Conservation and hunting Africa
International
Excellent article worth reading. Never been to Botswana, but South Africa several times.
Nothing better than the Local, hard facts perspective. Nothing worse than allowing decisions to be made by those whose entire investment is an emotional one.
As a hunting forum, I’m a little disappointed that this thread has 3 replies and a thread about a beauty pageant has 100
This is a topic that should be very important to hunters as conservationists. It doesn’t just apply to Botswana and Africa. It would have far more far reaching consequences.
I’m in Botswana at the moment, and this is a big deal here.
It goes further than just helping the communities. By having the "trophy" fees paid by hunters to hunt and kill certain species, that money actually helps to protect those species. That money goes towards game wardens who patrol and arrest poachers. Poachers are the ones responsible for the decimation of wildlife in Africa, for so called "bush meat" sold in markets, to ivory peddlers, and Asian medicinal ingredients. Does it end it, by all means NO, but it does help. Elephants are not endangered at all, contrary to what the MSM and tree huggers would like you to believe. Their narrative of Dumbo and Babar should be solely for kindergarten story time.
Trophy hunting saved the white rhino in South Africa while the Black Rhino was almost wiped out where hunting was banned. Even in Kenya where massive amounts of tourist dollars come into the country. If a game animal loses it's value why would a farmer or anyone protect it when $$$ is scarce. When that same game animal has a value based on trophy hunting potential it will be protected until it can be harvested and the $$$ earned. Just like any valuable resource.
Once you’ve seen an area that is overpopulated with elephants, you are happy that there are people willing to pay good money to hunt them. We are all well aware that the only place elephants are struggling is where they are not hunted. And therefore have no monetary value.
When trees are tipped over that provided shade, feed and cover for dozens of species. Erosion and different less diverse and nutritious vegetation takes over. If at all
Also in many countries, which ever area the animal is killed. the locals get a percentage of permit fees. And of course the meat.
We need to use the Marxist tactics back on them. “It’s RACIST for white people in Europe and the U.S. to dictate to Black governments in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Zambia or SA how they manage their game animals.
Let’s flip the narrative on these childish ignorant anti science, zealots. They are all racists. Not wanting African countries to succeed and prosper. deciding for them selves.
Hopefully some day Kenya wakes up and opens up again as Botswana did.
I agree Bake. People think that because they don’t hunt Elephants the Marxists won’t come for them.
Churchill’s crocodile quote is appropriate here.
Bake why do you say this is still a hunting forum. Dedication to that perspective left the barn a fair bit about. It is now just a pot pourrie of topics based on whatever someone wants to tee up.
I'll be flying into Johannesburg for a 9 day hunt in May. Will be my fitst trip to Africa. Excited to experience the "African model of conservation" firsthand.
Good point Bake, for the record I did not read, or click on, the pageant thread but I am reading this one.
That was a darn good article. I weighs heavy on my heart how so many of the "neutral" 80% have no idea. Cecil will remain with me forever as a reminder of how far from reality much of the world has become. It is truly sad.
When you try to humanize wildlife you become disassociated with natural order. Just ask Timothy Treadwell and his fiance, or any idiot at Yellowstone who wants to feed the bears, pet a bison, or walk up on a bull elk.
The bunny huggers, for the most part, do not seek the truth. The truth, especially about Africa, is out there for anyone to see. All they want is to feel good about themselves and they can do that by being a card carrying member of PETA, Friends of Animals, or whatever. They follow whoever is the animal “savior of the week” whether it’s an actor, singer, or politician. They have no solutions, only agendas. They are mostly liberals and liberals don’t want normal people enjoying themselves, even if they are doing no harm.
Said it on the pageant thread and will say it here, those who don't like to read nonhunting threads, get over yourself darling, don't open the thread, it's as simple as changing a TV channel,,, geez..... Nobody is forcing you to open a thread, let it go...
We used to have a community forum that no longer exists, so I'm glad they lets these go along with the joke threads....
Yeah but could you keep it off actual hunting threads. Please and thank you.
Meateater podcast had a couple PHs from Africa on a few weeks ago, really good listen.
“When that same game animal has a value based on trophy hunting potential it will be protected until it can be harvested and the $$$ earned. Just like any valuable livestock “
Fixed that for you.
Because that’s what the South African model is; it’s Farming. Just like it is in the UK. It beats the snot out of keystone species going extinct, and it beats having the only surviving populations in zoos. People who hate hunting will tell you all about how important it is to preserve the animals and the wildlife over an order of McNuggets, but they have no solutions for how both the exploding human population and the animals can coexist on the land. I have a lot of reservations regarding what I’ve heard as to how the South African hunts are actually conducted - bowhunts in particular - but I have no better solution than selling tophies “by the inch”, rather than meat by the pound. I don’t think I have any desire to participate, but if I have to hold my nose and allow someone else to carry out the only viable solution for preserving an entire ecosystem, then pass the clothespins.
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“They have no solutions, only agendas. They are mostly liberals and liberals don’t want normal people enjoying themselves, even if they are doing no harm.”
They same must be said of “conservatives” who are on a mission to deprive other people of their rights to make life- changing decisions for themselves and their children (about whom they know NOTHING) because it goes against their “conservative” values.
THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE. Both sides want their own morals and values to be written into law, and neither gives a SHIT about how much harm or suffering that will cause for others, because they believe they have a pipeline to the Truth.
There is 100% equal arrogance, and neither side is blind to the damage that will result when they win; they just don’t care, as long as they get to feel Righteous while ruining someone else’s life.
Altitude Sickness hits the nail soundly on the head! Use the Left's language and squirrelly arguments to refute them.
To wit: It is just racist to cast aspersion on the findings of black biologists in the African countries that support hunting.
THIS is how we will ultimately win on the science!
Pete
Bake why do you say this is still a hunting forum. Dedication to that perspective left the barn a fair bit about. It is now just a pot pourrie of topics based on whatever someone wants to tee up.
Great article. Thanks for sharing.
They are not concerned with conserving wildlife. Their goal is to stop sport hunting, period. South Africa is in the process of trying to eliminate ranch raised lions. They are considering opening the Asian bone trade to offset the loss of sport hunting. The same amount of lions will be killed , but just not at the hand of sport hunters. Hypocrisy at its finest.
Could it be that most folks right now are more concerned about paying their bills and keeping food on the table than worrying about conservation in Africa?? Me thinks not everyone can AFFORD to hunt in Africa!!
It's a great article, but my thoughts is that the emotional people against sport hunting don't give a damn about the people of Africa, and as astute an article as that is it won't matter. These are not the kind of people that listen to that kind of logic. In their mind, you don't hunt them and somehow the rest "works itself out."
