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The unethical part comes from others usually competitors on internet forums claiming MS shoots buffalo in the gut and also leaves lots of wounded buffalo in the field after his safaris. These claims are never substantiated or have first hand commenters. Always, "I heard that MS ...".

And it is not necessary to shoot cape buffalo in the gut for them to live long enough to induce charges. A lung shot if followed up quickly and if the animal is approached face on, may cause a charge. The usual practice of a half hour to "stiffen up" may mean the animal bleeds out or is weak. And the usual practice is to approach a downed cape buffalo from behind and downwind so it neither sees or smells the approach.

Someone also mentioned not knowing about other PHs / Outfitters when they book with them as they are less known.

This is 100% true. An example:

I hunted with one PH who repeatedly made comments like "Pity you don't own a Lear Jet, so we could jet off for a few hours somewhere on a beach ...". Many comments, obviously he only wants billionaire clients ... I ask a lot of questions before booking a hunt. This immature (adult) PH made a pre-conception "That I was going to be a difficult client" because I had asked so many questions, and told me so on the drive to the concession. I told him after a safari was booked and when on safari I was very easy going, and he had to admit that at the end, after the safari ended in a complete fuck up, ie warvet invasion. When I wounded a zebra after a few hours he started to harass me saying if we kept "wasting time following this zebra, you won't fill out your trophy bag and will complain later!" Obviously a "full trophy bag" and especially the FEES to him were important to him, but not to me at all. I had no intention of a "full trophy bag", and also wanted to kill the wounded zebra. Unethical PH, eh, by the standards used to attack MS. This PH has a good name among the prestigious outfitters btw. Oh and he also physically threatened me during the safari, due to his immaturity and paranoia. A lot of PHs get very paranoid if you take notes, as they think it will be used against them ... I take notes for stories, articles, and personal history ...

Could mention other PH experiences ...

Toby, good luck with your safari. Hope it works out well if you book with MS or anyone else, and hope you tell us about it here, photos etc. Good hunting.

Finally, decided to add, I could have emulated MS one time when hunting a scrub bull in Arnhemland. I had shot the bull with a too long flanking shot from behind, too much bone, muscle, gut to really get to the vitals. A .450 NE 480 gr RNSP. As it turned I shot in in the chest/lungs witht he second barrel. The bull on being hit came running down the hill looking for me. I hid behind a tree and reloaded one barrel, peeked around the tree and gave it a good shot to the shoulder/chest which blew a large blood vapour cloud from its wounded and mouth into the air and it dropped.

Now I could have stepped around the tree so it could see me, and maybe would charge me from 20 yards. A video camera was running (I hope?! Never viewed the film!) and it could have made an excellent charge video. And tested me out as to whether I could drop it or not! But I wisely chose discretion and shot it from hiding and killed it dead.

I still wonder if I would choose to induce a charge or not. I both would like one and also dislike them if thinking in advance. Like most hunters.

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John aka NitroX

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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"