Elephant Hunting - Zimbabwe (and Zambia)

[postoak]

I asked these questions of an Zimbabwean outfitter on another forum and never received an answer. I think they are good questions and so am going to ask them here.

Doesn't the U.S. have a ban on importing elephant parts from Zimbabwe and wasn't it just announced by Trump that it will be kept in place?

Has that reduced the number of U.S. sport hunters coming to Zimbabwe for elephant?

Those that come, what do they do with their elephants? Is the ivory salable by the outfitter to lower the cost of the hunt?

Have Zimbabwe outfitters lowered their prices to attract U.S. hunters?

 

[Royal27]

Doesn't the U.S. have a ban on importing elephant parts from Zimbabwe and wasn't it just announced by Trump that it will be kept in place?

Yes, although technically not a ban, imports aren't currently allowed. This has been in place since 2014.

Has that reduced the number of U.S. sport hunters coming to Zimbabwe for elephant?

It has reduced the number, and what a client is willing to pay.

Those that come, what do they do with their elephants? Is the ivory salable by the outfitter to lower the cost of the hunt?

The ivory can be stored over there, or exported to another country, just not the U.S. @BRICKBURN has graciously offered to keep ivory at his house in Canada. It's only one of the many services he provides here.

You can sell the hide for leather for a few bucks. I let my outfitter sell it as my hunt was a budget hunt and it helped him more than it would have helped me.

Have Zimbabwe outfitters lowered their prices to attract U.S. hunters?

I'd say they lowered prices just to survive in more cases than not. Unfortunately, many hunters won't hunt if they can't have the trinket to bring home. This is why the "ban" is effective. It's 100% made succesful by hunters....

 

[LivingTheDream]

@Royal27 nailed it. The "ban" has greatly lowered the prices due to a lack/lower demand. The catch is a regular guy can probably find the right deal and get to hunt an elephant.

Honestly, who has room for an elephant shoulder mount...the tusks are cool but replicas can be made. I would highly advise doing a hunt for an elephant before this ban gets officially lifted...the prices will not be this cheap.

 

[Royal27]

I would highly advise doing a hunt for an elephant before this ban gets officially lifted...the prices will not be this cheap.

I fell into this category for sure. I went last year because I was afraid the ban would be lifted and I'd no longer be able to afford any elephant, other than tuskless.

When the announcement was made that the ban was lifted last November I was elated and sad all at the same time. Elated I thought that I'd get my ivory and sad that I probably couldn't ever justify another elephant hunt.

If come next Safari time the ban is still there though, another elephant will be considered for sure.

 

[ActionBob]

Check out my replicas second post from the bottom of first page.

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/actionbobs-taxidermy.31541/

 

[postoak]

What happens to the ivory if you don't take it and store it? Are you even allowed to not take it and store it? Does it wind up being "stored" on the wall at the hunting lodge or a friend of the outfitter's house? (Not complaining, that would make sense.)

 

[ActionBob]

It can be stored in a vault at some taxidermist shops. Or you can talk to your outfitter.

If you look back at ads for elephant hunts from Zim since 2014 you may learn more. I recall some having an option to not keep trophies or paying as little as $2500 to keep. And on standard trophy hunts you own the ivory, it gets serial numbers registered to you.

If you have TCI do your taxidermy, or at least some, they will likely store indefinitely

 

[Royal27]

What happens to the ivory if you don't take it and store it? Are you even allowed to not take it and store it? Does it wind up being "stored" on the wall at the hunting lodge or a friend of the outfitter's house? (Not complaining, that would make sense.)

Remember that legal ivory is carefully tracked and stamped with ID numbers. Even in Zimbabwe it's well regulated. You could give it to your outfitter, with the proper paperwork and transfer of ownership. If it's just "stored" without the proper paperwork, big trouble....

 

[postoak]

So since you can't take it home you have to either store it indefinitely at a taxidermist or transfer ownership to someone there?

 

[Royal27]

You could have it destroyed I suppose.

Or, you could have it exported to someplace other than the U.S.

 

[postoak]

Right, if you are rich you can have it shipped to your home in Rio or Sweden! I wonder if you could even have it destroyed if it is so tightly controlled.

 

[ActionBob]

Remember that legal ivory is carefully tracked and stamped with ID numbers. Even in Zimbabwe it's well regulated. You could give it to your outfitter, with the proper paperwork and transfer of ownership. If it's just "stored" without the proper paperwork, big trouble....

That's why you store it at the taxidermist and get some people working on your side such as Safari Speciality Importers

 

[Chago]

I live in Canada. I will offer to store it in my living room. And promise to let you come over and pet them anytime you need.

 

[postoak]

Very generous offer!

People who come to my house won't know any better -- I'll just have replicas made of the world record tusks and they'll be impressed and none the wiser.