Bontebok Hunters beware!

17 May 2007, 09:00

L. David Keith

Today I was on the phone with my Customs Broker and he told me about a shipment that had a Warthog listed on the docket. Upon opening the crate for inspection (all swine must meet USDA approved dip/pack)the agent notices there is a Blesbok on the list. Low and behold the Blesbok is a Bontebok! And guess what else...no CITES permit for the Bontebok. You can guess what happened to this entire crate of memories. Don't try to slip one by the Customs/USDA/USF&W agents. This ploy has worked a few times and they are wise to it. Plus, a few of the agents do know the difference. If you take a Bontebok in RSA, be sure you get your CITES permit and do not let anyone talk you into sending it home as a Blesbok. Just wanted to pass this along in case someone in the future didn't know better. Good hunting, LDK

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17 May 2007, 23:19

Die Ou Jagter

That is a screw up by the outfitter not the hunter. No permit necessary from his end but one is required for the export. I don't think you could handle it from this end. The same is true for Hartmans Zebra. The only dumb thing the hunter did was pick the wrong outfitter or booking agent. To the best of my memory I don't recall a seperate charge for the cities on either my Bontebok or Zebra.

17 May 2007, 23:23

L. David Keith

To clarify DOJ, one needs an import CITES permit from our Gov't ($100 and usually a 5 month wait) and an export CITES from RSA. I just went through this with my Bontebok. I agree, it most likely fell to the PH/Outfitter, but I would question why the Taxidermist didn't notice. The Fed's here sure did. GH, David

18 May 2007, 07:20

Blank

I have found the USF&W to be extremely accomodating regarding the issuing of CITES permits. Just make sure you fill out the papers completely, per the instructions, and provide as much info as possible. Approximately 30 days after my application, I received a email requesting some additional info. My permit for my leopard arrived 20 days later, before I departed for Namibia. I thought that was great service.

18 May 2007, 19:32

L. David Keith

DOJ: Yes, we need a US CITES appendix II to import Bontebok and a RSA CITES export permit. The US permit is $100 and it took 5 months for me to receive. Probably because I called and left two voice mails

One of my clients recently applied for his Bontebok permit as he intends to take one this summer. You will also need a letter from the ranch owner stating that it is a mature male from their private herd and taken for conservation of the herd. This letter must accompany your application to the USF&W. It pays to ask the ranch owner if they have pure bred Bontebok. Unfortunately, Bontebok will interbreed with Blesbok. This hybrid has no place in Roland Ward or SCI record books. So you wouldn't want to hunt Bontebok on a ranch that has any Blesbok. As a side note: 100% of all Bontebok I have examined or mounted had black horns. Blesbok with have blonde horns or earth green horns with blonde ridges. They can also be blonde with vertical black stripes. LDK

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19 May 2007, 05:58

L. David Keith

Good deal. That will save you $100 and a lot of waiting. However, about three months before you leave, call or email the F&W service and ask them. Things change, sometimes on the sly. State that your hunting Namibia and wish to import a H M Zebra just in case anything changes. Due to the CITES meeting next month, who knows what we will be facing. Another source would be to call or email SCI. They stay on top of the CITES requirements. Good hunting, David

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19 May 2007, 07:49

Grafton

quote:
I have a question regarding the Hartman Mountain Zebra. What permits are required for them? We are going to Namibia next year and both my mom and myself plan to shoot one. I didn't realize there were any permits required. Any info would be greatly appriated.

You will only need a CITES export permit from Namibia. No CITES import permit from US required. Your PH should be well aware of this and you should not have to do anything. Just be aware that this applies to sport hunted trophies only. You cannot "buy" a Hartmans skin and bring it back.