That's the best written story of the most harrowing experience with DG I've ever read. Ernest, you have one upped PHC.

Very enjoyable.

As for the relative danger factor, there is no doubt in my mind that your instincts were correct. In such a situation, at that proximity, the buff would be a greater threat than the lion.

I have also hunted cape buffalo in the Selous with my PH and trackers at the same time as lion were doing the same thing right along with us. We were in the tall grass, and the lion barely took notice of us and didn't seem to give two hoots that we were there hunting with them.

Amazing, Thank you for sharing that with us.

Judge,

Unbelieveable story!!! Your description was absolutely vivid. Thanks for sharing with all your AR friends.

Phil

Excellent!!!!!!!!!!

If I were a principal, your account would be compulsory reading. You have done this memorable event the justice it deserves.

Thank you very much.

Rustam

That was absolutely riviting! I read it to my wife and her response was, "That better not happen to you when you go"

Judge
Truely a Wonderful experience.
Very glad you had a great trip. You derserve it.
Looking foward to seeing you on the next DRSS hunt or the next DSC which ever occurs first.

Great story!

Thanks Judge,

You have made the mountain of writing. I can hardly wait for the next adventure.

Minkman

Fantastic Story!!!

Can't wait till Dallas to hear it in person

Great story!!!!

I will have to share this with all the jackasses that tell me not to go to the Selous for lion as there are not many there.

One of the best stories I have ever read on the net.

Thank you, john

There are many mountaintops in life and the ability to describe it is a gift of God.

For those that have never been there, reading the account is the true sharing of the wealth. I pray that some day I might be able to share mine with you sir.
Thank you......Vapo

Only very few people would be able do what you, Pierre and Twiga did. I do not know if Africa can give you a better experience than what you got. Glad you made it out in one piece.

Wimpie
Africa is one lovely place.

Judge, that's one of the very best accounts I have ever read, and can only imagine the time warp you experienced. Not in ten thousand lifetimes could such events play out again. You are blessed. Oh how I miss Africa!

Folks:

I appreciate your kind words.

As a funny aside, after I threw up and was just sitting on the seat in the back of the Land Crusier, I heard some noises I dismissed as a cooler box top coming off and the hollow top being dragged over the grainy surface of the side of the box (the staff had made their way down the creek to eat).

I heard the noise several times and again blew it off, but two days later realized it was the lions cracking bones and moaning with delight while eating the cow only some few yards away. I discovered my error when we saw storks and vultures in the trees only 70 or so yards from where I had chucked my lunch... and then remembered that the staff and gone down to the right and the sounds came from the left.

I just guess that I had had a belly full of lions and wanted to believe that the sounds were anything but what they were so obiviously were....

But, go out to the garage and grab a cooler with a hollow top and pop it open... then drag the top along the side.. it does go r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r.... Just make sure you're ready when hungry lions show up and start chewing on your SUV.

judge, thank you for giving us a thrilling part of your life, glad you and others were not hurt. WOW!!!!!!

Awesome story.

Judge

Glad you got a dose of why we hunt dangerous game. That just could not have happened on the golf course. I'm envious and not sure my shorts would have stayed clean in the same situation.
You also have a distinct flair with the pen that really brought your adventure to light. Great job and thanks for sharing.

Regards,

Mark

Very exciting story -- amazing that in a way you got to be an observer of something so increadibly awesome -- and managed not to be a participant in the feast -- as one of the h'ors douvres (sic)!

Dan

Talk about being in the wrong place at the right time ! Well narrated good sir.

Judge: Thank God you were able to come home in one piece and share your experience. Downside is that you have been to the top of the highest mountain and all the other ones from now on will surely just be hills.

Judge, you have truly lived the dream of your fellow members on this forum. I salute you.

Boha

Awesome! Truely Awsome!! What a great story Judge! More please!!

BOWHUNR

Photos would be good...

But, come to think of it, the mental visual images in my head of the "harpies from hell" shrieking and rising out of a dusty crack in the ground and tearing flesh with their hideous claws are probably best just left to the imagination...

DAMN! That's all I can think to say at the moment..........

Pardon me for being a pint light, but I just can't figure out why those lions kept going for the buffalo. It would seem to me that since the hunters were just standing there they would have been the much easier meal!

Thanks, JudgeG, for sharing your adventure, pics, that would be the last thing on my mind!!, then I might get some shots of leftover carnage!!. Thanks, again.

Well, now that I'am breathing again, you sir have just joined the ranks of Capstick, Ruark, etc. I haven't read the other responses but if someone hasn't already said so, I'd stand in a long line to get your first book.

A remarkable story, Ernest. I waited until today to read it (knowing how much I enjoy your writing) so I would have the time to give it its due attention.
I'm just glad you made it home so you could tell it!

Judge, I don't know what to say, so I'll just say damn fine work, "Carry on!"

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
Pardon me for being a pint light, but I just can't figure out why those lions kept going for the buffalo. It would seem to me that since the hunters were just standing there they would have been the much easier meal!

----------------------------------------------

For the same reason I go for the steak when the brocoli just sits there on the table.

Buffalo is Lion's natural prey not humans.

Plus given a choice between eating a retired Judge or a buffalo, I'd also pick buffalo 10 out of 10 times.

What an experience! This is why I go hunting and feel glad and sad after I pull the trigger. I am happy for the experience and sad it is over.

Judge, when I head out that way this fall you must tell this story to me so I can see it in your eyes. Looking forward even more now.

Judge...

Thanks for sharing. How are you going to top that in the future?

Holy Smokes Judge.What an experiance,and so well told.The hair on the back of my neck is still at attention.
Thanks for sharing.

Bravo

Judge,

My advice to you is skip the lottery ticket--you've already used up all the luck you've been allotted

What more can we say?

"It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." T. R. Roosevelt

So then, whether we live, or whehther we die, we are the Lord's...

friar

Judge if we ever meet I'll have a scotch and a fresh package of fruit of the looms for you. I did appriciate the "plaintiff" humor.
Well told and I expect you will be telling that one by the wood stove for many seasons to come as it seems you hav indeed walked with kings.