Posted by John Launstein on September 9, 2014 at 4:19 PM
Hi NPN'ers - I wanted to share with you some sad news I received last night.
A friend of mine and fellow outdoor enthusiast lost his life while hunting sheep in Kananaskis Country, Alberta--about 2hrs N/NW of my home and approximately an hour SW of Banff (this region was covered in a recent article on NPN as a great location for photography). He was an extremely competent outdoorsman, who was also a passionate nature photographer that owned and operated a gallery for a short time north of Calgary. He and I shared pictures and experiences back and forth from time to time, and he was a great encourager of Jenaya and her photography. He went sheep hunting on Saturday, and wildlife officials say he simply walked into the wrong place at the wrong time, encountering a mother grizzly with a cub that were guarding or feeding on a cached mule deer carcass. He was initially reported missing after failing to return at the appointed time on Saturday night, and the family notified authorities immediately who began searching through one of the first snowfalls of the season here. We received news of his disappearance yesterday, and then the news broke last night of his passing. He leaves behind his wife and three children. He will be missed by all who knew him.
There's so much I could say by way of eulogy to a man who lived life with tremendous passion and love for people, investing his life in impacting the next generation and bringing relief to those in need, but in this context I wanted to share this as a reminder to be careful and take nothing for granted as we spend time in wild places with wild animals doing what we love. As a wildlife photographer and former fly fishing outfitter in the Canadian Rockies, I know how easy it is to get absorbed in the moment or the experience and lose caution. If, like me, you are blessed to live in an area with bears, please learn all you can from competent sources about bear behaviour and best practices for when you head into the field.
With a heavy heart...
Posted by Lon Sharp on September 9, 2014 at 5:28 PM
So sorry, John, for the sadness this creates for your family and of course for his. Let it be a reminder to all of us to live fully aware in the moment, savoring the experience.
John, the loss of anyone as a family member, coworker, or friend is a sad time and can be heart breaking. I'm very sorry to hear of your friends tragic death and the pain his family is facing now.
As a So Cal kid I did not know what wild bears could do, until one morning sleeping in a remote fish camp site while working on the DEW line in Alaska in the late 60's. Although I was armed I was not ready for the massive power of the 3 year old grizzly male who peeled the front door open with his claws. Thankfully I was with a seasoned hunter who was able to take it out with 3 rounds from a 30.06. I will never forget my fear being woken by the noise. It was totally a defensive move on the part of the hunter and we were all thankful we escaped without anyone being injured.
Posted by Kurt Bowman on September 10, 2014 at 12:04 AM
Sorry for the loss of your friend John. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Posted by Nancy de Flon on September 10, 2014 at 7:37 AM
That's terrible, John. May your friend rest in peace. Condolences to you and to his family.
Posted by Howard Cheek on September 10, 2014 at 8:53 AM
So sorry to hear of your loss John, it sounds like he was a good friend.
Words can't express the sadness you must feel...
My sincere condolences.
Posted by John Tobias on September 10, 2014 at 11:13 AM
Sorry at the loss of your friend, my thoughts are with his family.
No words can express how sorry I am. My prayers are with you and his family to help them cope with this horrible accident.
Posted by Keith Bauer on September 10, 2014 at 4:09 PM
John:
What a sad, tragic event. Of course I'm very sorry to hear how this is affecting you and your family and the family of your friend.
Our thoughts & prayers will be with you.
sorry at the loss of your friend,my thoughts are with his family.
Posted by Eva McDermott on September 10, 2014 at 9:05 PM
So sorry to hear this tragic news John. My condolences to you and your friend's family.
Posted by David Bostedo on September 10, 2014 at 11:49 PM
Very sorry to hear that John. My condolences.
Posted by Ken Smith on September 11, 2014 at 12:05 PM
So sorry for your loss, but, the searing anguish and depth of pain for his wife and children are beyond words. My prayers are for all to go forward a day at a time.
