It was with great sadness that at the start of this month I learned of the death of my friend Jose Garcia-Escorial Cabrera. Many of you may have known Jose and more likely his father, Jose Garcia-Escorial, of Safari Headlands agency.

The Safari Headlands family have been great friends to our company and we shared their grief. I was very lucky to have spent eight days with Jose Jnr and his friends, when they hunted in Australia with us this year. This was the first time I had shared a hunting camp with Jose and most unfortunately the last. He made a very great impression on myself and my brother. There are many other words I can write about Jose but they do not suffice...

On the Safari Headlands website (www.safariheadlands.com) I found posted a letter that Jose Snr wrote to his lost son. By way of tribute I would like to post it here. This English version was translated by fellow AR member Greg Rodriguez. Thank you so much Greg, it really means a lot to me.

Adios Jose - Happy hunting friend... we will have many toasts to you (gin and tonic only) at Reno, where we were next supposed to meet...


Dear Son:
I am sure tomorrow will be the best monteria (driven hunt) of the season. I have noticed that you have left your guns in the gun safe, but you are going to see that they have a shiny rifle waiting for you that will fit like a ring on your finger.

Needless to say, behave as you know how. For 26 of your 28 years, you have walked with me in Africa, Oceania, Europe, and America. I am very proud that you’ve been able to learn much more than I was able to teach you.

Don’t stop short, run with joy, because soon, we’ll share days filled with many partridges, deer, pigs, and mouflon, as those heavenly heights know no limits.

I am not going to Romania because we are missing you, and you know we planned to hunt chamois together after the celebrations.
I finally got your mother and sister to sleep at night, but I could not do it without writing this letter to tell you, with tears pouring from my eyes, what a competent partner, wonderful hunting companion, and magnificent son you’ve been.

In the 14 months since you’ve joined Safari Headlands, you’ve made a big impact. You’ve improved our operations, and many hunters have placed their trust in you. You did not hesitate to leave your position as a Senior Telecommunications Engineer to become the brightest hunting consultant.

Thank you for the 28 years you’ve given your uncles and cousins, your many friends, your co-workers, your sister, your mother and, especially to me.

The sky was clear this morning in the forest near Toledo where we hunted together. While devastated, I lifted myself to return to Madrid after hearing the news. I give thanks to heaven that you have been my son. Rest in peace.
Your father. Brrrrrrrrrrrr

PS: The camera we bought together is magnificent. It is the only way we were able to identify your body. And we always said it was a great purchase....

Jose García-Escorial Cabrera, Senior Telecommunications Engineer and Hunting Consultant for Safari Headlands, died in a tragic car accident on December 1, 2007 at the age of 28.

That is a damn shame - too young.

Very unfortunate.

It appears the hunting community is missing a positive young contributor.

It does point out the value of saying these things to our children while they and we are alive.

It is much more flowery and tragic in Spanish. It took me a long time to translate it. The tears didn't make it any easier.

There are never any words which can fully encompass the loss and emotion of such an occurance which unfortunately befalls us all at one time or another. The tragedy is heightened by the youth of this young man, and the quality of the family.

I'll say a prayer for Jose, but also hope to meet him in the happy hunting grounds one day.

My sincere and deepest condolences to the family and to those here on AR who knew him. What a tragic loss.

what a tragic loss to the hunting community ...

It is a beautiful letter, even translated to English. It is so tragic.

Dave

Que hombre el senor Jose Garcia-Escorial Cabrera snr.

My condoleance.

One always expects to lose a parent, or grandparent, but the loss of a child is the most devastating thing I can imagine!

The wind will, now, and forever remain in his face, and the trail ahead will always lead to fine game.

My condolences to Senor Cabrero, and his family, and to all hunters who had the great fortune to know this fine young man.

I ditto what Mac has said, It is tragic to lose a parent , but that is the natural order of things. No one should ever have to bury their child. My deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this young man.

My condolences to Senor Cabrero and his family. 28 is too young.

My condolences to the family ,safari headlands sent me a lot of information and always was a reference point for me and my clients ,some of them Jose Garcia Escorial clients.
I always hunt with my son ,so i can feel the terrible pain in this father .Ihave not more words excuse me ,and rest in peace warrior.Juan

My condolences and may God Bless his family.

My condolences to the Cabrera family. To the AR family, please drive safe this holiday season--this is the second bad accident I have heard about this last week. Be safe. Kudude