SCI: What is your most memorable experience with a client?
PC: A Lord Derby eland in Cameroon. Everybody thinks the eland is just an antelope, but the effort and determination are so rewarding when the trophy is finally taken. It starts with the logistics of getting to Cameroon, then to the hunting. Sometimes there are many days of long-distance tracking through one of the roughest terrains in Africa, trying to locate the elands. Then picking a bull and the final shot to bring down the trophy. In hunting, the stories never end. I have hunted with some of the greats such as Peter Capstick and others who are no longer with us.
SCI: Where were you born and raised?
PC: I was born January 17,1969 in Western Province of Zambia in a village called Nakabunze in the Sioma District. I grew up in a family of hunters on my brother’s chicken farm. My grandfather, from Canada, was an ivory hunter. When he was killed by a charging buffalo, my parents, together with my uncles and aunts, were sent to missionaries to be raised. The buffalo actually charged my father who diverted him, but the buffalo hooked my grandfather, inflicting a fatal wound.
SCI: What led you to become a professional hunter?
PC: My father was a PH. He was the first commercial crocodile hunter and also hunted ivory. I followed my father’s profession. When I was small, I had air guns. In secondary school, I learned about safaris. My brother employed a tractor driver to work on his farm. The driver told stories of how he had clients taking dangerous game, including shooting lions. I always asked him questions and his answers excited me and led me to aspire to be a PH.
SCI: What species do you hunt?
PC: Lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, hippo, crocodile and numerous plains game.
SCI: What firearms do you carry on hunts and why?
PC: I started out with a .375. That put me in trouble because on July 4,1999 I was charged by a lion that actually did get to me. I shot the lion in the chest. It did not stop him and there was no time for a second shot. I needed a bigger caliber. I gave my .375 to my brother. I bought myself a .458. I worked hard to get the double and got the Woodleigh soft points. The lion incident occurred on a professional hunt video which can be viewed on YouTube.
SCI: What other activities do you offer? Fishing? Photo tours?
PC: We offer photographic safaris through our partnering associates.
SCI: How many years have you been in business?
PC: My last year of school, I applied for an apprenticeship and was accepted by Lugins of Africa. I went to the camp, got my start and knew that I wanted to be a PH. That was in August 1986. After three years of apprenticeship, in 1989 I got my full license.
SCI: Are you involved in local programs, such as conservation, education and anti-poaching?
PC: Kwalata Safaris has an ongoing anti-poaching campaign. Conservation is our top priority. Programs are in place to protect wildlife in our game areas and sustain natural habitats. Our own scouts do joint patrols with the Wildlife Department scouts. Our efforts have resulted in increased numbers of game and improved trophy quality.
We take community obligations seriously. While operating in the Lower Lupande Block, we have done several projects which include providing safe drinking water for the community. We distribute 50 percent of meat from safari hunting to the local community.
SCI: In what ways are you affiliated with SCI?
PC: I am a Life Member. Attended conventions annually from 1998 as a PH and from 2003 as an outfitter.
SCI: What’s the best piece of hunting advice you ever received and who told it to you?
PC: Best advice I received was from my father. He told me never trust or give your back to the Bush. Always be on the alert in the field as you always are surrounded by danger.
