I got a call this morning from Larry Burgin (BigBBear). I am posting this for him as he is traveling.

Larry has just learned that John Greef of Zimbabwe was mauled by a leopard this week in Tanzania. He was hunting in Raoul Ramoni's area. His son was the apprentice.

Details are sketchy. Apparently John has been chewed up badly. He is going to lose an eye. His son has lost a foot. Speculation is that the client or game scout shot his foot with a shotgun.

Both were flown to Johannesburg where they were operated on.

The booking agent representing John (Wes Hixon) is headed over next week. Larry is going to try and put together a fund to help John and his family with expenses and lost income. Wes is apparently going to deliver the money to John.

If you are interested in helping please PM BigBBear.

Thanks.

Damn man. That really makes me cringe at this early hour. Sounds like a pretty horrific account. My sympathies to all involved.

Jeff

Terrible news.
Lets hope for the best for all involved.

Larry - I assume by your post, its John's son who was also mauled, or was it Raoul's son, who is ALSO an apprentice for Raoul's company?? I spent a couple of days with Raoul's son in Dar about a month ago, he's a nice young man.

I hope it turns out ok, for all involved. Hate to hear this.

From what I understand it was John's son if I understood correctly.

Larry Burgin hunted with John earlier this year for leopard in Zim. He had a great hunt and liked John a lot. Larry would know more details. He is driving from Virginia Beach back to Michigan today.

It doesn't sound good at all. How the kid lost the foot is speculation. However, it does seem logical to me.

If I hear from Larry before he gets back, I will update you. He is attempting to get more information.

John did indeed get mauled, as of this morning, they are trying to save his eye, he has not lost it yet, and his appie ( son in law ) was shot in the foot and I believe they amputated his toe and are trying to save the rest. Will try and update when I know. His wife Vicky has flown to JHB to be with them.

This is a terrible situation for all involved. There is nothing on this planet with more moving parts than a leopard mauling. Every time I am hunting or filming a hunt for these things I wonder in the back of my mind if "if todays going to be the day I end up wearing one of these things?" Second guessing what the guys in this shootout did, right or wrong , will not help, which should now be our main concern. Every time we unzip the tent to hunt DG there is the potential for a situation that might end or change our life forever. Lets keep these guys in our prayers.

My prayers go out to all those involved.

I read once there are two types of Leopard hunters, "those that have been mauled and those that are about to be mauled."

I pray that the bacterial infections do not cause any harm, Robert Ruark stated more men die from the bacteria than the leopard.

I got a call from Larry not long ago. He had more information. He had spoken to someone that had seen John in the hospital.

He believes that the other party injured must be his stepson. He apparently has no son in law. The person who shot and hit the stepson was apparently a 3rd unnamed PH.

There is a high probability that John will lose his right eye. This is his shooting eye.

John has apparently lost 2 toes on one foot.

He will be getting more information throughout the day.

It really doesn't sound good. At least they are in Johannesburg and not some remote African hospital.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I got a call from Larry not long ago. He had more information. He had spoken to someone that had seen John in the hospital.

He believes that the other party injured must be his stepson. He apparently has no son in law. The person who shot and hit the stepson was apparently a 3rd unnamed PH.

There is a high probability that John will lose his right eye. This is his shooting eye.

John has apparently lost 2 toes on one foot.

He will be getting more information throughout the day.

It really doesn't sound good. At least they are in Johannesburg and not some remote African hospital.

Larry - It just talked to someone in TZ about it too. They heard perhaps his step-son might have accidentally shot himself in the foot, in the fury of the moment. But of course that's not confirmed.

Either way, its a bad thing all-around, and I hope they both recover the best they can.

Please keep everyone posted. We will ALL have to do the best we can to help a couple of fellow hunters & sportsmen.

That would not surprise me under the circumstances. One of my employees got a little over excited once when we were stalking hogs and fired off a 300 Win Mag round about 6 inches from my right foot. Obviously that is not in the same league with a leopard mauling.

It is bad enough for this to happen. However for this to happen to two members of the same family is awful. Can you imagine laying on the ground after being mauled and seeing your step son with his foot maimed? Can you imagine having your foot shot up (for whatever reason) and seeing your stepfather all chewed up? it is horrible.

Personally, I am going to send Larry a check to help this guy out. I think they need the help.

I just spoke to someone close to the incident who spoke to John's father twice today.

Doctors are going to wait until tomorrow before making the decision to remove John's right eye. Medical authorities say it's 90% certain however, that it will be a neccessity.

It was indeed John's 19-year-old son Dusty who sustained injuries as well. Reports from the bush first indicated Dusty's entire foot was blown off, but that's not true. Dusty lost two toes.

Wes Hixon, by the way did not book this hunt for John and told me he does not know the name of the client involved.

Vicki, John's wife is in route to the Jo'berg hospital where her husband and son are.

At this point there are so many more questions than answers. I recommmend patience and please don't speculate as to what happened openly on the forum until more facts are known.

Out of respect for the family involved, the client (whoever it may be),the game scout, the outfitter Raoul Ramoni, and our industry, please exercise caution in what you write.

