FROM THE HUNTING REPORT

Dear E-Mail Extra Subscriber
The US State Department is making calls around the hunting community as this is written, threatening to impose sanctions that would make it illegal to hunt in Zimbabwe. I received such a call myself yesterday from a State Department official who identified himself as Todd Moss.

The tone of the conversation was cordial, but the underlying message was clear: The US State Department believes so much hunting revenue has begun to flow into the pockets of individuals close to Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe that it is undermining the current Targeted Sanctions Program. And that leaves the department with no choice but to consider asking the Treasury Department to impose Cuba-type sanctions that would make it illegal for Americans to spend money on hunting in Zimbabwe, perhaps on tourism of any sort in the country.

Moss said the State Department was going to be releasing soon a new list of Targeted Individuals with whom it is illegal under current sanctions for Americans to do business. But, he went on, the patterns of ownership of hunting companies in Zimbabwe were becoming so complex and difficult to trace that the department was not confident the release of an expanded list would dry up the flow of US hunting dollars into unwanted pockets. The only sure way to tackle the problem, he said, was for Americans to stop hunting in Zimbabwe.

"We do not want to move in the direction of Cuba-type sanctions," Moss said. "What we would much prefer is to see the number of Americans hunting in Zimbabwe decline on its own."

What was troubling about the conversation was Moss' repeated use of the term "hunting ranches." When I told him almost no Americans hunt "ranches" these days in Zimbabwe - that is, private lands - he seemed confused. I promptly explained that most US hunters nowadays are hunting Tribal Areas and Government Concessions, and that few of those areas are controlled by Targeted Individuals. I promised to send him a list of the Tribal Areas and Government Concessions and some explanation about forestry areas as well in an effort to get him and others in the State Department to reconsider the wisdom of drying up the flow of US dollars into the conservation infrastructure of Zimbabwe. Doing that, I explained, would assuredly destroy the wildlife heritage of Zimbabwe, creating permanent damage to one of the most advanced conservation programs in the world. Briefly, I explained to him that USAID had been instrumental in creating that program, and it would be a great mistake in foreign policy to destroy what we once created.

It is hard to judge whether my argument carried any weight, but Moss did listen. And he welcomed receipt of my memo later today describing the various kinds of hunting lands in Zimbabwe. My own hunch is, blanket sanctions are not going to be imposed against Zimbabwe this coming year. I believe the current calls being made around the hunting community are what is called "jawboning" in government circles. The State Department wants to put a chill over the upcoming hunting conventions, where most African hunting safaris are bought. In that connection, Moss said he was well aware of the importance of those conventions.

The bottom line here is, it is going to be more important than ever this year that would-be Zimbabwe hunting clients verify who they are hunting with. In previous years, I have recommended that booked clients get written statements from their intended outfitters eschewing connections to Targeted Individuals. This coming year I think getting such statements is more than recommendable. I will have much more about all this in next month's issue of The Hunting Report. - Don Causey, Editor/Publisher.

Where do you find out who "targeted individuals" are?

Sounds like SCI and some of the conservation groups need to jump right sqaure in the middle of this issue.

Well,there it is.. If you plan on safari next season you risk it all. The State Department go'in to the next level..
AK

quote:

Originally posted by Bryan Chick:
Where do you find out who "targeted individuals" are?

I do not represent that this is an exhaustive list, but the link to the current OFAC list (which is updated regularly so it will change) is located here:

http://www.ustreas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/sdn/

quote:

I received such a call myself yesterday from a State Department official who identified himself as Todd Moss.

From a web search, Todd Moss appears to be deputy assistant secretary of state for African affairs.

I believe you can also access the Zim banned list through Don Causey's web site.

Jeff

It would seem that this effort has moved up the ladder quite a ways. With all the Tanzania news and now this, the next 30 days promise to be interesting. I'm starting to feel sorry for Mark, Wendall, Ray and all you others trying make things happen for hunters in africa.

