Wild Lion Hunt

[Rockwall205]

I have my go to PH Zane Bronkhorst looking for a deal currently , but he is busy chasing wild things. I thought I could expand my search to the AH community to see if you have any leads on a quality area that may have need to fill a tag this year? I can usually travel last minute if any opportunity ( cancellation ) arises .

It would have to be exportable to the US . I’m wanting to be in the $50,000 daily and trophy fees range. Add on being bait animal’s export ext . Would like to use Zane as my PH if possible if he is available.

I’ve done a captive bred lion hunt and had a great experience. Just something about hearing a wild lion while your sitting around a fire that is extremely special. Even more so when you’re sitting in a leopard blind with nothing but a pillow for protection in your arms as they advance on your location! A story for another time !

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions!

Scott

 

[kpoynter]

To be clear… are you saying Wild and Exportable Lion….for 50K WITH Trophy Fee???
You will have to catch a true cancellation with big deposit lost if so
That’s a full 30k under market and 10k under 10-15 year ago market

 

[Rockwall205]

Yes , I have gotten a Direct message from a company in Zambia that got a late quota past marketing window so have a
Good deal for this year . Waiting for him to confirm a few things. $ 60kish with 2/3rds weighted to trophy fee being newly opened with no hunting last 5 years .

 

[Cme1983]

Be careful and make sure the concession is actually open now….what is the name of the recently opened concession?

 

[kpoynter]

Yes , I have gotten a Direct message from a company in Zambia that got a late quota past marketing window so have a
Good deal for this year . Waiting for him to confirm a few things. $ 60kish with 2/3rds weighted to trophy fee being newly opened with no hunting last 5 years .

Caveat Emptor….

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Yes , I have gotten a Direct message from a company in Zambia that got a late quota past marketing window so have a
Good deal for this year . Waiting for him to confirm a few things. $ 60kish with 2/3rds weighted to trophy fee being newly opened with no hunting last 5 years .

Was the DM from a sponsor? Just curious.. Think they supposed to be one if they’re conducting business on AH.

 

[Rockwall205]

Be careful and make sure the concession is actually open now….what is the name of the recently opened concession?

The hunt would be with a sponsor here Kemp African Safaris. He did not name the concession although said it boarders Kafue National Park . I don’t expect a response from him until tomorrow since it’s late there now.

Caveat Emptor for sure . That’s a great reason to be a member of AH lots of experienced individuals to help you out along the way !

 

[deewayne2003]

What’s your definition of a truly wild lion?

D&Y do lion hunts in Zim and think it’s $900per X 21day + $25K trophy(last list I saw from them)+ bait.

 

[375Fox]

I’d be really cautious booking with a South African in a foreign country. I’d also be cautious of concessions with unsold quota at the start of season. A concession that hasn’t seen legal hunting in 5 years could be great or it could have been heavily poached those last 5 years. There is also no past seasons to base success rates on. Aside from a few, most AH sponsors are not the outfitters you’d be looking at for a wild lion hunt aside from 3 in Zimbabwe and one in Zambia. I’d wait until you hear back from your zim PH. It looks like he has a Zambian business partner as well. An unsuccessful $50k last minute lion hunt in the wrong concession with wrong outfitter would be very costly.

Something you might not think about as well. I’d ask what percentage of male lions are collared. Unfortunately some areas, it’s an anti-hunting strategy more than any research value so they collar all they can.

 

[Cme1983]

What’s your definition of a truly wild lion?

D&Y do lion hunts in Zim and think it’s $900per X 21day + $25K trophy(last list I saw from them)+ bait.

In what world is any outfitter selling a lion for 900 a day? 2,900 a day sounds more likely.

 

[Rockwall205]

What’s your definition of a truly wild lion?

D&Y do lion hunts in Zim and think it’s $900per X 21day + $25K trophy(last list I saw from them)+ bait.

That fits parameters will take a look . But good advice may be to wait on my trusted PH for the right hunt .

