Lions & Tigers

[pastorp]

My friend in El Paso, Texas has killed 2 african lions and 1 Bengal Tiger with his old colt SAA in 45colt caliber. He used his reloads with the 255gr keith SWC bullet and unique powder. I head shot each.

The local Zoo had called on him to put them down, of course this was years ago when people were not worried about being politicaly correct.

The Tiger is now a full body mount at one of their local high schools since their school name is the "tigers". Or it was 15 years ago when I moved away from the area.

Talk about exotic game. Regards,

[Oldshooter]

I've always thought that hunting lion would be interesting. then one day I saw a video about a group that was on a guided lion hunt. There were (I think) four rifles in this group and one of the hunters had shot a big male, They were closing for a kill shot when he charged them. They were all shooting and no one seemed to be able to hit him. He came in and jumped head high to a man and almost took a guys head off, missed by inches. He ran amongst the group for seconds(seemed like minutes) and then ran off and the guide finally knocked him down on his way out!  To Hunt those animals in the wild you better bring your "A"
Game.

I think this is it but with my dial up I cant tell for sure.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1176317/lion_attacks_hunter_just_misses/#

[Graybeard]

Yes I think that's likely the one you were thinking of tho it is a shorter version of it than I have seen in the past. Still it had all the details you mention in it. That none of the guys shot each other when the lion ran between them is the real miracle.

I'm not certain but I think that was a fair small enclosure high fence operation where it took place. Still the guy who the lion almost got was one lucky rascal for sure. They are not an animal to toy with and when ya shoot ya best make sure that first one goes where it should and that it is adequate to the job.

[markc]

That video circrculated for a while along with another in which a wounded lion came in fast and low and took the PH legs out from under him.  Only a broken jaw from a botched first shot kept him from being mauled really badly.   Years ago a local guy lived in the woods not too far from us and had fenced cages with several types of lions and monkeys.  We went over one time when my kids were little to see the lions.  One which looked like a cougar, but was from some other country ran and hit the fence jumping at one of my boys, so quickly and quietly we were all shocked and glad the fence was there.  One look at the alrge african lion crouhed down behind a tree stump in his cage was enough to keep me from ever intentially hunting them. 

[Graybeard]

There was a 200 acre wildlife park set up many years ago not all that far from where we live today but long before we moved out here. They had all sorts of exotics you'd see on a Texas preserve but also had a house/caged area for monkeys, chimps and other such. They also had a small but VERY HIGH fence area with two full size bengal tigers in it. I remember a couple of giraffes as well. Lots of the critters hunted on ranches in TX for sure.

A tornado ripped right thru the park and did massive damage to the fences. Luckily the tiger fence held so they didn't escape like most everything else did to include the apes. For many years afterward for many miles around folks were still seeing escaped animals even tho they claimed to have rounded them all up. I'd not be surprised if some of them or their offspring are still in the woods of this area to this day. Had those tigers gotten loose it would have not been pretty.

[Oldshooter]

Thanks for the confirmation GB,

Yep that video made me scared just watching it on my monitor, and like you I could not understand how no one either hit the lion or themselves during that melee! 


Astounding how far that lion jumped and how high he went, and at the guy that shot him like he knew who  his assailant was. Let me say that I would still find a lion hunt intriguing, but with a lot more respect for the animal now!

[Cheesehead]

I did not realize they were that large, as compared to a man, until I seen that video. Kinda scary.

Cheese

[Graybeard]

And tigers are actually larger and heavier than lions. 

[halfbreed]

I live in W.KY, I shoot a 458 win mag quite alot, A few years ago on the local news, a large grizzly had escaped its compound. Nobody was hurt and about 10 days later he came home and nothing had been killed or mauled.
 Right about that same time a large African male lion had killed its keeper and was on the run, it was killed very quickly near a school.
Everybody around here laughs at me for haveing the 458 winnie, I also know of a few bengal tigers in the very close neighborhood, they belong to my parents former landlord. My dad was not impressed with their compound.
 You just don't know what is in the area, we get small tornadoes and lots of micro bursts here, fences can come down very quick indeed.
 John

[pastorp]

Yes John, same in florida where I grew up. Lots of exotics get loose. Even ran into a elephant one time in the deer woods, You keep that 458 close now ya hear. Cause ya never know what be up in them woods. 

Regards,

[markc]

Now I nearly always am armed while out of my hosue, even to mow the grass, mainly due to 2 legged critters, but that lion on the loose talk makes me wonder if I am packing enough heat.   

[billy_56081]

A guy who lives out where I bow hunt raises exotics, he had lions, tigers and still raises black bears. His Male African lion was killed when lightning struck his pen. Mike said he weighed the lion after its death and I can't remember whatthe weight was but it was in the 7 to 800 lb range. I would heard the lions low roar while hunting, kinda gave me the willys when I was walking to my truck in the dark.

[myronman3]

like g.b. said, tigers are much bigger than lions.   
  i have never seen a cat die easy.  they almost always do something whacky.    and, ever see a cat play with a mouse?  i never want to be the mouse. 

[Oldshooter]

Now I nearly always am armed while out of my hosue, even to mow the grass, mainly due to 2 legged critters, but that lion on the loose talk makes me wonder if I am packing enough heat.   

Well Mark, we know it is enough for a man! A fella could always rob the Lion of its kill! Save the last shot for yourself. 

[markc]

Oldshooter,  I hope to never need that last shot for myself LOL.  The .45 might scare the lion away due to the noise, but more likely the smell of me pooping my pants upon seeing the lion might do the trick.   

[Oldshooter]

Thats why I'm gonna have to stand and fight.............the ground will be too slick to run on! 

A Lion or Tiger will certainly be bewildered by the sight of my last stand!