Sounds like 'Game over" in Zimbabwe. Not unexpected, though. Everybody knew this was coming.

You guys can throw in the towel but I'm going to hang till the hammer drops. At this point talk is cheap. I agree, SCI better step up to the plate or it could happen.

As we say "Bless their hearts," they want to do something about Zim, and with everything else going on, I really do appreciate that they're paying attention, but past experience shows whatever meddling they try, it ain't gonna be the right move. They haven't put a bullet in Castro's brain and they obviously won't put one in Mugabe's. I know for a fact that some of my dollars went to a young man trying to help keep his parents from being evicted off their farm and some more dollars of mine went to a guy my age that fought in the bush war against Mugabe. As stated by Causey, if American hunters are stopped, the wildlife will suffer terribly. Forgive me if this sounds like American arrogance, but I'm not sure many legitimate non-targeted outfitters can sustain operations without the US clients and that means the poachers will just move in.

The U.S. State Department apparently suspects that some Zim hunting outfitters claiming to be "clean" are in truth part owned by Targetted Individuals.

We can debate whether that's a well-founded suspicion, but the bottom line is that the State Department apparently can't prove it in enough cases, and they're worried that in spite of their sanctions, there are too many Targetted Individuals pocketing hard currency from tourist hunters.

And as a result, we're now being told that the U.S. should impose a Cuba-type travel ban on Zim. Although I've had the same worries over the years, to my way of thinking, that's not a good solution.

I've never hunted in Zim, but as some of you may know, I've thought a lot about this issue over the years. I've decided that I'm with Don Causey (and many fellow AR members) on this issue. I believe that we and our government should support hunting in Zim with good outfitters who've done their level best under awful circumstances.

A travel (and therefore hunting) ban would hurt the good, hard-working and honest Zim outfitters far more than any Targetted Individuals - and I'm afraid it would also utterly undermine already faltering conservation efforts and decimate the wild game populations.

Those of us on this side of the issue need to let the State Department know how we feel about it in no uncertain terms. I had hoped to book a hunt in Zim in the next couple of years, but I'm now concerned that I may have waited too long.

Are we seeing an actual worldwide assault on hunting right now. I have never seen so much anti-hunting political positioning in all my life. Why are they trying to speed up the demise of the country? It is allready rocketing into one of the deepest economic holes in the world. But apparently a few million darkies aren't starving fast enough so our government is going to shit on some successful people having fun and the remaining wildlife between the Zambezi and Limpopo. Our idiot government will leave that area a wasteland just to teach on corrupt punk a lesson. But we all know that will do nothing. Mugabe will die of old age wealthy as ever, the honkies will suffer untold damages. The rest of the blacks will die in masses and wildlife will get whiped down to nothing. Is there anyone left in the US government that knows jack shit about foriegn policy. I can't believe they are this obviously stupid, and therefore the only other conclusion is this is an assault against hunting.

SCI does have a lobby on hunting issues, hopefully someone there will become aware of the situation and react. We had a similar situation such as this about 4 or 5 years ago when the government was trying to stop hunters from taking guns and ammunition into Zim. The result of actions such as this will hurt the safari businesses that are working so hard to hold on with all that they have to deal with under very difficult conditions. If this goes through, US hunters will lose another good hunting destination.

Sadly, 40% of ALL declared foreign currency earnings by safari operators are effectively confiscated by the Zim Govt...they convert them automatically to Zim $ at 30,000 to the $ or about 3% of the true street value of the US$. So everyone who spends a dollar in Zim is supporting the gov't, to the extent that the monies paid are paid into a Zim bank account.

This is really a pisswilly approach to change in Zimbabwe, and it sacrifices the wildlife at the altar of ideology. If the USA really believes in democracy, then let democracy work. Don't try to influence the vote by imposing external sanctions (the last time the USA meddled in Zim, Andrew Young threatened to invade if Smith didn't agree to universal franchise....and that same illustrious ambassador then hailed Mugabe's victory speech as the finest speech ever made in Africa. What do you say now, Mr. Young? How about you, Mr. Carter? And all the loudmouth do-gooders in the House and Senate that went along with that policy?). The change is coming of it's own accord, with or without the US. The voters there have learned to be more careful about how they cast their ballots.