Is there any way to correct the typo in the title of this thread?

Marc is correct except that Dusty is a step son.

I didn't even notice the typo. Sorry. I am busy and was in too big of a hurry.

I am still being told that there was a 3rd PH as yet unnamed that MAY have done the shooting that took Dusty's toes. Maybe not it as has not been verified.

No details on the hunt and the specifics of how it happened. Larry thinks it will all come out in the next 24 hours.

John's right eye is the one with the problem.

Hello all, just got off phone with Larry and he is offering a vintage custom Winchester .22pump action rifle. He asked me to be the moderator of the contest. Tickets $100 dollars limited to a total of 50 tickets entries) It will last for 1 month or till all tickets are sold. This is voluntary and if interested send a check or money order to my address below.
Larry is traveling home and in Ohio as you read this. Will have more info as he gets home for all.

Mike

Yes John may lose his eye and his stepson lost 2 toes in the close quarter attack.

Mike Podwika
134 Susquehanna ave.
Wyoming, Pa. 18644
John with Larry aka bigbbear's chui out of Zim. this year.

This is sad news. Pray for John and his family. I'm thinking "body armour/enclosed helmet" more and more. May sound funny to a few but it would have saved many PH's and clients. Not only from Chui but stray gunfire.
LDK

Stepson, yes Larry. Thanks for the correction and is everybody hearing that the incident happened yesterday July 6?

There is still some hope for John's right eye. Doctors think there's a 10% possibility it can be saved. That's some hope at least.

That is a lot better than no chance. I understand he is right eye dominant. Pray for the best.

Damn I hate to hear this regarding any PH, but John is a good friend of mine and I have hunted with him twice, so learning of this is doubly tough. My thoughts and prayers are with him that he will keep his eye and make it through this ordeal with nothing less than a few scars.

I traded e-mails with John last month and he just picked up a new area near Deka and was excited to be working on the new project. Sometime life throws up obstacles when we least expect them.

Mike... $100 headed your way and don't put me in the raffle. Don't need another rifle anyway and this is for a good man!

I'm sorry to hear that. My thought and prayers are with them.

Brett

Guys - Let me ask you a question. We are willing to donate an eastern Colorado deer hunt, that we can sell/auction here on this thread, or make another thread, etc? Global Hunting Resources/Royal Mountain Adventures will donate 100% of the proceeds of the sale to John and his family. PLEASE give me your input, below are a few questions. Obviously the guy makes his living guiding hunts, and its likely gonna be awhile before he's back in the field.

1. Right now we have a few archery Landowner Deer Permits for eastern Colorado in 2010, or the buyer can do the hunt in 2011 as well, but obviously the buyer needs to pay 100% of the "purchase" price up-front, so we can send the money to John Greef. The availability of the buyer's schedule and our schedule would also dictate the availability in 2010, or if we do the hunt in 2011. We kill a lot of huge bucks on this hunt in November & December each year. 1on1, 6-day hunt, price is normally $5,000.00, plus license ($334.00), plus food & lodging. What's your thoughts?

2. Secondly, the idea is to try and get as much money as possible for the hunt so how do we do it, without selling it for $1,000.00, etc?? I think you know what I mean. I'm not against the buyer getting a bit of a deal, I just don't want it to sell for such a low amount that its not beneficial to Mr. Greef.

Honestly, I don't really know the man, have only met him once. BUT, I know if it were me, I would hope the hunting community would do what it could to help, and I would like to do the same.

Larry Burgin will be helping us to make the final hunt description, but let me have your opinions too!


Below are just SOME of the bucks that were shot in 2008 or 2009 by bow hunters.

2009 Muley - 186" B&C



2008 Muley - 188" B&C



2009 Muley - 208" B&C



2009 Muley - 191" B&C



2009 Muley - 187" B&C



2008 Muley - 203" B&C




Thanks,

quote:

2. Secondly, the idea is to try and get as much money as possible for the hunt so how do we do it, without selling it for $1,000.00, etc?? I think you know what I mean. I'm not against the buyer getting a bit of a deal, I just don't want it to sell for such a low amount that its not beneficial to Mr. Greef.

Aaron,
I am not a bowhunter and would not be bidding, however, it is your deal, I would just say start the bidding at whatever the minimum you want to donate.

Does anyone have a phone number for the hospital where John is?

The guys in Tanzania wildlife Co. Rungwa camp really want to call him.

Finally got on a laptop so I could engage. Thanks for all on the comments for John. Sable Trail has it right with Larrys correction on the stepson. Also, sorry for any reference to Wes Hixon as yes he was not part of this at all, he is just a good friend of Johns (as well he does book for John) as I am and he and I talked a bit today. He is heading over on Tuesday and I was going to send along a near term care package and many thanks to Wes for offering to deliver for us. As to the incident, it sounds like both are very fortunate in what could have been. I was talking to another friend while he was with John and can give you this account so far. Like Marc said, we need to avoid speculation and of course criticism at this time.

