I spent the Fourth with my relatives. I showed them my pics and video of my hunt in RSA. My cousin asked me if I saw any bears. I had to keep a straight face while I explained there were no bears in Africa. Either that, or I feel cheated because jjhack did not offer me the opportunity to shoot a grizzly in South Africa! Can anybody top that question?

The standard question I get is, "Can you hunt elephants? I thought they were endangered."

"You shot an Elephant? Why?"... my regular answer is "There are no bears in Africa."

When I tell people there are over a million elephants, half a million lions, and half a million polar bears they never beleive me.

Since the damn animal rights homos considers them to be endangered and they are the fuzzy lovable animals used as pawns to get more money for the enviro-fags to spend on stupid partys and anti hunting propaganda, instead of wildlife conservation.

They also tell me it's stupid for white men to pay big money to shoot something that the natives would never eat (since they have cows).

Then I explain if it wasn't for safari hunters there wouldn't be any game since the natives consider it all to be nyama.

I asked one of the man in my squadron from Kenya what they call wildlife in Kenya......nyama of course!

The very hard truth is if your not an San, Afar Tribesman, or Masai every species of game is just nyama! And I wouldn't put it past any of them to kill all the nyama either.

I heard a pretty good one while at a shooting match yesterday. The guy running the range said he'd recently been on a nature hike and a story came up where two hikers were killed by a grizzly. One lady in the group said that must be a cover-up because there is no way a bear could kill two people.

I remember being in a field wildlife biology class at a decent 4 year university and being shocked at the lack of general knowledge of these kids. This particular class was made up of 3rd and 4th year students so many of them would graduate and be hired and in the field making decisions about our wildlife within the next year or two. On one early morning field trip we heard a coyote in the distance and several of the kids said, "What was THAT!". How sheltered of a life do you have to live to NOT hear a coyote by your early twenties?

I blame cities and Walt Disney (in that order ;-) for the ignorance of the general public when it comes to wildlife.

Have you noticed that you'll almost never see an animal in a movie or cartoon anymore that DOESN'T talk (and think in human terms - rampant anthropomorphism)? And half of them are portrayed as gay!

Kyler

"Did you see any tigers?" is a pretty common question.´

And all that about eles being endangered etc we´ll just have to live with.

quote:

Originally posted by D99:
When I tell people there are over a million elephants, half a million lions, and half a million polar bears they never beleive me.

Maybe they shouldn't... <clears throat tactfully>

I am not familiar with the scientific literature on elephant or lion populations, so I won't comment on the numbers for these two species.

Your important point is that all 3 species are not endangered, but indeed have populations large enough to be hunted. True, at least in some areas.

However, even the most optimistic estimates of polar bear populations (all 19 subpopulations) are an order of magnitude less than half a million.

Current polar bear estimates range from a low of 25,000 to a high of 40,000.

Cheers

jpb

No need to confuse the issue with facts. If the bunniehuggers can make up shit and tell it for the truth to an uninformed public, then hunters can and must do likewise. Fight fire with fire.

Good one JudgeG.

A few years ago a girlfriend I had asked me to bring her a "tigger" skin from Africa.

I obliged her, and gave her a nice hyena skin.

She still beleives its a "tigger" skin!

Saeed,

Must be the rare Bengal CatDog!!!


Minkman

Once I had just come home from an African safari, and was showing some of my pictures to another employee, when a ticket lift agent at American Airlines saw a picture of me with a zebra I had shot! She ask in a loud voice "You shot a Zebra, HOW CAN YOU DO THAT?"

I simply smiled, and said, "Well first you find a good zebra, that is within range, then you line the sights up carefully, and squeez the rigger till she pops! One dead zebra rug!"

Mac and I have had the same experience.

Among those who are not educated about African hunting Elephants are usualy first on the list of things that you can not shoot, but I am always amazed to see Zebras are not huntable either.

Which National Geographic show was this on?

Just like MacD37, I have had this question many times.

Solution ... Maybe I just need to shoot more Elephants!

"What beautiful animals!"
"How did you get them to lay down like that so you could take their picture?"

quote:

Originally posted by Muletrain:
"What beautiful animals!"
"How did you get them to lay down like that so you could take their picture?"

jpb

I took a photo of a lion I had taken to a frame shop, and the girl in the frame shop asked if I had put him to sleep. I said, "Yeah, I put him to sleep alright -- with a bullet!"

One of my friends always asks, before every safari if I'm going to be hunting "water buffalo". I've heard the "water buffalo" question asked a hundred times, at least........

