As most of you know, Bots has decided to reopen lion for the 2005 season (after having been closed since 2000 I believe). I had dinner last night with a PH friend from Botswana and he told me that most lions were being sold for between $85,000 and $115,000. He knew of one lion that was "wholesaled" for $75,000. The highest price he was aware of was $140,000.

Prices were half these amounts or less before the closure.

Mucho Dinero. I doubt I'll be hunting them again.

Those look like RSA prices!!!!

I heard each outfitter was allowed one lion permit, so they are going to really cash in. Laws of supply and demand at work big time in this case.
Maybe after a year or two the gov't will increase their permits and then possibly the prices will come down a bit. Unless/until that happens the price of a big maned lion ain't gettin' no cheaper!

talked to a ph that had two permits for sale at 75 k each. He commented on the one I shot for the 3500 dollar trophy fee whilst hunting elephant. I guess those days are gone forever.

John, you're right - most concessions are getting one lion on their quota. There are a few concessions without lion on quota.

Some of the dual-use (photo and hunting) concessions are photo only now. So those lions won't get hunted. I heard Derek Joubert, the phony wildlife film guy, has put together a group that is purchasing a dual-use concession that will then be closed to hunting.

We will see some phenomenal lions come out of Botswana this year for sure.

Anybody know about the Duba Plain area of the Okavango?
It was dual use when I was there in 2001, and there were a lot of lion near Caparota Camp. Lots of buffalo, elephant and lechwe too. Hippos crocs, giraffe, wild dogs, spotted hyena, impala, and even some sable ... paradise. If the greenies take it over, it will go to hell. It must be hunted to be preserved as a wilderness.

The prices are certainly disgusting.

I know of one that sold for US$145000 at Dallas. For the same money I could have sold the guy 3 -21 day back to back 1x1 hunts in Tanzania including the trophy fees for 3 Elephants, 3 Lions & 3 Leopards and all charters.......... and he would still have money over for airfare.

For $145,000 US you could do quite a bit of hunting. I here the black rhino hunts were close two twice that much.

This is becoming a rich mans sport more and more every day.

I saw three beautiful black maned Lions when I was in Bots. in 2001. I wonder how sporting the hunts will be as we were able to approach to within 5 yds (w/ Land Cruiser)??

quote:

---

Originally posted by ForrestB:
As most of you know, Bots has decided to reopen lion for the 2005 season (after having been closed since 2000 I believe). I had dinner last night with a PH friend from Botswana and he told me that most lions were being sold for between $85,000 and $115,000. He knew of one lion that was "wholesaled" for $75,000. The highest price he was aware of was $140,000.

Prices were half these amounts or less before the closure.

Mucho Dinero. I doubt I'll be hunting them again.

---

Forrest
Pull a rabbit out of your hat...Like the gun
you almost had them paying you to build.
It's all just creative math!

Does Botswana still not allow baiting? Might make it a lot of money for nothing.

Please someone correct me if I am wrong. But I do believe baiting was made legal in Botswana this year.

I talked to Jeff Rann Safaris at the Houston show. In his brochure the total for a lion hunt and other game is over $136,000. Too steep for my budget.

I never thought I would see the day that a lion hunt would exceed the cost of a rhino hunt.

I would probably quit hunitng before I pain 100k for any single animal. I am glad there are those who do but for me that is just to much cash.

IIRC the last sheep tag Texas auctioned off went for 102K, all the money went to purchasing land if I heard the fellow at the Dallas SCI correctly.

quote:

We will see some phenomenal lions come out of Botswana this year for sure.

they better be nothing but spectacular at that price or else they will loose a lot of business in future.

As long as we continue to go to Africa and vomit out huge amounts of US dollars, the prices will continue to climb. Haas anyone noticed that the price of some hunts have escalated more than 50% in the past three years?

Since most of us wouldn't make a wart on a real hunters ass, we think we can impress the PHs with our money. Whomever said" A Fool and his money are easily parted" was correct.
The only way we can bring the prices back in line is by staying home. One year of us Americans hunting anywhere but Africa would adjust a lot of attitudes in all the South African countries. It is unfortunate that we do not seem to have the will to do that.

Would by nice to see some picture from the Botswana Lion for US$ 75000.- and another from the US$ 145000.- Are the already shoot or not or the are only difficult to find ...lions for this price

r.
seloushunter

quote:

Originally posted by Bwanahile:
Those look like RSA prices!!!!

Bwanahile

Who is advertising lions for that price in RSA ?

Brad

I shot my lion one month ago in South Africa with Brad Rolston. My charge was 35K, all inclusive. And, the lion was free ranging out of Kruger's 5 million acres into the Balule Reserve. Not a canned lion hunt as some may suggest, and a hell of a lot cheaper than Botswana. The proof's in the pudding, and you can view my lion under my post under African Hunting Reports dealing with my hunt to the Balule Reserve. There's still lion available folks and for a lot cheaper than what you are deciding to pay, unless you have an aversion to shooting lion in South Africa for some unknown reason. Call Brad Rolston if your'e interested. He has one permit left in the same area this year for the same price.

We work with Garry Kelly who offers a 14 day lion hunt in the Timbavati bordering Kruger. There is nothing canned about this hunt and it is way cheaper than the prices in Botswana. Also your chances of taking a tremendous lion on the tracking hunt are excellent.

BTW the first 3 hunters this year in Bots did not get their lions regardless of the incredible price.

Regards,

Mark

MBOGA BIGA BWANA biga watan dig gil. YOu got that. I no diga whata you saya in inglese. Treya againa. D