This all sounds so familiar.

First off, you sell out the leader down the tubes beause he isn't kind enough (e,g., Jimmy Carter and Iran) or black (in this particular case Ian Smith and Zim) to buy the black vote and pacify the liberals in the US media, and their ass-kissers in Congress.

Then spend the next fifty years trying to play nice guy and fix your screwup.

It is interesting that posters here are asking that "Rich Guy" hunting org. the SCI to step up to the plate. My my how the talk changes. There are so many here that castigate SCI, but now OH it is a different story, eh.

quote:

Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:
It is interesting that posters here are asking that "Rich Guy" hunting org. the SCI to step up to the plate. My my how the talk changes. There are so many here that castigate SCI, but now OH it is a different story, eh.

Ding. Ding.

Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:

"It is interesting that posters here are asking that "Rich Guy" hunting org. the SCI to step up to the plate. My my how the talk changes. There are so many here that castigate SCI, but now OH it is a different story, eh."


A different story? Not at all.

Don Causey:

quote:

What was troubling about the conversation was Moss' repeated use of the term "hunting ranches."

A common trait of the representatives of virtually ALL U.S. governmental agencies is that they simply don't have their act together, often gleaning what they really need to know or what the correct interpretation is, from discourse with involved citizenry.

Would it surprise anyone that the "Libs" nominate President Robert Mugabe for the Noble Peace Prize for 2008? The Libs are enthusiastic and hopeful Mugabe will be the "Time Magazine" Man of the Year award for 2007.

Don, I wasn't refering to any thing Moss' said. My comments refered to posters here that rip on the SCI including Saeed. If you have problems with an organization and dump on them repeatedly, how in Gods name can you have the B*lls to ask for their help. JMO

If anything happens to stop travel into Zimbabwe it will because some hunters have continued to step into the grey areas and dealt knowingly or unknowing, directly or indirectly with relatives or political allies of Zanu PF and Mugabe. Some of who are not on the banned list.

Except for most conservancies and lands owned by certain foreign nationals and currently protected, most all concessions, farms, ranches and other lands are controlled by Zanu PF and its political allies. If you hunt on one of these areas you are supporting the Mugabe regime and perpetuating the struggle of the people of Zimbabwe. That is my opinion.

Todd Moss seems to be familiar with Zimbabwe and has theories on the economic struggle within that country and now that he has moved from a think tank to the State Department he is tasked with doing something about enforcing the sanctions.

How long will it take for SCI to step forward after their involvement and reluctance to do something about “Out of Africa†in Zimbabwe?

Wildlife does have a value currently, but how many of those that have taken over land and concessions are looking towards the future? On these lands; are there anti poaching patrols, are there active bore holes, is there an increase of poaching, are the concession holders harvesting bush meat, are the lands over hunted? Is any of the money from hunting going back into these lands?

Hunters can take a proactive stance and support only those PH’s, outfitters, concessions, lands and farmers that do not have direct or indirect ties to the current regime. (This will become harder as companies may be forced to give up 51% of their companies.) Start a list and post areas that are know to be clean. Those that have possible ties to Mugabe or Zanu PF and those that are down right dirty.

But then who are we to say what is best. This is not our country. This is not the land and businesses that were taken from us, our livestock killed, our homes and livelihoods destroyed, workers, friends and family killed, mutilated or raped. We are sitting in our offices and homes knowing the electricity will continue to flow, the water from the tap is clean and a dollar will still be worth something later today.

Those affected should be our guides and we should listen to what they have to say.

We have every right to say what is right and what is wrong.

Just not in the USA.

I was not much of a hunter during the apartheid years for the RSA, but didn't sanctions against RSA actually help the hunting industry there? Ranchers could not export cattle, sheep and other items and quit raising them, but started ranching wild animals for sport hunting.

