Heard elsewhere that there is already a minor exodus of bookings headed to the south.

http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/current/Business/Business151020071.htm

It would seem the term "unconditional repartriation" from the last paragraph does not apply to the hunting industry. Any news from that quarter??

"The marketing campaign in the US is also expected to increase the tourism annual earnings from $700 million to $1 million by 2010."

A quote from the article. This must the same guy that figures that by doubling the cost of hunting in Tanzania they will raise more money.

Sounds like they would rather have tourists than hunters, so maybe that is what is behind the rise in trophy costs. Sort of like what Kenya did...regardless as to whether it works or not. Some people don't think very far ahead.

I laughed when I read 700 million to 1 million. They should spend $10 for a proofreader.

The fact that they are limiting their ads to CNN is a pretty clear sign that they are looking more for eco tourists than hunters.

As for the supposed misprint, we need to consider the possibility that it was not a mistake. With their new hunting policies, there is a pretty good chance for them to turn $700 million into $1 million. And, hey, if they start falling short of their goals, Uncle Bob is right there to show them how it's done.

I agree that the very fact that CNN is being used shows that the pitch is going to be towards eco tourists -and no one else. (Hunters need not apply) CNN is starting a big campaign about "The Green Planet" and I already know that they don't plan to mention hunters' contributions to wild life conservation. It is a tribute to what the bunny and tree huggers have accomplished with the American media in the simple fact that few American non hunters realize that Kenya, far from being a national wild life preserve, is the graveyard (and probable future)of most African wild life that walks on four feet and weighs more than 100 lbs.

Heck! Few American non hunters realize that migratory birds are preserved in America today because hunters insisted on having a tax imposed on themselves to save the populations. (Duck stamps) So I won't expect that African hunters will get anything but blame for the disappearance of game - and all praise to Tanzania (just like Kenya) for "preserving our treasured wildlife for all to enjoy". (BTW, I wonder if Tanzania high muck a mucks are mixed up in the ivory trade like the highest levels of the Kenya government were for decades?)

Funny that you should mention Kenya. I have a good friend that lived and worked in Kenya for several years. When I returned from my ele hunt in Zim, he asked why I would want to hunt an ele as they were endangered, in trouble, etc. He went on to state that Kenya's wildlife does just fine without hunting to sustain it. I looked at him like he had an extra hole in his head.

Obviously not a hunter, was he a missionary?

Yes. Some of the missionaries I know are very serious hunters though.

I have heard other hunters poo poo elephant hunting too. Too much division out there.

Yukon, you HAD a friend!

I think they'll go for some hunters too.

Gene pools have gotten WORSE in Kenya in non migratory animals.

I had the opportunity to sit next to the lady in charge of this advertising campaign on the way to Tanzania the fourth of Oct. A very intelligent lady who makes her home in Atlanta as well as owning a house in Dar. In her forties, highly educated, and has basically spent her entire life overseas, she had no idea the impact that hunting has on the tourist industry. I told her about Larry Shores [without using his name] and the amount of money he alone spent in past two years in Tanzania and she was amazed. We even addressed the topic of elephant hunting, on which she was surprisingly open. We discussed the different areas in Tanzania and she was very surprised to learn of areas like Kigosi that would not be utilized by photographic safaris. She was to meet with the minister of tourism the next day and promised to include the topic of hunting in her discussions with him. She seemed open, honest, and receptive during our conversation and I can only hope that she had the same opinion of me when she left the plane. It may not have made any difference at all but at least she did not dismiss the subject of hunting out of hand. She even wished me good luck on my hunt when we parted at customs.

Joec

Joec, that was an excellent example of how we can make an impression on people as hunters. Good for you and there is no telling what fruit will result from a conversation like that. Thanks for taking the time to visit with her.

There are some very intelligent people that can be reasoned with...and then there are the others who have their minds made up. I pick my battles carefully and have been able to do some good "PR" at times.

To be honest, there were hunters on my plane to Africa this summer that I did not visit with due to their obnoxious dress (camo and hats promoting buck pee, etc) and mannerisms which I will not go into. They looked like they had just walked out of a Jeff Foxworthy video (apologies to Jeff for the comparison). Although we had some things in common, there was much that we did not have in common. Something to think about.

quote:

Originally posted by yukon delta:
.....their obnoxious dress (camo and hats promoting buck pee, etc) and mannerisms which I will not go into. They looked like they had just walked out of a Jeff Foxworthy video (apologies to Jeff for the comparison). Although we had some things in common, there was much that we did not have in common. Something to think about.

You hit the nail on the head.