I hardly ever begin a topic and don't post on many, just not my style but I just saw this episode and felt compelled to discuss it. First to Dave Fulson and team, this was one of the best ever and ill explain why. Not only was it the usual great quality of TAA but it has a special story and that is the kind of courage and perseverance found in a man like John Greeff.

I go way back with John and have hunted many things with him from numerous elephants, buffalo, and the 66th leopard he PH'd for my success. Some of you will recall and some new folks wont when John was seriously injured in 2010 in Tanzania by a wounded leopard and near lost his life along with his right eye. I got a call from family on July 5th, 2010 and learned of it and had the expectations that John was not out of the woods on staying in this world. He was on a med flight to Jburg at that time. Knowing of the things that PH's don't have in cases like this I started a fund raising effort on this forum to help out. I guess it was sort of one of the first and with the help of some tremendous people on this forum with Saeed at the top of the support team we raised near $45k to help John in his recovery. If you recall, Butch Searcy donated a double at cost which we raffled, etc. etc. I could go on and on with how great the guys jumped in on this forum but that is not the message here.

I hope you all watch the show (2 parts) and you can see small signs of Johns injuries but what you cannot see is the sheer grit and guts he has to not let this get him down and out. He worked through the injuries, healing, sight loss, and was active PH'ing the next year. I actually hunted with him in 2011 and 2012 and was amazed at his progress. John had to convert to being a left handed shooter and with the help of CZ I was able to get him a customized 458 Lott (left handed) 550. Trust me, he can still shoot anything thrown in the air. He got a pass on the PH proficiency for shooting the next year but insisted on being tested and passed with no issues. Knowing this guy before and after, he has not let this change his attitude on life and the safari industry he loves. He is forever grateful to all of you on AR and the support you gave him, you should know this. I don't know if Dave will discuss this in the next episode but John is actually hunting a leopard with the client. I hope they tell some of this story but if not, I thought you guys would appreciate the type of person you are watching.

Sometimes I think I know most of the PH's in Zim,, Buzz, Myles, Bruce Watson, Cliff Walker, Lance Nesbit, Phillip Smythe, Keith Wall, Louie and Frik Muller, Ian Rutledge, Butch Coatan, and on and on,, and I am sure they would attest to the pride and thoughts about John. As these guys are private and don't brag on themselves and each other, I thought I would. Thanks for letting a rare poster have a chance to tell you something about a great man and group of people. It also pleases me to illustrate the appreciation I have for the guys on AR. You are a great bunch.

Dave, as we know each other I know I can be frank and think this is one of your best episodes yet. Bringing in people outside of the normal network shows a lot of breadth to your show. I also enjoyed the episode with Keith Wall who I knew as a kid apprentice on my lion and later hunted elephants and buffalo with him. Great to also see a young up and comer highlighted. Keep up the good work.

Larry

Well said. Thank you, Larry.

Dave and Tim produce the best hunting shows, period!

I'll look for this episode.

I saw the episode this am while I was working out. I thought it was great but was not aware of the difficulties that John has overcome. Any time I hear or read about a PH that has been mauled I am reminded of what a special type of person it takes and what a debt of gratitude we owe them for putting themselves in harm's way to protect their clients in these dangerous situations. On another note, my son lost most of the vision in his right eye in a serious car accident a number of years ago. I watched him learn to shoot left handed, to the point he is probably a better shot now than I am. Not sure I could have done it.

VERY WELL SAID!

What channel is this on nowadays? I’d like to watch

Larry
I saw the episode last night.
Still have the picture of when we raffled off the gun for John.

Good thing you left Michigan. Winter has started. Over 2 ft of snow in the last 24 hrs and below 0 for the days high temp.

My wife and I watched this episode of "Tracks" last night, and she commented that there was something unusual in the way that John spoke and acted. We both wondered if he had sustained an injury in the past. Our connection to AR only goes back to 2012, so we were unaware of the incident. Thanks for posting John's story, and we will look forward to seeing the next episode. 100% agree that Safari Classics is at the top of the heap in outdoor television. Great job, Dave and crew.

