Yeah, after 31 days without a Lion and and only 3 Lion days to go, and in a shaky treestand, I made the decision to shoot from the prone position, knowing full well that I would take a scope bite from the .458Lott in that shooting position. Fortunately my hunting partner was an M.D. and he put three stitches above my eye and we slapped a band aid on it and pressed on. We do strange things in pusuit of our obsession, yes?

As to that poster, he is living proof of what the internet can stoop to.

All lions on this page are extraordinary! Thanks for posting.

Lionhunter, your lion has alot of character. Congrats!

Aaron, that is a wonderful report and very interesting. What scope (illuminated) reticle do you prefer especially for low light conditions while lion hunting? When I looked at your website I really liked the photo with the lion over your shoulder! You must be in good shape for 500lbs!

LionHunter - Your cat is a prime example of how not all mature, trophy lions have big manes! He obviously does have a mature head & body, and judging by the size of his official skull measurements, was quite a brute. Most importantly however, he's yours. No need to justify why you shot him, he's mature, likely past his prime, and a fine specimen. Again, congratulations to you.

Dentist - Honestly, I do not use an illuminated scope. However, if I did I would probably have to say the Swarovski, I think its the Z6? A friend had one on our Buffalo hunt a few weeks ago and I was pretty impressed. I've got several of those silly pictures with Lions I have shot hanging over my shoulders, but that was back in the day. Gettin too old for that stuff now!!!

Aaron Neilson
Global Hunting Resources

Aaron, thank you for taking the time and effort to post some wonderful photos and give some of us some useful and hard earned information.

Buckeyeshooter - Thanks, I hope some of the info helps.

Aaron Neilson
Global Hunting Resources

quote:

Originally posted by buckeyeshooter:
Aaron, thank you for taking the time and effort to post some wonderful photos and give some of us some useful and hard earned information.

+2
I enjoyed reading your informed opinions on lion hunting in general. That is what makes this site so cool always alot of informed opinions. I for one think a little INTELLIGENT debate on topics like this helps us all learn and refine our own opinions. Great info!

Thanks Aaron, i second your thoughts on the Kafue areas. You are so very, very lucky to have hunted such a beautiful Lion on foot in Botswana, in my opinion the ultimate way to hunt Lion. You and Murr must have been over the moon with that cat!!

Scott450 - Yes, in fact the Botswana Lion hunt was by far the single best hunting experience I have personally ever had!

Thanks,
Aaron Neilson
Global Hunting Resources

Damn nice lions Aaron.

Lionhunter: You killed your lion fair and square. He appears to be pretty damn big and old to me although,like me, missing some hair. Tough shit if someone else doesn't like it. Good for you. He was an old warrior.

LionHunter,

That's a trophy and a half!!! Any lion that old and gnarly is a shooter for sure!!! Prone with a .458 Lott??? Ouch!!!

Brett

Aaron,

Congratulations on your successes.

What did you and/or your ph estimate the age of each lion you took to be?

Thanks.

Excellent thread!!

Lionhunter that's the one I would have shot without thinking twice ... he had a good life, what did you do with him, full mount??

Aaron, another vote for that Bots lion, who would have thought way back then when Colin Bell (Wilderness Safaris) started with 101 Landrover's that they would be that instrumental with what's happened with hunting in Bots

Bwanamich - Some of the lions I have shot were long enough ago, that I honestly couldn't tell you. Have I Shot a lion or two that probably should have lived longer, yes, especially my very first one and another one I shot some years ago that was causing a bunch of trouble for the landowner. I would say both were probably 4 yrs old, and could have done with another year or two. As for the rest of them, 5 yrs plus on all of them would be my estimation.