June 1st will halt Lion hunting in RSA for two years. That's how long the Minister of Natural Conservation says that a Lion must live on the property/ranch before hunting is allowed. Meanwhile, even if the new law is delayed, my understanding is there will be no export permits issued after June 1st. Therefore, unless your looking to pay a mortgage for a Lion (now running $65K-$120K in nortern countrys) RSA may be your last hope for an affordable hunt. Lion hunts that are offered are done under strict guidelines and on an average of 25,000 acre ranches. No unethical action is allowed. Hunts are conducted with additional PH staff to ensure the safety of all concerned as you are hunting a dangerous animal. Cost depends upon the sex and age of the Lion hunted but can be done for half the price of northern hunts. If you think all northern hunts are totally free range, think again. Many of the RSA Lions will be finding new homes soon, if not already. Contact me for information. Good hunting, LDK

Can you tell us any of the details of the hunt, such as how many days, will it be a fenced or non-fenced hunt, will bait be used or will it be spot and stalk, how much daily rate, how much trophy fee, etc.? Thank you.

500grains, as an experienced hunter of wild game, you know how Lions are hunted in RSA. If your asking if it's a canned hunt, no. The Lion's aren't drugged, caged, penned or rendered helpless. They reside on larger ranches. Fenced, yes, but you are aware of how much area 10ha/25,000acre ranches and larger can cover. These Lions can kill the careless, and get real pissed off when they see any kind of rifle or people approaching them. Having darted a Lion, I speak from experience. Strict guidelines will be followed, and you must sign a waiver or no hunt. Several PHs are used as backup in case someone is a bad or careless shot. Unfortunately, it is not a wilderness hunt but then again your not paying $65K-$120K to hopefully see a Lion let alone kill one. I'm only passing along an advertisement due to the law concerning the hunting of Lion in RSA will change come June 1st. After two years waiting period, I hate to think what a mature Lion will cost in RSA. Good hunting, LDK

LDK: Your information is indeed correct. And, prices have already started to escalate in South Africa. Between rhino and lion, many current and future Big Five Hunters may eventually only be able to afford to take the Big Three.

LDK,

Can you tell us what these lion hunts are going to cost, other than not 65K to 120K?

As an aside, I don't like the sound of several PHs for backup. Sounds like a bunch of trigger happy guys wanting to get a crack at a lion.

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
LDK,

Can you tell us what these lion hunts are going to cost, other than not 65K to 120K?

$64K

David- I think you just lost all your credibility.You know those lions have to be fed by humans, do you not? When you say "will be finding new homes soon", exactly what do you mean? Trucked up into Zim?

500grains: Cost will depend upon age. $25-$55K. I have heard prices rising rapidly but these are current with Outfitters I know. How many PHs attend the hunt would be up to the head PH and the client to discuss.
crane: Don't know why I lose my credibility. I'm only passing on information given to me by Outfitters. None of whom have ever given me any reason to question their word or profession. There are bad apples in every barrel but it not only takes an unethical PH to do a canned hunt but a likewise hunter to close the deal. Not every hunter can have unlimited funds to pursue the worlds most expensive game in the most remote parts of the globe. Most of us work very hard to find the time and money to hunt plains game, let alone a Big 5 hunt. Unfortunately, the cost of hunting is going up worldwide. I once told a friend back in the early '70s that it wouldn't be the anti's who stopped our sport: we would price ourselves out of hunting. I don't think I was wrong. To address your question, I have seen Lions fed by humans and they lived in conservancies, were not hunted yet surplus animals were sold to breeding ranches. Breeding ranches feed their Lions as well. Hunting ranches have a choice: supplement feed your cats or let them eat your plains game. No one will forfeit two years of plains game loss, so watch were the cats go, and they've gone as far south as they can. Trucks heading west and north? LDK

I would have suspected the price would actually decrease prior to the ban... the old supply and demand theory! A glut of lions to be sold and "hunted" in a relatively short period of time would lead to intense competition for the few hunters that could head over in the next two months to shoot one. I would think these outfitters and breeders would drop their prices drastically to dump surplus lions they will have to feed for the next two years without any ROI.

quote:

If you think all northern hunts are totally free range, think again. Many of the RSA Lions will be finding new homes soon, if not already

I don't believe these lions could be moved across national borders to be "hunted" in other countries easily. Think how tough it is to get vet papers and capes/backskins dipped and shipped. A live animal with the possibility of distemper, etc would be much tougher to export IMO.

But what do I know?

Bwanamrm,
I believe this is an example ofwhat you are talking about. https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/...=198100485#198100485

SBT- Thanks for the link. I was thinking like Russell as well. These folks have got ~ 60 days to liquidate. It should get even cheaper if you were so inclined. Say, show up around May 20th with some cash........ Somewhere in these lion posts there were some estimates of what was in "inventory". 3000-5000 shootables if my memory is any good.