Originally Posted by
Devilbear
I was told that Mota was a veteran of the Vietnam War, which would make him about my age and, frankly, I seriously doubt that his "bush skills" are anything special. While he may be some hot shit as far as shooting unarmed denizens of a "Third World" nation is concerned, I doubt that he will WANT to tangle with a group of trained BC COs.
Dale Copeland, a former outfitter and one of Thompkin's "head guides" had a confrontation with Mota on a packtrail some years ago and Mota backed down from Copeland. Dale is not a large man and he is, without question, among the best bushmen I have seen in almost sixty years of activities in the BC bush, I doubt that Mota could carry Copeland's jock strap as a real mountain man or best many guys I know in "guerrila" combat.
I supervised several Vietnam combat vets, including a couple of "Green Beanies" in wildfire suppression and I was not overly impressed by their bush abilities; I was VERY impressed by Dale Copeland's skills and I am not exactly a novice. Dale's wife told me of this encounter and of Thompkin's flying Mota's kid out....says a lot for Barry, IMHO.
I rather doubt the comment about the gun store booking for Mota; one of the owners is a friend of his and they have defended him in conversation with me back in the '90s; however, I do not think that they would risk their business by such behaviour and I have known them and dealt with them for almost 30 years.
I might be wrong, but, I suspect that Mota's clientele comes by "word of mouth" just like that other immigrant poacher from the '80s, "Martin" who operated in the same region. He WAS finally forced out of "business", however, I encountered him while in the camp of another packer in that area in 1991; none of these guys impress me very much and the situation needed and still needs regulation.
Mota, seems to be able to "skate" on various charges and decent hunters should pressure Victoria to get this guy deported as immigrants like him do not belong in Canada.