The Accurate Reloading Forums
Re: BC Outfitter killed by Cape Buffalo
19 July 2004, 07:18
<allen day>Re: BC Outfitter killed by Cape Buffalo
I'm in such deep shock that I'm numb. If it's possible that this might not be true -- a mistaken piece of information, something else, anything else -- please let it be so.....
Bob was my age and a great friend of mine, and he guided me on some of the finest hunts I've been on in my life. He was the classiest of class acts, and an extremely astute, honest, and well-educated man who could have done anything in life that he would have chose to do, but he chose the outfitting profession because he loved it.
Bob was one of the finest North American outfitters that our continent has ever produced, and I consider him to have been one of the foremost grizzly bear experts of all time.
At it has been a few years since I hunted with Bob, even though we had discussed new hunts to do together several times. And especially now, I wish those hunts would have come to pass. Somehow, something always seemed to get in the way. It's wise to NEVER let anything get in the way.....
This is one of the worst days of my life.
If anybody thinks that cape buffalo hunting is just some sort of glorious walk in the park, and that somehow they are immune to this sort of catastrophy, all I can say is, "it's not, and you're not".............
Bob was a very tough, rugged, unflappable, and cool-headed man of excellent judgement, and a good rifleman. I don't know how this disaster happened, but I'm sure Bob gave it his very best to the end.
I am so sorry for Bob's family, and for the many friends he's left behind. But his legacy will endure.......
AD
19 July 2004, 06:21
CanuckI have just received the very bad news that a well-known and well respected BC Outfitter, Bob Fontana, was killed by a cape buffalo this morning.
I don't have any specific information at this time...if anyone does, please post it here.
This is a very sad day in the East Kootenays, and elsewhere I am sure. Bob will be sorely missed by those who knew him.
Regretfully,
Canuck
19 July 2004, 06:43
DavidCThat's absolutely terrible news!!!
My deepest sympathy to his family.
Please keep us updated as you learn more.
Regards,
Dave
19 July 2004, 06:44
<mikeh416Rigby>That's really a shame. Bob was a great guy and outfitter. I hunted Mule Deer with him some time back, outside of Cranbrook B.C.
19 July 2004, 06:52
Aspen Hill AdventuresThis is most tragic, I am sure everyone will want to know what the circumstances were.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Very sad news indeed.
My deepest sympathy to those he left behind.
19 July 2004, 07:54
retreeverSympathies to all of his family...Sincerely, Mike
19 July 2004, 07:57
GatehouseThis is terrible news. He was well known and highly regarded in the hunting community.
My condolences go to his family and friends. How sad...
19 July 2004, 07:58
lawndartGod bless him,
The bravest are always up front where the blood, guns, and snot are.
JCN
19 July 2004, 08:12
CanuckAllen, I appreciate your words, and know how you feel.
Word has spread like wildfire, and there are many who are deeply affected by this loss. I too hope that there has been some sort of error in communication, but it does not look good. I got word third hand that was based on a call early this AM from Bob's cook PeeWee (who is hunting with Bob) to Bob's uncle.
The only part of the story that has been passed on to me was that it was not the buffalo that Bob shot that killed him. It was an unwounded one that came in from the side as they were following up.
My thoughts are with Anna right now. I don't know if she is with him, or not, and have not been able to confirm.
Canuck
19 July 2004, 08:28
Chuck NelsonAllen, I immediatly thought of you when I read Canucks original post. I am truly sorry and deeply saddened.
Chuck
That is very bad news; I hope it's not true. I considered Bob a friend. It's been a bad year for Fontana-Lancaster.
19 July 2004, 08:52
MLindsayVery Very sad news. I have to confirm what Allen said. The many internet hunters think African hunting is just a walk in the bush and sometimes it may be, but it is milli-seconds from potential disaster. The very best of us can be taken away faster than we can take the safety off.
Like I have told my son since he was little "you must strive to not make a mistake" however the end can come even if no mistakes are made!
God bless the family he left behind.
Mike
19 July 2004, 09:00
Russell E. TaylorI'm real sorry to learn this. I never knew the guy and I can't pretend to be personally impacted, but it's still sad news and it's obvious from other posts here that the guy was a top-notch individual who touched a lot of hearts. It's tempting to say something like "Well, at least he died doing something he loved"... but, considering the nature of the situation, I just don't know such a sentiment would be appropriate.
The best testament to someone's life is how he's remembered by those whose lives he touched. You can mark a grave with a tombstone that has nice words written on it, but true memorials are what's in people's hearts about the person who is gone. Just reading some of the posts here, especially Allen's, I'd say Mr. Fontana led a rich life and will be remembered accordingly for many years to come.
I'll put in a prayer for him and his family after posting this.
Vaya con Dios.
Russ
19 July 2004, 09:20
Rich ElliottI had e-mail from Anna last week. She is not with him.
Rich Elliott
I only met Mr. Fontana once, through Allen at an SCI Convention. I certainly hoped to hunt with him one day and all I can do is echo what Allen Day said. It is indeed a sad day for the hunting fraternity. jorge
19 July 2004, 09:09
MacD37, and
ALLEN D. , that is very bad news, indeed! In the last ten years I have seen several of the best guides, and outfitters in the world go down to Cape Buffalo. I can offer no words better than what Allen has said! There is never any good to come from the loss of a respected member of the hunting fraturnity, and though I didn't know Bob,personally, I wish to offer my condolences to his family, and to his close friends, such as you, and Allen. Though it is a loss to any hunter, it is especially bad for those who are personally, and dirrectly effected by this news!
My sincere condolences to his family and friends!
