Capstick died in March of 96, he was 56. A the time of his death he was writting a biography on Colenel Richard Meinertzhagen, who served in the African Rifles and fought in East Africa in WWI. The book is called Warrio and was finished by his wife. I have all his books and found it to be one of his best. After reading Capsticks books I got my intrest in hunting Africa and don't think I would have hunted Africa had it not been for them.

Sorry about the boo-boo; boy is my face red... !

I spoke with Peter many years ago while he lived in Naples...I was in St. Pete, Fl. on vacation and did a phone number search and spoke with Peter for over an hour...
Then I did my first safari with Hunters Africa and my Ph was Peter's godson, Ian Dodds..What a small world....

Mike

Mac,



It's the state flag of the great state of South Carolina!







South Carolina's state flag has an interesting history. For a brief history of the flag, see:

The South Carolina State Flag



Also: http://www.scstatehouse.net/studentpage/flag.htm



-Bob F.

Mark, what flag is that in your title line?

I've always loved his books and wish I'd had the opportunity to have met him. He seems like he would have been a very entertaining and interesting person to be around.

What were some of the rifles/calibers he used - anyone know?

I believe he used a 375 H&H. He refers to one made by Musgrave frequently in his book, Safari. He also used a 470 Nitro double rifle, I believe it was a Parker and refers to it in Sands of Silence.
On our recent trip, while drving through Pretoria I made the comment to our Ph that this was Capsticks former home. His response was "Who?" He had never heard of him. Our PH has had his license for about three years, so I don't know if he's been forgotten or what his status is or was among South Africans.

I recall that Capstick's 470 NE double was of William Evans make, but it has been a while since I read those tales. Seems like it might have been stolen from him in a burglary, maybe while he was living in Florida, before he returned to RSA to make Pretoria his "retirement home" of sorts.

In Botswana in 2001, all the four PH's I had contact with recognized PHC immediately at first mention, all with a smile. Overall he was well respected for his many contibutions to the sport, but there was some chuckling about PHC sitting on a bar stool at Harry's Bar in Maun, Botswana, collecting stories to turn into his books.

Peter loved Botswana in the end, having chosen to have his ashes spread on the waters of the Chobe. He seems to have loved the hunting best in Zambia in his early days in the Luangwa River Valley.

Whatever anybody says about PHC, he was one of "the last of the few," in his own way. There will never be another like him. He was truly A Great One. RIP PHC.

Your right it was an Evans. I've heard that some of his stories were written vicariously, but I think he probably contributed more to the safari industry that any one in recent history.

The 470 Evans and the Beretta O/U were stolen in FL.

He later bought the 470 NE Champlin-Famars and used it for the elephant in Sands of Silence. He had a custom 375 I think was a Musgrave and there was possibly another custom 375, Id have to go back a look it up. Dean Witter Jr gave him the Pre-64 Win 375. He used a Win M1200 shotgun after the Beretta was purloined. He may have had some more, but didnt go into detail in the books.

NitroX

Remember the old Roman maxim - "De mortuis nil nisi bonum". (Loose translation - Speak no ill of the dead)He did often combine lots of stories but he also had a passion for Africa -and as some others have already noted, he inspired many people to want to go to Africa. So he drank in a bar? The old Irish had an expression about drinking - " a good man's weakness". I toast his memory.

gerald416,

Overly sensitive about booze are you? You missed the point altogether, but NitroX did not. Yep, PHC was human, and enjoyed a drink. Makes him a jolly good bloke in my book. I was casting no stones, for I have had my share of the grog. Lighten up! I am sure PHC would want us to have a good chuckle at his expense. He had plenty of chuckles at our expense to be sure. I and many others blame PHC for our addiction to Africa. < !--color-->

Aah my friend Gerald of NY,



It was a pun and a play on words.



Maybe an biography should be titled "Death over a Tall Glass". It was not meant as a comment on his drinking habits or any problems.