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Some leopards don’t change their spots

Some readers of the AHG monthly seem to be unaware of the danger of wasting precious time and money on buying dodgy hunts. And yet another email “promo” from a well-known bargain-basement booking agent arrived in my computer this week.

I feel it is necessary to repeat my concerns about the reality when such a deal is offered.

This promo was from the same chap who, when Botswana opened elephant hunting, was offering discount elephant hunts to foreigners that were citizen hunts, which was illegal. I brought it to his attention to save him from the danger of what lay ahead. He then switched to selling cheap elephants in Zimbabwe, exclaiming what a great deal this now was. Fast forward a little and his ‘connected-to-the-President’s outfitter’ fell apart, deposits needed refunding. He then switched back to selling Botswana elephants, this time legally, now publicly berating Zimbabwe as some dodgy place to operate. This is despite the record of Zimbabwe’s hunting, and without him admitting to using the wrong ‘outfitter’ there. In the early days, when I was helping (like the things I mentioned about Botswana), he was advocating Afton as THE place to stay. Now he says the opposite and supports an alternate lodge.

In this week’s promo, he’s selling “All In” leopard safaris at prices that are eye-wateringly cheap, (word used advisedly).

Just last week, a hunter spent the day at Afton after an unsuccessful Namibian leopard hunt. The hunt was arranged by his South African PH/outfitter, and he proudly told me that despite spending half the time sitting through the night in a blind and the other half hunting with the aid of dogs, he had no luck. They found one animal, but the hunter was unsuccessful.

Leopard, in my humble opinion, should never be guaranteed, but rather sold on a daily rate and trophy fee basis – respecting the nature of such a safari. In this hunter’s instance, the outfitter has the cash, thank you, the hunter’s disappointed, but completely unaware that hunting at night in Namibia for half his safari, and with dogs for the other half is illegal.

So, this advert below – from the bargain-basement booking agent talking about hunting over the new moon as the best time to hunt this leopard – prompted my message. Hey, I might be totally wrong, and perhaps it has nothing to with hunting at night. Who knows. But given the source, if I were a betting man, I know what I’d do.

CANCELATION NAMIBIA LEOPARD HUNT - 2024 ONLY!

Currently 4 cats on bait! $13,000

Recommended prime dates over the new moon: Aug 27 - Sept 9, 2024 (The original dates that were booked), Sept 26 - Oct 9, 2024 (I will also be in camp hunting cheetah and spotted hyena).

Namibia must be one of the greatest countries to visit. The countryside, the people, climate, and wildlife experience are extraordinary. Their conservation record is huge. They do not need to rely on misinformation to attract visitors. It sours things for all the great outfitters and agents who are genuinely doing good. We’re here to offer the facts and suggest ways for you to mitigate disappointment, to save your time and money.

Find out who the outfitter is. Check he has an MEFT (Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism) approved permit to hunt and the hunt is taking place where the permit is issued for. Ask to see and get a copy of the permit. Check if it is valid for day or night hunts and /or with dogs. Just be aware of the risk you are running if you opt for that style of hunt – because it happens, and people just keep quiet.

I know it is a delicate subject, with a lot of internal debates about what should be the way forward - between the main hunting association (NAPHA), M.E.T (Ministry) and the outfitters, (many, but not all, of whom) are members of NAPHA. The fact that leopards should be able to be hunted at night – like in the rest of southern Africa – is, for me, a no brainer. Dogs, well that is even more contentious. These are both the topic for another article, and I plan to bring in a range of people, way more competent than me, to deliver the arguments. But for now – all I say is, understand what you’re in for and check things out.

Regards,

Richard Lendrum

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Who are the African Dawn Outfitters?

The African Dawn Program is about promoting hunting in Africa, not just through what we publish, but with the outfitters’ cooperation in this program… and it is for your peace of mind.

International travel consumes two precious commodities – personal time and money. And when you are a hunter, things can get tricky when there are further considerations like rules, regulations, details and differences between each country and their species. It is important to have a good outfitter, and whether it is your next hunting safari, or your first one, there are many outfitters to choose from. In fact, there are over 500, so how do you find a reliable one, the one that is right for you?

To help you, we decided to promote and work with approximately 10% of this continent-wide group of outfitters. We have listed a limited number of an esteemed group of established and reputable African outfitters and they can be found in this Catalogue. To familiarize yourself with this list, we also offer monthly publications, and monthly trophy gallery posts (Trophies Fresh from the Veld). To ensure you receive these updates, sign up www.africanhuntinggazette.com.

If you are an agent looking for an outfitter to represent, you’ll be safe contacting one of these outfitters.

If you are researching for your next safari, be sure to contact any one of listed outfitters directly. It will support them and save you money by booking with them. Please tell them that it was by them being an African Dawn Member that contributed to the decision.

Our website www.africanhuntinggazette.com has a detailed overview of them all, and you know where to contact me if you need to know anything more.

For now, just enjoy the read.

Richard Lendrum - Publisher African Hunting Gazette

[email protected]

2024 African Dawn Members

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