My life long dream came to fruition 3 weeks ago when I finally took a mature African Lion in the North West Province of RSA. We were in the Kalahari region that borders Botswana. Charl Van Rooyen of Infinito Safaris organized my hunt. We were assisted by a small group of Bushmen trackers who did an outstanding job of following Lion tracks and sorting out where three Lions had split up after an early morning drink from a small dam (pond). We chose to follow the single set of tracks as opposed to the twin set. Dealing with one Lion is always a better proposition than having two to sort out. Eventually the trackers found where the Lion we were following had laid under the shade of a thorn bush. It soon became evident that he knew we were following him. I first saw him moving through the high tawny grass about 100 yards ahead of us. We instantly made a circuitius flanking movement at the double quick to cut off his retreat. Gaining his flank I no more than made eye contact when things went south fast. He gave me "the stare" and his tail started the "three flips and I'm charging" twitch. Clayton, our lead PH ordered me to "shoot him, shoot him in the face." Charl injected "set up the sticks" but there was no time as only 40 yards separated us. As those piercing golden eyes squinted he lunged and I fired a 300 grain Swift A frame into his chest, just below his chin. This pushed him backward and as I chambered another round into the CZ's .375 H&H chamber, he spun to his right and I double lunged the beast. He immediately took shelter behind a dense thorn bush to sort out his options. "Shoot again" came an order. I replied I didn't have the shot, but I kept the CZ mounted and the low power Leupold cross hairs on the dark form now crouching in the bush. What seemed like 10 minutes was probably only 10 seconds before the Lion bolted from the safety of the bush. Making an exit stage right, I put another A frame into his massive neck, killing him instantly. Only after approaching the dead King did I feel weak in the knee's. There was no fence to protect me...no drug had rendered this beast from the possibility of killing me or my comrades. His fangs were long and claws needle sharp. What a shame a few others had cast black clouds on hunting one of Africa's greatest dangerous game animals. The entire staff, PH's, trackers and skinners gave me nothing less than a hunt I will always remember. I would take this hunt again tomorrow but alas, this may be the only Lion I ever take. I'm having him mounted lifesize by Life-form Taxidermy. Good hunting, LDK


Charl Van Rooyen and I

Congrats on a great hunt and a dream fulfilled.

Thanks Mike. I'll add more pics as soon as I get them and continue the rest of my report on taking a total of 26 animals in three weeks. Good hunting, David

Your lion is a brute! Life-Form does fantastic work... I've used them on two different safaris and Zac and the gang have not disappointed. Your cat is in good hands.

LDK,

Congrats on a beautiful lion. What a brute. Glad your trip went well and all are back home safe.

I'm gonna try to make it up to Nashville in the next few weeks. Maybe we can get together and talk about it.

Welcome back,

David Walker

Congrats on a great lion!!!!!!

Glad you had a great hunt!

Congrats, David. Agreat looking lion and a trophy of a lifetime. Iknow you have been looking forward to this hun for awhile.

Congratulations David. Glad you had a fun trip. I look forward to seeing more photos.

David, congratulations. You've accomplished something most of us mere mortals just dream about, tracking a lion on foot on his terms. MY hat's off to you sir. jorge

Thanks and congrats. Please post more pics as it will be 11 more long months before I am back in the Kalahari.

What a thrilling hunt that must have been and to take 26 animals in a 3 week time frame....all I can say is wow!! Congratulations!!

Thanks guys, I appreciate your comments. Bwanamrm: I don't think Zac is there anymore. Not sure but I met Cecil and Jerry who told me they were the owners. I had intended to bring my Lion home but due to a lack of sufficient amounts of salt and a long drive to Mpumalanga, I decided to leave it at Life-form. I will say this however: Life-form is one of the top African Taxidermy outfits, but we have outstanding US Taxidermists here at home and some of them are AR members. By the time I pay for mounting, crating and shipping to my home I will have paid more than mounting it here. It will be a few weeks I imagine before I receive my CD with all the Lion pics so I'll try to post a better detailed report with pics. Good hunting to you all, David

David, Congratulations on a beautiful Lion.
Was that other ph Clayton Fletcher?

Thanks T, yes, it was Clayton Fletcher. Although he didn't organize the hunt, he was lead PH.

David,

That lion is a "toad". Congrats!

Mark

Thank you all. It made my day to say the least. I just uploaded over 300 plains game and scenery pics to my hard drive so as soon as I get some on photo bucket, I'll do a report. Good hunting, LDK

Wow, what a beautiful lion! Congrats, David.

KG

Cograts on a great lion,and a dream fulfilled.

Craven

Great trophy! He was hunted as he should have been and you have much to be proud of and thankful for!

Years from now you will look into his eyes in your trophy room and it will take you back as if it were yesterday. By then, who knows if lions will be "huntable", but at least you know in your heart you did it right!

Congratulations.

TJB

Magnificient animal and a great hunt. I should be so lucky. A very commendable endeavor.

Thank you all, I appreciate your comments. Here's a pic of my Lion's track as we tracked him across the Kalahari sand. Good hunting, David

Good on you, Dave.

Bloody bewdy!!!

Again Dave, Congratulations on a beautiful Lion.
If anyone would like to do this hunt with Clayton give me a call at 281-998-2231
I will be over there again in September.

Excellent lion

Thanks guys! Good hunting, David

Hello David

Congratulations that is a great lion, thank you for sharing your adventure with us.

Regards
Aziz

Healthy set of teeth on this cat!

Outstanding hunt and a beautiful animal. Congratulations!

Did the PH mention how old he thought the lion was? Looks to me to be over 6.

Thanks fella's. No Bwanamich, we didn't discuss it as my head was spinning over the realization I had done something that I'd dreamed of for many years. It was that stupor feeling after the fact (hunt in this case). It had the effect of a numbing drug...I guess the effect of an adrenalin high. I hope eventually to have all of my pictures and you would be able to judge the cat by a broadside view. His mane is full and thick, stopping at his mid section. It covers his entire shoulders down to his elbows. Fringe runs down both sides of his belly to the front juncture of his hind quarters and some down his hind legs. Some wear on his incisors, but overall a very healthy Lion. Minor scaring on his face. Thanks for asking. David

David impressive lion ,and excelent report thanks for sharing with us.Juan

That is one handsome lion! And the new photo? So much for Craftsman - Those are "professional quality tools"! \

Dave

Thanks Juan and Dave. Have to wait until I get my CD of all the pics. PH is sending over as soon as he gets a break in the hunting. David

LDK- What a beauty!! I can see how you caught up to him, he was a smoker and dropped his cigarettes . Great job, truly a once in a lifetime hunt!

John