quote:

Actually the first animal I shot on my first safari, on the first day and the first hour was a bull elephant with a big festering wound between his eyes from AK rounds. Actually he was the first wild elephant I'd ever seen. He charged the vehicle a couple of times but we were able to avoid him and he eventually ran into the bush. We followed him up as it was the PH's duty in this tribal area and found him with his head behind a tree. The PH told me where to shoot as we had not discussed it because we were after an impala that day and ele's were not on the menu at all. I followed instructions and that's how my safari career started. Needless to say I was in kind of a daze for a couple days.

quote:

Originally posted by RBHunt:
I have this question after reading the "Is Facing Danger the Attraction" topic. What has been your experience with "mercy killing" on your hunts?

I have had that come up at least three times on different hunts. Once was a large male waterbuck that had been attacked by a lion, claw marks on the rear leg and hip that appeared to be infected, although the animal was moving, but appeared to be in some pain. In this case, I dispatched it and paid for it as part of the quota. Horns were trophy quality and I tanned the backhide with the claw marks and hope to make it into a pillow someday.

Another was an old cow buffalo, that was thin and cripple, and had some trouble walking. The guide said he had seen that cow before, and was surprised she was still alive. We let her go.

Another time was in Australia when tracking Banteng in the swamp. We were very close to the herd, and heard some splashing, and went to check it out. A banteng, young bull was having problems, seemed to be having difficulty walking. The guide said he thought it may have been attacked by a croc. We discussed as to if we should go back and finish it off after we finished our stalk. We continued following the herd for several miles, then lost them when the realized they were being followed. We did not go back that way again. There was a strict quota in place for the area, 15 animals for the season. I don't know if a mercy killing was even legal or not.

Several people stated in the "Facing Danger" topic that mercy killings are illegal in park areas. Does the game scout have the right to do a "mercy killing" if he chooses?

I look forward to hearing other's experiences.

Free 500grains

quote:

Originally posted by JPK:

quote:

Originally posted by RBHunt:
I have this question after reading the "Is Facing Danger the Attraction" topic. What has been your experience with "mercy killing" on your hunts?

I have had that come up at least three times on different hunts. Once was a large male waterbuck that had been attacked by a lion, claw marks on the rear leg and hip that appeared to be infected, although the animal was moving, but appeared to be in some pain. In this case, I dispatched it and paid for it as part of the quota. Horns were trophy quality and I tanned the backhide with the claw marks and hope to make it into a pillow someday.

Another was an old cow buffalo, that was thin and cripple, and had some trouble walking. The guide said he had seen that cow before, and was surprised she was still alive. We let her go.

Another time was in Australia when tracking Banteng in the swamp. We were very close to the herd, and heard some splashing, and went to check it out. A banteng, young bull was having problems, seemed to be having difficulty walking. The guide said he thought it may have been attacked by a croc. We discussed as to if we should go back and finish it off after we finished our stalk. We continued following the herd for several miles, then lost them when the realized they were being followed. We did not go back that way again. There was a strict quota in place for the area, 15 animals for the season. I don't know if a mercy killing was even legal or not.

Several people stated in the "Facing Danger" topic that mercy killings are illegal in park areas. Does the game scout have the right to do a "mercy killing" if he chooses?

I look forward to hearing other's experiences.

Just to be clear, the "No Mercy Killing" rule is applicable to Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife concessions. It isn't applicable to Communal Areas or Campfir Areas, where they make (some of) their own rules. And it isn't applicable on privately owned conservancy.

I have mercy killed a boboon stuck in a snare on private land in Zim, in the Save Conservancy. But have had to let live a lion torn scrum cap bull buff - wish now I had killed him, a couple of other assorted critters and an elephant with a badly infrcted foot because they were in Parks' concessions.

In my exchange on the "Thrill" thread with 465H&H, I figured he would understand the "Parks' concessions" limitation of my comment, since he is very familiar with hunting in Zim. Perhaps I should have elaborated for those not as experience as he. I have no idea what the rules are in other countries on Gov't concessions or private land.

JPK