Is there an African animal you wouldn't shoot?

[Major Khan]

Not African , but when l used to be a professional shikaree in India , there used to be a bird called Ti Ti pakhee which used to taste extremely delicious. However , l stopped shooting them , when l realized that their calls could alert me about the presence of any forest panthers in the area .

 

[PeteG]

At least it will be tried in many places , but if you consider what a client pays , it is sometimes very difficult to convince him not to shoot a nice trophy that does not meet the criteria. If you want to make selected shooting in a large open area , you have to reckon with the fact that more often the client will go empty at home and that's not good for business.

I think you need to consider the legality of what you’re implying here that a PH will do.
For example, shooting an underage lion in Zambia is not allowed, all lion have to be scientifically aged by a panel of experts before an export licence will be issued. If you contravene these laws, the ph can be suspended or have his/her licence revoked permanently. The outfitter will have huge penalties and likely have their future quotas removed.
The financial impact of this is huge, not considering the fact that when the outfitter then tenders for a renewal of a concession or a new area they may use previous records against them.

I think it is safe to say that the hunter needs to understand there is more at stake than walking away with a big fluffy 3 year old lion simply because that’s what he liked the look of.

 

[spike.t]

I think you need to consider the legality of what you’re implying here that a PH will do.
For example, shooting an underage lion in Zambia is not allowed, all lion have to be scientifically aged by a panel of experts before an export licence will be issued. If you contravene these laws, the ph can be suspended or have his/her licence revoked permanently. The outfitter will have huge penalties and likely have their future quotas removed.
The financial impact of this is huge, not considering the fact that when the outfitter then tenders for a renewal of a concession or a new area they may use previous records against them.

I think it is safe to say that the hunter needs to understand there is more at stake than walking away with a big fluffy 3 year old lion simply because that’s what he liked the look of.

Beat me to it Pete. ..also similar regulations in other countries ....

 

[grand veneur]

I think you need to consider the legality of what you’re implying here that a PH will do.
For example, shooting an underage lion in Zambia is not allowed, all lion have to be scientifically aged by a panel of experts before an export licence will be issued. If you contravene these laws, the ph can be suspended or have his/her licence revoked permanently. The outfitter will have huge penalties and likely have their future quotas removed.
The financial impact of this is huge, not considering the fact that when the outfitter then tenders for a renewal of a concession or a new area they may use previous records against them.

I think it is safe to say that the hunter needs to understand there is more at stake than walking away with a big fluffy 3 year old lion simply because that’s what he liked the look of.

It wasn't really just about lion hunting , but about trophy hunting in general and especially on big game in Africa. I don't insinuate anything. If everything goes as described by you , it's fine.

The sense of the lion hunting is another topic.

 

[StephenZambia]

In some places outfitters use a different payment scheme for cat hunts to reduce the incentive for the client to shoot underage cats. Basically pay a day rate for a buffalo hunt + a little extra for the baiting. If you shoot a cat you pay the trophy fee plus the cat day rate for the whole duration of the hunt. So you know you will have a good chance of a good cat if the opportunity is there (and you will work to get that opportunity), if not you save a whole lot of money to a future hunt.

I would personally not shoot a tortoise.

 

[Charles de Ribeau]

Poachers.SOSSTK. Shoot On Sight Shoot To Kill.

For them, I favor "catch & release". Dart them; remove the family jewels to ensure they don't reproduce; fit them with a radio collar and then release them. With luck, you'll be able to locate some of their "friends" and repeat the process.

 

[autofire]

I doubt I would ever consider any of the tiny 10 species. Several others for which I don't have any interest, but no objection if the need to do it arose.

 

[Tanks]

Tiny wild cats.
Tiny plains game
Plains game with tiny horns (e.g. duiker)

Anything else is fair game. I will have to shoot a rhino one of these days to finish off the Big Five.

 

[Paul Miller]

Agree with Fastrig. No moral judgement, but I’m just not mad at any cats or bears unless they’re trying to eat me. Add anything legitimately endangered unless it’s trying to trample or gore me.

 

[Hank2211]

Tiny wild cats.
Tiny plains game
Plains game with tiny horns (e.g. duiker)

Anything else is fair game. I will have to shoot a rhino one of these days to finish off the Big Five.

Curious why these little guys are off your list?

I've found them to be among the most challenging African game of all . . . the suni has eluded me (or I've just not been up to it) on two hunts . . .

 

[Tanks]

Curious why these little guys are off your list?

I've found them to be among the most challenging African game of all . . . the suni has eluded me (or I've just not been up to it) on two hunts . . .

Regarding the tiny cats they just look too much like my Maine Coon.
In regards to others, I just like big trophies (except women ).

 

[Fred Gunner]

I have no interest in any of the pygmy antelope The tiny 10 as they say. In fact the only plans game I have shot in my very short African hunting life have been for leopard baits.

 

[Tanks]

I just read the whole thread. It is amazing that for an Africa hunting forum so many would not shoot members of the Big Five with the exception of buffalo.

In my view the Big Five is what basically defines African hunting.

 

[Fred Gunner]

In my view the Big Five is what basically defines African hunting.

My feelings exactly...If I could afford Lion or Elephant I surely would hunt them.

On my budget It's Leopard and Buffalo. I've struck-out on Mr. Chui twice, so next year it's Black Death

 

[Tanks]

My feelings exactly...If I could afford Lion or Elephant I surely would hunt them.

On my budget It's Leopard and Buffalo. I've struck-out on Mr. Chui twice, so next year it's Black Death

You definitely can shoot an elephant for the price of a Leopard hunt.
http://www.cmsafaris.com/zimrates.htm

 

[Hank2211]

Regarding the tiny cats they just look too much like my Maine Coon.
In regards to others, I just like big trophies (except women ).

Hard to argue with either reason!

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Well, I personally never thought I would shoot a lion or lioness. Because of price and import restrictions to USA. That has all changed now! My PH has arranged a lioness hunt in the Kalahari at a price I can not refuse for my 2020 hunt. Even if I can not import. Its the thrill of the hunt at a price I can afford.

 

[Desert Dog]

I have no desire to hunt cats in Africa; not because I am against it, but because I hate hunting from a blind over bait. 90% of the positive experience I get from hunting comes from fair chase stalking on foot. Even when I hunt bear here in the states, I won't do it over bait.

I also don't enjoy killing things that go to waste, like primates.

As stated, I also have no desire to hunt the tiny 10 (too cute I guess).

 

[Tanks]

I have no desire to hunt cats in Africa; not because I am against it, but because I hate hunting from a blind over bait. 90% of the positive experience I get from hunting comes from fair chase stalking on foot. Even when I hunt bear here in the states, I won't do it over bait....

You can hunt lions via stalking in Zambia etc.. I am not 100% sure but I think some places still allow hunting cats with dogs.

 

[Bonk]

I have no desire to hunt certain animals but I have absolutely no issue with anyone else that wants to and does so legally and ethically.

Elephant: Too smart, too cognitive.
Apes: Too human. I think I'd be ok hunting baboon though.
Any really small plains game: Not enough meat to justify killing unless it's a nuisance animal.
Any game animal I have to bait and blind hunt. Just not my idea of sport.
Any animal I have to use dogs to pursue. Bird dogs not included. IMO there's a difference between a dog pointing or retrieving a bird and a pack of dogs treeing/cornering an animal. Sorry, not my cup of tea. Been there, done that, didn't enjoy it.

Even though I mentioned elephant I'm extremely conflicted about it. I admit to having some desire to face down a big bull elephant in a fair chase hunt.

I used to think I had no desire to hunt zebra or giraffe. I've changed my mind.