The Last Ivory Hunter, Peter Hathaway Capstick

I have read most of Capstick’s books, I intend to do a review of the others as well.  He is a good writer in my opinion and his story telling reminds me of Hemingway and Ruark when it comes to African hunting literature. 

The Last Ivory Hunter is a true story about Wally Johnson who was an ivory hunter in Mozambique and Botswana.  Wally began his hunting career at the tender age of 14 back in 1928 and continued his career as a professional hunter until the age of 70.  This is quite remarkable as the life expectancy of people in the business of hunting dangerous game is short.  In his book Capstick details many of Wally’s brushes with death as he survives a bite from a Gaboon viper, buffalo gorings , floods,  disease, armed standoffs with poachers, and fleeing the communist revolutionaries during Mozambique’s 1975 revolution. 

Wally’s favorite rifle is of interest to me as it is the same model and caliber that I took to Africa on my first and many subsequent trips.  He purchased a Winchester Model 70 chambered for .375 Holland & Holland Magnum made in December 1938 in Winchester’s New Haven factory and would be one of just 438 Winchester Model 70’s made between 1937 – 1939.  He used this rifle to hunt elephants with which is considered the minimum cartridge to hunt big dangerous game like elephants.  I purchased a Winchester Model 70 chambered in .375 H&H magnum back in 2003, mine being a stainless steel and synthetic stock version.  On every trip I have taken to Africa with it my professional hunter has tried to purchase it from me.  I cannot part with it, it is one of my favorite rifles.  I have used it for hunting plains game.  I opted for a .470 nitro double rifle for dangerous game, however I would not hesitate to use the Model 70 for buffalo, lion and leopard.    

I recommend reading this book, as well as all of Capstick’s books.  He is a great writer and the story of Wally Johnson is full of adventure and is about a time in Africa that is long past.