@Tanks can you explain how you got an African map on your tuskless elephant ear please? I love that idea!!! Did you go to the local taxi after your hunt first then do the paperwork? Is getting something like that into the US easier than trying to get ivory from a bull? Really appreciate your thoughts given I would love to do that in a huge way for my next months tuskless hunt in Zim
This is somewhat misleading. Both quoted all in costs would be on the extreme low end for a tuskless and bull. I’ve read in certain posts you book your hunts to Zimbabwe very differently than most. Most hunters will book through an outfitter at their posted or slightly discounted posted rates. Costs on tuskless I’ve seen $4000-$6500. Costs on exportable bulls $13000+ However most will charge increased day rates on bulls leading to a larger gap in costs between the two. Most well known PHs in reputable areas are going to charge around $1000/day on the tuskless and maybe 25% more on the bull daily rates plus or minus a few hundred dollars depending on the area and PH. Add in a few plains game species and the cost goes up. $16000 all in with airfare and tips is nearly impossible except on the best end of season deal.
I know this question was directed to Tanks and I’m certain he will provide some excellent advice. Meanwhile, an excellent option for elephant ear artwork is TCI (Trophy Consultants International) in Bulawayo Zimbabwe. They are also 1 of the 2 best taxidermy / dip & pack in Zim.
Yep
Local taxidermists. Collette's Wildlife Taxidermy at Bulawayo is one. As mentioned before tanning locally due to weight reduction is worth it.
Captive bread lion hunting, CBL.
Yep has not changed much since I was there in the early 2000.
The tuskless hunts are providing a good hunt to those who do it and some conservation funding. Population control is probably very minimal. It would take culling to really bring the numbers in check but it will probably never return. The old culls used to kill every animal in the herd young and old at the same time to avoid stress by not leaving survivors. I tried to find videos but they are either all removed or hidden very well.
Velocity Dog, you are from another era - a recent era but one that is soon to be forgotten - sadly. You hunted back when just getting a deer was reason to celebrate, back when a deer was described by it’s “weight” or “number of points” ie: “My Dad got an 8 pointer ! Weighed 200 lbs.!” There was NEVER any mention of “inches” or “record book”. Any deer was considered a trophy - a success - a memorable hunt. I believe most of that changed in the early 1980s when the words “score” or “inches” started to be used to describe the quality of deer harvested. I think it is a shame that some hunters don’t fully enjoy their success if the animal fails to “score” an arbitrary number. Growing up hunting in NJ and PA in the 1970s and hearing about my relatives deer hunting in the 1950s-60s the only thing I recall was the “joy” hunters expressed when telling stories about a successful hunt, the “great shot” they made, how heavy the deer was ”took 3 of us to load that buck into the trunk of my car”. Every hunter in camp (successful or Not) shared the joy of the Hunter that got a deer. I feel that some of that is being lost with a focus on “score”. Now, I certainly like to drop a BIG Buck and would prefer a 180” whitetail over spike buck — but I still enjoy taking any good buck and feel “thankful” when I do...because I remember all the years when I got Nothing, I’m easy to please.Fellow Hunters,
In my limited experiences of speaking with anti-hunter people (aka: emotional wrecks) it appears that they will hate us, no matter what we set out to bag, except fish for some unknown reason (figure that one out).
These self-righteous people seem to be haters and they hate because they love to hate …. they love it.
If this world had no hunting whatsoever, these goofballs would quickly make up reasons to hate other folks, no matter what.
And so, wether we take a bull or cow, buck or doe, ram or ewe, we are evil in their childish and emotionally charged thought processes.
The non-hunting masses however might see things a little bit different than the anti-hunting zealots, again judging from my limited conversations with such types.
It appears to me that at least some of these well meaning but misinformed people are OK with hunting for the lean, antibiotic free game meat.
Many are also OK with shooting for predator control, especially on livestock farms and / or to keep predator numbers in balance, as a management tool toward keeping hoofed game and lesser prey species numbers, up to healthy levels.