I many be naive, but usually the worst expected outcome rarely happens in life as the "law of unitended consequences" takes over and we get outcomes we did not anticipate. I am not in favor of boycotting Zim but there are ways that the respective European and North American governments can put pressure on Mugabe to get him to step down and allow the country to return to the rule of law. It worked in Argentina, Chile, RSA, some eastern European countries and a few others.

Dogcat,

I have a little different perspective. Being recently on the ground in ZIM, snares are everywhere. The population is litterally being starved out. National Parks has not fuel for antipoaching. Hunters in the field are the only thing staveing off poachers. If my family was hungry, I would damn sure snare some food. Mugabe is a hero to other subcontinent Despots. There is no way we (US) can bring any kind of pressure that would force him to step down.

Jeff

quote:

Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:
Don, I wasn't refering to any thing Moss' said. My comments refered to posters here that rip on the SCI including Saeed. If you have problems with an organization and dump on them repeatedly, how in Gods name can you have the B*lls to ask for their help. JMO

Agreed! But thats another thread all together!

Gentlemen, we get the civil SERVANTS we deserve! We go to the poles and vote, and forget it for the next 4 yrs, and let the Gov give the country to those who live a life of wellfair GIMMEs, then bitch because nobody wants to do anything! the old drone "Well "THEY" should...."(you fill in the blank) Sound familiar?

SCI is no more perfect than any other true conservation group,and sure, there are some very rich guys involved in the parties, and black tie dinners, but I'd say there are a whole lot of pritty rich fellows right here on this AFRICAN HUNTING FORUM, on ACCURATE RELOADING, as well, does that make AR a rich man's web-site, other than the owner, that is.

I would say there are more blue collar, aircraft machanics, electritions, and plumbers as members of SCI, and AR for that matter, than the super rich, there is at least one very unwealthy guy here, and SCI both, and thats me.

SCI is on top of it far more than anyone else you can name, right down to the individual hunter who cusses them, here on the inter-net!

As far as hunting in Zim, it hasn't hit bottom yet, but the bell is tolling, and unless Robber BOB gets a machine gun and takes his cronies out with him when he dies, nothing will change there, till the people get so tired of being hungery, that they take up arms and relieve themselves of the skum at the top of the food chain in that country, nothing we do will make it better there, only worse! IDIOTS, THE WORLD OVER, SEEM WILLING TO LIVE UNDER THE THUMB OF DICTATORS, and expect someone else to relieve their pain! ZIMBABWE is a fine example of that fact! ELECTIONS, what do they mean, without bullets to make them stick?

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:
[
IDIOTS, THE WORLD OVER, SEEM WILLING TO LIVE UNDER THE THUMB OF DICTATORS, and expect someone else to relieve their pain!

Mac, no offense but that is pretty bold talk coming from a guy safely living in Texas. I would be willing to bet that President Mgube has done a pretty good job of insuring that his supporters in the army have a pretty good supply of weapons and that the oppositon party does not.

Dave

The big problem with Zim and what everyone keeps saying is that the people will not go and fight for food against the goverment they will rather just jump the border to SA.

There is thousands upon thousands of Zimbabweans here in SA and the money they earn here is sent back all of it as well as food. Indrirectly SA is a big part of the problem because as long as food and money can be sent fighting for food will be the last thing on their mind.

On a happier note here's a quick Haloween joke.

"What are you going to wear to haloween ?"
"Something very scary !"
"Oh yeah what is that going to be"
"A suit as scary as Zimbawe's economy !"

If Magabe goes out, he has the fix in for another just like him to take over and the power in place to get er done..

I am afraid that everyone is beating a dead horse, Zim wildlife is in deep do-do as things continue to get worse. Most desperate Zim whites and blacks just hang on to hope, but is that in the cards???????

Sanctions by the state dept may be better than everyone sitting on thier butt and just letting it continue on its present decline just so they can hunt?????? Something to think about but I don't know what the correct approach is.

