Screwed by US Fish & Wildlife decision

[Frostbit]

WARNING.pdf

"Suspension of Import of Elephant Hunting Trophies Taken in Tanzania and Zimbabwe in 2014."


Although we are booked for 2015 for a Bull Elephant hunt I suspect the ban will be permanent. The USF&W doesn't support hunting much as a means of conservation and during the present administration has taken that stance to a new level.

There's a chance I may be able to change the hunt to a Tuskless Cow Elephant hunt, which is actually many times more dangerous than a Bull Elephant hunt. Tuskless hunts are far less expensive than the Trophy Bull hunts as well. If there are no Tuskless left on quota then we will just go to the Zambezi Valley and enjoy some relaxed plains game hunting during the time we have booked.

[phillygirl]

WARNING.pdf

"Suspension of Import of Elephant Hunting Trophies Taken in Tanzania and Zimbabwe in 2014."


Although we are booked for 2015 for a Bull Elephant hunt I suspect the ban will be permanent. The USF&W doesn't support hunting much as a means of conservation and during the present administration has taken that stance to a new level.

There's a chance I may be able to change the hunt to a Tuskless Cow Elephant hunt, which is actually many times more dangerous than a Bull Elephant hunt. Tuskless hunts are far less expensive than the Trophy Bull hunts as well. If there are no Tuskless left on quota then we will just go to the Zambezi Valley and enjoy some relaxed plains game hunting during the time we have booked.

Can't you still hunt it and not take the trophy home?

[Frostbit]

Can't you still hunt it and not take the trophy home?

Lots of money to not end up with the Ivory

[Novaheart]

Can't you have a professional photograph made and then donate the "trophy" for sale for the benefit of the ELF or something?

[Novaheart]

Lots of money to not end up with the Ivory

Ultimately, you can't take it with you.

[Frostbit]

Ultimately, you can't take it with you.

Sure you can. It's flammable.

[Frostbit]

Can't you have a professional photograph made and then donate the "trophy" for sale for the benefit of the ELF or something?

We will likely have a video made professionally either way. We could also have "replica" tusks made if we did hunt a trophy bull but..... I'd prefer the real thing. Namibia is still open and the Caprivi strip has decent Elephant. We could always do a Tuskless in Zim for 2015 and do Namibia for a Bull sometime later.

Lots of options but the style of Ele hunt I wanted was a traditional tracking hunt and the best area for that is the Zambezi Valley of Zimbabwe.

[Adam]

Sure you can. It's flammable.

[Frostbit]

The sad end result of this USF&W decision is that the money funding anti-poaching in the Safari areas comes from hunting. Most American hunters will not pay the cost of a Trophy Bull Elephant hunt without the opportunity to import the Ivory. The Russians, Aussies and Europeans won't make up the slack.

[scott]

How is this even in the USF&W jurisdiction?

[Adam]

How is this even in the USF&W jurisdiction?

I'm guessing in about the same way that food stamps are in the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture.

[Frostbit]

How is this even in the USF&W jurisdiction?

They are a federal agency without effective oversight. They also enforce the provisions of the Lacey Act. If you think their decision regarding the African Elephant is outside their jurisdiction, I suggest you research what they did to Gibson Guitar over some Brazilian Rosewood and Ebony used in guitar building.

"The Enviro-Gestapo of the Fish and Wildlife Service believes that Gibson may have imported wood from protected forests, such as Madagascar ebony, in order to manufacture its stunningly beautiful guitar frets. Fish and Wildlife agents have harassed Gibson once before concerning its wood, resulting in an ongoing court case "United States of America v. Ebony Wood in Various Forms."

LINK

[Frostbit]

I would ask forum members to please follow this LINK and add their voices to mine denouncing this unilateral decision that ultimately will increase the poaching outside the National Parks.

[Frostbit]

Worth the read!