March/April 2014 – Newsletter
Obviously we cannot ignore the elephant in the room. On the 4th of April United States Fish and Wildlife Service announced that they would be suspending the import of all elephant products in to the United States.
Obviously this announcement has rocked the hunting industry in Zimbabwe (and Tanzania) due to the far reaching implications this suspension is likely to have. Sport hunting in Zimbabwe generates a large portion of the country’s income and employment that directly benefits the conservation of all wildlife including elephant. Without this one can only guess the possible outcomes.
We have contacted each of our clients individually who could be affected by this and we will keep them updated regularly – however we are hopeful that the suspension will be lifted once we have been able to discuss the various points at the meeting with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service in Washington D.C on the 8th of May 2014 and the pending court case between S.C.I and USFWS. As soon as we know anything definitive either way we will let everyone know immediately.
We have begun our hunting season in earnest now and despite very good, late rains, the hunting has been good. In the North of Zimbabwe in Chirundu, Professional Hunter Johan Bezuidenhout guided Vera on a successful buffalo bull hunt. The thick bush and abundance of water proved challenging for the hunting party – but in the end Verra’s persistence and determination paid off. Weidmansheil Vera on a fantastic buffalo!! (pictured above left). Vera also collected a few plainsgame species including zebra (pictured above centre) and impala before a few days of relaxation and boating on the Zambezi River.
As part of the same group, Professional Hunter Bert Keightley guided Christof and his wife Nikki on a plainsgame hunt, also in Chirundu. Nikki and Christof collected an excellent waterbuck (pictured above right), impala and baboon on this trip. They accompanied Vera regularly when she was hunting her buffalo and had some fantastic elephant sightings and to round it all off shooting some of the local game birds provided some great entertainment.
Down in the south-east, Dennis and Travis were guided by Jannie Meyer on their elephant/buffalo hunt. The inclement weather and lack of substantial day time movement of elephant in to the area made for a very challenging hunt. Several bulls were located but none were of the
quality that Dennis was looking for. Gonarezhou can produce very high quality elephants but it can also be just as fickle!! Travis, however, on his first trip to Africa managed to rack up an impressive bag including two buffalo cows (one pictured above centre), a buffalo bull (pictured above left), two impala (one pictured above right) and a zebra. Stalking buffalo in thick vegetation proved to be exciting – but thanks to Travis’ fine shooting-not too exciting!! His positive attitude and unending supply of humour added priceless value to the hunt and ensured that a good time was had by all. Thanks Travis and Dennis we’re looking to welcoming you back in a few weeks !!!!
We look forward to all of our forthcoming hunts and extend an especially warm welcome back to Marc who is returning-but this time with his daughter for her first African Safari – good luck to both of you!!!