It is almost two years to the day that I hunted my last animal, a Lord Derby’s eland in Cameroon. Along with me admitting that, in my 70th year, this would be my last hunt, I made a few other admissions, namely, that:
- I would sell all my firearms.
- I would resign my hunting association memberships.
- I would stop writing for hunting magazines.
- I would stop writing/editing/publishing hunting books.
- I would close my websites after two years and pulp whatever books of mine that remained unsold.
So, how has it been? Honestly? I confess I have not missed hunting as much as I feared. I still enjoy listening to my friends discuss their hunts and hunting plans, the situation on their game ranches – for those that have them – and looking at their photos. Every now and then it is true that I experience something akin to a man who has lost a limb who and sometimes feels as if is still there. Or like a confirmed smoker who gave up years ago and catches a whiff of cigarette smoke and has a sudden, powerful yen for a puff but knows he dare not.
And then I still read whatever comes my way about hunting and its inseparable partner, conservation, although I have reduced the number of hunting magazines to which I subscribe to three. In fact, it is the conservation of the wonderful wildlife and wildlife habitat on this continent that these day fascinates me, on the one hand, and concerns me most, on the other hand, and dictates many of my interests. Not quite the “penitent butcher” which retired hunters of yesteryear were accused of being, as conservation has been a passion of mine for many years, in fact ever since I understood the vital role that hunting played in its foundation and support.
Yes, it was a bit of a wrench to sell my firearms, especially my .375, which my good friend, Derek Carstens, christened, Bertha, all those years ago. It was a fabulous workhorse and served me flawlessly over nearly 40 years and could still shoot a 1 ½ inch group at 100 metres when I sold it. Having said that, another good friend, Eben Espach, bought it and has said that, if ever I want to use it, I have only to say the word. Even so, it was the one firearm I was tempted to keep.
I resigned my membership of all my South African hunting associations but still remain a life member of DSC and SCI.
As regards not writing for hunting magazines, I did make an exception and said that, if they asked, I would continue to write for those editors for whom I had written for many years. Amazingly, a couple have asked and I have written two articles on giraffe – the new favourite of the animal rightists – for Neels Geldenhuys, the publisher and editor of African Outfitter, which I have long felt was the finest hunting magazine in Africa. Gerhard Damm, the co-editor along with Derek Carstens of Conservation Frontlines, a brand new conservation/hunting magazine, also asked me to write an article asking and answering the question, “When Is It Time to Stop?” I think the article will appear in their May/June issue. If you are interested in when you could/should/might want to stop hunting, the ezine is free. You only need to log onto their website and subscribe.
Article: THE GEOPOLITICAL GIRAFFE
Gerhard was the founder and editor for many, many years of the popular, worldwide ezine, African Indaba, which was taken over and is still published by CIC, The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation, although Gerhard has resigned from both the organisation and editorship of the magazine. I wrote many articles for him over the years and enjoyed the fact that he was far too busy to edit my articles too heavily and gave me a relatively free hand on the topics on which I wrote. Speaking to him recently, I understand that Conservation Frontlines will follow a similar format to African Indaba.
Probably the biggest change in my writing is, firstly, that I have not written a new book for over a year and it has felt as if I have almost been on holiday over this period. Much as I loved writing, editing and publishing eight books in ten years, the last two, Hunting the Spiral Horns – Bongo & Nyala – The Elite African Trophies and Hunting the African Buffalo – Nature’s Debt Collector – The Six Subspecies, turned what had been a much loved pastime into a six to seven day a week hard grind and job. I no longer enjoyed book production – as opposed to the writing and editing – but knew enough to know that I would always want to keep on writing. However, I was not sure about what exactly.
Up popped Daily Maverick, which has become the biggest eNewspaper in South Africa, much read and admired for its fearless exposure of corruption, its willingness to take on controversial topics, show both sides of particular issues and, most importantly for me, deal with the subjects they tackled in depth and employing experienced, well-informed journalists and writers to do so. They also regularly publish articles by avowed animal rightists (ARs) and anti-hunters (AHs) but, unlike most other publications, are prepared to publish the other side of the story.
I began writing what they call Opinionista pieces for them on a variety of subjects – from threats by the government to remove the accreditation of the law school at the University of Cape Town, the top rated university in Africa, to cheating at cricket – I also wrote a number of pieces challenging the emotive and fact less allegations of ARs and AHs.
Here are a list of recent hunting magazine article and those on hunting and conservation published by Daily Maverick for those who might be interested.
- Does Trophy Hunting Really Benefit Conservation and Local Communities?
- Kruger Lions: Who really cares about conservation?
- Kruger Park Lion Debate: Animal rights activists are just plain wrong
- Why can hunters and animal rightists seemingly never agree?
- Theodore Roosevelt – Killer or Conservationist?
