quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Gentlemen,

I think we are passing judgment on something we were not preset at.

The camera angle can be vey deceptive, and give entirely the wrong impression.

I have had occasions shooting a wounded animal where the PH was in no danger at all. But, watching the video afterwards one gets the impression that he might have been.

Actually if you watch the video closely you can clearly see the Muzzle blast form the client ruffle the PH's shirt. It was close.

I'm with Saeed on the camera angle. I find it strange there's no reaction to the muzzle blast. There should be a more visible, involuntary pain reflex by the tracker or PH to a big bore at that range. You can't stop your nerves, you're gonna react in some way to that pressure wave regardless of your focus.

You can practice all you want at the range, but the only substitute for shooting moving dangerous game with a rifle is shooting moving game with a rifle. If you can safely hunt and shoot rabbits moving in many directions with a .22rf and a group of friends. Then your instinctive shooting should be safe and spot on.

Plus Steve's right on youtube and other uncontrolled public posting's of hunting, it only helps the anti's.

Now I'm sure there will be some opinions contrary to this, but now that MS has been brought into this, maybe I'll get civil critiques and not a savaging, emotional attack.

quote:

Originally posted by Minkman:
If you can safely hunt and shoot rabbits moving in many directions with a .22rf and a group of friends. Then your instinctive shooting should be safe and spot on.

Dont you think the potential for fear,panic & firearm related mishap might be a little higher with ametuer hunters when
attempting to stop charging DG vs a moving rabbit?

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
I am absolutely, positively, certain Mark Sullivan instigates these charges.
Buffalo and hippo do not charge on demand.

MS does not force,demand or command DG to charge him.
He always offers them the luxury of choice.
...........................................................

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:
Actually if you watch the video closely you can clearly see the Muzzle blast form the client ruffle the PH's shirt. It was close.

possible camera angle distortion[perception of depth & distance]
does not alter the chilling fact that muzzle blast ruffled the PHs shirt....


If some people dont have a problem with a client passing a bullet so precariously close to their PH,
Then I cannot see why they would have a problem with MS choosing to shoot DG at very close range.
BOTH situations are avoidable.
ie; The client could have been beside his PH and fired[instead of behind him]
and MS could choose to shoot from a longer safer distance at a less riled animal.


Q./ What would be the closest distance that a client could direct a bullet past his PH,
and still be considered as safe & responsible gun handling?

No matter what, hunting in a tight group like that IS dangerous as hell.
I had to watch that vid several times to make sure there wasn't powder burns on the PH's shirt.
Theres no excuse for pointing a rifle at someones back like that. Too many things can and usually will happen.
George

The fact that we are even debating the camera angle as a mitigating factor is unacceptable. The client was in a poor position to shoot and the PH should have had better command of the follow up. It was too close. On that we must all agree and most importantly LEARN from.

Jeff

He had to have seen the p.h. in his sights.