A few months ago, we reached out to hunters around the world with an urgent call — man-eating crocodiles were threatening the lives of families and their livestock living along the banks of the Kavango River in Namibia.
One hunter, David from Northeast Oklahoma, answered that call. What followed was a challenging, high-stakes hunt with real impact for the local community — and this is his story:
“What started as just another email on a mundane Monday turned into a journey of a lifetime. Andy Buchanan, a name well-known around these parts, sent an invitation too intriguing to dismiss—a hunt in Namibia to manage some ‘problem’ crocs. At first, I had no intention of going but thought, ‘What the heck? Let’s just see what it’s about’ and emailed back anyway. But the idea had taken root. After some family talks and employer negotiations, the decision was made: Africa, here I come!
Now, lemme tell ya. Not being seasoned in the art of international travel, those long layovers were gnawing at me. Andy’s sage advice saw me through, suggesting hotel rest stops in Frankfurt, Germany. The flight itself was long, but before I knew it, there I was, determined in Namibia. Andy’s transparency about the hunt was a blessing—it was no usual hunting trip for trophies but a government-sanctioned mission to remove some serious predators causing mayhem to the locals who had not only lost their livestock, but human lives as well.
I met my guide, Francois, who humored me with stories and easy conversation on our long drive to camp. We arrived at the lodge in the afternoon, checked in, and rested before heading out for a quick recon. That evening we shared a great dinner and planned the hunt. The next day we went into town to buy bait — cow parts and guts the crocodiles love. Watching the locals haggle over items we would normally throw away was eye-opening, a reminder of how differently things work in other parts of the world.
With Francois, Peter the tracker, and a government scout from a nearby village, we set the blind and bait. The scout went above and beyond to help us — those crocodiles were threatening his community, too. On our first reconnaissance, we set bait, hoping to lure these cunning beasts in broad daylight.
Our first attempt was hair-raising. The croc was a sly one, lingering in the water. Still, I took the shot and, well… missed. Let’s just call it ‘buck fever’—an ailment that hits when you’re a stone’s throw from a legendary predator. The team’s spirits didn’t falter, and their resilience was humbling. Francois reminded me that even seasoned hunters can stumble before they soar.
Our second attempt introduced us to our nemesis—the Man-eater of Makore, a croc whose legend loomed larger than life. Tension mounted as we set up. When it surfaced, its monstrous size was daunting, but my aim was true. I had brained him, but his nerves weren’t done, and his massive body wriggled away into the depths. We couldn’t find him that day. I’ll be honest with you, I was unsure of myself after my first miss, but Francois assured me he’s gonna come up. We’re gonna find him. He’s dead… Two days later, the 14ft beast floated to the surface and was claimed, and a village liberated.
Word spread fast. Within half an hour, dozens of villagers gathered, grateful and relieved to see the animal that had terrorized them for years finally gone. It was incredibly humbling to be thanked, hugged, and treated like a hero — I’m just an ordinary guy from northeast Oklahoma, but I truly felt God allowed me to be part of something meaningful. To see the joy of those who had lived in fear was beyond any trophy.
Our success earned us new allies, and soon, another challenge loomed. Another village, another rogue crocodile wreaking havoc and we took that one out as well — smaller, but clearly dangerous, even carrying a handmade arrow in its hide.
Along the way we had tense moments with hippos, threatening to turn our boat into a chew toy. Francois handled it with calm and courage, and with some quick action, we steered clear of disaster. An experience I will never forget.
Our hunt ended with triumph, three problematic crocodiles removed, and communities breathing easier.
We even had the opportunity to take in some tiger fishing escapades—a thrill of its own—and through it all, formed bonds more enduring than the thickest hide.
In the end, what was a client relationship blossomed into friendships built on respect and shared adventure. If there’s one thing I’ll carry with me from this experience, it’s that the spirit of the hunt is as much about camaraderie as it is about conquest.
So if you ever get the chance to email Andy Buchanan, consider what lies ahead—an adventure in the wilds with real stakes and untold stories. Who knows, you might just bring back a tale to enthrall like I hope mine has today.”
