On Saturday night 11 February 2017 in the Modimole area a person was shot and killed after apparently being mistaken for a warthog. According to media reports a man and a woman went out at about 20h30 to hunt warthog. After hearing a noise the man shot in the direction and upon inspection found that he had shot a person. The police was informed and the man now face a murder charge.
I will not even go into the political implications that will follow as it is a white man who shot a black man. It is the ultimate stupidity to go out at night hear a sound and shoot in the direction of the sound. It is further more stupid to shoot without clearly identifying your target. How is it possible not to distinguish between a human and a warthog. I can go on.
I must admit that I am reacting on the media reports and the information available from that. More information may become available as the case proceeds. I doubt however if anything can change the basic wrong that appear to have been committed and the lesson hunters should learn from this tragic incident.
I do not agree with shooting animals at night and it is for the most part illegal. Only under certain circumstances and with culling permits authorizing night shooting is it allowed by law. It is however widely practiced in South Africa and some people even consider it hunting.
Apart from the obvious danger as the case above illustrates I do not consider it ethical hunting. Any hunter that prescribe to fair chase principles should not take part in such activities. Further more this persons irresponsible action gives the anti gun and anti hunting lobby’s ammunition to use against hunters and sport shooters. Far worse it cost a person his life.
My sincere condolences to the family of the deceased the law will run its course and justice will be served.
Gallie 999 