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[ImpalaAfricansafari]

Just wondering guys, what is the perception that most American hunters have about hunting in Zimbabwe, probably the premier hunting destination in all of Africa? I just took some American clients on a hunt there and being from Zimbabwe was not at all surprised when they realised that all they had read about was nothing but a load of politics...not the outdoors and the incredible scenery and wildlife!

Any thoughts fellas?
arnoldpayne@hotmail.com

cheers
Arnold

[kevin davis]

From my own perspective, I see three main problems in hunting Zimbabwe:

1-many of us do not want to support the current leadership in any way and so will avoid the country. Yes, that affects a lot of other people but so it is.

2-many articles report poaching has decimated the game in some areas, even some of the reserves. Is this true or not?

3-there are some reports of falsely advertised hunts (people who cannot really be Phs in Zimbabwe but cross over anyway and the client is potentially left in the lurch if caught with the goods).

I have seen recent glowing reports from hunters who have been there so the confusion is clouding the potential for hunts there. Personally, I will go to Namibia.

[ImpalaAfricansafari]

The unfortunate thing with anyone avoiding Zim because of the politics is that it is really hurting the workers and their families on these concessions and other hunting areas. In a big way. The outfit that we have will feed the people we employ and in turn support their familes, children included. The moneys generated by hunting do help with wildlife populations, in many a way including keeping areas well managed and free of poachers ( poachers are all over Africa, Nmaibia included ) . When hunters avoid Zimbabwe it makes it hard to maintain all these structures to keep our wildlife populations strong. As far as wildlife populations go, Zimbabwe still has some of the best populations in all categories of Game on the continent. Ever wondered why the South african hunters "STILL" go to do their own hunts in zimbabwe? The law stipulates that poachers can be shot on site in zimbabwe, so even though it may occur on a small scale, wildlife is a great asset to the country. And Zim PH's go through the most gruelling test in all of africa, its easy to find out whether a PH in Zim is legitimate or not....check the Zim Tourism authority for authenticity.........have you ever hunted Zimbabwe?

[kevin davis]

I have never been to Zimbabwe. I have been to Tanzania and Namibia and will return to Namibia next year for leopard, giraffe, and whatever else. Other sites have dealt with this same issue, and the responses were those who would not patronize the country and those who will. We are free to make our choices. I would not completely rule out Zimbabwe, but at this time choose not to go.

[ImpalaAfricansafari]

I was speaking with a client of mine today that I had taken to Africa ( Zim) last month and his brother who also went along had spoken to him and was picking his brain on what he could do to help Africa in general. My reply to him was that there is no answer. Even though we enjoy the beauty that Africa has to offer ( especially Southern africa) there will always be those that do not have and a small elite class of the have's. The everyday guy on the ground in South West Africa ( Namibia), South africa , Botswana., zims ..whatever good hunting destination it might be, has very little. It is a pity that politics make it sound as though the problem for the people of the country is three fold when in actuality they ( all these nations) have always had these difficulties. As a Zimbabwean my job is to encourage hunters to hunt some of the finest trophy animals that all of africa has to offer, make sure that ALL of those involved in the process of conservation are well taken care of and in turn my son and his son will be able to enjoy what incredible beauty and wilderness Zimbabwe has to offer. by the way, the gentlemen i took to Zims took an Impala, Eland ( earlier that day he had come across a herd of about 85 animals and couldn't get a shot at a monster male that was being concealed by the cows!) , Kudu , and a Buffalo that they had wounded and had to track the following day for a good 6 hours. What game have you managed to take in Namibia?
cheers
Arnold : arnoldpayne@hotmail.com

[kevin davis]

Namibia: 5 days-2 kudu. one blue wildebeest, one black wildebeest, warthog, blesbok, springbok, gemsbok, all free range, hunted 12 hours a day

Tanzania: 12 days--2 buffalo (37' and 48"), impala, zebra, gazelle, hartebeest
(i could not get the oryx and kudu as they were not on my license)

What about the articles stating near clearing of game by poachers and the hungry? How much truth is there?

Is the hunting like Namibia? If you see it, you can shoot it, as long as you pay the fee and it does not have to be arranged up front (like the Tanzanian system)?

