Invariably, when a friend introduces someone to me and after a few pleasantries someone will say, “Hey Ed! Tell him your lion story.” If they are willing to buy me a couple of drinks and put up with me for more than 10 minutes, I am usually happy to oblige. With that, I guess I’d better tell it now, so here goes. …but you owe me a drink.
I was on a 30-day Safari in Zambia with PH John Coleman in 1986. I booked the hunt through Lew Games of Hunters Limited. Because I was working on the popular sitcom Night Court, I had to start my Safari a full month before the regular safari season started. I only had that window available because that was when the show was on hiatus and would be until the middle of July.
Kicking Off
It was in July that the safari season usually starts, so I had no choice but to go early. I was warned that the camps would not be ready, and we would be hunting in “The Long Grass.” This meant visibility would be limited to practically nonexistent, and that could affect the quality of my experience and trophies. It was my only option, so off I went.
What made it possible for me to go in that early was because that was the time period when the Safari operators went into their concessions to start building the camps, planting gardens, and repairing the air strip and roads. Our destination was Chanjuwzi Camp on the Luangwa River. I don’t know if that is the correct way to spell it, but you get the idea (phonetically).
Anyway, I flew from LAX to Kennedy, Kennedy to Gatwick, Gatwick to Lusaka and took a week to do it. In Lusaka after clearing customs and getting my rifles, I boarded the charter to the concession. About an hour later, I landed at the Wakawaka dirt strip — that had not yet been finished — and was met by P.H. Alistair Gellatly, who oversaw the camp’s construction. He told me that John would be a little late arriving as he was driving from Cape Town. He was stopped at the boarder because of a license mix up. That meant the proper bribes had not been paid.
Alistair was good company, and most of what I shot in the three days with him was for food. He explained that they had over 100 locals working who had not had protein since the Safari season had ended the previous year. In fact, they were in such dire need that when I deplaned at the dirt strip, he told me to get my rifle out and load up.
On the way back to camp, I shot an Impala, Cookson’s Wildebeest, and Puku, all while in dress clothes and Italian loafers. In fact, on that Safari alone I took over 51 game animals in 30 days, a good portion of which was to feed the workers.
The shooting conditions were as difficult as they said they would be, due to the long grass. Shooting for the pot was a good experience and got me accustomed to judging the vitals of the animals through the grass. By the time John arrived three days later, I was prepared for the adjustments that had to be made.
Although I had met John before and had spent time in the states with him, we had never hunted together, so there was the initial ‘getting to know you’ phase. For John, it was to see how I handled myself in the bush and whether I could shoot. Rather quickly, I proved myself capable on all counts.
After about a week, while in camp having lunch, I asked what his policy was on wounded ‘Dangerous Game.’ John said, if that should happen, he would sort it out. I was uncomfortable with that answer. I stated that if I messed up, I wanted to be the one to sort it out.
After a few more days together during dinner, while in conversation, John said that I handled myself well in the bush and that my shooting had been “Spot on.” He then added that on the chance I blew a shot on lion, we would sort it out together. I did, however, have to adhere to his rules which were, don’t shoot unless I tell you to, and don’t shoot me. I assured him that I would follow his instructions to the letter, because if I shot him. I would have had no idea where I am and would be lost forever.
About a week, we found a big fresh lion track in the road. John said it was the big lion we had been looking for and we needed to get a bait up in the area right away. Fortunately, we ran into some zebra. I dispatched one to be hung for bait.
John found a suitable tree and the bait was hung. As night was falling, we headed back to camp. Early the next morning, we went back to check on the bait and found it had been devoured. John said we needed something bigger to keep the lion interested in that area so off we went for Cape Buffalo. Fortunately, we ran into some not far from our bait tree and I took one. We dragged it behind the Toyota, back to the tree and hung it.
When we returned to check the buffalo later that afternoon, we found that it had been pulled down out of the tree and dragged off into the VERY long thick grass. We could see the drag because the grass had not all stood back up from being pulled down flat. John said we would follow the drag into the patch of very long grass to find the lion.
John would lead, I would be off his right shoulder, and the trackers and the camera man would follow. Two of the trackers would also be armed. Once loaded, we started off into the thick patch of brush moving very slowly and quietly. It probably took us 20 minutes to go 20 yards when John stopped and signaled for us to reverse course because of a change in the wind.
Once clear of the brush patch, John said that because of the wind changing direction, we would need to circle the patch and come in from the other side. When we got to the other side to enter the patch it was apparent that we lost the advantage of a trail to follow.
Moving Ahead
We entered the grass blindly moving even slower than before. As we proceeded in to the brush I did not realize that although I was touching distance from John that the ground he was on had a slight slope down and that he was about 18 inches lower than I was. When I could see it, I only saw the top of his head.
