I was just reading in my new "African Hunter" that Howard Hunter (of HHK) received an award from ZPH for "Bravery beyone the call of duty" for seeing his client off after himself being shot. The article didn't give details. I thought it might be interesting to know what happened and especially who shot him- client, scout, or himself. Does anybody have any knowledge of this incident?

The story goes something like this.

A client wounded a buff. Mr. Hunter and the client went after the buff. The buff charged and got to Mr. Hunter, but he was quick enough to hold onto its horns and not get gored. The client shot the buff through the neck at an angle such that the bullet also took out several inches of bone from Mr. Hunter's arm. As a result, Mr. Hunter's arm is permanently cripped although he may recover some use of it.

Meanwhile, the client denies he is the one who fired the shot, blaming it instead on the game scout.

So the story goes. I am certain some parts of it are not completely accurate. But perhaps it gives the gist of a very unfortunate accident.

500grains has the story right. Howard was my PH when hunting in Zim in 2003. He's a great guy and I have stayed in touch with Graham Hingetson of HHK since Howard's injury last July. Howard is still getting treatment in RSA and hopes to get back to hunting before too long.

I now remember reading about the incident but didn't put the names together. Thanks, Marshall Jones

Howard is a great guy. I hope he's back in the bush again soon.

Who's more dangerous? The buff or the client?

Most definitely the client.

In which issue of African Hunter was Howard mentioned?