Lion Hunt in the Kalahari

[grayghost]

Posted Jun 19, 7:58 PM
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