AD

I was showing a friend my trophy photos at lunch after my first trip and a waitress passed by and looking over his shoulder ask me..."how did you get them to hold still for the photo?" I thought she was joking a first, then told her I tranquilized them with a 375 H&H. She smiled and went on her busy way.

Often people ask me how I could kill an elephant and the questions sometimes come from others who hunt to some degree. Depending on my mood and tolerance for BS, I steal a line from Rusty and tell them I like the sound they make when the fall, or I got a craving for elephant and gravy, or to feed 400 protein starved villagers, or because they are afraid of mice, or because you can't stand next to them for a photo unless you do so first, or you must use a large caliber rifle and take careful aim. Typically, I tell them I did so to accomplish a goal I set when I was 17 and first read Death in the Long Grass. I think you have to be a hunter and not just someone who hunts or to have been close to wild elephants to understand the primal need to match yourself against the largest land mammal and see if you have the "stuff" to kill one.

This past weekend, I had a fellow memeber of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation tell me he could never kill and elephant because they are endangered. I was a bit suprised to hear that from someone who would go to the effort to belong to a conservation organization, but at least he didn't ask me if I saw any bears or tigers in Africa.

Perry

Just 2 weeks ago in South Africa, I looked at children's books when trying to find some gifts for my nephew. Several books and posters about Kruger Park listed the "endangered" animals threatened by hunting.

I was shocked to see zebra, impala, and many of the very common plains game among the elephant and those typically thought by the uninformed public as endangered.

The bunny huggers do so much advertising they have convinced a very large part of the population they are right. The squeaky wheel theory does work, especially when their arguments are purely emotional, not factual. Why do you think the antis reslut to name calling and shouting rather than engage in intelligent discussion regarding their positions?

As hunters we must keep up our efforts to politely inform others of the FACTS about hunting and conservation. I know the polite part is tough sometimes when faced with gross ignorance, however a polite message is more readily accepted, especially when backed up with factual information.

Just my $.02 worth backed up with over 25 years of fish and game enforcement experience.

Mike

quote:

I think you have to be a hunter and not just someone who hunts or to have been close to wild elephants to understand the primal need to match yourself against the largest land mammal and see if you have the "stuff" to kill one.

Perry,

I could not disagree with you more..I am passionate about my hunting and enjoy hunting many different things from rabbits to plainsgame. However, after being up close to ele several times, I have no desire whats so ever to hunt one.

I am not anti hunting elephants and would not stop anybody else hunting one, but I just don't think I could kill one unless it was inself defence..different folks, different strokes I guess...

Regards,

Pete

Pete E,

I know what you mean. I feel the same way about cheetahs; even if they were legal to import into the USA, I could not bring myself to shoot one. I have no problem with my fellow hunters shooting them; I just could not do it. Elephants though... I would love to hunt an elephant.

I saw a poster for sale at the zoo listing most of the antelope species as "endangered".

Of course, my buddy and I got some funny looks when we were standing at the elephant exhibit discussing the where-for's and how-to's of a brain shot.

Pete, one has to see how the eles terrorize the people...When I hunted them the joy one would see hoping to get a meal and more...They are always talking about how the eles destroy their food maize... After the kill 3 to 4 hundred come in to help with the skinning and knowing they will get the food for family and village..In a matter of 9 hours there is nothing left but blood and stomach contents..guts bones and all taken...

Mike

Mike,

I can certainly understand that aspect and also the need to cull ele just to keep the numbers in control..But as I said, its just that after getting a chance to watch them reasonably close up, I have no desire to hunt one...leopard and buff yes; very much so..no sure about lion as they plain scare the hell out of me, but ele just facinate me; I think its the level of intellegence and understanding they demonstrate.

Regards,

Pete

Pete,

(JMO) That appreciation of their "intellegence and understanding" is the very thing that will make you fully appreciate the honour of being able to hunt an Elephant if or when you eventually do.

anyone can shoot an Elephant but if you have an understanding of their intelligence and social structures etc it elevates the hunt onto a totally different level.

I can (and often have) just sit and spend an entire day just watching Elephants. The more you watch the more you realise how much is going on.

The most stupid thing I was asked was" what was on African TV at night". I just went on without even attempting an answer..................JJ

Not too long after coming back from Zimbabwe my friend was showing pictures of his animals at this local bar. A group of ladies asked him
"Why would you shoot one of those?"

With a straight face and never looking up as he kept showing the pictures, he answered
"Because I could'nt afford two."