[ImpalaAfricansafari]

A very impressive hunt in both countries! , I've never been to Tanzania, been to Namibia once. A few years ago there were instances where because of a number of properties being taken over ( all political mayhem ) that had both wildlife and cattle the squatters were left to do as they please. Obviously some game was poached ( in over 90 % of the cases with snares ) because the squatters realized they could not farm and as a result went hungry. ( Snare poaching is very common in africa, as a child out hunting on the ranch we would take the trackers out to find snares and destroy them ) Most of these squatters are back in the cities and off these ranches. Amazingly alot of game still roams wild on these ranches ( many have low fences and game is free to move ) and these vast areas are only sparsely populated with people. Now we also have many large RANCHES that were never interrupted ( politically that is ) and the game has been managed so well that there is a surplus of some species. Lastly on the poaching question we have Safari Areas ( large concessions used exclusively for hunting and photo safaris...in Zims e.g Omay safari area 2,000,000 acres, Chirisa safari area 300,000 acres, Humani over 130,000 acres, Dande safari area is smaller than these and has a Cape buffalo herd of over 10,000 and over 3,000 elephant ( thats just one Safari area of 17 in the country used exclusively for hunting). In addition to this another 14 % of the TOTAL country is set aside for National Parkes and Nature preserves, hunting is NOT permitted on any of this land. In addition we have atleast 4% of the country dedicated to "Protected State Forest Land ", all the Big Four are found in abundance here too, no hunting is allowed on this land though. We also have communal land ( land that was given to the locals many years ago ) hunting is conducted on this land and moneys and meat go back to the community. Lastly we have consevancies, where hunting and photo safaris are conducted. Hunting is like Namibia, if you did not pay for the trophy on your original package and decide you want a particular animal we can allow you to take it as long as it is on a the quota. we operate on very strict quotas ( these are given to us by National parks of Zimabbwe ) in Zimbabwe, but plains game quotas are always more liberal than the "Big 4". still have great herds in Zims, cheers , Arnold
arnoldpayne@hotmail.com

[DUGABOY1]

I don't think there is a problem with hunting Zimbabwe, as long as you book with a well known safari company,and book your travel so that your rifles don;t get cought up in the arms embargo, by flying through Holland, or England, dirrectly to Zim! :=;

My take is, if the safari companies aren't supported when robber Bob dies, there will be no safari companies left. Also the meat, and jobs supplied to the locals by safaris is a great help to the locals, and if stopped, the locals will have not other choice but to start poaching, which if happens there may not be anything to hunt when the smoke clears. :sad:

I have several personal friends who have had very good safaris in Zim in the last three years, and not one of them reports any problem at all!

I would got to Zimbabwe on safari in a heart beat! :thumbsup1:

[ImpalaAfricansafari]

DUGABOY

I'm please that your mates had a great time hunting in Zimbabwe, its a FABULOUS hunting destination and you are absolutely correct, if we don't manage the game correctly and discourage hunting there will eventually be nothing left of the incredible amount of game that we have. We actually will be supplying local villages with meat and monies generated by the hunts that we conduct. Best case scenario when travelling to Zimbabwe is to take a straight shot from the US to South Africa and then an hour connection to Zimbabwe. there will be no interruptions with weapons transfers that way, going through Europe and you're in for a hassle! There is nothin in Africa close to a Zimbabwe hunt...the countries beauty is unmatched and to top it off there could be that record trophy.......waiting for you!! If you did hunt Zimbabwe what trophies would you be after?
Cheers
Arnold : arnoldpayne@hotmail.com

[ImpalaAfricansafari]

for those that are concerened about their trophies after a Zimbabwe hunt, there are great Taxidermists in Zimbabwe that can prepare your trophies in Zim or have them shipped back to the States to your own taxidermist ,whatever you may please. Zimbabwe has GREAT quotas for 2007 and great prices too..th scenery is amazing and the memories unforgettable...I'll be heading back to Zims in Jan 2007 for another hunt...can't wait!
arnoldpayne@hotmail.com

Cheers
Arnold

[DUGABOY1]

Quote: If you did hunt Zimbabwe what trophies would you be after?
Cheers
Arnold : arnoldpayne@hotmail.com

Arnold, I'm a Buffalo hunter, and not much else interests me! I'd love to hunt Elephant, and lion, but I can't afford that. The plains game I have taken have been targets of opertunity, and where not my first order of business. One thing I've been thinking about lately is a Good leopard, but with a couple of buffalo on license, as well. I have never hunted Africa, without takeing Buffalo! The leopard would allow me to use plains game trophies, and buffalo, for baits, and would add to the hunt ! I'd also like to take another Hippo, on dry land. I have a 28" hippo and a couple of smaller ones.

