quote:

Originally posted by LionHunter:
…... Anybody saying they can age him from these pics is simply guessing.

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:
Hard to say from the pics, but he sure looks like a nice lion!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:
It is in Save so likely it is a no shoot as quotas/ licenses have not yet been released in most areas.

quote:

Originally posted by Buzz Charlton:
Imagine turning down a lion like that because the light which was good enough to shoot was not good enough to "age" and then have him wonder off to never return on your 24 days $2000/day hunt that you had been saving all your life for!!! I would be a pissed client!

With more and more emphasis on the aging of cats in Zimbabwe we have learnt one thing for sure. That is it nearly impossible to age ACCURATELY in the field- yes you can tell a young lion from an mature lion but can any PH tell a 4 year old from a 5 ( which is important as with our newly appointed points system a 4 year old gives you negative points while a 5 gives you positive points and this determines your quota for the following year!

I think it is fair to say that the only accurate way to age a lion is by pulling a tooth and xraying it. This will be done in Zim BUT it will be done by Parks and that unfortunately does not fill me with alot of confidence. We like a few other operators are taking all the required pics, measurements and submitting teeth form all lion and leopard shot but I wonder if the Parks hunting areas are doing this- I doubt it.

In short though FishN4eyes- BANG- you will have an awesome trophy and worry if you want about the age later!

quote:

Originally posted by Buzz Charlton:
Imagine turning down a lion like that because the light which was good enough to shoot was not good enough to "age" and then have him wonder off to never return on your 24 days $2000/day hunt that you had been saving all your life for!!! I would be a pissed client!

quote:

Originally posted by Randy W Martin:
Watching Ivan Carter look through a spotting scope for 30 min., waiting for the lion to yawn to try and keep from making a mistake and getting a fine by the gov.

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Originally posted by butchloc:
i thot i saw a puddy cat

quote:

Originally posted by jkhunter:
As this is a Lion in Zimbabwe, and you are looking for a 4 year+ Lion if I understand the min limit correct, then I would not even wait for PH to comment, its a good shooter, if I am correct you can spot a patch of hair on the one elbow, maybe just a shadow but this is a good mature Male,

If this was Tanzania then you would need to get him in the day light and flick a coin,

Its so bloody difficult to age that 5/6 year gap that I have had a good friend and PH in Tanzania send me photos of huge Males over the last 14 days in Tanzania asking for help in aging 2 big males,

This makes life tough for the guys on the ground and frustrating for the clients who just seem to be paying and not shooting a Lion

I will try up load some of those photos if any one interested???

JK

quote:

Originally posted by mboga biga bwana:

quote:

Originally posted by Buzz Charlton:
Imagine turning down a lion like that because the light which was good enough to shoot was not good enough to "age" and then have him wonder off to never return on your 24 days $2000/day hunt that you had been saving all your life for!!! I would be a pissed client!

So true

quote:

Originally posted by Lhook7:
Thierry,

I believe that pricing model was used by Andrew Baldry before Zambia was shut down.

This pricing model is much more attractive to me.

quote:

Originally posted by Buzz Charlton:
With more and more emphasis on the aging of cats in Zimbabwe we have learnt one thing for sure. That is it nearly impossible to age ACCURATELY in the field- yes you can tell a young lion from an mature lion but can any PH tell a 4 year old from a 5 ( which is important as with our newly appointed points system a 4 year old gives you negative points while a 5 gives you positive points and this determines your quota for the following year!

....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1
DRSS Charter member
"If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982

Hands of Old Elmer Keith

quote:

Originally posted by Buzz Charlton:
Imagine turning down a lion like that because the light which was good enough to shoot was not good enough to "age" and then have him wonder off to never return on your 24 days $2000/day hunt that you had been saving all your life for!!! I would be a pissed client!

With more and more emphasis on the aging of cats in Zimbabwe we have learnt one thing for sure. That is it nearly impossible to age ACCURATELY in the field- yes you can tell a young lion from an mature lion but can any PH tell a 4 year old from a 5 ( which is important as with our newly appointed points system a 4 year old gives you negative points while a 5 gives you positive points and this determines your quota for the following year!

I think it is fair to say that the only accurate way to age a lion is by pulling a tooth and xraying it. This will be done in Zim BUT it will be done by Parks and that unfortunately does not fill me with alot of confidence. We like a few other operators are taking all the required pics, measurements and submitting teeth form all lion and leopard shot but I wonder if the Parks hunting areas are doing this- I doubt it.

In short though FishN4eyes- BANG- you will have an awesome trophy and worry if you want about the age later!

quote:

Originally posted by FishN4Eyes:
Here are some recent pics from a trail camera from the Save Conservancy.

Curious about some thoughts about age and shootability.

Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:

quote:

Originally posted by Buzz Charlton:
With more and more emphasis on the aging of cats in Zimbabwe we have learnt one thing for sure. That is it nearly impossible to age ACCURATELY in the field- yes you can tell a young lion from an mature lion but can any PH tell a 4 year old from a 5 ( which is important as with our newly appointed points system a 4 year old gives you negative points while a 5 gives you positive points and this determines your quota for the following year!

I absolutely agree Buzz! I do not trust my aging of a lion, the PH has more experience in that arena, and if he says he is a shooter he's down for the count! If left up to me, the lion in the trail camera pictures would get a bullet very quickly. However if told by the PH that he is not sure then I'd pass!
......................................................................

quote:

Originally posted by Thierry Labat:

quote:

Originally posted by mboga biga bwana:

quote:

Originally posted by Buzz Charlton:
Imagine turning down a lion like that because the light which was good enough to shoot was not good enough to "age" and then have him wonder off to never return on your 24 days $2000/day hunt that you had been saving all your life for!!! I would be a pissed client!

So true

Buzz has a very good point here. The finances involved in a lion hunt puts a lot of pressure on both PH and client, so I was thinking why not charge a buffalo rate for a lion hunter for 21 days and should the lion hunt be successful then up the lion trophy fee to make the difference. This way if " the right " lion doesn't show up it's not as much of a financial loss. I know some people are going to say, well that's hunting, which it is, but just saying!!!!

I'd like some thoughts on this! Would this be a more attractive way of selling a lion hunt or not?

P.S
The trail cam photos have been taken on the hunt I'm currently on. I'll keep those interested posted on the outcome. Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by 505 gibbs:
Wow, what a difference a couple of years make. Where is the LCTF when you need them.....