SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT
And I sit back and say geez; all I`m trying to do is be the best I can be. So let`s address some of the, let`s say, misinformation.
1) I am not a wannabe actor. I still consider myself an honest truthful journalist. Journalists don`t act or re-create the truth, but a lot of people I see on the hunting channels do just that.
2) I didn`t make up the conflict in the Fire & Ice DVD to generate greater sales. As I explained above, I don`t fabricate. My hunts are genuine.
3) I do miss rifle shots.
4) A group of trackers in Zambia gave me the name "Bwana Moja" and since then it has stuck. African PH`s refer to me as such more than anyone else.
A good friend of mine, who is a New York police investigator, would rather me not even address this stuff, saying the malcontents are bred of professional jealousy, but I think it`s time I come clean with, what really makes me tick, hopefully to set the record straight. So thus this write-up.
There is a certain brash and swagger to some of the edited hunt sequences, but that`s by design. Why, because as a hunter, I believe that you should reward yourself, when you do something correct. You all, being your own worst critics, come down hard on yourselves when you make an error or a missed shot. Correct? So why not take a "pat on the back", when you do something right? That`s positive energy that needs to build throughout the hunt. And I don`t know about you but if you ask me, I`m all into building positive energy throughout the course of a safari, instead of the other kind. So our editor likes to include the high fives, the "Bwana Moja!" tributes, the fist bumps and the Olympic gold medal music, because that`s the positive.
I am not suggesting that hunters take the risks that I`m taking and attempt the unusual shots that I make. In fact, I`ve gone to great lengths to say "Don`t do that." The verbal disclaimers are always done, whenever I feel a viewer watches a segment and says, "Hey, how`d he do that? I think I wanna try that."
Because what we do involves a living species, there are ethical standards; as hunters we must adhere to and I`m always mindful of that. I have never made what could be described as a risky shot, and wounded or lost an animal, ever. I don`t gamble with animal life. I have lost wounded animals, just like every hunter has, and you can imagine the beating and hazing I administer to myself, when such happens. It is not a pretty sight. I`ve included misses in my videos and have even done a shooting tips capsule on what to do, when you do miss shots.
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