 

[kpoynter]

That fits parameters will take a look . But good advice may be to wait on my trusted PH for the right hunt

that video is D&Y here…Zimbabwe…not a 50k hunt. Great outfit and excellent value, not 50k
Don’t confuse the “what’s your definition of Wild” question above it.
All the Lion Hunts in Zim, Zambia, Mozambique (Niassa),Tanzania (and the few in Namibia) are wild and Exportable
South Africa…not…
A “bargain” is exceedingly rare. Cancellations for those (like you who are willing to travel on short notice) are the best way.
Magical post Show season quota (of which normally only two Lion would be on quota) is questionable (very if it’s truly a good area and reputable)
If it was a good area and a high quality deal it would also be easy to sell two high quality Lion hunts as so few are available (especially months ahead of peak season still)
I hope it works out for you…. However there are a couple of warning signs (3 I believe)

 

[ActionBob]

In what world is any outfitter selling a lion for 900 a day? 2,900 a day sounds more likely.

Although i haven't hunted with them. I have visited at the shows and several members on this site have hunted with D&Y.

They seem very reputable and just have a very straight up honest business model.

 

[deewayne2003]

In what world is any outfitter selling a lion for 900 a day? 2,900 a day sounds more likely.

$2,900day is the rate for Tanzania and other places that are "truly wild" as in they do not have people living in the area like Zimbabwe does with the CAMPFIRE land system; and those $2,900day places are on private/exclusive land and have some of the most decadent accommodations in Africa.

From what I hear the $2,900daily rate place have lower trophy fees because your already dropping $60K+ on daily fees for a 21 day hunt, so if you go home without your lion you are still out $60K+.

If you have doubts by all means feel free to reach out to D&Y, they are a sponsor of this site.

My first Safari was with D&Y this past July and with 4 of us in camp, everyone got their animals that we reserved and then some; couldn't have asked for a better first trip.

that video is D&Y here…Zimbabwe…not a 50k hunt. Great outfit and excellent value, not 50k
Don’t confuse the “what’s your definition of Wild” question above it.
All the Lion Hunts in Zim, Zambia, Mozambique (Niassa),Tanzania (and the few in Namibia) are wild and Exportable
South Africa…not…

By "Truly Wild" question I meant that D&Y hunt CAMPFIRE areas that are tribal land and there are people living there; I've heard people moan about how they want a "truly wild" place with no villages,
hence why I asked the question of what your definition of "Truly Wild" is, because I can attest there are NO high fences in the Omay where we were hunting.

 

[kpoynter]

$2,900day is the rate for Tanzania and other places that are "truly wild" as in they do not have people living in the area like Zimbabwe does with the CAMPFIRE land system; and those $2,900day places are on private/exclusive land and have some of the most decadent accommodations in Africa.

From what I hear the $2,900daily rate place have lower trophy fees because your already dropping $60K+ on daily fees for a 21 day hunt, so if you go home without your lion you are still out $60K+.

If you have doubts by all means feel free to reach out to D&Y, they are a sponsor of this site.

My first Safari was with D&Y this past July and with 4 of us in camp, everyone got their animals that we reserved and then some; couldn't have asked for a better first trip.



By "Truly Wild" question I meant that D&Y hunt CAMPFIRE areas that are tribal land and there are people living there; I've heard people moan about how they want a "truly wild" place with no villages,
hence why I asked the question of what your definition of "Truly Wild" is, because I can attest there are NO high fences in the Omay where we were hunting.

I see what you mean now by Campfire area. I’ve hunted a couple…you are correct.
Now, the going rate on “good” Lion hunts in quality areas and quality outfitters in Zim and Zambia…
Yeah.. Zim is definitely $2,900 a day (60k) on day rates and Trophy fees now another 20k on Average
Zambia is $4,000 a day now typically (85k)
Tanzania is MUCH more at 100k-130k on average or $5,700 a day or so
15 years ago the day rates were $2,400 a day (50k) and Lion TF around 8k…

 

[375Fox]

$2,900day is the rate for Tanzania and other places that are "truly wild" as in they do not have people living in the area like Zimbabwe does with the CAMPFIRE land system; and those $2,900day places are on private/exclusive land and have some of the most decadent accommodations in Africa.

From what I hear the $2,900daily rate place have lower trophy fees because your already dropping $60K+ on daily fees for a 21 day hunt, so if you go home without your lion you are still out $60K+.

If you have doubts by all means feel free to reach out to D&Y, they are a sponsor of this site.

My first Safari was with D&Y this past July and with 4 of us in camp, everyone got their animals that we reserved and then some; couldn't have asked for a better first trip.



By "Truly Wild" question I meant that D&Y hunt CAMPFIRE areas that are tribal land and there are people living there; I've heard people moan about how they want a "truly wild" place with no villages,
hence why I asked the question of what your definition of "Truly Wild" is, because I can attest there are NO high fences in the Omay where we were hunting.

