodesian. Second, I did not say the quote attributed to me. Chris E. Nelson was the one who said it. However, I totally agree with the statement and WISH I had been eloquent enough to have said it. Third, Aaron Nelson, a source on the ground, stated the client's son killed the buffalo and not the apprentice PH. I think I will go with Aaron's account, especially considering all the other mistakes in this article. Also, I don't think they were caught 'unawares' as stated, but I suppose it is still up in the air as to the actual sequence of events. Fourth, Owain was smart enough to sell Damvuri to the Zimbabwean government early on, when they still had money to buy out the white farmers. Cheers, ~ Alan Life Member NRA Life Member SCI email: editorusa(@)africanxmag(dot)com African Expedition Magazine: http://www.africanxmag.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.p.bunn Twitter: http://twitter.com/EditorUSA Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. ~Keller To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; to be credible we must be truthful. ~ Murrow | |||
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Alan. Thanks for the corrections to the story that appeared in Telegraph. Elton Elton Rambin Mail/Ship: 1802 Horse Hollow Rd. Barksdale, Texas 78828 Phone: 479 461 3656 Ranch: 830-234-4366 Check our Hunt & Class Schedule at www.ftwoutfitters.com 4 Rules of Gun Safety 1/ Treat all guns as though they are loaded. 2/ Never point the muzzle at anything you do not want to shoot. 3/ Do not put your finger on trigger until your sights are on target and you are ready to shoot. 4/ Be sure of your target and safe background. | |||
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Larry, your point on tax deductability is the one I stressed in the other thread. We have the ability with the 501,c,3 SMS PH relief Fund to do just that. I am on the board with several other AR members and we ensure the money is used as intended. In the case of John Greeff, tis opportunity was utilized and all proceeds as well as proceeds from the raffle went directly to Johns family. We are working to gain some awareness on this subject alone and create a living, breathing, substantial PH relief fund so that we are not caught on our back foot as we usually are. Presently, we have some good video footage of the impact a devastating injury has on a PH or tracker and what this fund can do. More to come on this as I am making a request of Saeed to post a topic on this effort. Also, as I said in Buzz's post, I have sent a PM to Dave Fulson to discuss the possibility of using the SMS tool to raise higher levels of money for Owains family due to the tax value of the donation but I have not heard back from him. I feel it rude to just start an effort when someone already has started one if the two are not in sync. I assume they are all busy and I will hear back soon. Thanks for pointing out the tax value of a donation if channelled properly to all. A lot of time this gets missed. Larry | |||
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Currently 2:34 PM Eastern Standar Time If you are close to your computer, David Fulson is being interviewed right now about Owain. They are going to talk to me next. It will be re-broadcast on Sunday. High Caliber Radio Here is a link to their website: www.highcaliberradio.net Cheers, ~ Alan Life Member NRA Life Member SCI email: editorusa(@)africanxmag(dot)com African Expedition Magazine: http://www.africanxmag.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.p.bunn Twitter: http://twitter.com/EditorUSA Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. ~Keller To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; to be credible we must be truthful. ~ Murrow | |||
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This thread has been heartbreaking, and I never had the chance to meet the man. I am so sorry for Owain's wife and family. It is clear by the eloquence with which so many are expressing their grief that he was a special guy. There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t. – John Green, author | |||
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Just feel called to help the Lewis family, so I put a signed Jack O'Connor book up on offer in the classifieds. All proceeds to the Lewis fund. Thanks for considering. Tough Father's Day. There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t. – John Green, author | |||
