The “White Hunter”

There can be no doubt that the best ‘white hunters’ are born with certain gifts and instincts which cannot be acquired by learning from others, or even through long experience, and without this natural aptitude, no hunter, no matter how many years he has been in the field, will ever reach the topmost grade. The most successful hunters in the field today (1957) are those who were raised in the bush, or on outlying farms where game is plentiful, and they have thus had every chance ;encouragement to start their hunting days at an early age. They have had ample opportunity of studying nature practically, thereby learning and even absorbing unconsciously, a first-hand knowledge of bush-craft, whilst seeing I hey arc brought up with the African they learn both to understand him and speak his languages fluently.

There are many persons who consider the hunting profession to be nil milk and honey crowned with romance and glory, and they often imagine that as long as a fellow is a good rifle shot he will make a good ‘while hunter’. They little realize the main qualifications required, which arc many and varied.

The hunter must be a bit of a diplomat. He must be able to adapt himself to all circumstances, mix well with all types, and at times turn peacemaker, preventing heated arguments. He must also be a bit of a psychologist, able to understand the different types of mentalities varying so widely with each individual, variations which can become marked to the extreme during safari. ‘It is just as important to keep a client happy and amused as it is to provide him with good sport, for after all, most sportsmen come out here to have a grand holiday and quite often trophies are merely a secondary consideration. If the client wishes to stay up until midnight drinking or playing cards after a hard day’s hunt, it is up to the ‘white hunter’ to join in, and if at that late hour the former has had a little too much to drink, it is up to the latter to put his client to bed (but it should never be vice versa).

Bali- The White Hunter

A ‘white hunter’ must be a first class organiser and he is responsible for the smooth running of the safari. In addition to being the captain of the ship, he is his own adjutant and quartermaster as well. All the tentage, equipment, stores and a hundred other items must be checked before leaving and loaded onto vehicles, all under his super¬vision and he must also, of course, see to the establishment and dismantling of the camp. A sufficient supply of gasoline, stores, truck spares, and food and drinks according to the client’s tastes are the hunter’s responsibility. It would be a sad day for the hunter if ever the whisky supply ran out, or the safari staff went short of rations. The discipline and welfare of all the safari servants requires patience and much attention, and in order to get the best out of his employees, he (the hunter) must thoroughly understand the mental-ilty of the African and talk his language fluently. ‘He must be able to do repair jobs, to keep his trucks on the road. ‘He must diagnose complaints and administer cures to his clients, must be able to use a hypodermic needle and dress wounds. In short, he must be prepared for any emergency. Every well organised safari carries a medicine chest containing essential drugs and first aid outfit,so that it is the professional hunter’s duty to know what each drug is for and its correct doses.

Good catering plays an important part on every safari, for most people enjoy good food, especially during vacation. ‘Sometimes visiting sportsmen bring out the most expensive and intricate still and movie cameras – with no knowledge of their operation. It is up to the ‘white hunter’ to know a great deal about cameras. Very often he is called upon to repair cameras and firearms in the field, and to do other handy jobs which under ordinary circumstances would demand the attention of an expert. ‘The proper handling of trophies in the field is of great importance. ‘He must know too all the best game areas where the client stands the greatest chance of collecting trophies, and must have a thorough knowledge of the country in which he hunts’.

One of the golden rules in professional hunting is to see that the game laws are very strictly and rigidly enforced. These laws are made to keep the great sport of big game hunting clean. The game laws forbid any person to approach in a motor vehicle to within 500 yards of any game animal for the purpose of hunting, killing or capturing. No person may shoot any game from a motor vehicle or to within 200 yards of it.
‘The East African Professional Hunters’ Association was formed in 1934 in order to bring together the recognised professional hunters of East Africa with the following main objectives: To institute and secure the general adoption of a high and sports¬manlike conception of wildlife and of the hunting of game. ‘Consistently with the practice of the profession of hunting, to promote and assist in the preservation of the fauna and flora of Eastern Africa and to keep the sport of big game hunting clean. To collaborate with the officers of the Game Department and Administration Services in Eastern Africa; to assist them in the execution of their duties in regard to the preservation of fauna and flora generally.

From the book of Jan Hensing- Ker&Downey Safaris (The Inside Story)