We could not have gone more than 10 yards when I parted the grass pushed my rifle muzzle through and saw what was left of the Buffalo. What I am about to describe next only took about 3 seconds to occur, but of course it takes much longer to describe.
I suddenly heard the lion make a sound the likes of which I had never heard before, but it was loud, and it got my attention. At the same time, I felt a little shove on my left side from John. Simultaneously, I threw the rifle to my shoulder, released the safety, and took the slack out of the trigger as the lion stood up in front of me.
He was no more than two feet away, and I could have literally poked him in the eye with my rifle barrel, we were that close. He spun around to put the buffalo between us.
Apparently, he was asleep after having eaten almost the entire buffalo himself. The lion may have been more surprised than I was. Fortunately, he was no longer hungry. He then turned and moved away through the grass. He appeared again about 15 yards away on a termite mound presenting me the classic broad side shot.
The lion then turned and disappeared into the Long Grass. I looked to my left and saw John down on one knee with his rifle shouldered and point forward. I relaxed, took my finger off the trigger, re-engaged the safety, lowered the rifle, and asked John what he was doing. Praying? John stood up ignoring my remark and said, “Did you see the lion?” I replied, “yes.”
He then asked if it was a good lion and I replied that it looked pretty good to me. He then asked why I did not shoot it. At that point, I was more than a bit miffed. “You told me not to shoot — even if a lion is close — unless you tell me to!” John then admitted that even though he was close, because of the thickness of the grass he never saw it. He then explained why he was on one knee. He told me that lions are so fast that when they charge if you stand the tendency is to shoot over them but if you get down you shoot through them. Now you tell me.
Clean Kill
After that, John had the three trackers that accompanied us build a machan in a tree about 60 yards away. We took what was left of the buff and re-hung it in the bait tree.
That evening, while in the tree, we had one last brief glimpse of the lion as he was disappearing in the grass about 100 yards away. I elected not to shoot as it was a going away shot with darkness coming on, and I could not get a good sight picture. He was too noble a beast to not be taken cleanly. He was also such a big lion that if I had shot him, I would not have any reason to ever hunt lion again.
We were getting down to only a week left on my Safari and had not yet encountered another big lion on our side of the river. During a radio chat with P.H. Andre DeCock, he said they had a couple of big cats on his side of the river, and we would be welcome to cross over and stay in his camp, hunt a few days, and see if our luck would change.
With that invitation, we packed up and headed to the river crossing area. Andre brought the pontoon across and ferried us across to his side. As luck would have it. I did get a very nice lion after 3 days, but the real trophy was my story of a close encounter with the king of beasts.
Do you have a harrowing hunting tale to tell? It does not have to be about a lion. Share it in the comment section.
The author with John Coleman and a nice Cookson’s Wildebeest taken during the getting to know you phase. Making our approach on the lion again from the other side through VERY long and thick grass. Where the close encounter took place and what was left of the Buffalo. 
If you are a pyromaniac, Zambia is for you. We started fires almost everywhere we went to burn the grass and better improve conditions. 
The thick grass and the conditions of the roads or tracks as they call them. 
Our last glimpse of the lion before he disappeared into the Long Grass. Andre bringing his pontoon across the Luangwa to ferry us to his camp. During a lunch break back in camp telling war stories and eating the African Bush version of pizza. A good Lion track in the road with a .375 H&H cartridge for scale. 
Right after the shot was fired. The lion I wound up with. All things considered not a bad consolation prize. 
Making our first approach stealthily through grass that had been matted down but could still hide the lion. My arrival at the Wakawaka dirt airstrip and the plane being unloaded with some locals gathered around.
This Ed fellow seems to have led somewhat of an interesting life.
Glad he writes and shares.
Hats off to Cheaper Than Dirt for offering the space.
Hey, Ed. Thanks for the info. That’s some pretty cool stuff. 👍🏻 Watched several of those back in the day and still catch reruns of them occasionally. Built a few theatre stage sets myself under direction/from plans/blue prints of guys like you in the profession. Always found that the more interesting aspect than actually being on stage. And thanks for your service during that particular time of US ARMY history. 63B US ARMY 1997-2000
I normally don’t respond to people that don’t know how much they don’t know but because the comments made here are based on ignorance rather than malice I am making an exception.
This is for Alex Renchler, Andy Millett, Raymond Waugh and anyone else that does not understand the importance that “Trophy Hunting” plays in wildlife management especially in Africa. In a nut shell because of habitat loss and sustenance hunting the predators need to be kept in balance or they will eliminate the prey species and then die off as a result. Admittedly that is a oversimplified condensation of the problem but if you are really interested start your education by reading about The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.