You’re making a lot of incorrect assumptions to discredit $2900 a day. The best lion areas go for a lot. You are correct it is partially based on the level of wilderness. The last Bubye Valley price list I saw had lion at $3000/day and a $40k TF. A recent email offer I had for Save Valley was $2500/day with a $30k TF. A price list I have for a different community area in Zambezi valley has lion at $2000/day and $25k TF. I don’t know of any operation in Zimbabwe that sells hunts with decadent accommodations. They have the same standard of camps I see from D&Y. I’d assume a lot of D&Y’s pricing on the Omay has to do more with building a client base for a young outfitter than being representative of hunts in Zimbabwe. They’ve done a great job marketing and building a name but it wasn’t that long ago they had a major issue with hunting rights in the omay and now appears problem in Chewore. Stable names have the ability to charge more for hunts as well.

 

[Cme1983]

I’m not doubting D&Y. They have a great reputation. I am doubting the 900 per day in day rates. An end of season hunt when it’s boiling hot at a highly reduced rate…now that makes sense.

 

[dogcat1]

BE exceptionally careful in Zambia.... There are only a couple of outfitters that you can truly trust.

For lion, I would go to Bubye in Zimbabwe as a good option. There are other places but be absolutely sure of who you dealing with....

 

[K-man]

The other part of your parameters for the hunt is importable to the U.S.
If you are going to a new concession or an area that just opened it's doubtful you will get an import permit from USFW. They will want years of data and proof of conservation from your outfitter. Doesn't mean your hunt won't be fantastic, just be prepared for difficulty importing. I know the Save has imported lions to the U.S. lately.
(edit) I just looked at Leon Duplessis in the Save - day rates 41K for 18 days and trophy fee 15K plus baits and misc, so not far off your goal. probably 60 K all in

 

[deewayne2003]

You’re making a lot of incorrect assumptions to discredit $2900 a day. The best lion areas go for a lot. You are correct it is partially based on the level of wilderness. The last Bubye Valley price list I saw had lion at $3000/day and a $40k TF. A recent email offer I had for Save Valley was $2500/day with a $30k TF. A price list I have for a different community area in Zambezi valley has lion at $2000/day and $25k TF. I don’t know of any operation in Zimbabwe that sells hunts with decadent accommodations. They have the same standard of camps I see from D&Y. I’d assume a lot of D&Y’s pricing on the Omay has to do more with building a client base for a young outfitter than being representative of hunts in Zimbabwe. They’ve done a great job marketing and building a name but it wasn’t that long ago they had a major issue with hunting rights in the omay and now appears problem in Chewore. Stable names have the ability to charge more for hunts as well.

I think you miss read what I was saying or maybe I should have been more precise in my verbiage since people get so up in arms about lion hunts in any forum thread.

As for decedent accommodation, I was referring to places like Tanzania & Namibia that have private/exclusive rights and are seen as “truly wild” that friends of mine with much deeper pockets hunt and the photos of the lodges are awe inspiring.

As far as the issues with D&Y in the Omay, I got caught in the middle of that as my July 2024 hunt was booked 1.5 years out, when a certain Zim outfitter posted on this forum that he had “acquired” the rights to the concession I was booked on and that anyone with hunts booked for Omay should contact him….

I thought that was very poor form on his part and caused unnecessary drama that hung a dark cloud of uncertainty over my hunt for months.

That played out in court and D&Y won the drawn out court battle and I hunted the Omay with them.

As far as other issues with Chewore… I don’t have any information or standing on that so will not comment, but it is Zimbabwe and the administration of hunting areas in Zim have been charged with various improprieties in the tenure process including the Omay issue.

Lion hunting is something out of reach for me at the moment(I need a new tractor more than a lion hunt) so granted I don’t research it heavily, but my entire reason for posting on this thread in the first place was to mention that there is a sub $50K option for exportable lion as the OP asked for which is factual and immediately get hit with anything but what the OP was asking for as counter examples.

Again I’m just posting info for the OP who asked for $50K and under hunt, then people start posting all sorts of info about hunts that are 2-3x the OP’s budget.

Honestly I’ll probably avoid lion hunting, seems like a sewing circle anytime someone posts about it, CBL brings up a shit storm of controversy and apparently any lion hunt under $100K is not a “Good lion”