Any easy way to watch it besides needing cable or sat?

John is a great guy and a heckuva PH. He was my first way back in 1994 when we were hunting the Lemco Ranch, now called the Bubye Conservancy together. A super companion in the field and excellent judge of trophies, he set the mark for all PHs that followed. Hunted with he and Buzz back in 2004 for elephant, kind of a ten year anniversary for us.

I had the chance to see him and catch up a bit at DSC earlier this month. Need to set my DVR on record to catch this episode!

BigBBear,We dont get TAA here as far as I know, but thank you for posting about John great to hear. . jc

It is always great to hear we actually have proper hunting shows!

Instead of all the rubbish advertising masquerading as hunting, or self glorification.

Hats off to you gentlemen!

Larry and everyone that posted, Thank You! John is indeed a great guy as well as a top PH! We did not go into his mauling on the show, one reason was to keep the focus on the very successful safari he was leading. I did not know John well enough to ask before filming, but I am sure he would have been fine with it. I have been fortunate to know many men like John, and with true grit they overcome situations like this with dignity and plain old grit. Never met a man who hunted with John who did not think the world of him.We caught up at DSC and both he and his client expressed their pleasure in the way the show came together, but it is my team that thanks them for the great job they did. Mr John is a credit to his profession, Africa, and all who know him. Well done bwana John, and thanks to you guys for all the kind comments and continued support you give our series.Dave

John shot birds this week at a club I belong to here in FL. The guides were shocked at his injuries.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Fulson:
Larry and everyone that posted, Thank You! John is indeed a great guy as well as a top PH! We did not go into his mauling on the show, one reason was to keep the focus on the very successful safari he was leading. I did not know John well enough to ask before filming, but I am sure he would have been fine with it. I have been fortunate to know many men like John, and with true grit they overcome situations like this with dignity and plain old grit. Never met a man who hunted with John who did not think the world of him.We caught up at DSC and both he and his client expressed their pleasure in the way the show came together, but it is my team that thanks them for the great job they did. Mr John is a credit to his profession, Africa, and all who know him. Well done bwana John, and thanks to you guys for all the kind comments and continued support you give our series.Dave

Dave, I believe you’ve been involved with Frontline Foundation. That being said, have you ever considered a show about those wounded/killed in the line of work? Yes, I know some have been dedicated posthumously (I feel terrible for not remembering the name of the jolly PH that would walk a marathon runner to the ground, but didn’t look like he could. I hope that was not offensive. He was great in every episode I saw.), but it might help get the word out further.

There was a program a few years back that had used some digital technology to show certain attacks (cheesy, but surreal), Tim Herald did show the Stu Taylor incident. It’s your show, but I’m just tossing it out there.

It may also be a situation like war vets and they don’t wish to talk about it and keep on keeping on.

Having difficulty locating show. I assume its on outdoor channel which I don't have. Shows up on amazon but says unavailable. Anyone know more? I used to watch it years ago when I had convention satelite now I am all wifi

Indeed, both Tim Danklef, my partner, serve on the DSC Frontline Foundation and Karl Evans is the current President Of the Foundation. We have certainly used Frontline pieces within the body of normal shows, but we will no doubt do a stand alone show specifically on the Frontline Foundation. We just made our largest grant to date to the widow of Barry Style to cover schooling and insurance costs of his four children. DSC MEMBER, it was our friend Ian Gibson or "Gibbo" Miss him every day, never be another like him. Tell you guys what, Monday I will post our newest Frontline Foundation video to keep the AR team up to speed on our mission and our recent grants. Have a good weekend and check out the video Monday. Cheers everyone!

Dave, thanks for everything you, your company and the Frontline Foundation do for us. Also, thanks for reminding me of Ian Gibson’s name. I always enjoyed him on the shows.