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I have known Owain Lewis and his family for over 30 years and am deeply saddened by his passing. An extraordinary man , a gentle giant. A few years ago I had ordered a new Landcruiser for the upcoming hunting season with my first hunt starting in May. Sadly the Toyota agent was very slow in getting the vehicle to me on time . I had met Owain in Harare and vented my frustrations about my vehicle not arriving in time for my first client. The next morning Owain arrived at my house with a vehicle for me to use. Not any vehicle - his best Landrover. I was stunned by this man's kindness and gererosity and was able to carry on with my hunt. Thanks to Tamela Moss and Safari Classics for setting up a fund for Robbie. Believe me folks they really need this money - things are economically tough in Zimbabwe. My last client Jeff Quinn is on his way home right now. He did not know Owain but shared this tragic news over this past week with me around the fire. He not only let me take a day off his hunt to let us attend the funral but is sending a check to the fund. Thank you! My sincere condolences to Robbie, Sherrie and Rowan + family. Owain's death has left a huge void in our lives. Andy & Sarah Hunter and all staff at Chipitani Safari Co and Zimbabwe dip and pack. | |||
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Tamela - This must have been especially difficult given that Owain and Robbie stayed with you in Dallas for 6 weeks earlier this year. Many thanks to you for personally taking the initiative to set up this fund for Robbie Lewis and doing ALL of the grunt work to make sure the fund collects and gets the money to Owain's widow. The world is a better place because of the selfless efforts of people like you. Mangwana | |||
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AMEN! LORD, let my bullets go where my crosshairs show. Not all who wander are lost. NEVER TRUST A FART!!! Cecil Leonard | |||
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I’m proud to announce that the Belgain Browning .458 rifle, donated and listed in the “Owain Lewis Memorial Fund” thread, has been purchased and the proceeds of $ 1,500.00 will be added to Owain’s Memorial Fund on Monday. Huge thanks to Mangwana for this great idea, and for donating the rifle. Thanks to all for your interest and inquiries. | |||
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Would 1 of you start a new post. tell the rest of us your favorite story about this man. I for one want to know more. Hope I'm not out of line with this request but I am intriged of this gentleman who touched so many others. | |||
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I am sorry to read and hear of his passing but where it was his lively hood I cannot imagine he would want to go any other way. I know for one that if it was my time to go I would prefer that it was doing what I love to do. It is very unfortunate for all of us that are left behind to feel bad about it. He is in a better place and may his wife and childrens hearts be filled with found memories for life. I wish that people would quit pointing fingers at the hunter; bottom line we were not there and don't know the answers to some questions. God speed and god bless Owain's family. | |||
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I am just learning of the sad news regarding the loss of PH Owain Lewis after returning from a very successful and safe 14 day safari in Dande East with CMS. I know it will not be lost on most of you - my PH on my recent safari was Alan Shearing and we shot two buffalo safely and cleanly. I can assure that I was very relieved on that on count. I did not know Owain but given the sentiments expresed it sounds like he was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. My sincere condolences to his family and to his fellow PH brethren. Rick | |||
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I have to admit that I did not know Owain or had even heard his name before this incident. It appears from the posts here, that was my loss. I would have enjoyed spending some time afield with him. 465H&H | |||
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Very sad....never met the Gentleman but he was obviously trusted and loved by many as a true Professional | |||
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I am very sad to hear of the death of Owain. I would like to offer my sincere and deepest condolences to Robbie, Owain’s family, friends, and his hunting associates. Respectfully, Shawn Shawn Joyce Diizche Safari Adventures P.O. Box 1445 Lincoln, CA 95648 E-mail: shawn.joyce@diizchesafariadventures.net Cell: (916) 804-3318 Shoot Straight, Live the Dream, and Keep Turning the Pages to Your Next Adventure!™ Website- www.DiizcheSafariAdventures.com Blog- http://diizchesafari.blogspot.com/ Twitter- http://twitter.com/DiizcheSafari YouTube- http://www.youtube.com/user/shawncjoyce Facebook- http://on.fb.me/gYytdn Instagram: diizchesafari_official | |||
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Cheque sent in the mail today. SCI Life Member DRSS "In those savage countries success frequently depends upon one particular moment; you may lose or win according to your action at that critical instant." Sir Samuel Baker | |||
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