Thread: African Big Game Hunting

Hi all

Seeing it is on the topic of hunting, I thought I would also post here.

What are your guys opinions on the hunting of big game in Africa?
In the next couple weeks I plan to go to a Hunting Lodge where they need a hand shooting a few animals to cull the numbers back. Just curious as to what your opinions are, as it's a very sensitive topic for 99% of the Western world.
The game I would be hunting are: Springbok, Kudu, Oryx, Zebra, Eland, Giant Eland, Wildebeest, Hartebeest and some other Antelope species. Also on the cards is a Giraffe.
As well as this I would be helping with the hunting of problem Leopard on the surrounding farms as well as Cheetah.

Very interested to know your opinions and would appreciate it if no one loses their rag at me.
Thanks guys

Keegan

If they need culling they need culling.

It will certainly be an experience. Im all for hunting springbok and other plains game. I dont think shooting Zebra's , Giraffe etc would be my cup of tea. I would personally rather shoot with a camera. But each to their own.

Its not my thing but go for it !

there is a reason for culling and good game management, look forward to the trip report. I'd offer my services but you know Duck shooting !!!

It is the best thing anyone can do for the conservation of these animals.
African game does not roam on public land, nearly all hunting takes place on private or tribal land. Hunting these species gives them a value, this means the tribes people get more for them selling them to a hunting operator than killing and eating them, it means the game farmer can maintain his farm economically, remove poaching snares and run the farm properly.
It is not in any of their interests to kill more than is sustainable.

These private farms would not survive without hunting as photo safaris and tourists only go to the big reserves (Kruger etc.) where thay can see the big 5 in 1 day.
Asking these people to keep game on their farm with no return would be like asking a beef farmer to keep beef but he is not allowed to sell any cattle!
This would result in the land being utilised for other farming and the biggest cause of game depletion... habitat destruction.

So go, hunt it all, as long as it is legal and ethical, you will be doing a thousand times more for the conservation of African game than all of the anti hunting Internet troll put together, in fact they are doing harm, as Africa is losing massive conservation funds due to this trend.

Sounds like a brilliant trip and for a good reason. Go for it!

You lucky basket....

Its not my cup of tea shooting the likes of giraffes, but springbok and the likes is all good.

Go hard and enjoy

Can completely understand the actions that get taken, there is so much PC bullshit about the shooting of the animals over there from people who don't know the first thing about species conservation, I would be all for a guided hunt for the big 5 if I had the money, would be an awesome experience, enjoy your trip.

My opinion is I think stalking a buffalo bull on foot would be a challange. Id also hunt gazelle species but knocking over giraffe or elephant from a 4wd would be just like shooting a homekill beast imo. Unless the big predators are bothering anyone Id be happy with just photos. The ghost in the darkness was one of my favourite movies growing up.

Culling has to be done over here for the welfare of the animals and the amount of people living on what they grow animals on the rampage can destroy a family's crop in hours.
Shooting without a proper stalk is not my idea of hunting.
But people are willing to pay for it .
What does not help is idiots taking photos of themselves laying next to a animal like a idiot or the whole family piling on top of a elephant is not showing any respect for what they have just done.
If you have a chance to cull shoot go for it.
Even us kiwi should be putting thought into how we portray ourselves when posting a photo on social media ,take the time to set up the animal so we don't give ammo to anti-hunting groups

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

If they need culling they need culling.

I agree with this. If it isn't endangered or if your actions aren't helping it to become endangered then it's all good I spose.

I think the whole thing is pretty terrible, not sure how you can stand the shame..............

However, in order to salve your conscience, how about I go in your place?, will do a good job I promise, and you can sleep easy at home, now that's sorted, where are my tickets?

not an issue for me, the massive fees you pay I think will help pay for the management of the herds.

Plains game i would happilly shoot as much as my wallet could stand.
Buffalo would be OK too,

I had a good chat with a bloke that organises big game hunting trips. He is from zim or sa originally but now lives in Warkworth.
He told me about elephant hunting, it all made sense. He said where they do it the area is over populated with them and they are destroying the habitat for all the other animals. When they DK it, the local tribes are part of it and receive some payment and also get most of the beast. They shoot an old bull that is past his prime and it seems that every one wins except the one animal so sounded like a decent setup to me

Sent from my workbench