The Last Ivory Hunter: The Saga of Wally Johnson

This was a great read. It reminded me of sitting around the camp fire at elk camp with my father and grandfather listening to stories of the past. Capstick did the world a favor by writing down these stories so we could hear them. So many stories from people like this just disappear never to be remembered. To them they are just another day on the job and most of the time they don’t think anyone would want to hear them.I would recommend this book to anyone interested in hunting, African history, adventure, or survival. It covers a wide variety of interests. It is amazing what men like this have done.

Good book for the safari enthusiast with a historical perspective on one of the most successful hunters of the 20th century. Not the best all around safari book but still fascinating.The ending describing the seizure of Johnson's property and possessions by "freedom fighters" is a sobering reminder about the influence communist countries have had in causing massive suffering and murders in African countries the past 60 years thru civil wars in the names of "freedom" and "independence." The Marxists are continuing a slow entrenchment in the US Democratic Party with confessed Marxists such as Bernie Sanders and AOC who ultimately want the US to be a one party socialist state. Be careful US and don't let this happen!

The titular character was a professional hunter in Mozambique and the author interviewed him about his life in order to write a book about it. This work is very disjointed, with frequent unnecessary interjections by Capstick about his personal opinions on this or that. The episodes with big game are the least interesting part of the book by far, though the work is redeemed somewhat by the non-hunting related chapters. Overall somewhat disappointing, as there are much better titles out there.

Takes you to an Africa that no longer exists -- when there were so many elephant, there were few restrictions on hunters. I won't rehash what has happened since as this book is about (what I see) the rise and peak of Wally's career as a PG. There's lasting bitterness at the Marxist revolt that caused him so much personal loss and the last chapter sadly ends on this downbeat note. (I feel it would not hurt story flow to read that chapter earlier if you want a more upbeat ending.)However, the other chapters are illuminating, exciting and sometimes hysterical as he writes of anecdotes to life encamp. There's the boa who slithered in to a safari vehicle and nights spent smack in the middle of lions with nothing but the walls of the blind between them and the hunters. Collectively these stories pull you off the sofa and put you alongside them. I could not wait to finish my workday and read each chapter. I even rationed it towards the end, as the writing was so fluid I became immersed in his safaris without leaving home.

An amazing but sad story. Fortunes were made and lost but the real treasure lies in the memories. Thank you for the stories!

Capstick and Johnson knew one another by reputation only prior to their meeting while Capstick was on safari and in the company of mutual friends. They hit it off and it was soon agreed that Capstick would write a book about Johnson's very diverse life and career, all to be based on inpromptu recorded conversations and other data. I read it, I enjoyed it, but frankly I was a bit shocked to read of the many instances in which Johnson showed some very poor judgment. in the field. It is a miracle that he wasn't converted to lion poop at a very young age, and he continued to tempt fate throughout his long life. Having said all of this, I must add that anything Capstick writes is always worth reading.

History

Wally Johnson the last of the professional ivory hunters this book while not the complete autobiography does in fact tell the story from his early escapades in Mozambique to when the communist took over you'll read as he takes on poachers including communist guerillas hunts rouge lions and of course elephant hunting. After reading this book you will soon realize that it's not the legal sports hunters and professionals that are at fault for the decimation of the elephant but the out of control market hunting and corruption that encourages poaching that has been going on since Africa started to gain independence from Europe that is the blame.

This book has 213 pages , one map of Mozambique, 24 B/W photos and was published in 1988. Some photos may be said to be gruesome today, like half eaten man by man-eater lion and a lion hanging from his teeth being weighed. "Wally" was born on 8.1.1912 on the high seas between Australia and Durban, South Africa. He had hunted since 1926. 100 lions and 1300 elephants. He last saw his home in 1975, after being thrown out of Mozambique, his home for 50 years. He conducted his last safari in Zambia at the age of 72.In 1957, Wally survives after bitten by a Gaboon Viper. It took him a year to walk properly and hunt again. In 1935, Wally married Lilly, a German nurse and they had 2 children,'Walter jr' and 'erika'. Lilly died in 1968.Wally shoots a man-eater. And there were hardships, freeze at night, broil by day,starving to death or dying of thirst." YOU WOULD DRINK ANYTHING YOU FIND IN THE BUSH". Wally shot one elephant with 3 tusks on one side and another with 5 small tusks on one side." AFRICA IS OFTEN A CRUEL, UNFORGIVING EXPERIENCE"Some of Wally's clients were, Bob Ruark and Squires. Wally was AFRICAN, he spoke portugese and local languages. His gun bearer and tracker "LUIS" was his mate, but one day he was gone! Africans believe in 'witchcraft' (CUCHUCUCHU or TAGATI), extending to hunting and coming of the rains. Wally's other african name was "NYAMPANDLA" meaning ' bald headed'. He may have shot over 2000 buffalos. One buffalo tosses him and severely wounds his left thigh. Poaching is the greatest threat to wildlife in Africa.Wally tells how at the age of 20 ,he developed malaria and then blackwater fever. After independence of Mozambique in 1975, Wally gets beaten up and thrown out, loosing everything. He gets Botswana citizenship and does safari in Zambia and tries to go to his home in Mozambique (1986), but is not allowed into the country. His daughter and son lived in California.This book is basically short, very interesting stories of Wally Johnson. The author does warn you about the language. Having born in Kenya, I enjoyed reading this book.Read and ENJOY.

A wonderfully written book that captures the intriguing life stories of this amazing big game hunter. A must read for anyone interesred in African hunting.

Thank you Wally for sharing your story. You lived life to the full.What an adventure!! Thanks to author for making this book possible.

The last ivory hunter (I hope) !

Interesting and emotive read, describes a pioneer lifestyle lost to this world. For those interested in game hunting and game conservation this is a must read.