What I really think is none of know s--t about what to do, Government, internet posters, self included btw..blog, blog, blog, the usual stuff.

What I do know about Africa is that I will not concern myself about things of which I have absolutly no control...The 3rd world is a different place and they just do what they want to and that is fill the pocket and that will not change I don't think.

Time to invade in order to protect one of America's national interests (i.e., quality African hunting with well-trained PHs).

Ugh, I was going to book a hunt for 2009 in Zim this January for DG with a large group of people. To say this gives me pause is an under statement.

Like others have said, this is the third world and international politics, you roll the dice and take your chances.

Perhaps I should start looking at Mozambique?

I have been giving a lot of thought to Zimbabwe lately. I am a one safari bwana and that is all. I have read a lot of Capstick, Ruark and even more of Hemingway than was probably good for me. I have certain notions and they may or may not be right, as a matter of fact, they are probably wrong. My one safari was, thankfully, in Zim. I felt, hell I feel, honored and very privileged to have been able to hunt in that country with one of its finest all-around PH's. Like I had become a part of history and could take my place among those in the Halls of Valhalla. Childish I know, but nevertheless…

Africa, Zim in particular, changed my life, maybe for the better, maybe not. But the change is evident. I can feel it burning down deep inside of my soul. It is funny, I brought back a skoal can full of riverbed sand from Zim where the culmination of my first elephant hunt came to fruition. I don’t think a day goes by when I don’t drag a porcupine quill through that sand and think back on two of the most miraculous weeks of my life.

What really concerns me about Zimbabwe isn’t entirely the hunting though. It is the people. I call several of its citizens friends. They know who they are so there is no reason to name names. How they truly feel about me is irrelevant. Do I want the opportunity to go back and live out more of my hopes and desires in Zim? Do I want to go back an see my friends? You better damn well bet I do.

I just called them Zimbabweans in my head. But that is false. They are not Zimbabweans, not in their hearts. In their hearts, they are now, and will always be Rhodesians. And I say, God bless them. I don’t know that I would have been able to “make a plan†the way they have to continue living my life under the circumstances they endure daily. Rhodesians are truly some of the most capable, resourceful and creative people on the planet. I do truly believe that.
My heart goes out to all those living under the tyranny of Uncle Bob. White or Black, man or beast, it makes no difference. They are all in it together. It will be a dark day when Zim is closed off from the US. Dark indeed.

Brian

quote:
Originally posted by MacD37:
[
IDIOTS, THE WORLD OVER, SEEM WILLING TO LIVE UNDER THE THUMB OF DICTATORS, and expect someone else to relieve their pain!


"Mac, no offense but that is pretty bold talk coming from a guy safely living in Texas. I would be willing to bet that President Mgube has done a pretty good job of insuring that his supporters in the army have a pretty good supply of weapons and that the oppositon party does not."


Mac is 100% right! There is no way we can give freedom to anyone without their having the willingness to fight and sacrifice for it!!!! The blacks in Africa, and elsewhere it seems, are worried about TODAY, with no thoughts of a free tomorrow. And yes, we all are sitting here safe in the US but thank God our ancestors were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice so that we can be safe and free. The United States keeps making the same mistake thinking that the people in these third world shi*holes are willing to make some sacrifice for freedom and democracy and the rule of law. These people are too short sighted or maybe just too ignorant to fathom the opportunities that would be open to them and their children if they would rise up and TAKE their freedom and liberty. Yes the ruling regime is better armed but so where the English when our ancestors took their destiny into their own hands.

We need to stay the hell away from this one. Just as Ray stated their will be another ZANU PF'er waiting in the wings to take over where ol' Mugabe leaves off, and then another, and another, you sit and watch.

And the Zimbabweans sending sending money home from S.A. are just prolonging the agony, the same way that the illegals here, sending money to Mexico are doing.

But as was said above God bless and protect the Rhodesians, you are all in my prayers.

