His clients would say that Taylor was an intense trophy hunter, totally dedicated to producing exceptional results by working `harder and smarter.' When you hunted with Ridge and Cash Taylor Safaris, you left camp before sunup and returned in the dark, and you did it day after day. He held himself and his staff to the highest standards because he felt that his clients deserved only the best. Without fanfare, he also compassionately supported schools, hospitals and gave of himself tirelessly for the Masai people.
Clients would also comment on Taylor's outspoken defense of our hunting heritage and wildlife resources, positions that led, among other things, to his calling for severe cutbacks on lion quotas in Tanzania; and very restrictive hunts and quotas for mule deer in Idaho and western Wyoming after the harsh `92-`93 winter. At the heart of Taylor's beliefs was a passionate conviction that we must defend our hunting heritage and wildlife. Above all, his passing reminds us that life is too short go hunting!
The second person to pass away this spring is 23-year-old Russell Smith, III, son of booking agent and outfitter Russ Smith. He died May 21 from head injuries sustained from an accident. We received the sad news from David Kidder of Kidder Safaris, who is close friends with Russ Smith, II.
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