Pursuit of a Hunter: Photos and Tales from Four Continents Where Dreams and Memories Became a Reality

By Butch Meilinger

After keeping a diary during 58 years of hunting and fishing, and being encouraged by others to publicly document his adventures, he has now released this book. Butch's passion resulted in becoming a Professional Hunting Consultant and organizing over 2000 hunts world wide for Clients over the past 33 years. Butch has the rare distinction of being the only person in the World to take Africa's "Dangerous 7" with a Crossbow.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Dec 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9781684713592

Book preview

MEILINGER

Copyright © 2019 Butch Meilinger.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-6847-1488-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6847-1359-2 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 11/27/2019

After keeping a diary during 58 years of hunting and fishing, and being encouraged by others to publicly document his adventures, he has now released this book. Butch’s passion resulted in becoming a Professional Hunting Consultant and organizing over 2000 hunts world wide for Clients over the past 33 years. Butch has the rare distinction of being the only person in the World to take Africa’s Dangerous 7 with a Crossbow.

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Dangerous Game Crossbow Hunting

Butch became interested in hunting & fishing at a young age, by having to help put food on the table. At age 19 he had acquired fine outdoor skills, and then enlisted in the USMC, where he gained additional skills as a Combat infantryman. Butch learned tracking, concealment and stealth skills while in the jungles of Southeast Asia. Butch has taken over 175 species world wide, of which 93 are Record Book worthy.

Introduction

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Photos and Tales from Four Continents where Dreams and Memories became a Reality

As a young boy, I became interested in hunting and fishing at an early age. It of course started small, but my dreams were always to seek new challenges in faraway lands one only reads about. My itch for the new horizons grew as I did.

At nineteen years old I joined the United States Marine Corps in 1966, nine months after graduating High School. Five months later, I was in Viet Nam as a Marine Infantryman. I believe to this day that my experience in hunting, fishing and the outdoors helped me to survive in that environment.

My knowledge grew in tracking, concealment and stealth in the triple canopy of South East Asia jungles. Fortunately, I made it back. Not unscathed, but with additional knowledge in the bush where it really mattered.

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my family and friends who know how important it is for me to be able to follow the path I chose.

I have worked hard throughout my life and I play hard also. Given a second chance at survival, I have been on borrowed time since my Medivac in Vietnam ended my jungle fighting.

The following stories I owe to my Father who got me outdoors at a young age. He also suggested I keep a log or journal about my times in nature.

My Wife Eran, for putting up with me for over 47 years and understanding how important Hunting is to me.

My Son Brian, who I have nurtured and have had accompany me on a lot of adventures over the years.

Also, to all the fantastic People I have met in the Hunting & Fishing community.

Finally, to the many outfitters and friends which I put my trust in and shared a night around the campfire.

One more note to the Friends of mine…and they know who they are. Thanks for all the inquiries and jokes.

A special thank you to my good friend Dave Francavilla, for helping me get this off the ground.

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1962 – First Big Game

The Beginning

In October 1962, it was the opening day of New Jersey Archery Season. I am still hunting late in the morning, working my way slowly down a ridge. There is a grassy field off to my left when I momentarily see some small movement. I froze in place…and I am staring through the waist-high grass. I then see a tail flick and make out a doe deer feeding. She is about 25 yards away and I wait until she puts her head down to feed. I draw back the 40-pound glass recurve bow and release an arrow. My point of aim was just behind the shoulder. At impact, the doe jumps about two feet in the air and takes off. I followed the trail in the grass and went about 45 yards, when I found her. I drug her out to the back of a Bar’s parking lot. I called home and told my Father to come get me. I told him I was done hunting. About 35 minutes later he drove into the parking lot. I motioned him to drive to the back. I’ll never forget the look on his face when I drug that deer out of the grass. He couldn’t believe that I was successful. He asked me to tell him the story, and I did. He was still shaking his head as we loaded it up on the car. At 15 years old, this becomes the beginning of adventures that will span 58 years of Hunting & Fishing around the world. I was never prouder than on that crisp October day. When I got home, my Father called the Sports Editor of the Easton Express and they sent a photographer to the house. The photo was in the newspaper the next morning. The caption in the paper read… Young Hunter takes first Deer.

Hunting the Canadian Provinces & Territories

Quebec’s North shore and Labrador

I go North this year by driving, flying and train to Canada’s Northern Area. Looking for the Quebec Labrador barren ground Caribou. This Animal has very impressive head ware in the deer family. On the third day I see three Bulls coming below me and access my area. I chose the last Bull as I had a partner about 500 yards to my left and was hoping, after my shot they would continue towards him. One shot from the Weatherby .270 magnum with 130 grain soft point did the job from about 200 yards away. He is a very good Caribou with a 50 ½" spread. I later find out he scored #10 in the Safari Club International Record Book.

There was a lot of traveling to get to this hunt. We drive for 24 hours, then take a ferry for six hours. Finally, a train ride for 8 hours and a 35-minute bush plane flight. In the end it was a great Northern experience. Also got to catch some Arctic Char and Grayling, along with Lake Trout. We made soup and chowder out of the fish. We also took about eight Ptarmigan on the hunt and prepared them as well. Nothing wrong with a little Surf & Turf!

On this hunt we were pounded with sixteen inches