14Nov05

Baboon encounter, from a student in SA:

"Last week, I went bicycle riding on a trail in the local conservan cy. No firearms are allowed in the park, of course. However, like all stupid, grasseater rules, this one is universally ignored by all who have a lick of common sense!

I carried a small, Taurus 357Mg revolver, loaded with CCI snake shot. Puff

Adders are extremely poisonous, but lethargic. They don't quickly slither away as do most snakes, so it is not uncommon to inadvertently walk up on o ne. I carry the revolver mostly for that eventuality, but I have, in addition,

two speed-loaders, charged with 125gr Cor-Bon HPs, in my pocket. Good thin g, as it turns out!

I stopped for brunch near a stream. After removing my helmet and other gear , I noticed a large, male baboon approaching in a menacing manner. Often fed

by the uninformed, baboons quickly lose their fear of humans and become aggressive and dangerous, far more than just a nuisance. I drew my revolve r and yelled at him. No response. He kept coming directly toward me. I then fi red two shots at him at a range of twenty feet. He was temporarily stunned, bu t shook it off and continued to close the remaining distance between us.

I suddenly remembered that my revolver was loaded with snake-shot. Grabbin g a speed-loader, I ejected the remaining snake-shot rounds and quickly reloaded with the HPs. Firing immediately, one of my two shots hit the big male in the neck. I don't know where the other went. The bullet that did hit him, fully expanded, blew out his cervical spine. He was DRT when his fell, lifeless, mere feet away from me.

I reported the incident to the resident park ranger. He didn't seem too worried, and baboons are pests here, and one fewer doesn't concern anyone.

I'm lucky to be unhurt. Glad I learned, through many repetitions, t o reload the revolver quickly. Glad I was armed when I needed to be!"

Comment: This woman is alive and healthy today, because she ignored ignorant, prejudicial, anti-guns laws and did what any sane person would. She was ready to courageously confront danger when it needed to be. Good show!

/John