Thoughts on Tuskless Hunting

[Rare Breed]

Thrilled you got that hunt. I leave for mine in 1 week! Can't wait to hear how you do.

Same for you my friend!!! Looking forward to your report!!!

 

[Rare Breed]

Sounds like a great deal. Good luck on your hunt! I personally appreciate you sharing your hunt costs for those of us considering a hunt such as this. Often times here, the cost of one's hunt is never mentioned and we are left wondering? Can't wait to see your hunt report.

You are welcome! I too appreciate costs supplied in addition to experiences. Super helpful as we plan

 

[Nhoro]

Since when? I did that at Campfire area in 2015. Shot 3 bulls. Parks were aware of it, and we also had a game scout with us.

You are correct. Campfire or Communal land does not fall under National Parks Act and Regulations. and so spotlights are not regulated. It is illegal in Safari areas. Just be aware that doing something in front of officials in Zimbabwe doesnt make it legal-it can bite you in the ass or more likely in the wallet !

 

[Nhoro]

8% of Zim elephants are tuskless…the highest percentage in Africa

That statistic is all over the internet and near as I can determine, it originated in a 'scientific' paper which uses it as evidence of the evolution of elephants to avoid hunting pressure. That paper simply states the percentage with no reference to any scientific evidence. Just drive around parks in Zimbabwe and you will see the percentage is much lower. Even 5 % may be high. But definitely Zambezi Valley is your highest.

 

[IvW]

-On hunting designated Communal (tribal) Land, trophy hunting may take place within the hours of daylight during the hunting season.
- Hunting is allowed at night for nocturnal species such as Lion, Leopard, Bushpig, etc. and the use of artificial light and night vision scopes is permitted.

This is for communal land.....so for elephant only during daylight hours is permitted.....for nocturnal species spotlighting is permitted....crossing palms with silver may change that but comes with its own risk and ethical questions.....

 

[IvW]

You are correct. Campfire or Communal land does not fall under National Parks Act and Regulations. and so spotlights are not regulated. It is illegal in Safari areas. Just be aware that doing something in front of officials in Zimbabwe doesnt make it legal-it can bite you in the ass or more likely in the wallet !

First part is incorrect, their are different rules but it is certainly regulated.... second part is correct and good advise ...

 

[Tanks]

First part is incorrect, their are different rules but it is certainly regulated.... second part is correct and good advise ...

Well, recently advertised elephant bull hunt linked below states there might be some night hunting required. Maybe an outfitter that offers hunts in Zimbabwe knows a bit more about the nuances of law than someone who lives in South Africa.

Elephant Hunt In Zimbabwe Late Season 2023 Special

One of the areas I hunt have available quota for 2 elephant that the community would like to utilize before the year end. They have reduced their trophy fee to $5000 . This is a export bull if you can import. I can offer this hunt for $13000 total all inclusive ( day rate , taxes , parks...

www.africahunting.com

 

[IvW]

Maybe....I started hunting there in 90 maybe the laws have changed......
Never been legal for a Foreigner to hunt PAC elephant at night with spotlights in corn fields.....pick up the tracks at first light and track them down yes....spotlighting? Elephant? Never known that to be legal for a paying foreign client....
Maybe it has changed but not that I am aware of....

 

[Tanks]

Well, no one is talking about PAC hunts.

 

[IvW]

Of course not.....so an elephant raiding crops st night is not regarded as PAC?
Shooting said elephants at night with the use of artificial light is legal for a foreign hunter??
Is that what you are saying?

 

[Tanks]

Of course not.....so an elephant raiding crops st night is not regarded as PAC?
Shooting said elephants at night with the use of artificial light is legal for a foreign hunter??
Is that what you are saying?

Not if there is a permit/quota and a Parks ranger accompanying the hunter and the PH. When I did my night hunts, before we started we went to the Parks office to fill out the paperwork for the hunt. We even filled out the paperwork for the self-defense elephant I shot.

Now, the Parks Ranger accompanying CampFire areas for CITES animals is a new thing. Before all one needed was a game scout.

 

[IvW]

Permits do sort out a lot of issues for sure....

 

[rookhawk]

Zim parks will gladly take revenue to remove elephants for profit to the nation rather than declare them PAC at which point a client cannot shoot them and the government receives zero revenue. (PAC declared animals are usually shot by apprentice PHs for experience in their log book)

Non-PAC tuskless are usually killed by clients under a “non-exportable cow” quota rather than a “trophy exportable bull” quota that costs double.

 

[Nhoro]

Maybe....I started hunting there in 90 maybe the laws have changed......
Never been legal for a Foreigner to hunt PAC elephant at night with spotlights in corn fields.....pick up the tracks at first light and track them down yes....spotlighting? Elephant? Never known that to be legal for a paying foreign client....
Maybe it has changed but not that I am aware of....

You are welcome to pm me for a copy of the national parks act and regulations. I have studied both and tutored learner hunters for their exams. The laws have not changed regarding spotlights or night hunting or PAC since 1975. National parks do not administer communal land and the two have always had different rules. National parks only issue the permit on all land and administer national parks land ( where spotlights,calling and nighthunting are all prohibited.

With regards to a hunting permit and a foriegn hunter, what the elephant is doing is irrelevant. If he happens to be eating maize in some guys field, no problem as long as you have a hunting permit. But don't shoot an elephant on a PAC permit if you are foreign. That is illegal. If you watch TIA and hyena hitman on YouTube, you will see spotlights,calling and nighthunting in communal areas. It would be pretty dumb to incriminate yourself if it was illegal.

 

[rookhawk]

This is an abuse of terms.

PAC = Problem Animal Control

PAC culls are only for professionals and their apprentices. Marauders. Maneaters. Culls. Raiders.

What's the difference other than legality?

A client gets a sport hunting elephant license of which there are a few types, NONE of them are PAC. 1.) Exportable Trophy Bull, 2.) Cow, 3.) Non-Exportable Bull/Cow (e.g. owned by a Rural District Counsel where the meat goes to the tribe)

People continue to conflate a sport hunted elephant near civilization (E.g. near crops) with a PAC elephant. The former is legal for clients to hunt, the latter is illegal for clients to hunt.

The shenanigans of 20 years ago are no more. Those scenarios were where operators would sell hunts without legal quota and they'd have the client shoot a PAC animal. Not legal and not tolerated any longer. A Parks Scout is with you on elephant hunts as a requirement for sport hunting and they are removing sport hunting quota when blood is drawn.

 

[IvW]

You are welcome to pm me for a copy of the national parks act and regulations. I have studied both and tutored learner hunters for their exams. The laws have not changed regarding spotlights or night hunting or PAC since 1975. National parks do not administer communal land and the two have always had different rules. National parks only issue the permit on all land and administer national parks land ( where spotlights,calling and nighthunting are all prohibited.

With regards to a hunting permit and a foriegn hunter, what the elephant is doing is irrelevant. If he happens to be eating maize in some guys field, no problem as long as you have a hunting permit. But don't shoot an elephant on a PAC permit if you are foreign. That is illegal. If you watch TIA and hyena hitman on YouTube, you will see spotlights,calling and nighthunting in communal areas. It would be pretty dumb to incriminate yourself if it was illegal.

Hyenas are nocturnal elephants are not....

 

[IvW]

So you are saying it is perfectly legal for a foreign hunter to shoot an elephant by means of artificial light at night on communal land?