Quote:
Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa
Only one picture shows someone who took a bow and arrows out into the wilderness, stalked and killed an animal.
Only one picture shows someone who was close to their prey, and in danger of it.
Only one picture shows the solemnity due the event.
Only one pictures shows the blood of the animal.
Only one picture shows a hunter.
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Pure conjecture on your part, Shaun. There is no way you can glean any of that from those pictures.
While I have never hunted the African lion (a bit too rich for my blood), I've spent a good deal of time in pursuit of our own Mountain Lion. Have you? Do you even personally know anyone who has? I didn't think so... your ignorance of the game is betrayed in your post.
They are simply never "stalked" by anyone, anywhere. Chasing them with hounds is the only viable way to even get a chance at one, and even then that is far from a sure bet. I will absolutely guarantee that cat was treed or brought to bay by a pack of hounds.
Like I mention above, I have never had the pleasure of hunting the African lion. I've been left to live that adventure vicariously, through others that have. Some very close friends and hunting partners, some who have written extensively about their exploits, and through many reports in the general hunting press. So, yes, all I really know about it is what I have heard and read - but I have spent a lifetime doing so.
One common theme emerges - most lions are shot at dawn or dusk, when they are most active. Most are shot at very close range, from ground blinds over bait. No one "stalks" lions - to do so at dawn or dusk would be not only foolish, but unproductive. To do so in broad daylight, in the heat of the day, would be a waste of time. So it just is not done.
Guys like you how know less than nothing about hunting see a scoped rifle and assume it was employed at long range, that the hunter merely sniped away at the animal from some safe distance. Again, your comments in your post betray this ignorance. No, that is not why the scope is used on such a dangerous game rifle. It is used as an aid to shooting in very low light, when open or peep sights cannot be seen. Many such scopes on these kinds of rifles do not even have any magnification, or very little if they do (a fixed 2X or a variable 1.4-4X are very popular for this duty).
I have several heavy caliber rifles so outfitted for use on large, dangerous animals, and believe me - they are a godsend when it's very early in the morning, or starting to get dark at night. They are a real comfort when going after stuff that will fight back, in thick brush, in dim light. While I have not gone after the African lion, I have sure had my fair share of such "fun" with other animals under these conditions (even got knocked flat on my back by a bear one day, but that's a whole 'nother story...).
So, no, the bow means nothing, nor does the scoped rifle. It's almost certain the cougar was at bay, likely in a tree. Not much danger to the hunter - I've walked away from several of those that were too small. The lion, however, does not climb trees very often, and was certainly on the ground, as was the hunter - who was not very far away at all. Your assumptions are way, way off...