Lion hunts and trophy imports

[Bill Thom]

Greetings all- this is my first post so apologize if Im messing up on protocols.
I have been thinking about a lion hunt for years but have been discouraged by what looks like an impossible task of getting the trophy shipped back to the US. I have done a little bit of plains game hunting but can not claim to have much experience. This would be a big step up for me and have It feels like now or never shifts in sentiment and to be fair I am not getting any younger . Does anyone have recent experience or advice on this? A few years back I did look at some hunts in Tanzania and Namibia but the pricing was a little out of reach. I have heard that the lion trophies taken on the more reasonably priced South African hunts are not eligible for importation into the US Any thoughts or suggestions would be most welcome. regards Bill

 

[Spear Safaris]

Hi Bill
Welcome to this forum.
South African Lion that are captive raised are not eligible for Import into the USA at present, Wild Lion are eligible though, we took one such Lion this last season in South Africa and the process is well on its way in being exported.
Wild lions from Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania are importable to the USA, you just need to comply to the Us F&W standards and protocols. As you said the costs of these hunts can be prohibitive.
If any of the above is of interest to you and should you be interested in working with me on a Lion hunt, please feel free to email me.
info@spearsafaris.com
Cheers Ernest

 

[DE KLERK SAFARIS]

Hello Bill
We specialize in captive bred lions that have been released in a very large area.
They are free roaming for a long time and are catching their own game and are completely self sufficient.
Hunting is done by following the lion tracks on foot.
It is a very exciting hunt and as close to a true wilderness experience as you can get.
These lions can be imported into Mexico, Canada or any Caribean island (except USA territories).
The cost of lion hunts in South Africa are a third of what a lion in Tanzania or Zambia will cost.

So just giving you another option that wil not break the bank and the experience is as close to any lion hunt I have done in Botswana also by tracking them in the Kalahari desert.
If the trophy is that important to you have a look at Kenati.
They make a replica of your lion that looks identical to any lion trophy I have seen.
These replicas can be bought in USA and dispayed in your trophy room.

Sincerely
Hans de Klerk

 

[mark-hunter]

After the non importable lion hunt, there is an option for synthetic lion skin.

Non importable elephants, have also option to make replica tusks, etc.... (looking like reaI. Have seen it!)

Just giving some food for thought. Just search around the internet.

 

[Bill Thom]

Hello Bill
We specialize in captive bred lions that have been released in a very large area.
They are free roaming for a long time and are catching their own game and are completely self sufficient.
Hunting is done by following the lion tracks on foot.
It is a very exciting hunt and as close to a true wilderness experience as you can get.
These lions can be imported into Mexico, Canada or any Caribean island (except USA territories).
The cost of lion hunts in South Africa are a third of what a lion in Tanzania or Zambia will cost.

So just giving you another option that wil not break the bank and the experience is as close to any lion hunt I have done in Botswana also by tracking them in the Kalahari desert.
If the trophy is that important to you have a look at Kenati.
They make a replica of your lion that looks identical to any lion trophy I have seen.
These replicas can be bought in USA and dispayed in your trophy room.

Sincerely
Hans de Klerk

Hans- I appreciate you quick answer. The hunt you describe would be very interesting but not ready to go with the the replica option yes. I am holding out hope for some change or relaxation in import regulations but maybe that is not practical. Just for a very rough and non-binding estimate what would an approximate cost be for a 1 X 1 lion hunt be for a male and lioness be.
kind regards
Bill

 

[Bill Thom]

Ernst- I ahave not really looked at a Zimbabwe lion hunt. What would the costs be for an exportable lion or lioness? I am still in the exploratory stage so no need to provide a firm price just a very general indication would be fine.
regards
Bill
Hi Bill
Welcome to this forum.
South African Lion that are captive raised are not eligible for Import into the USA at present, Wild Lion are eligible though, we took one such Lion this last season in South Africa and the process is well on its way in being exported.
Wild lions from Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania are importable to the USA, you just need to comply to the Us F&W standards and protocols. As you said the costs of these hunts can be prohibitive.
If any of the above is of interest to you and should you be interested in working with me on a Lion hunt, please feel free to email me.
info@spearsafaris.com
Cheers Ernest

 

[375Fox]

If you are going to participate in captive bred/CBL lion shooting I’d educate yourself on what it is. They are commercially raised then released into hunting area 7 days before the “hunt” starts. It might mimic a hunt but it’s a farming practice disguised as hunting. Short release times limit damage they can do on property, potential for escape, and ensure proper scheduling for hunts booked. Imports are not allowed into US because they are deemed zero conservation value.

There were lioness hunts advertised in save valley in Zimbabwe for around $20,000. That will be best price option on a wild lion. You’d need to speak with conservation force on their import potential.