Heard 19 blocks are opening up for hunting!

Yes, I just got the info from John Barth of Adventure Unlimited.

The 19 blocks are open. However, as I understand it, the big cats are still banned.

John has all the details if anyone is interested.

What about elephants?

Jeff

I think they are open but cannot be imported. Emphasis on the word think.

A step in the right direction. But has a tender process been planned, announced ... even thought about?

I bet not.

Still, it's good to hear some good news.

Any & all good news from Africa is exciting.

http://www.lusakatimes.com/201...-ban-safari-hunting/


Kapata lifts ban on safari hunting

Time Posted: August 21, 2014 6:26 pm

Tourism and Arts Minister Jean Kapata has lifted the ban on Safari hunting which was imposed by her predecessor Sylvia Masebo last year.

Ms Kapata has told a media briefing in Lusaka today that government has revisited the position on hunting in order to avoid erosion of the sense of ownership of animals in local communities and reduction of vigilance which could result in a worsened poaching situation.

Ms. Kapata adds that the suspension of wild Cat hunting will still remain in force until a survey to ascertain their numbers plus other considerations and measures to ensure their sustainability are put in place.

The Minister adds that a position will be made very soon on the way forward with regards the Hunting blocks Concession Tender by the Zambia Wild Life Authority (ZAWA) which was also suspended due to inability to select outfitters in Game Management areas arising from a flawed process in the Tender.

Ms. Kapata further states that her ministry has put in place measures to ensure that sanity prevails in Wildlife Safari Hunting Management which include hunting being conducted at least two kilometers beyond the boundary of a National Park.

From SCI today. Note the last paragraph for those asking what SCI actually does for African hunting.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 21, 2014

ZAMBIA LIFTS BAN ON HUNTING

Washington D.C. - Today, Zambian Tourism and Arts Minister, Jean Kapata, announced that the ban on hunting, which was enacted in January 2013, has been lifted. Safari Club International (SCI) and SCI Foundation maintained that the ban was counter-productive to the conservation needs of Zambia, and today’s decision should be heralded as a win for sustainable-use conservation.

“SCI and SCI Foundation commend Minister Kapata on his decision,” said SCI Foundation Joe Hosmer. “Like most range states, Zambia relies on hunting revenue for most of their conservation funding, so maintaining sustainable hunting is crucial to their wildlife’s survival.”

When the ban was initiated in January 2013, SCI and SCI Foundation immediately met with the Zambian government officials educating them on the commitment of the hunting community to sustainable use conservation. These meetings set the course for today’s policy reversal.

Though cat hunting is still banned, the lifting of the ban is in response to Zambia’s attempt to diversify its economy. Copper currently monopolizes two-thirds of its foreign exchange earnings and the government hopes that reintroducing regulated hunting across the country will stimulate its economy and encourage conservation of its wildlife.

“Regulated, sustainable hunting gives additional value to wildlife and ensures that governments dedicate the necessary resources toward wildlife management,” SCI President Craig Kauffman said. “Zambia is a country with diverse and plentiful wildlife populations. Lifting the ban will produce multiple opportunities for Zambia to capitalize on this resource and provide sustainable, healthy populations for years to come. “

Zambia has stated that the ban on cat hunting will remain in effect until a survey on lion population numbers is complete. Currently SCI Foundation is funding a Zambia Lion Project (ZLP) to assist with this information. The ZLP is conducting genetic and demographic research to assess the current status of lions, and to develop and promote practices that ensure the long- term sustainability and health of Zambia's lion populations. These best practices for wildlife management will be discussed at this year’s African Wildlife Consultative Forum (AWCF) as they are crucial in ensuring sustainable hunting is possible.

This is good, but I echo Wendell's concern about tender of the blocks. Also, is SCI foundation assisting with a count on leopard? From what I've always heard the place is full of leopard?

I bet the local players are lining up for the tender process-

Dahav

Your right. There are very good numbers of both cats in the best areas of Zambia. I think when you see Zambia open to lion leopard will be open also.

Mark

Bags packed (the standby...)... point me in the right direction!

I only hope that there are any animals left after all the poaching that has probably been going on.

I've hunted three different countries in Africa and would love to add a fourth.

Mark:

As usual, everything is bassackwards in my opinion. Leopard following lion? I doubt seriously if trophy leopard hunting could in any way adversely affect the species anywhere they are prevalent.

This must be wonderful news to Andrew. I look forward to hearing his reaction when he returns from camp. In Zambia. Where he has been hunting, legally, all season.

quote:

Originally posted by Richard T. Cheatham:
This must be wonderful news to Andrew. I look forward to hearing his reaction when he returns from camp. In Zambia. Where he has been hunting, legally, all season.

Probably just the opposite. Andrew now has 19 new competing GMA's

Steve

quote:

Originally posted by Richard T. Cheatham:
This must be wonderful news to Andrew. I look forward to hearing his reaction when he returns from camp. In Zambia. Where he has been hunting, legally, all season.

If they open Cats and give him a quota for such he will do backflips I'm sure.

What's the over and under on sable over 50" to come out of the Kafue GMAs for the 2015 season?

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by Richard T. Cheatham:
This must be wonderful news to Andrew. I look forward to hearing his reaction when he returns from camp. In Zambia. Where he has been hunting, legally, all season.

If they open Cats and give him a quota for such he will do backflips I'm sure.

And I will be doing cartwheels.

Leopard & Buffalo-2015-w/ Andrew

quote:

Originally posted by Dahav:
What's the over and under on sable over 50" to come out of the Kafue GMAs for the 2015 season?

This has already been done by one of our own 50 3/4 I seem to remember and I got a 49 3/4 in 2012

quote:

Originally posted by jeff h:

quote:

Originally posted by Dahav:
What's the over and under on sable over 50" to come out of the Kafue GMAs for the 2015 season?

This has already been done by one of our own 50 3/4 I seem to remember and I got a 49 3/4 in 2012

Fantastic sable and congratulations on yours! No doubt about the Kafue areas (the GMAs and private areas) being the best for big sable at least thats my opinion… I'm thinking after a couple of years of non-hunting in the GMAs there may be a few more 50"+ shot in 2015.

I heard the news in camp and hope the GMA's have weathered the storm. I suspect it will take some many years to recover.