BTW, Sgt. Davis, to find out more about me on “Night Court”and other shows you may have enjoyed. Do a Google search for my name on IMDB and I think you will be more than satisfied. I hope you like what you find and thank you for your service. U.S. Army 1966 – 1968.
Cool story but I feel people like you are destroying this planet. With poachers taking so many and you said you killed over 50 for FCOOD. There is other food. What happens when there is no game left? Where was the cry from humanity when we last a species of Rhino forever?
Why would you shoot a lion? What did it prove? I understand game hunting for food but this is just stupid. How many wild lions are left in the world?
Andy, perhaps you should check with the people in Africa, the ones who get mauled by lions… Lions, elephants and other game animals are carefully selected to increase the genetic diversity of the herd by removing the older males that do most of the breeding. And in Africa, they eat every animal — including Lion meat. Do some research. It’s not for you, so don’t hunt lions. However, it is an important part of game management in Africa. ~Dave
I am all for hunting. I would like to go on safari once also. I am also for killing to feed myself, my family and even the locals while on safari. I am not for killing a truly remarkable beast just because I can or for the rush. I’m not trying to bash anyone either. I just don’t understand why someone would be pleased with themselves for killing an animal that no one will eat. People don’t eat large cats, elephants, giraffes and a lot more animals that are not going to be eaten. If you kill it , you should eat it.
Raymond, I have been to Africa and assure you, they eat all animals – including lion. Hunters go to Africa to hunt. The hunter can eat as much of the animals harvested as they want. However, the meat cannot be brought back. As Ed mentioned in the article, the start of hunting season was the first protein the villagers had since the end of the previous hunting season. Part of the meat goes to the local villagers, the rest is usually sold. The money from the sale goes to feed the villagers, provide housing, schools, medical aid etc. ~Dave
I was in a local gun store once where they had a stuffed lioness mounted standing on a rock in the middle of the store. They also had a Grizzly, wolf and some others but nothing sent a chill down you spine like standing in front of that lioness gazing at you and the thought of being in front of her for real. Not to mention a full sized male lion.
Always wanted to do an African hunt but was always warry of the all the regime changes and the lack of should I say political control that always went on there. Never knew what you would be walking into. Kind of like Mexico today.
Dale, I am humbled by your comparison of my chance encounter with the “King of Beasts” to Lieutenant Colonel Patterson’s heroic stand against the “Man-eaters of Tsavo” in 1898. Thank you.
Pretty cool story, Ed. Never been on a safari, I’d have probably froze too being that close and spooking a big cat. I’m actualy kinda interested what you did on “Night Court”. Good show, with great actors but John Larroquette was my favorite. As far as my harrowing hunting tale… Once, while deer hunting I had a pack of angry squirrels try to chew my boot laces. That counts right? Haha! Seriously, a family of tree rats were quite mad that I had set up my stand in their oak tree. Little buggers kept charging up the tree at me, then would hop across from another tree and come down almost on top of my head… barking like crazy. Never seen squirrels do that… good thing I was strapped in… managed to drop my bow and damage all three arrows in the quiver. Deer hunt was ruined for the day so came back with my .17HMR and left with a nice batch of tree rats for a stew. Not exactly scary but definitely funny.
Shades of ‘The Ghost and the Darkness’ Ed. I have to believe you will never forget the scene within that 2′ space!
There is nothing that gets the blood pumping like a close encounter with dangerous game.
I’ve stood charge on a leopard and a Cape buffalo, but all were a bit farther than TWO FEET!
The leopard was 15 feet. The Buffalo 30.
…but the rush was certainly there.
People that haven’t been to Africa owe it to themselves to go at least once.
It is now cheaper to hunt in Africa than a guided western hunt in the U.S.
And that is my favorite Lion story!
What a great story. Haven’t hunted yet, though I do want to give it a go. One day, hopefully.
What is wrong with my comment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why is not posted
Tom,
The comments are reviewed/moderated to prevent spam before being posted. ~Dave
What is wrong with my comment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Wish” I had a lion story, but never got to Africa. Could tell you about a few Brown Bear encounters when I lived in Alaska, but it’s not a lion story. Great story, by the way. Bet you had the same brown stains I had after bear charges!
“Wish” I had a lion story, but never got to Africa. Could tell you about a few Brown Bear encounters when I lived in Alaska, but it’s not a lion story. Great story, by the way. Bet you had the same brown stains I had after bear charges!
Would love to tell my Two stories. But I am not a Journalist. Deer and Elk hunting in the Uncompahgre in Colorado.
Best post I’ve read on here in a long time