I leave for a tax deductible anti-poaching safari with DAPU in one week.

07 May 2015, 02:41

I was heading to Zimbabwe anyway for a short canoe safari on the Zambezi river in Mana Pools with Natureway Safaris (recommended by Buzz Charlton) and came up with this idea.

I emailed CM Safaris and began a conversation with Myles and suggested that a good way to help fund their Dande Anti-Poaching Unit (DAPU) would be to let guys like me go out on patrol with them. The daily rate or sponsor rate in this case suggested (in this case, but it may change) by Myles would be $ 225 a day to be payable to Conservation Force disignating DAPU as the beneficiary thus qualifying as a 100% tax deductible charitable contribution.

I will not be in a hunting camp, but am bringing a backpack and sleeping bag as I expect to spend every night out in the bush sleeping on the ground. I will be eating sadza for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Myles is lending me his 416 to carry. It will be true 100% volunteer expereience which is why I am going to write off 100% of my sponsorship fee as a charitable deduction. I will also take a partial expense for my travel, but not all of it as I am also going on the canoe safari and then on to join Victor Watson of Wild Karoo Safaris in the Eastern Cape for a RSA plains game hunt where I can sleep in a comfy bed, take long hot showers and eat gourmet food. I am sure I will ready for a good brai by the time I get there.

Someone from CM Safaris (probably Bongo) is going to pick me up by boat at Chikwenya Lodge Harbor and then we will motor up the gorge to Dande. I don't know what really to expect except a very reasonably priced new adventure out in the bush where the wild things are. If this works out, then it could be used as a fund raising model by DAPU and others.

I will let you all know how things turn out in the hunt report section when I get back. I probably won't get around to posting it until the second week of June.

I have been a CPA preparing taxes for thirty years so don't give me any lectures about the legitimacy of writing this off.

Cheers,

Mike "Guns" Core

07 May 2015, 03:24

Poyntman

Nice idea Mike...
It's great to pass along excellent knowledge like this.
I'd love to see an IRS goon try and figure out what DAPU means and try and dispute it with you...i bet that would be a fun conversation..

07 May 2015, 03:37

Svinejakt

That sounds like a great adventure for a good cause. Maybe this the the way to get to roam some of these places. I don`t care about tax deduction, but would love to go on a trip like that

07 May 2015, 03:50

Grumulkin

So, why are you carrying the "416." Is it to protect against animals or to kill poachers with?

07 May 2015, 04:04

R.Jolly

Sounds good fun on the face of it, but don't be under any misconception. While they spend most of their time patrolling as a deterrent and searching out illegal snares you will have to be prepared to be shot at and shoot back. These guys don't play games and neither do the poachers they encounter.

07 May 2015, 04:04

GunsCore

quote:
Originally posted by Grumulkin:
So, why are you carrying the "416." Is it to protect against animals or to kill poachers with?

Only for self defense and only if absolutely necessary for either animals for humans.

07 May 2015, 07:36

Saeed

quote:
Originally posted by GunsCore:
I was heading to Zimbabwe anyway for a short canoe safari on the Zambezi river in Mana Pools with Natureway Safaris (recommended by Buzz Charlton) and came up with this idea.

I emailed CM Safaris and began a conversation with Myles and suggested that a good way to help fund their Dande Anti-Poaching Unit (DAPU) would be to let guys like me go out on patrol with them. The daily rate or sponsor rate in this case suggested (in this case, but it may change) by Myles would be $ 225 a day to be payable to Conservation Force disignating DAPU as the beneficiary thus qualifying as a 100% tax deductible charitable contribution.

I will not be in a hunting camp, but am bringing a backpack and sleeping bag as I expect to spend every night out in the bush sleeping on the ground. I will be eating sadza for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Myles is lending me his 416 to carry. It will be true 100% volunteer expereience which is why I am going to write off 100% of my sponsorship fee as a charitable deduction. I will also take a partial expense for my travel, but not all of it as I am also going on the canoe safari and then on to join Victor Watson of Wild Karoo Safaris in the Eastern Cape for a RSA plains game hunt where I can sleep in a comfy bed, take long hot showers and eat gourmet food. I am sure I will ready for a good brai by the time I get there.