- Pinnock vs Vegter
- Hunting Facts versus Animal Rights Fiction
- Conservation on the Continent
A surprising number of people have asked me to publish a book on the Hippotrages – Sable, Roan and the Oryx which, at one stage, I considered producing after the Buffalo Book. I have not completely excluded this from my future plans but, as I am only too aware, anno domini has a way of making any future decisions at this stage of life iffy to say the least. Put another way, man proposes and God disposes.
I was proposing to close my website and pulp my unsold books in October but my distributors have asked me not do so. I owe them so much that I feel it is only fair to let them dictate the date of the closures and pulping. They have, however, proposed a sale of my books later in the year and again I will let them dictate the date and terms.
I think it is true, therefore that, like soldiers, old hunters never die, they simply fade away. But, while I am fading, I remain fascinated by all things that conserve the wonderful wildlife and wildlife habitat that have ruled my life for so many years and will continue to try and play a positive role in this regard. If and when I feel I have something relevant to say on this topic I may well have the temerity to drop another Newsletter in your mailbox.
Kind regards
Peter
Amazed at your accomplishments .
Started reading about you after recognising your emails regarding SACS.
One of the 13 mil Americans that have been hunting and fishing for years and have played my part in conservatiion.
Will not sell my guns.
Keep on writing.
Stanley
Afternoon, Stanley.
Thank you for your kind note. Quite a surprise to hear from you. Not sure what accomplishments you are referring to. From a hunting perspective I suppose it was just a question of hunting a lot and for a very long time – I started when I was 9. I think that the Man up above every now and then would look down and say to his people, “You see that bald guy down there. He has been battling away for days/weeks/months without any success. Give him a good one today, OK?” The ones that make me happiest, however, are my lovely wife of 47 years and our four kids. Fantastic when, after all these years, they become your best friends!
Kind regards,
Peter
Dear Peter,
SO happy to hear from you again – it did not feel right for you to keep all those many years of hunting and conservation experience to yourself, while young folks are always looking for an elder for direction…
All the best, and hope to meet up again sometime soon,
Kind Regards,
Katharina
Afternoon, Katharina.
So good to hear from you and thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I was thinking of you last week when I was walking through Eben Espach’s extensive trophy rooms on his game ranch. I hope the business is doing well and you and yours are fit and well. Hope to see you in the not too distant future.
Kind regards,
Peter Flack
Good to hear you are active again,atleast to some degree Peter. Selling a hunting rifle(s) to me is extremely difficult. Almost like selling your soul for it becomes a better friend than most people. It takes one a long time searching for the correct one that suits your purpose and budget
I know what you mean, Gerhard. The late Geoff Smith of Rand Arms & Safaris and then, subsequently, African Rifles, made me an offer I could not refuse on my 30th birthday and I bought the Brno deluxe .375 he insisted I buy. I knew so little about firearms back then and could not understand why I shot so much better with it than the only other rifle I then possessed, a Musgrave 30-06. Of course, later I realised it was because the rifle, by accident, fitted me perfectly and instead of trying to make my body fit the rifle, it was the other way around. Fortunately, I realised this early enough that all my subsequent rifles were made to be the same as my .375, something I credit with whatever little “success” I might have had out in the veld.
So, you are right. It was a bit of a wrench to sell the old girl but she has gone to a good home and rather that than she moulder away unused and attracting nothing but rust in some gun safe, particularly as I seriously doubt that I will ever use her again. But thank you for your note. It was good to hear from you.
Kind regards, Peter.
Peter!
I am so glad you called it “latest” and not the common word “last” ,as I have mist your writings very much. Other good writers have lost the credibility,in my mind, by ENDORSING too much irrelevant stuff, (you probably know what I mean).
I have also quit hunting, primarily because a brain tumor that severely affects my balance. Strangely enough I do not miss the trophy hunting as much as the wanderings around after small, insignificant game like grouse and rabbits. Sometimes, when I see a trophy picture I even wonder why that beautiful animal was killed. Like you , I miss some of my guns but realize that one can live without them. Anyway, such is life when one is old and live on borrowed time and one can only read and live on memories. I am very content with my outdoor life and will enjoy it as long as I can.
Peter, please don’t give up your writing, I enjoy it very much and hope you do not deprive me of this simple luxury!
All the best!
Sven Erik Jansson
Morning, Sven.
So good to hear from you and thank you for your kind words. I remember when last we met in Dallas you were having health issues but did not realise how serious they were. I am so sorry.
I know what you mean and, in the last few weeks, have been lucky enough to visit the game ranches of two friends and just being there, wandering about in close association with game and nature has been wonderful. I mean what is wildlife without the wildlife habitat it occupies and vice versa.
