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A most remarkable man
20 February 2021, 12:00
fairgameA most remarkable man
As I approach my late fifties in my hands I feel a twinge of arthritis, my back reminds me of a motorcycle accident and I have to make an effort to remain fit.
When I took on Munyamadzi some 15 years ago the previous PH had tried to retire a frail-looking elderly tracker named Eliam and I tended to agree that he had seen the best of his days however he had much knowledge of the area and the movements of game so we kept him on.
I well remember Thor Kirchner and I were hunting with a client up in some hill country for Buff and took a great bull at dusk. Due to the humidity, we caped it out by firelight and had to carry it out. I was somewhat surprised to see Eliam step forward to help carry the oversized head which is something I doubt I could have done then. Incredibly he maneuvered the rocky incline in the dark to the vehicle without resting or pause. An amazing feat for an elderly man.
I then noticed when hunting he was first from the car and first to hang a bait. That his energy and strength seemed limitless.
When Thor took over the project I simply presumed that Eliam would be retired but now and again when I returned to hunt there was Eliam at the forefront again. I thought he was about 75 when I first met him and God only knows his true age.
Today he is still the head tracker and still the first to undertake arduous chores. Never have I come across such a tenacious and hard individual. He can out walk us all in stifling heat without the need of food or water.
Now and again you come across remarkable men and this is one that I was privileged to have met.
ROYAL KAFUE LTD
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20 February 2021, 13:05
Brian CanadaFairgame, That is an impressive story. Eliam must be a mighty little man.
IHMSA BC Provincial Champion and Perfect 40 Score, Unlimited Category, AAA Class.
20 February 2021, 16:15
wwgreenerThat's a very nice tribute. Well done.
20 February 2021, 17:02
Ready Aim ShootPlease thank Eliam for the inspiration.Nice picture,BTW.It's great to be a hunter.
20 February 2021, 18:08
PondoroImpressive indeed..
20 February 2021, 18:10
bigbullVery nice tribute
bb
20 February 2021, 18:38
Jason PThat’s impressive!
Imagine if the general population had that kind of attitude, that kind of work ethic.
20 February 2021, 18:56
dogcatI feel like a wimp compared to him....
20 February 2021, 18:57
mbogobutchGreat tribute, God bless Eliam.It's funny how I remember every tracker, and their names.
20 February 2021, 19:02
BaxterBExcellent - sounds like a man worth knowing.
Stories like this are why our modern-world hyperfocus on age and expectations are ridiculous. Just keep on keeping on.
20 February 2021, 21:56
Aspen Hill AdventuresJust proves us old people do have value. Rock on Mr. Eliam!
~Ann
21 February 2021, 02:15
surefire7One has to admire a man like that.
Such noble character!
21 February 2021, 06:33
ledvmHear hear!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
21 February 2021, 07:27
armbarAmazing and inspiring! What a stud!
21 February 2021, 12:19
Thor KirchnerEliam, is indeed a remarkable man. He is still working for us. I have never met a man as dedicated to anti-poaching as Eliam is.
He wants to retire at the end of this year, but then again he has been saying so the past 3 years.
21 February 2021, 15:19
muttleysgoneThanks for posting this one, fairgame. Every once in awhile I get to feeling old. And then I realize that most who can't do the stuff I do at my age have not made it to my age (LOL). Hopefully Eliam has more good years ahead of him.
Most of my money I spent on hunting and fishing. The rest I just wasted
22 February 2021, 03:14
Use Enough GunDon't let him retire Thor. He'll be dead in a few months if he doesn't have anything to look forward to and to do. Keep him going in some form or fashion for you.
24 February 2021, 03:31
impala#03Very nice to hear about people like that! Gives us all something to aspire to.
24 February 2021, 04:16
Michael RobinsonRemarkable, indeed. A true inspiration.
Bravo, Eliam!
Mike
Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
24 February 2021, 11:17
lavacaSounds like it. Was it Satchel Paige who said how old would you be if you didn't know how old you were? Always thought those were words to live by.
24 February 2021, 19:14
tsibindi..."Don't let the old man in."
Ol' Satch knew of what he spoke.
24 February 2021, 20:02
bwanamrmOne cool, hale and hearty dude!
On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died.
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch...
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
- Rudyard Kipling
Life grows grim without senseless indulgence.
25 February 2021, 00:00
Michael Robinsonquote:
Originally posted by lavaca:
Sounds like it. Was it Satchel Paige who said how old would you be if you didn't know how old you were? Always thought those were words to live by.
Satchel Paige was a fount of wisdom. He also said: "Never look back. Something might be gaining on you."
Mike
Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
25 February 2021, 07:08
lavacaMzee for sure!
26 February 2021, 04:42
Charlie64.
And I imagine he is humble as the day is long as well.
Great tale Andrew and all to often we - especially on the client side - forget that there is a lot more to the whole show than the client and the PH. Men like him in the quiet background that contribute a great deal to keeping the wheels on and rolling!
Thanks for posting.
.
"Up the ladders and down the snakes!"