I'm 70 yrs old, and am going through cancer treatments as we speak, so my hunting may be at an end, all together! I hope not! :roll:

[ImpalaAfricansafari]

Well i do hope that you make a speedy recovery !! And get that rifle all ready to stalk " Black Death" as we called the Cape Buff. I can e mail you a few pictures from our last hunt to Zimbabwe 6 weeks ago. One of my companions took a magnificent Buff in Northern Matabeleland ( his 60th birthday present ). The leopard up there are big and plentiful and we'll have a VERY healthy Lion quota for 2007 too. An agent of ours was asking me what to use on a Cape Buff as he will be travelling with us to Zimbabwe soon, I told him that 375 will do him just fine seeing that he will be after plains Game as well..but being his first buffalo hunt....will be one heck of an experience!!Can't wait! Would love to email you some pictures of the Buff...and do get well hunter!
Cheers
arnoldpayne@hotmail.com

[Charl]

Arnold,

Zim is one of the best Southern African hunting destinations, I agree. I have been there a few times, and one of my big addictions is Tiger fishing. I do agree, you guys need support to survive, and keep the business going. It might be also worth to press home the point that the Safari areas like Chirisa and Dande is VERY much out of the way of the hungry LP's.

There are, however a few problems and questions that we cannot get around when it comes to hunting your country. This goes for foreign visitors to Zim.

1.) They can not take their own fire arms, if they go via Schipol or Heathrow, like most American hunters do. (There is a direct flight by SAA from WDC to J/Burg....now)

2.) How do you guys cope with the logistics, when the fuel is so scare and expensive?

3.) You state that you look after the local conservation and LP. Do you bank all your proceeds from business in Zim then? (Do not answer please). Do NOT take this the wrong way, but the perception is there that all foreign currency deposited in your Banks, ends up in Bob's money bags......This si yet another reason why clients are reluctant to spend Euro’s, Pounds and Dollars in Zim. If the money gets banked in Zim, no one benefits. If the money gets banked "off shore" no one benefits, apart for the indiviuals concerned with the business of course....

4.) With all the sanctions and political noise surrounding Zim, do you really have the faith that your clients trophies from the Taxidermist will make it back to where ever, intact.....

5.) Are you 100% certain that ZANU PF will not remove you from your hunting area without notice? As a member of this forum, we will take your Bona Fides at heart, and believe you will pay back any deposits in such a unthinkable situation. But still, it has happened to some of your colleagues earlier this year, and although the client does not loose any money, it reflects BADLY......

These are just some of the questions we encounter from foreign hunters.

I just have to say that I still think South Africa is THE place to hunt, with the most hunt able species in Southern Africa.....
::neener:

I know what it feels like to defend hunting in your country, and just hope for your sake it gets sorted out! One day......

charl@infinito-safaris.com

[ImpalaAfricansafari]

Charl
howzit ekse? Zimbabwe as I mentioned is still a great destination to hunt, we have on offer some of the most magnificent game in all of Africa. In reply to your questions I can tell you that

1. ALL our hunters can simply fly from the U.S. directly to Johannesburg and then make the little jump to Zimbabwe where they will encounter NO problems with their firearms ( our Outfit guarantees this by the way ).

2. We are a Hunting Outfit and we work to conserve ALL our Zimabwean wildlife , we are not politicians... so to answer your fuel question most Zim fuel comes in from Botswana and we purchase all our fuel from the respective suppliers , and we always have a surplus.

3. To answer your question as best I can, we provide food, clothing, school fees and salaries to all our workers and as many locals in our hunting areas as possible, we also have more established Hunting outfits that are part of CAMPFIRE which I am sure you are familiar with ?

4. We have reputable taxidermists in zimbabwe that have been in business for years and although the economy is struggling they are still able to get all their necessary supplies and do an incredible job for their clients i.e. we use a great taxidermist in Bulawayo called " Matabele Taxidermy" , and our last clients that were in Zims in August from here in the U.S . have Buffalo, kudu, Eland and Impala trophies in transit to the U.S as we speak.

5. To answer your 5th question , once again , we are not politicians, we are Zimbabweans that LOVE our country,our wildlife and what our country has to offer. Your question is no different than me asking whether hunters to South Africa are guaranteed to come back without encountering a " Car Jacking, mugging, bribe, being pick pocketed or even worse" we all know that there is horrible crime in S.A but it is your job to reassure your clients that they will be safe, correct? In zimbabwe, we simply do all we can to keep our wildlife populations healthy and continue to bring hunters that want the " Best African Hunt possible" to Zimbabwe.

All the best down in S.A and may you have a truly successful 2007 hunting season.
:thumbsup1:

[Charl]

Thanks Arnold, great answers. All seem squared away at your end. Good luck for you guys in 2007 as well. I'm still busy though. Looks as if we are leaving for Lion and Ellie in Tanz. in a couple of weeks! Will keep you guys posted. Listen, would love to meet up with you lot when I'm in Zim again. I realy like the country and people.....where are you based?

Cheers

Charl
Infinito Safaris