And no, I doubt that I will ever give up writing. It’s funny, it’s a bit like hunting was – it satisfies something deep within me that is often quite difficult to explain. So, hopefully, in the next Newsletter I will attach some more articles for you.
Kindest regards,
Peter
Peter
Glad to hear that you are enjoying retirement and are still writing a few articles. I too wish you would write a book about sable, roam and gemsbok. Consider me a firm buyer if you write/publish it.
Best regards
Tom Billard
Morning, Tom.
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Much appreciated. Who knows, maybe one of these days I will surprise you and produce a book on the fabulous hippotrages.
Kind regards,
Peter
Hi Peter
Great hearing from you and thanks for your informative newsletter and update!
Always a pleasure to read your articles and letters , I urge you to keep contributing your time ,passion and experience to conservation and our hunting industry !
Much appreciated,
Regards
Graham
Morning, Graham.
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Much appreciated.
Kind regards,
Peter
Hi Peter
It was good to receive your latest email.
I always enjoy your comments on the various issues affecting us hunters and armchair conservationists, I can assure you that many other folks out there feel the same way.
And I would most definitely enjoy any other articles or books that you may publish.
Kind regards,
Michiel Thoolen
Afternoon, Michiel.
Good to hear from and thank you for the encouragement and kind words. Much appreciated.
Kind regards,
Peter
Dear Peter
Thanks for the interesting, and thought provoking information.
Keep on writing, your experiences, and stories should be recorded and preserved, not only for today, but for the generations that come after us.
Liken to the stokes of the imagery and reflection of a painters brush onto canvas.
Have a great day
Riley
Afternoon, Riley.
Thank you so much for your kind words. Much appreciated.
Kind regards,
Peter
Dear Peter,
It is good to receive correspondence from you once again.
I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed your article on Giraffe in the latest issue of African Outfitter. It is good to know that you will still be providing good reading when requested to do so.
I also only read the Media Statement of Umbabat Private Nature Reserve on your website this past week. This held particular interest to me as an acquaintance owns property on the reserve and expressed his unhappiness after the resident “pride male” was hunted when the reserve ensured the home owners that this would not be allowed. I was happy to read the facts after another idiotic AH saga threatened.
I recently gave up my career in the financial services industry to pursue interests in areas I am passionate about. The hunting industry would be foremost but as you’ve noted before although not every person in the industry is a crook all the crooks seem to be in the industry. I have been in touch with a few international players and am hoping there would be opportunities for partnerships with them in the near future.
I urge you to continue writing and expressing your opinion on anything related to hunting and conservation. There are few people out there with your experience, intelligence and abilities relating to the subject who are able to express themselves without letting their emotions get the best of them.
I look forward to seeing more from your desk in future.
Best regards
Louis
Afternoon Louis.
Thank you for your note and kind words of encouragement. Much appreciated and good luck with your career change.
Kind regards,
Peter
Morning Peter.
Thank you for your informative letter, I always enjoy reading it.
I myself now find myself in a quandary regarding my hunting and ethics courtesy of a careless surgeon who caused me the loss of full mobility.
I considered giving up hunting , but like a heroin addict I find it impossible, and quite frankly I DONT WANT TO.
The question in my mind is, how do I continue hunting and at the same time adhere to ethical principles.
Do I hunt from a vehicle? Will that be acceptable considering my predicament? Do I move into ambush long range shooting? The answer is unclear to me, and maybe you can help.
Like an old boxer i have one more fight left in me, and i am saving that for my last Elephant and last buffalo.
Your input in this matter would be greatly appreciated
Kind regards
Chris Erasmus
Afternoon, Chris.
Good to hear from you and thank you for your note. I am so sorry to hear about your failed operation and cannot begin to understand how you must feel.
You pose a serious and important question but, unfortunately, I cannot answer it. Only you can answer this question. Only you can decide whether the way you are hunting conforms with your personal ethics. Someone once told me that hunting ethics are the way you behave while hunting on your own and I think that, in essence, he was correct.
For me it was important to be able to hunt on foot the way I have for many years because that satisfied my own personal ethics and gave me a sense of personal satisfaction when I was successful but I accept unreservedly that my way is not necessarily the only way. Sorry I cannot be more specific than that.
Kindest regards,
Peter
Dear Peter ,
Thank you for your interesting newsletter .
I hope you will continue to occasionally pop one into my mail box.
You are to much of a passionate conservationist to let important issues pass your bye without your incredibly balanced and sound responses.
Conservationists generally have a singular approach to their issues , and hunters have an equally singular perspective to hunting issues , very fortunately you span both arenas and can comment on these dual issues eloquently and without bias .
So , whatever your inclinations are , for wildlife , please do not hang up your pen .
As much as I enjoy your books , your commentary on the aforementioned issues are , to us all ,of paramount importance.
