Gentlemen
Last month, as many of you may recall, I posted with much pride a photo of a lion I took in Tanzania. Since the cat lacked a bit of length between tail and snout, showed a touch of pink around the nose, and in certain light a 'hint of spots', I was prepared to catch some flack , especially in these highly charged times where lion are concerned. Yet many of the various responses I saw on AR left me shattered.
After much reflection, and encouragement from some of you , I decided to re-book another 21 days in Tanzania in attempt to take a " more mature" lion. I gave my good friend Aaron Neilson a call, and after describing the type of lion I was after, and hearing his response that his area held the kind of cat I wanted , book the safari with his outfit. I wanted to hunt with Aaron personally, but he was already committed to 21 days in April for bongo and Derby eland in CAR. Having done that hunt myself in April, I was jealous thinking of him enjoying the cold, crisp CAR mornings and the pleasant strolls after eland in the afternoon that reminded me of hunting cottontail rabbits in the October woods. Oh well, it was off to steamy Tanzania for me while Aaron enjoyed springtime in Central Africa.
On this safari I told my PH, no more small lions, and the nose better be blacker than Obama's daddy ! Size of the cat was also important to me, as I wanted no more mistakes. Even Boddington told me the reputation of our brand was riding on this hunt, and I should hold out for a big one rather than return with another small lion. I hunted and passed 6 males in Aaron's area. Several tempted me, and on one you could hardly see the spots at all, but with Craig's words ringing in my ear, I continued to hold out for something bigger.
Finally, on day 19 we found a track, and the look on my PH's face said it all-WE HAD FOUND MY LION ! A keeper for sure. After a hair raising stalk in thick bush, we found the old boy in a nasty bit of cover. Across 20 yards of Tanzania real estate we eyed each other, and one glance was all I needed. The rest is history. My Searcy bellowed twice, and the king was dead. I believe I will have The Wildlife Gallery mount him lifesize. I hope that my attempt to rectify my earlier mistake will wipe the smear of shame from my good name, and my AR brothers will share my pride in taking the kind of lion I always dreamed of.

Wow, it sure is getting deep here. Since when do lions grow more than a ton?

Nice one Dave!

Man, if I knew we had one that big, I can assure, Dave would have never seen it!!! For I would have shot him long ago.

Oh Crap, Dave, I just spit coffee all over my keyboard, laughing too hard.

Man, I love your sense of humor.

We have never met. Are you more than 3 feet tall?

That is a monster.

Your lion is big enough to take down Walter's cape buffalo!

That full body mount is going to cost you some bling


Good one

quote:

Originally posted by blanco county:
Your lion is big enough to take down Walter's cape buffalo!

Whad-ya-meen? It et tree buffs at a sitting!!

Three like the one at the top of your screen?

Your photoshop skills are coming along as is your story telling.

Next we need a full hunt report.

Man I wasn't expecting that, too funny. Thanks for the laugh.

Dave..I think this one is a keeper!

Dave, knowing that you are 6'5" and 275 lbs of solid muscle, I would have to say that is a big cat!!!! I'll get the form ordered for the upcoming mount. We'll use a 10' brown bear form and cut it all up until it looks like a lion. We will also ensure that we paint the nose solid black...

Dan, I'v been on the Atkins diet, am down to 262 pounds . I just sent Brock Lesner a new suit that may fit him now that I'v lost the weight.

That's more like it Dave. Now you can hold your head up high. I see you chose a manly caliber and left that puny .577 at home, another good choice if I say so myself. To avoid any bias, I will be glad to score your trophy, as we wouldn't want any suspicion as to its final measurements. Do I see a platinum ring in your future? Congrats on taking a mature Lion! All the best, David

YOU DA MAN,

Thanks for having a sense of humor in a hard place. I would enjoy meeting youn around a campfire.



SSR

Had you waited another season, he would have gotten even bigger and mane would have closed between the ears. Barely acceptable lion in this day and age ............

Dave - I am very happy to see that you have used one of our Lions as your example of a proper Lion trophy!! Wish you would have gotten the outfitter and area correct though

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Fulson:
Dan, I'v been on the Atkins diet, am down to 262 pounds . I just sent Brock Lesner a new suit that may fit him now that I'v lost the weight.

With that tall tale I would have said the "Atkinson" diet.

Adam
Your giving away all my trade secrets ! LOL Just jabbing Aaron a little. Cheers

Dave,

Fabulous cat! What caliber did you use? I bet a big one! Were you scared? I sure would have been! That is a really big cat and I bet you are really proud to have taken The KING of King of Beasts! Good Job!

I don't believe it - you're "Lion"!!!

Good one Dave!!! And you've also confirmed my issue with having posted trophy pics photoshopped!!!

Dave I guess you better get an addition to the trophy room for that.

I'm glad I have my boots on that much BS could ruin your feet!!!!!!!! thanks for the laugh DAVE

Decent lion Dave, but I am ashamed to be associated with the likes of you. Don't you know that one lion is enough for any man, and two in a single year is just pure gluttony?

How long you gonna let that picture stay on here before you pull it???

I bet you;d get some peta freaks foaming at the mouth about that is you said it was the "Rare giant forest lion"

That is what I was thinking. I mean how many Giant Forest Lions are there in Africa? How hard is it to poach a monster like that? I bet hyenas don't jack with them.

I bet PETA and the HSUS will have a field day with this, what is the annual quota on a bad boy like that one?

Dave.

In addition to your improved discipline and judgment skills your ability to catch the moment in word is with out equal. Your modesty is apparent as we notice the frontal shot evidenced by the gore on front of main, no doubt taken whilst animal was in full charge. Judging by the height of the animal your upward shot to the spine was very thoughtful thus eliminating additional skull repair work for Wildlife Gallery. So considerate in the moment when some less thoughtful person would have made a brain shot. It appears that your SAAM training has honed your judgment, shooting skills and confidence to Legend Status in your own lifetime.

In your April posting you seemed for some reason not to mention the perfectly placed shot, dead center between the base of tail and snout.

Did you notice the significance of the main hair standing on end? No doubt this animal chose his way to die but in the end realized the mistake as evidenced by the standing main of fright.

Dave ,more stories to come?

Dave can we back up to April 1st.

Mike

Dave,

When do I get back my 106MM Recoilless you borrowed ??

I'm gonna send this out in an email and see how fast it makes it back to me...

I shot that lion's second cousin.

He had sabre teeth, and I killed him in Pellucidar!

Never would have been possible without that quality belt Dave's wearing!!!

(ok, so it's my turn for some shameless self promotion)

JW

Dave, you are having way too much fun hunting (and posting). Jeff, I agree on the Texas Hunt Co. stuff. I have used belt, ammo holder, and gaiters on two hunts-very good stuff.