Story as I know it

"a client wounded a leopard around 4 pm. Had been shooting well but I guess blew this shot and hit the leopard in body but not killing him or hurting him that badly. Later, John, Dusty, and a 3rd PH were following up and the leopard came for Dusty before anyone could shoot. In the Fracas, the 3rd PH shot through the body of the leopard and hit Dusty blowing off 2 of his toes. During this John seeing what was going on and not having a shot while the leopard was mauling his son physically grabbed it off of Dusty. It was then that it turned on him and started biting him on the head. It sounds like one of the canines may have done some optic nerve or eye damage. Then either Dusty or the 3rd PH killed the leopard. This happened as we all know it can in seconds. The leopard did not do the normal hold and rake your guts attack but went for the head. They were both medivaced out to Arusha or Dar (not sure) and then to Joburg. It sounds like they want some of the trauma to settle before surgery which is scheduled for tomorrow. To kmow John and imagine the courage it would take to wrestle with one of these cats is beyond belief but most of us would do the same if it were our son or friend for that matter. John is that type of PH and one that I would hunt with any day.

I think this is enough said for now until there is a real report from John.

As to helping John, we were going to send over something for the immediate needs. I really want to thank Aaron for the Mule Deer offer and we are also talking to Craig Boddington on a concept that was established from the Punki incident last year to help those injured in the Safari industry. I also spent some time with Butch Searcy today on an idea. It is imcredible what the industry and friends do to come out and help each other in these times. All of this can and will get developed in the next few days. I will construct something propperly on the winchester and get some photos, etc. put together. Thanks Mike for posting.

As to all comments, and if I have mispoken I apoligize but I thought Johns friends would like to have this short account at this time. John is now on AR and I assume in the next several weeks he may come on and tell his own story. For now, we should pray for him, his family, and wish all a speedy recovery.

Thanks,

Larry

My hats off John's bravery and sacrifice.
May God be with them and the doctors and family.

Prayers sent for all ! Terrible accident.

That had to be a terrifying experience. He is a brave tough man. I hope for the best.

I have never stepped foot in Africa, but I saw this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...eBmo&feature=related

Upon a zoom in it is noted how close to the foot the shots are fired off. I can only guesstimate something of this magnitude occured. God Bless them.

Sorry to hear about this. Hope he has a speedy recovery. Very unfortunate indeed.

Aaron, what about a raffle for the hunt if you want to hit a certain dollar threshold? 100 tickets at $50 or something. Not sure about the legalities though.

Our prayers w/ all for a quick recovery!

I hope he and his son get well soon. my prayers are with them and their families

Very sorry to hear about the incident, my prayers for a speedy and full recovery.

Best wishes to John and Dusty for a quick recovery and cudo's to you guys for being so quick and willing to step in and help out the way you are.

It is still early season and this is the second mauling of the year that i know of; Theunis Botha got badly scratched last week by a Leopard as well and unconfirmed report was that he may lose a finger and needed lots of stitches. last years season had a run of gorings/maulings towards the end of the year, lets hope this one turns out better.

Terrible news- as a mate of Johns and fellow Ph my thoughts are with John and his family. He is a top notch fellow and outstanding hunter-looking foward hopefully to some positive, good news

I hope that they both recover speedily.

Best wishes, Chris

Short update. John also had a broken jaw which I forgot to mention, lots of swelling below ear. If I read email correctly, decision has been made on the loss of eye. Some had asked for address and hospital that were in the area. I doubt he will see anyone for around a week but in case here is where he is at.

Mill Park hospital in Johannesburg,
No 8 Guild road, Park Town, Johannesburg.

It is a well known Netcare hospital. The care is exceptional , comparable with the best in the world…….

Sounds like surgery today for sure. Will talk to Aaron some more today and to Craig and will get something more organized going to help.

Thanks,

Larry

quote:

Originally posted by Sevenxbjt:
Aaron, what about a raffle for the hunt if you want to hit a certain dollar threshold? 100 tickets at $50 or something. Not sure about the legalities though.

Ya, that's my thought too. But like you say, last thing I want to do is something that is illegal. Will look into it today. I would like to get the $5,000.00 if possible, as John's family needs all the help they can get right now.

steve is haveing major problems with web he sent me the message to forward

We've had connectivity problems for the last 5 days and it's still ongoing... but we do have email most of the time.

FWIW, we'll be more than happy to carry info on fundraising/news on this and/or auctions/any and all fundraising etc FOC on our shakariconnection.com site if it'll help.

Someone will have to email me at shakari3@mweb.co.za if we can be of help

Thanks ddrhook. will be in touch soon.

Larry

I did talk to Vicki (Johns wife) this morning as well as some email correspondence from his father. It seems his spirits are up as well as can be expected. He had quite a bit of swelling under the ear where I assume the worst part of the bite was. they are working now to get the swelling reduced. At the time we were talking he was with a plastic surgeon discussion options.

Vicki did ask me to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers on behalf of John and her family. She has had a double dose with both her husband and son injured. Quite a lady. Dusty is already getting around it seems as only a young guy could manage. Will keep you updated as I learn more. I am sure we will hear from John in the next few weeks. It sounds like the Medivac team, etc. were quite exceptional and the hospital he is in are are some of the best in this type of trauma.

Larry