<60 days away from Zimbabwe

[Custom]

Good luck to you both @rookhawk and @Philip Glass! I am also headed to Zim in May for leopard. Naivasha near Gonarezhou park. This area is known for big toms and I hope I am lucky to connect.

 

[rookhawk]

@Custom and @Philip Glass amd @rookhawk all after leopard in Zim within 60 days?

Too much coincidence. Is it reasonable to say we are all of the belief Africa is having a "going out of business sale" on exportable leopard?

Are you guys applying for your leopard import permit ahead of time or when you come home?

 

[Custom]

Yes, @rookhawk, I am afraid we will see the end of importable leopard in the near future. My operator is handling the import paper work. It will be done shortly before my safari I am told.

 

[Philip Glass]

@Custom and @Philip Glass amd @rookhawk all after leopard in Zim within 60 days?

Too much coincidence. Is it reasonable to say we are all of the belief Africa is having a "going out of business sale" on exportable leopard?

Are you guys applying for your leopard import permit ahead of time or when you come home?

I will wait until I get the leopard before doing any paperwork. Between @Martin Pieters Safaris and the taxidermist Trophy Consultants International, both very professional to work with, I am confident they will get my leopard paperwork sorted out for me.
It would be nice to have three great leopard hunt reports on AH!
Regards,
Philip

 

[rookhawk]

So none of you are afraid the US won't issue your 12 month leopard permit?

 

[rookhawk]

I will wait until I get the leopard before doing any paperwork. Between @Martin Pieters Safaris and the taxidermist Trophy Consultants International, both very professional to work with, I am confident they will get my leopard paperwork sorted out for me.
It would be nice to have three great leopard hunt reports on AH!
Regards,
Philip

I spent a fortune with Trophy Consultants International two years ago in Bulawayo. Of the $10,000+ in work I'd say the zebra rug and the hyena rug were above average. The knick-knacks like giraffe ashtrays/lamps and horn sconces were decent too.

The rest of the stuff was lousy, embarrassing stuff. I asked Cuan for a credit or refund and he said no. I will not display most of it.

Caveat Emptor.

Dennis Harris would be a safer bet. What TCI can do on a good day and what they do to you are different. Also, TCI gives nice gifts and incentives to PHs that bring clients so be aware that you may get better endorsements as there is incentive for the work being done there.

 

[Nyati]

My best wishes to all of you lucky guys !

 

[Custom]

So none of you are afraid the US won't issue your 12 month leopard permit?

@rookhawk, my understanding is that, until if and when USFWS makes a status change for leopard, there is no basis to deny import as long as the paperwork is in order. They are currently in the 12 month period to make a determination. If they make a determination, then they will have to propose a rule and allow public comments again. Probably at least a couple of years before a final rule could go in effect.

 

[Roan]

Good luck!

Hope you get all your animals.

 

[rcgarcia84]

@rookhawk, my understanding is that, until if and when USFWS makes a status change for leopard, there is no basis to deny import as long as the paperwork is in order. They are currently in the 12 month period to make a determination. If they make a determination, then they will have to propose a rule and allow public comments again. Probably at least a couple of years before a final rule could go in effect.

I am also hunting for leopard in Zim the end of April. I will be hunting with Sean Grant. I had wanted to try and get my import permit beforehand, but according to my broker and a recent thread on another forum, the USFWS is not planning on issuing any import permits prior to their 12 month ruling. I was told to expect a ruling in early 2018. I'm not trying to scare anyone, but just passing along the information that I have been given. Good luck to everyone else on their hunt!

 

[rookhawk]

Which begs the question, even if this isn't true, are we prudent "locking in" by seeking a 12 month CITES permit before the hunt. Worst case scenario if it is granted and the trophy isn't exported in time, a renewal permit would be required.

I was just wondering about these nuances as it appears to be a lot of "game theory".

 

[Custom]

I don't know on what basis USFWS could deny import prior to a final rule, but I have been surprised before.

 

[rookhawk]

I have Coppersmith making calls on this topic now.

 

[Custom]

Please let us know what you find out, rookhawk, and thanks for pursuing this.

 

[sierraone]

I wish all of you guys good luck with your hunts and the imports......but wow, so much headache with so much money involved!

 

[johnnyblues]

Good luck!

 

[woods1126]

Best of luck to all of you fellas. Looking forward to some good reports. Safety and success to all. Kevin

 

[rinehart0050]

Best of luck to @rookhawk @Philip Glass @Custom! Wish I could add my name to the list!

I'm hoping your pessimism is misplaced regarding us imports. I probably won't be able to head over until 2018 at the earliest.

 

[rookhawk]

Best of luck to @rookhawk @Philip Glass @Custom! Wish I could add my name to the list!

I'm hoping your pessimism is misplaced regarding us imports. I probably won't be able to head over until 2018 at the earliest.

@rinehart0050 i hope the pessimism is wrong too. Nonetheless, I'd suggest you do your leopard, lion, Hyena, elephant, cheetah and giraffe hunting sooner rather than later. Things don't look too promising for the long haul.

Eland, kudu, hippo, buffalo, waterbuck and the rest will still be there for you, export allowed in ten years.

 

[cpr0312]

Anxiously awaiting what you hear as well from Coppersmith as I too am close to making a leopard hunt happen this year!