19 July 2004, 10:08
Dr. Bob KeelerDear Canuck, my thoughts are with you and I wish you would extend condolence to his family and friends. Cape buffalo to my observation are very dangerous wounded or not and according to the story as it has unfolded so far, sets that observation that much stronger in my mind. I have taken a few, not as many as some, though to me, when you get intimate with these beasts, especially in the thick stuff, you are playing a very deadly game.
Bob
19 July 2004, 10:43
458RugerNo1My prayers go to him and his family... Sorry to hear it, anytime a brother outdoorsman is lost. Such things can come upon us so quickly and in seconds are over and done with.
Sorry to hear this Canuck. My condolences to family and friends.
This goes to remind us that we all need to take full advantage of every day and live life to the fullest.
19 July 2004, 11:48
218 BeeAll,
Words seem to be terribly feeble tools at a time like this; Jane and I send our prayers for the family and friends of this gentleman.
Mark
19 July 2004, 11:54
JefferyDenmarkThis is bad news indeed.
Cheers,
Andr�
A sad day!
My condolences to family and friends.
A very sad day. His family has my sympathies for the hard tasks that lie ahead. But they must trust that they will get through them, with faith in God.
Friends also will struggle at this time, and that's probably as it should be. Those who have made a difference in life should be missed when they're gone.
With his experience and especially the comment about being cool headed, this is a sobering reminder of the very real danger that is out there. Always it adds spice. Once in a while, it adds tragedy too.
Sounds like one of the best of us is no longer one of us. A very sad day.
19 July 2004, 12:13
Frans DiepstratenI'm very sorry to hear about Bob's death, even though we've talked only a few times and briefly about some clients.
Lot's of strength to friends and family in this difficult hour.
Frans
19 July 2004, 13:00
NickuduCondolences to family and friends. If this can happen to someone of such great experience, it can happen to anyone. Be careful out there!
19 July 2004, 13:06
AtkinsonI surfed Hunt America for the first time in many months and William Tibbe was making light out of this trajic event, making reference to "Dumb, Dumb, Dumb,....about what one would expect from that spineless piece of dog s--t! excuse my French.
19 July 2004, 13:13
PerforatorOur heart felt sorrow goes out to all who are impacted by this tragedy. Prayers won't bring him back but they might ease the families pain.
Regards,
Mike
19 July 2004, 13:31
mstarlingOur most sincere condolensces to the family and many friends. Our prayers are with you. A very difficult time indeed.
Ray: can you further enlighten us on this Tibee character? I post over there once in a while. jorge
19 July 2004, 14:51
Chuck NelsonRay, that thread on Hunt America was in reference to Nicki Atcheson. However, that still doesn't mean Tibbe is anything less than the worm you describe.
Chuck
19 July 2004, 14:58
Boss KongoniCanuk & Allen Day - I posted your threads on the African Forum of the bowsite. A few more prayers can't hurt. My God have nmercy on his soul and protect his family in his absence.
19 July 2004, 15:28
PathfinderMy deepest sympathy and condolences to this fine man's family and friends.
19 July 2004, 16:44
trapmonkeymy Condolences to his family and friends.
I hope that we get more news of this on the board as those who hunt dangerous game need to know the facts so that we may all learn from this tragic occurence.
Sad day when we lose a member of our community.
guy
19 July 2004, 16:45
bedrockI have good friends in the Crows Nest Pass who have known
the Fontana family for years. Bobby's uncle Popeye phoned
my friend early this morning to tell him about Bobby.
Popeye was sketchy on the particulars but Bobbys cousin was
with him so we should find out what happened but that is not
going to change the end result.
Allen,
After you took that Grizzly with Bob, he and his operation were often on my radar. I made several inquirys, the thing that kept coming up was the respect that folks that knew Bob had for him. That is about as good as it gets for any man.
HBH
19 July 2004, 18:44
LV EricQuote:
I'm real sorry to learn this. I never knew the guy and I can't pretend to be personally impacted, but it's still sad news and it's obvious from other posts here that the guy was a top-notch individual who touched a lot of hearts. It's tempting to say something like "Well, at least he died doing something he loved"... but, considering the nature of the situation, I just don't know such a sentiment would be appropriate.
The best testament to someone's life is how he's remembered by those whose lives he touched. You can mark a grave with a tombstone that has nice words written on it, but true memorials are what's in people's hearts about the person who is gone. Just reading some of the posts here, especially Allen's, I'd say Mr. Fontana led a rich life and will be remembered accordingly for many years to come.
I'll put in a prayer for him and his family after posting this.
Vaya con Dios.
Russ
Well said.
19 July 2004, 19:42
NebraskaThat's so unfortunate. My condolences also go out to his family and friends.
19 July 2004, 21:14
SocratesGod Bless him. I hope I can die doing what I love to do, and not in some feeble situation, where I can't walk, etc.
I just turned 50, and it comes to mind.. Rather go by buffalo then a number of other things, like cancer.
God Bless him....
s
20 July 2004, 12:00
CanuckQuote:
Quote:
I'm real sorry to learn this. I never knew the guy and I can't pretend to be personally impacted, but it's still sad news and it's obvious from other posts here that the guy was a top-notch individual who touched a lot of hearts. It's tempting to say something like "Well, at least he died doing something he loved"... but, considering the nature of the situation, I just don't know such a sentiment would be appropriate.
The best testament to someone's life is how he's remembered by those whose lives he touched. You can mark a grave with a tombstone that has nice words written on it, but true memorials are what's in people's hearts about the person who is gone. Just reading some of the posts here, especially Allen's, I'd say Mr. Fontana led a rich life and will be remembered accordingly for many years to come.
I'll put in a prayer for him and his family after posting this.
Vaya con Dios.
Russ
Well said.
Ditto LV Eric. Thanks Russ.
Canuck