Lion in The Save

25 October 2019, 21:53

458Win

Thanks for sharing Phillip. Great story and a fantastic lion.

I could have used Noah here on a bear this fall. He would have been helpful on a 3 hour tracking job. Being both the tracker and backup in thick pucker brush can be a bit stressful

Look forward to sharing stories with you at Reno

27 October 2019, 20:52

Lhook7

That is a great lion!

28 October 2019, 00:17

Phillip Smythe

My apologies for the silence - just finishing up the season back here.

To answer some of the questions -
If I recall he was 470 odd pounds - I will need to confirm with our records but that is what I remember off hand.

Age wise - always a debate here as teeth wear differently from area to area and from what they eat etc etc. Unlike leopards (through trail cams) that we have a general idea with their rosettes how long a cat has been around, lions (unless they have a noticeable scar somewhere) are a lot harder to keep tabs on when it comes to aging through cameras. We will find out his estimated age at our aging workshop end of the year where all lions and leopards are aged by 'experts'. So will let you know!

No need to stock lions in the Save - we are actually trying to move some... anyone want a couple of prides???

Needless to say - definitely a memorable hunt and an amazing experience. We as Ph's spend our lives out here and see a huge amount, so this was something special.

Thanks for the comments.
See you all in the States.

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Phillip Smythe
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16 Pendennis Rd,
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28 October 2019, 22:30

fairgame

quote:
Originally posted by Phillip Smythe:
My apologies for the silence - just finishing up the season back here.

To answer some of the questions -
If I recall he was 470 odd pounds - I will need to confirm with our records but that is what I remember off hand.

Age wise - always a debate here as teeth wear differently from area to area and from what they eat etc etc. Unlike leopards (through trail cams) that we have a general idea with their rosettes how long a cat has been around, lions (unless they have a noticeable scar somewhere) are a lot harder to keep tabs on when it comes to aging through cameras. We will find out his estimated age at our aging workshop end of the year where all lions and leopards are aged by 'experts'. So will let you know!

No need to stock lions in the Save - we are actually trying to move some... anyone want a couple of prides???

Needless to say - definitely a memorable hunt and an amazing experience. We as Ph's spend our lives out here and see a huge amount, so this was something special.

Thanks for the comments.
See you all in the States.

Well done Phillip and that tight mane configuration is something I have never come across before.

29 October 2019, 10:12

Buzz Charlton

Phil - well done on a great lion. With regards to ageing from, as you rightfully put in italics,the " experts" - The further we go down this road the more I realise that the "experts " are absolutely clueless and your average PH is far better qualified to judge age on lions.

I will concede though that this whole ageing debacle has made us much more aware of looking for old lions and has reduced what was certainly over the top lion quotas in Zimbabwe.

29 October 2019, 21:35

ledvm

quote:
I will concede though that this whole ageing debacle has made us much more aware of looking for old lions and has reduced what was certainly over the top lion quotas in Zimbabwe.

As my uncle Clinton Easter was famous for saying: "There are more ways to kill a cat than choking him to death on butter." (no pun intended)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
J. Lane Easter, DVM

A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House

No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991.

30 October 2019, 00:27

fairgame

quote:
Originally posted by Buzz Charlton:
Phil - well done on a great lion. With regards to ageing from, as you rightfully put in italics,the " experts" - The further we go down this road the more I realise that the "experts " are absolutely clueless and your average PH is far better qualified to judge age on lions.

I will concede though that this whole ageing debacle has made us much more aware of looking for old lions and has reduced what was certainly over the top lion quotas in Zimbabwe.

Buzz set your own standard but others will fail you

04 November 2019, 14:56

JabaliHunter

Fantastic! Wonderful lion

01 June 2020, 06:27

jeff h

Congrats Phil, hunter must had nerves of steel.

Great report

Jeff

02 June 2020, 17:56

Phillip Smythe

quote:
Originally posted by jeff h:
Congrats Phil, hunter must had nerves of steel.

Great report

Jeff

Something like that.....

10 September 2021, 07:18

Bama15

In the latest African Hunting Gazette, there is an article about this hunt, had to come back and read it again. The article really captures the drama tracking this lion.

09 October 2021, 20:59

zzz

Thanks for reviving this,
I miss Philip. My son (18 at the time) and I spent 21 days with Philip in 2008 when he was an appy for HHK and Lou Hallamore. Lou did not know Philip before the hunt.
He was a keen hunter and had A great eye. Lou predicted he would make the Ranks of the ph's in Zimbabwe from his meeting Phil on that trip.