Good post Allout.

Dave Bush is absolutely right. (I suspect that he knows something about getting shot at) It's bitterly amusing to read criticisms of Africans for not rising up against an armed government perfectly willing to shoot them down -as is the case in Zimbabwe. Arm chair heroism is easy. Where are all those "Rhodesian" heroes of the bush war? BTW, save your tears for all those white "farmers". Most of them were paid managers of properties owned from London. The "Rhodesians" never gave the blacks anything. They have reaped the whirlwind.

Ugh...Guys it is a little more complicated than what you imply. I serve as the US Contact for SSG safari's and Nixon Dzingai. Nixon is Black, so he is certainly not "Rhodesian". Nixon is the only black safari company owner that I know of although there may be others. He speaks fomdly of Cecil Rhodes and is certainly not "antiwhite" in his thinking. He is educated and very well read. Especially on American Politics. He also interestingly enough opposes, Robert Mugabe openly and is a member of the MDC opposition party. I hesitate to mention this but do so lest anyone think he is a Mugabe Hack. Interestingly he and I have talked long hours about the present state of affairs in Zimbabwe. I have asked him point blank why the citizens of Zim. dont rise up. He states several reasons. First the horrors of the bush wars in the 80's are still with everyone and there is no desire to relive that. Second when you can't even feed yourself it is difficult to get revolutionary. This apparently is by design to keep the opposition weak. They are also unarmed aand dirt poor. Zimbabweans are 85% literate. Compare that to the US. They are predominately Christian and Nixon states it just simply not in their nature to revolt. I gather they are peaceful by nature and feel this will pass. We don't live there and really with all due respect are in no position to judge how the average Zimbaabwean lives.

Jeff

quote:

Originally posted by gerrys375:
Dave Bush is absolutely right. (I suspect that he knows something about getting shot at) It's bitterly amusing to read criticisms of Africans for not rising up against an armed government perfectly willing to shoot them down -as is the case in Zimbabwe. Arm chair heroism is easy. Where are all those "Rhodesian" heroes of the bush war? BTW, save your tears for all those white "farmers". Most of them were paid managers of properties owned from London. The "Rhodesians" never gave the blacks anything. They have reaped the whirlwind.

Tell that to Martin Olds and his mother Gloria Olds.

The NY left wing has been heard from!

That's all I needed was to hear from somebody using a Boer name! Are you a PA Dutchman? It's people like you who give Americans a bad name. (BTW, if you dislike "the NY left wing" so much, how come you people elected a Democrat Senator and have "Snarlin Arlen" Spector for your RINO Senator?) You're dirt to me.

Seeing how this thread is turning, I have several thoughts to add:

1. Mourning the passing of white minority rule anywhere in Africa, including the passing of Rhodesia, does no one any good. It was wrong. More to the point, it is past, was bound to happen no matter what, and will never be revived.

2. There are many, many good people, black and white alike, suffering under the current Zim regime, and they are unfortunately likely to continue suffering, at least for some period of time, under the thumb of any successor regime.

3. The only hope for the future in Zim is not just democratic, but enlightened government, under the rule of law. After all, don't forget that once upon a time, Mugabe was democratically elected.

4. We in the USA cannot force democracy or enlightenment on any people who are not themselves willing to fight and sacrifice for it, and accept it. Witness Vietnam, Iraq and Cuba. (BTW, the Cuba travel ban has really been tremendously effective over the past nearly 50 years, hasn't it?)

5. Banning travel to Zim by Americans, unless the place devolves into total anarchy, chaos and violence in the streets, is a terrible idea. Some kind of engagement is needed or all hope, however slight, will be lost. All stick and no carrot will just perpetuate the status quo ad infinitum.

6. The Chinese will readily fill any void left by the US and the EU. Who wants that?

7. Nobody knows whether things will ultimately be better or worse after Mugabe finally dies. But again, total disengagement by the US will ensure that we will have no influence whatsoever on any outcome.