Someone from CM Safaris (probably Bongo) is going to pick me up by boat at Chikwenya Lodge Harbor and then we will motor up the gorge to Dande. I don't know what really to expect except a very reasonably priced new adventure out in the bush where the wild things are. If this works out, then it could be used as a fund raising model by DAPU and others.

I will let you all know how things turn out in the hunt report section when I get back. I probably won't get around to posting it until the second week of June.

I have been a CPA preparing taxes for thirty years so don't give me any lectures about the legitimacy of writing this off.

Cheers,

Mike "Guns" Core

Fantastic idea.

Wish you all the best.

07 May 2015, 07:58

rnovi

Mike, I absolutely love this!

Oh, and I'm in SoCal. I could use a CPA like you.

07 May 2015, 08:09

lavaca

Mike,

Let me know how it works out both on both ends. That sounds great!

07 May 2015, 09:08

Victor Watson

Enjoy your time in Zimbabwe Mike, we'll see you soon

Victor Watson

07 May 2015, 10:36

fujotupu

Better be wary about the legalities in your "adventure".

If you are unsure on what I am referring to, feel free to PM me.

07 May 2015, 12:37

Milo Shanghai

That sounds like a great thing to do, regardless of tax considerations. Back in 1986 I proposed to take my troops to Kenya for six months anti-poaching patrols and it made it a surprisingly long way up the military food chain before someone sensible put an end to the idea.

07 May 2015, 13:08

The Norwegian

Hi Mike the CPA !

Love your idea and hopefully gives you a true bush safari experience. Say hello to Myles from me

Soory to say we do not have that tax system over here

Regards
Morten the CPA from Norway !

07 May 2015, 18:39

impala#03

Very interesting. Standing by to learn more about this type of outing.

08 May 2015, 01:25

Orvar

Awesome idea!

08 May 2015, 06:51

Fjold

Is DAPU a 501c3 organization recognized in the US?

08 May 2015, 11:52

Idaho Sharpshooter

how many poachers can you harvest on this hunt?

08 May 2015, 16:02

Grumulkin

quote:
Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
how many poachers can you harvest on this hunt?

And if you harvest a poacher, what is the trophy fee, is it exportable and how long do you have to stay in jail?

08 May 2015, 16:48

fujotupu

quote:
And if you harvest a poacher, what is the trophy fee, is it exportable and how long do you have to stay in jail?

Some people need to think long and hard before embarking on such dubious adventures.

08 May 2015, 19:49

Buzz Charlton

Fujotupu- Mike is coming to join DAPU doing patrols picking up snares. They are not actively seeking out Ele poachers!!!! They will be based in ward 11 patrolling from a spike camp towards the villagers. Mike we are indeed looking forward to having you! Cheers Buzz

08 May 2015, 21:39

fujotupu

quote:
Originally posted by Buzz Charlton:
Fujotupu- Mike is coming to join DAPU doing patrols picking up snares. They are not actively seeking out Ele poachers!!!! They will be based in ward 11 patrolling from a spike camp towards the villagers. Mike we are indeed looking forward to having you! Cheers Buzz

Happy days Buzz!

Not sure what Zim immigration laws are like regarding outsiders (foreigners/tourists) "joining" in a registered entity (DAPU) to actively participate in anti-poaching activities which are not solely restricted to picking up snares.

Your guest has already said it quite openly and couldn't have been clearer in stating, and I quote: "Myles is lending me his 416 to carry" and Grumulkin, tongue in cheek appropriately posted: "So, why are you carrying the "416." Is it to protect against animals or to kill poachers with?"

I never said don't do it, just give it some serious thought; but hey, do what you like and if there's contact (there's always that possibility) and someone gets hurt or more than hurt, then all will be just fine.