Zimbabwe's Parks & Wildlife management Authority have announced a moratorium on hunting lion in Matabeleland North province for the 2005/6 seasons. This Affects anyone hunting in Matetsi, the Gwaai, Tolotsho etc. We hope to have informed all the operators by next week.

I cannot "officially" say this, but I would advise any member who has a lion hunt booked in those areas to contact their operator.

The moratorium was put in place following scientific studies on population decline in the area which was the study Kenya used as the basis to propose a continent wide ban on lion hunting at CITES.

This, of course, should have been announced long ago, but this is Africa

Anybody want to bet that Out of Africa will still be offering lion hunts in Matetsi, or Hwange or Gwaii or Tolotjo or Victoria falls area next year

Common Be sporting ... I am open to good offers. I rekon about 10:1 they will.

Ganyana,
Only a fool would accept your bet

and only a fool would accept to hunt with them

You're on! Kathi You watch what the mangy mongrels are doing. Please adudicate in case I miss the first add

Ganyana,

I am even willing to up the ante. If OoA or any of its principals, PHs or clients is indicted by a U.S. court at any time between now and the end of the year 2005, I will provide you with two (2) boxes of Garrett cast lead dangerous game ammo in a caliber of your choice (that Garrett loads for) as long as you promise to shoot an elephant or buffalo with it and report back here.

Not knowing how slowly the wheels of law (as oposed to justice) turn in the 'states I will wait until I get back to town and can phone the senior Agent in charge of the Lacey act prosecutions before I take you up on that! I am a lousy looser and only "gamble" when it is a virtual dead certanty I'll Win

Besides Who wants hard cast bullets? My lever guns run to a Marlin .44 mag and a Winchester .348. My H&H .404 looks like a new fridge and my .450 NE like a diamond engagement ring and matching pearl necklace and earings- The price of finally growing up and getting married But I no longer own a rifle I would shoot a cast bullet out of at an elephant unless it is 1) a .577/450 Martini Henry or 2) .461 (.450) Gibbs No1.