What they tell me is that, they do not understand and therefore tend to dislike what many (myself included) refer to as “tape measure hunting” and / or “trophy hunting”.
Don’t get me wrong here.
I have dead critters and photos of same, all over my walls, in my home.
So, I’m not especially popular with at least one of my mixed up neighbors.
That said, I cannot tell you what any of my critters would “score” or “measure”, neither do I care.
Looking at them reminds me of my happy times in the bush, while hunting and fishing.
I do have a tape measure and I use it when building things out of lumber.
Another thing that the people I’ve spoken with, among the non-hunting types about this, (again, not the hater types) do not like captive bred animals being released into a small property, just shortly before being shot for their horn length, black mane, hybrid weird color horns, whatever.
Certainly we all here disagree with the anti-hunting people.
And, I’m not insisting that anyone agree or disagree with myself or the non-hunting general public on these thoughts.
I’m just submitting what I have learned from conversing with folks.
And I know that my opinion on tape measures, record books and shooting pen raised - freshly released critters, aka: put & take “hunting” on small plots is not welcome with some members here.
Nonetheless, I began hunting hoofed game (deer) at age 15 and now I’m age 70.
I have felt this way since the beginning.
Hunting and fishing are extremely important to me.
But, I believe that we are shooting ourselves in the foot by all this tape measure and trophy book culture, as it shouts the wrong message to the general public.
The well meaning folk might otherwise be a bit more accepting of our hunting culture.
Again, I’m not referring to the anti-hunters.
There is little hope for them.
As for the non-hunter’s opinion of us, although it is only partly true that some (some) hunters only want the horns, antlers, tusks and do not themselves eat the meat, many of us do eat and truly enjoy the meat.
I sure do.
The more reasonable non-hunters, apparently would like to understand why we enjoy hunting and fishing but, are put off by what they see as the wrong reason to hunt and fish, IE: “trophy hunting”.
Let ‘er rip, very likely I’ve had worse.
Best Regards,
Velo Dog.
This is all too correct. I saw my brother in law fall victim to this. He was not really into hunting that much when the wife and I married. He took up hunting with me some and really liked it. He has access to an awesome hunting area that his wife's family owned. His father in law however is one of the "professional deer hunters" much like a guy I worked with the other night who told me no less than 100 times that there is no way he would shoot a deer less than 4 and a half years old and shame for anyone that did. So my bro in law eventually burned out on deer hunting because he got tired of going and sitting and being afraid to shoot a deer that wouldn't meet the standards of someone else. I'm hoping to rehabilitate him though
Backyard, that’s interesting. I deer hunt 35-50 days a year and have for the past 25 years (NY, PA, NJ, VA) bow, rifle, MZ. I can count on one hand the number of bucks I’ve seen that were 4 1/2 years or older — and that includes guided hunts in Kansas & IL. You can only shoot “whats there”. I will pass up 2 yr olds but anything 3yrs or older gets shot. Unless I “know” there is a old buck in the area it is unrealistic for me to “hold out” for something that isn’t around. And as you describe - for a NEW Hunter to just sit & wait & wait and Never get an opportunity ——they aren’t having much fun and might give up entirely. Enjoy the total hunt, the entire experience, and take the first “good” opportunity you get - be thankful for any racked buck, decent bear etc... At the end of each season “Most” Hunters are empty handed. Now, for those Hunters that will only be happy with a big big buck - my approach need not apply. I would never advocate shooting something just to “shoot it”....you should be Happy with what you get. Me - I’m thankful for good opportunities.This is all too correct. I saw my brother in law fall victim to this. He was not really into hunting that much when the wife and I married. He took up hunting with me some and really liked it. He has access to an awesome hunting area that his wife's family owned. His father in law however is one of the "professional deer hunters" much like a guy I worked with the other night who told me no less than 100 times that there is no way he would shoot a deer less than 4 and a half years old and shame for anyone that did. So my bro in law eventually burned out on deer hunting because he got tired of going and sitting and being afraid to shoot a deer that wouldn't meet the standards of someone else. I'm hoping to rehabilitate him though
