I know it has been illegal to bring anything with spots into the US. Someone told me that wasn't true anymore. Is this correct?

Leopard require a CITIES permit which cost you $25. You can obtain it when you return if you have been sucessful.

if you can figure out the CITES forms that is

Wonderful news! So I can dream after all.

the information I received is correct, the cost for a CITES permit will go from $25 to $100 effective May 11, 2005. I just wanted to pass this along to the 2005 leopard hunters.


http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/OC/experthelp/USFWS%20Permit%20Fee_increase.html

The CITES form is very simple and it takes about 6-7 weeks to get your approval. It is good for one year.

naja 302

The process as Spring said is really quite simple. You should get your CITES well before the safari and leave a copy with your PH at safaris end. This will expedite the process.

Your taxidermist if he is familiar with mounting African trophies should have copies of the application and be able to help you if you have questions.

Regards,

Mark

naja,

\You need to have your cites before going over to hunt for one. Take a copy of it with you to give to the safari company, DON'T wait till you get back!!!

Leave the orginal home, you'll need to present it when your Leopard reaches the states. Also make a copy or two for your records.....

naja302 - - - - - -


here's the USF&W site for the forms, you can download them, fill them all out and mail with $25.00 Do it quick, the fee is changing in May to $100.00

if you have any questions about filling out the forms, feel free to call me, I've done it quite a few times..... Phone: 908-806-6180

http://forms.fws.gov/3-200-19.pdf

One thing you might want to consider is how soon you apply for your CITES Permit. They are only good for a year and if you get it too early and your trophy is delayed for any reason, you will need to get (and pay for) another one. The bad thing about this, in addition to the extra expense, is that if you cat arrives between the time the original expires and the new one is issued you will have a hassle that you would need to experience to believe.

Don't mean to scare anyone but it's something most of us don't think about.

Good advice from Mark Young Booking Agency ( Adam Clements Safari Trackers )

Not to answer the question directly BUT just to add some (general useful advice) about getting a CITES permit and bringing the trophies back home.

Dont piss around toooooo mush yourself and try to be the total DIY xpert ( unless you are dogmatic and are on a mission )

IMHO often the secret to success and with a minimum of heartache is to;

#1) Use a GOOD respecteded agent/consultant ... like OLD man Ray or younger Steve ( AKA Shakari ) or any others with a good track record

#2) USE a GOOD (Africa experienced) local USA taxidermist, he will do the CITES permit application & all other trophy related impor/clearancre matters and DONKEY WORK on your behalf, rest assured, and at a fair price as well

My Phlosophy in life is DONT try to re-invent the wheel, use the services of those who's job it is to know and do .... If you use the right people it wont cost you extra, in fact it might even save you time and money

BUT again there are those whom will never take (good free advise) no matter what, I wish them good luck and good hunting

Peter

DB Bill hit it on the head when he said it can be a hassle if your CITES expires and the Leopard is shipped with the expired CITES. This happened to me two years ago. The US Fish,Wildlife and Parks informed me that my Leopard had been shipped to the US with a expired CITES. My other 4 trophies that were with the Leopard were not a issue. They explained to me that I had two choices 1) Ship the Leopard back to the export company in Zimbabwe and apply for a new CITES or 2) By law they could keep the hide since it was illegally imported and I would never see or get it. I did feel fortunate that they gave me the option. The error cost me around $200.00 and 6 month delay in arrival of the Leopard but it could have been worse. The export company picked up some of the shipping fees since they admitted they should have checked the dates before sending. It would not have been a big deal if the outfit that had control of my hides in Africa would have been more timely on the shipping but then again I should have known more about the CITES and the experation date.
Scott

DB Bill

what kind of hassle did you have? I renewed mine and a clients, at different times, didn't have any problems, as a matter of fact the renewal came within 2 weeks after sending in the forms!

On my 2nd hunt in Zim my trophies (as well as several other clients who hunted the same camp) were hung up by the government as a means of getting leverage on the PH and safari company I hunted with. They had spent a ton of money bidding on the concession and then fixing up the camp to world-class standards when one of "Robber Bob's" friends decided that he would try to muscle out the legal holders of the concession. All of a sudden paper-work couldn't be found...and then it couldn't be completed...and then the government "lost" the trophies..etc...etc until an accomodation was reached and the folks I hunted with were bought out....they made them an offer they couldn't refuse.

I was, of course, concerned about my trophies especially the leopard when a friend from SCI told me a story pretty much like Rutten told so I called the folks who do the CITES Permits and they told me pretty much the same thing. I was actually fortunate as the paperwork was expeditied and I had it in hand for about a week before the shipment actually arrived. The best news was the trophies all arrived in perfect condition.

Bill

thanks for the response, what I bunch of s**t! Sorry to here your trouble, but on the other hand, glad to hear your trophies made it ok!!!