Buzz (Barb's Brother In Law) Is Mauled By Leopard In Africa!!
Unbelievable story of the Great White Hunter vs the cunning Cats of Africa. Buzz is a good friend to many of us in the family. He is part owner of Prairie View Golf course, a farmer North of Nevada, the guy who bought our family pool table and the husband of Barb's sister JoAnn. Buzz  was on his second hunting trip to Namibia, Africa.  He has hunted and mounted numerous species, but this time they tried to mount him.  His safari and hunt lasted 14 days in the wild bush of Africa. On the last day, early in the morning, a leopard was spotted. (no pun intended) Along with a hunting dog (smaller than my cocker spaniel) and a very experienced guide, the leopard was cornered in the thick vegetation. Buzz fired and wounded the big cat.  The dog went running in, then came running out. (I would have had a Great Dane or something along, but I was informed, that there ain't no dog that can handle a big cat)  Then the leopard charged. Buzz took the butt of his gun and whacked the big female, but the leopard was into his right knee. Buzz was spun to the ground (Buzz ain't too small of a guy) The leopard grabbed Buzz by the left leg and started to drag him away.  Leopard's take their kill up into trees and finish them off. (They can drag twice their body weight into the trees) In the nick of time, the guide shot the leopard right off of Buzz.  The gun butt used to hit the leopard was stuck in the cat's teeth, broken.....Buzz bled pretty good and was taken to a hospital.  Word of the story spread by radio. It was the first time this wildlife refuge type ranch had ever had a mauling.  Most people go there to take pictures. I kind of laughed at the account in the paper until Buzz came over with the other Charlsons last weekend and showed the scars and pictures. (He is still limping around) Buzz plans to go back again, but not for anymore leopards. He announced that his golf game will not be affected. Posters are being put around Nevada saying......Buzz, The Other White Meat......complete with pictures, but Man, what a story. The leopard will be mounted in Buzz's basement, right over the old pool table. What a story. I think the cat should be mounted with a leg or boot sticking out of it's mouth or something. (Addams family?) Anyway it's a happy ending. There is an overabundance of leopards in this area and hunting is permitted, but regulated and expensive.