Posted by Jim Zablotny on September 11, 2014 at 7:06 PM
Sorry about your friend. Nature can be brutal sometimes.......................Jim
Posted by Ken Archer on September 12, 2014 at 7:22 AM
So sad to hear this tragic news about your friend John. My thoughts and prayers are with yours and his family.
Ken
Posted by Gary Reed on September 12, 2014 at 7:10 PM
Posted by John Launstein on September 13, 2014 at 12:03 AM
Thank you for all your notes of condolence and support. While I did not express this adequately in my initial post, all our thoughts and prayers are with my friend's family and loved ones. Many are saddened by this tragedy, but it is his family who have been impacted the most. I'm headed up to Calgary tomorrow to participate in a Celebration of Life for my friend, but one always feels so inept and inadequate at providing tangible support in times like these.
Posted by Karen Kane on September 13, 2014 at 12:18 AM
Well said John. Bit of a small world, Rick came up in conversation at work this week too. My co-workers all know the area where he lost his life is a place I frequent as well - so that opened the door for conversation with one of them.
When Rick started the gallery at Cross Iron Mills I actually contacted him. His business model was to try and give artists and photographers who did not have gallery representation a way to show their work in a retail setting. My co-worker who started the conversation has a daughter adopted from Haiti - turns out he also has two adopted children through the same organization. So they were like extended family to each other.
Tragic event, sad time. Thoughts and prayers for you, his family and loved ones.
Discussion
17 repliesA friend of mine and fellow outdoor enthusiast lost his life while hunting sheep in Kananaskis Country, Alberta--about 2hrs N/NW of my home and approximately an hour SW of Banff (this region was covered in a recent article on NPN as a great location for photography). He was an extremely competent outdoorsman, who was also a passionate nature photographer that owned and operated a gallery for a short time north of Calgary. He and I shared pictures and experiences back and forth from time to time, and he was a great encourager of Jenaya and her photography. He went sheep hunting on Saturday, and wildlife officials say he simply walked into the wrong place at the wrong time, encountering a mother grizzly with a cub that were guarding or feeding on a cached mule deer carcass. He was initially reported missing after failing to return at the appointed time on Saturday night, and the family notified authorities immediately who began searching through one of the first snowfalls of the season here. We received news of his disappearance yesterday, and then the news broke last night of his passing. He leaves behind his wife and three children. He will be missed by all who knew him.
There's so much I could say by way of eulogy to a man who lived life with tremendous passion and love for people, investing his life in impacting the next generation and bringing relief to those in need, but in this context I wanted to share this as a reminder to be careful and take nothing for granted as we spend time in wild places with wild animals doing what we love. As a wildlife photographer and former fly fishing outfitter in the Canadian Rockies, I know how easy it is to get absorbed in the moment or the experience and lose caution. If, like me, you are blessed to live in an area with bears, please learn all you can from competent sources about bear behaviour and best practices for when you head into the field.
With a heavy heart...
As a So Cal kid I did not know what wild bears could do, until one morning sleeping in a remote fish camp site while working on the DEW line in Alaska in the late 60's. Although I was armed I was not ready for the massive power of the 3 year old grizzly male who peeled the front door open with his claws. Thankfully I was with a seasoned hunter who was able to take it out with 3 rounds from a 30.06. I will never forget my fear being woken by the noise. It was totally a defensive move on the part of the hunter and we were all thankful we escaped without anyone being injured.
Words can't express the sadness you must feel...
My sincere condolences.
What a sad, tragic event. Of course I'm very sorry to hear how this is affecting you and your family and the family of your friend.
Our thoughts & prayers will be with you.
Keith
Ken
When Rick started the gallery at Cross Iron Mills I actually contacted him. His business model was to try and give artists and photographers who did not have gallery representation a way to show their work in a retail setting. My co-worker who started the conversation has a daughter adopted from Haiti - turns out he also has two adopted children through the same organization. So they were like extended family to each other.
Tragic event, sad time. Thoughts and prayers for you, his family and loved ones.