Salakahle Umkhulu ,
Yours ,
Paul
Afternoon, Paul.
So good to hear from you and thank you for your note, kind words and encouragement. Fortunately or unfortunately, the gall of these animal rightists and anti-hunters to camouflage their hidden agendas behind the fig leaf of what they mean by conservation i.e. preservation and their fact less, emotional claptrap incenses me to such an extent I find the only way to stop myself having a heart attack is to continue pointing out their lies and other bullshit so I am a little like that fellow in Dante’s inferno who is compelled to roll a ball of dung to the top a hill again and again and again.
Kindest regards,
Peter
Wow Peter, I did not know you’d decided to hang it up; my Dad did that a couple years ago, and he’s now 68, and I miss hunting with him though he’s still here and healthy. I couldn’t conceive of a life without hunting, though I am absolutely certain it is a part of the life process.
My best to you,
Phil
Afternoon, Phil.
Thank you for your kind note. Fortunately or unfortunately, you too will stop hunting one day, voluntarily or otherwise. My opinion, for what it‘s worth, is that it is better to be proactive about making the decision rather than have it forced upon you but only you will be able to determine this. My best regards to your Dad and enjoy every minute of your hunting while you can. Remember, they don’t allow trophies in an old age home!
Kindest regards,
Peter
Hi Peter,
thanks a lot for your email. Great to hear from you.
And re “having the temerity to drop another newsletter in my mailbox”… you´re more than welcome. I read your Kruger lions articles, and once again, I think you´re totally right. Animal rightists lost it long time ago, and since then, have become more of a harassing nuisance than anything else. The problem is that they have huge amounts of money behind them, and that gives them a lot of leverage. Unfortunately, the balance is tilting towards their side all over the world, which is very bad news, but as we all know, money talks.
I have been thinking about one specific “conservation” issue in South Africa for a long time, and I can´t think of anyone better than you to answer it, so here goes a question.
What is your personal opinion re John Varty´s operation to save the tigers? I think it´s called Tiger Canyon.
A friend of mine came from India a couple of weeks ago. He visited Ranthambore and Bandhavgarh, and he says that tigers there are very difficult to see due to their low numbers. I know that Varty´s idea is controversial to say the least, but do you think that, in the long term, it might work?
Thanks a lot in advance Peter, and keep the articles flowing.
Kindest,
David
Good morning, David.
Good to hear from you and thank you for your kind note.
I am the wrong person to ask about the Vartys. I used to be a fan of their conservation efforts at Londolozi and hunted with John there in the early days.
Since then I have been very disappointed by some of his self-serving, self-promoting activities and think I have more chance of falling pregnant than his tiger initiatives have of contributing to the conservation of these iconic beasts.
Kindest regards,
Peter
Peter,
I am so glad to you still “at it”. Life is too short to retire or retread to something less exciting. As I say in my business, better to burn out than rust out.
I hope you write a book on sable, roan, oryx – I have a pretty story on them that may be fun as well as a lot of pictures. Glad to help out if you choose to take this on.
Headed to Uganda in a couple of weeks – after Nile buff and sitatunga and the other great animals there. Diane and I are planning on a side trip to see the gorillas as well.
I am 64, have sold 2/3’s of my guns, keeping the best and most fun for a few more years. Can’t say I will quit hunting, but you never know. I have been bitten by the interest in fly fishing.
Also, Diane and I are moving to Denver Colorado on business. I would retire but they pay me too much and hunting is expensive.
All the best, hope you keep your writing up as you will get bored with no battles to fight.
Ross Murphy
Morning, Ross.
Thank you for your email. Good to hear from you.
I so enjoyed hunting in Uganda and hope you and Di have a wonderful hunt and time with the gorillas.
They have the most beautiful bushbuck in Uganda and I hope you manage to find a good one. A friend sent me a photo of one he shot there earlier this week and it had a huge horn stuck in its head, obviously as a result of a fight with another ram. From the photo it looked as if it was impossible for the ram to have survived but on skinning the animal they found the horn had not penetrated the skull but slipped down the side of the neck. Still, quite weird to see.
Interested in your move to Denver. A year ago we bought a piece of land in Crested Butte, Colorado and were hoping to start building a holiday home on it this coming May. Our recommended builder however increased his price from $500 per square foot to $700 per square foot this past October and so we have put building on hold until we have completed our renovation project on our home in the UK. We were very disappointed but realise we cannot take on two projects like this simultaneously and, in all likelihood will have to move to Crested Butte during the building else we are likely to end up in trouble.
The hippotrage book will have to wait until we are more settled – we move our home base to the UK (Henley-on-Thames) in April – but, who knows, maybe I will take it on as a project. If so, have no doubt I will be contacting the usual suspects for help with it.
Kindest regards,
Peter