Elephant trophy fees

[Iwannahunt]

For those in the know. Do you think that elephant trophy fees in Zimbabwe as well possibly other countries are generally slowly going down or up? Would this be because quotas are getting larger due to elephant populations rising? or because there is less hunter interest or ability to afford these hunts?

Thanks, JP

 

[BRICKBURN]

USFWS IMPORT BAN changed the price structure.

Importable trophies are much more expensive.

Quotas have also been reduce in some countries.

It is a commodity, so the price jumps around quite a bit.

 

[Dinsdale]

Big ivory still commands top dollar, the marketing has changed from US hunters to other places especially former Soviet countries that can import according to several Zim outfitters/PH I have talked too.

But there has grown a middle tier of "affordable" management hunts, where tuskless used to be the only option.

I think USF&W is screwing up the works, but have to admit for a bottom feeder like myself , it has put thought of a bull hunt close to being with in reach financially.

 

[steve ahrenberg]

With Botswana potentially re-opening, I wonder what their TF's and over all Elephant hunt prices will be? I believe the USFWS has Botswana imports as open right now?

If it does re-open, I would love to chase big Elephants around again in Botswana. I shot a 60# at noon on day two. I wish I had waited till day 11 or 12 of a 14 day hunt. I literally could have shot a 55# every day.

I bet the first hunts are advertised at 60-70K.

 

[WAB]

I’ve been visiting with my friends in Bots. They are sitting on a concession and anxious to hunt. The rumblings are that the quota will be let on auction. Prices are anticipated to be in the same zip code as Namibia, expensive! They are seeing some enormous ivory. The first hunters in are going to have a chance at something special. I don’t know about you guys, but I can’t justify $70 or $80 for an ele, as much as I would love a crack at a +70# bull.

My ele hunt in the Kalahari thorn scrub is the highlight of my hunting career.

 

[Philip Glass]

It’s all about imports. No elephant permits are being considered right now from anywhere. Thus all elephant are nonexportable. This may change in the very near future as Ryan Zinke is busy slashing regs at the Interior Dept and USFWS. Right now is a good time to hunt cull elephant.
And use if the imports are cleared and Botswana opens up there will be a feeding frenzy on high priced elephant hunts.
Philip

 

[steve ahrenberg]

It’s all about imports. No elephant permits are being considered right now from anywhere. Thus all elephant are nonexportable. This may change in the very near future as Ryan Zinke is busy slashing regs at the Interior Dept and USFWS. Right now is a good time to hunt cull elephant.
And use if the imports are cleared and Botswana opens up there will be a feeding frenzy on high priced elephant hunts.
Philip

Hi Phillip,

Are you sure about this? I understood they are looking at the import applications on a case by case basis, not a good gamble as far as I am concerned.

Steve

 

[WAB]

When we were in Collets Bulawayo shop last year we saw quite a few molds for ivory. They are producing replicas. I also saw a fair bit of ivory in storage. It seems one could take a bull, import replicas of the trophy, and store the ivory in the hope that one day you could bring it home. I didn’t specifically ask about this but I don’t see why you couldn’t do it.

 

[GuttormG]

What is the cost of having replicas made? And how good are they?

 

[Royal27]

Hi Phillip,

Are you sure about this? I understood they are looking at the import applications on a case by case basis, not a good gamble as far as I am concerned.

Steve

I think y'all are saying the same thing.

It is case by case, but not a single case has even been considered as far as I know. Therefore, all ele is not importable to the US, until it is.....

Zinke is still the best hope for imports and for pumping money from the US back into elephant conservation.

 

[Royal27]

What is the cost of having replicas made? And how good are they?

Cheap. Under $1k. You can easily pay more to display them than for the replicas themselves.

They can be quite good these days. Most people won't know they are fake. I'm getting replicas done of my bull.

 

[WAB]

Are you having Collett’s do yours Royal?

 

[Royal27]

Are you having Collett’s do yours Royal?

No, they are being done by TCI.

 

[WAB]

Bulawayo?

 

[Royal27]

Bulawayo?

Yes sir. I looked at the replicas while I was there and thought they were good. Other than replicas, I'm just having them do D&P and getting taxidermy done here in the States.

 

[WAB]

I'm not familiar with TCI. Is their shop near Collett's? Bruce and I are taking our wives for 4 buffalo next year and we are seriously considering adding a couple of ele. I would do exactly what you are doing and leave the ivory in storage hoping for a better day. Just curious as to what the options are for having replicas made in Bulawayo. Collett's seemed quite good but it is always good to know the options.

 

[Royal27]

I'm not familiar with TCI. Is their shop near Collett's? Bruce and I are taking our wives for 4 buffalo next year and we are seriously considering adding a couple of ele. I would do exactly what you are doing and leave the ivory in storage hoping for a better day. Just curious as to what the options are for having replicas made in Bulawayo. Collett's seemed quite good but it is always good to know the options.

Here is the website. At least give them a look.

http://www.tci.co.zw

If you do some research you'll hear good and bad, especially around quality control of finished goods. I've personally seem Cuan tell a client to just stretch out the leather loop on a belt when it was made too small for the belt to fit through.

That said, Dee whom I'm dealing with day to day has been very responsive and easy to work with. Fingers crossed!

Everything is supposed to be done in about a month, so will let you know. Replicas take about six months and they seem on track. I held off on telling them to make them until I thought I had a good gauge on imports, so the clock really started in late March, not last September.

 

[WAB]

Here is the website. At least give them a look.

http://www.tci.co.zw

If you do some research you'll hear good and bad, especially around quality control of finished goods. I've personally seem Cuan tell a client to just stretch out the leather loop on a belt when it was made too small for the belt to fit through.

That said, Dee whom I'm dealing with day to day has been very responsive and easy to work with. Fingers crossed!

Everything is supposed to be done in about a month, so will let you know. Replicas take about six months and they seem on track. I held off on telling them to make them until I thought I had a good gauge on imports, so the clock really started in late March, not last September.

I'm sure it will turn out great. I was impressed with Collett's shop and work. My order is ready to ship so I will let you know how it turns out. I'm not sure I've seen pics of your elephant hunt. Did you post them?

 

[Royal27]

I'm sure it will turn out great. I was impressed with Collett's shop and work. My order is ready to ship so I will let you know how it turns out. I'm not sure I've seen pics of your elephant hunt. Did you post them?

Yeah, from the work I saw I'm not worried about the replicas, and I'll make sure they show me pics of the real/fake side by side before they ship.

From what I hear anyway I think Collets and TCI are the only two taxi shops that have much of a good reputation in Zim....

And yes, I posted the pics. Here ya go!

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/zimbabwe-nyamazana-elephant-hunt-happy-birthday-to-me.40362/

 

[Bruce]

You can still get big ivory in Zim for way less than Namibia..and I presume less than when Botswana re opens??
The Gonarezhou area in particular and probably the least expensive...along the Wange reserve border also has top ivory but looking at $40k.