PeteE,

My comment was directed, however poorly, at those who pontificate about not wanting to hunt elephant because they are endangered and have never seen the damage they do when over populated and/or have never been close to one in the wild. Elephants have been my hunting Holy Grail for sometime and therefore, killing one is a point of pride in my hunting history. I understand your feelings about not wanting to shoot and elephant, as I feel the same way toward giraffe. They are too pretty or regal or whatever for me to kill one. I am fine with other people killing them, but I have no desire to do so for sport. At least you approach that personal choice from an educated perspective. My response was probably colored by my most recent contact with ignorant wankers who do not know from which they speak and will not take the time to educate themselves before opening their mouths. No offense intended, just a bit of collateral damage in taking a shot at fools.

Perry

From a friend of my mothers:"Isn't it a shame the way we(whites) have corrupted the African political system?" I am STILL speechless.

I've never been to Africa ,at least not to hunt. Yesterday at a 4th cookout I mentioned I am going soon getting some strange looks and questions.
My favorite: You're not going to shoot a kangaroo are you? This from a 28 year old college grad.

It’s already been said before, but:
My better half was showing off the pictures of our Zim safari, including a magazine front-cover quality shot of her very respectable Impala. One of her co-workers walking by said, “That’s a beautiful picture! How did you get it to lay down and hold still for the camera?â€

The reply, of course, “I put a bullet into it. Calms them right down.â€

Sometimes we get visitors here in teh workshop. And as they see our hunting photos on the wall;

"Wow, you shot an elephant?"
"Yes I did"
"What gun did you use to shoot it with?"
I show them the 577 T.Rex.
"Can I see the bullet for it?"

I bring out a loaded round of 577 T.Rex.

"Can I shoot one of these?"
And another episode is added to our Champions video, as he fires the gun, and the rifle flies out of his and he lands on his backside

Pete,

I'd say lions should go to the top of your list the.... After all the fear part has to be the main thrill I'd think?

I think having not hunted DG (YET!!!) the lion/Bufff would be/are top of the list for exactly those reasons.

Mind you given that I hit the deck last night when the tennis coach hit a hefty forehand at me while I was at the net, I'd want a decent PH to cover me if the tennis ball became a lion!!!



Rgds, FB

By the way I got the Sim card, so thanks for that.

It is amazing the number of folks here who have also been asked the "Is it dead? or How did you get it to stay still for the picture?" I thought I was the only one.

Mike

More than once I've heard, "Ethiopia? I thought you went to Africa."

Rich Elliott

Here are a few I have been asked and my answers.

1. What do people in Africa eat? Answer: Food!
2. Why do you hunt elephant? Answer: Because I can't find anything bigger to hunt!
3. Why are those people wearing such ratty clothes? (Natives butchering an elephant). Answer: Because Good Will doesn't have an office here!
4. Were you scared? Answer: Of course! Who wouldn't be?
Actually I enjoy informing people about the importance of hunting to maintaining wildlife populations and go out of my way to sell the positive benefits of hunting to wildlife and the native population.

465H&H

[QUOTE]Originally posted by PWN375:

I like the sound they make when the fall, or I got a craving for elephant and gravy, or to feed 400 protein starved villagers, or because they are afraid of mice

[QUOTE]

How's this?

"I can't answer your question, I'm afraid, but you may write to my employer with any questions at the UPFA (United Peanut Farmer's Assoc.)"

quote:

Originally posted by RAC:
Can anybody top that question?

I don't think it tops it, but I'm always amazed -- whenever I talk about my upcoming safari -- when people ask if I'm going to shoot any lions OR TIGERS.

Russ

quote:

Originally posted by ibexebi:
It is amazing the number of folks here who have also been asked the "Is it dead? or How did you get it to stay still for the picture?" I thought I was the only one.

Mike

Oh... people always ask me, after my hunting trips, if I "caught" anything. Generally, it's women. At least the guys (who are not hunters) will ask if I "got" anything or "bagged" anything... but when women ask me if I "caught" anything... I have these sudden visions of reeling in bears and deer and whatever on the end of a fishing line. Women never ask if I SHOT anything.

I guarantee, when I get back from the Dark Continent, I'll have at least four or five women in my office ask if I "caught" anything in the way of African game.

Somehow, I don't think certain people have an accurate grasp of "hunting."

Russ

Russell, Take a photo standing with a rope around a buff's neck. Let them figure it out.

I told a guy at work I had to cut out early and see my Taxidermist...........he said, I didnit know you needed braces, your teeth look fine to me.