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Re: His Imperial Majesty's Shoot - 1911

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13 October 2004, 17:06
mehulkamdar
Re: His Imperial Majesty's Shoot - 1911
NitroX,

Some vestiges of the old days still exist in India even though the old shikars are gone and have been for more than a generation. The Sonepur mela (agricultural fair) where kings and landlords went to buy elephants every year still takes place though, these days, the elephants are sold to logging companies and to religious organisations, especially Hindu and Buddhist temples.

I love Corbett most for the fact that besides being a master with both the gun and with words as well as a magnificent hunter, he was first anf foremost a conservationist. If only the world would learn to remember the wisdom of the old days and make sure that the silly, failed socialist ideas of conservation are thrown out, not only would the environment be that much less affected, there would not be the situation of the tiger coming close to extinction in the wild in India now. Those grand days could be brought back quite easily if only India's politicians and establishment gave it a shot (pun wholly intended.)

A big thank you to Nickudu for posting the album and pictures and to you for the link. Nickudu, please revive your forum - there are enough new articles now to merit giving it the place it always had on these forums and in our hearts!

Good hunting!
13 October 2004, 20:46
LV Eric
Quote:

If Indian hunting was revived and sustainable harvests could be made on serious game animals, it would beat (IMO) any country in Africa hands down. And think of the revenues it would bring in espcially if most of these went to local populations and back into funding conservation projects.

Grand game animals - Indian elephant, tiger, leopard, gaur, water buffalo + nilgai, blackbuck, sambar, chital, hog deer, wild boar, waterfowl, peafowl, pheasants. Plus Indian culture and cuisine. When can I book?

But is there enough open space left for such an idea?





Thats for sure. I'd book in a second. I wonder how much(sq. miles) of India was huntable back in the day compaired to the size of N. America? I'm sure Africa is much larger. I know its a far fetched idea but is there any chance it could be re-opened on a limited basis and properly managed? It would be a money maker thats for sure.


I would love to have/buy a copy of that album. I look at those pics very closely and try and imagine the sounds and smells etc. Waht a grand adventure it must have been. I'd rather do that than walk on the moon.
13 October 2004, 23:02
Boghossian
I am sure there are plenty of reserves where poaching is the norm, this could easily be replaced with licenced hunting like the Selous in Tanzania....wouldn't hold my breath though
BTW can anyone tell me how big the ivory from India could get?
13 October 2004, 20:37
BSAJoe
Absolutely fascinating! Thank you Nickudu for posting this jewel. I guess the leopards were smarter than the tigers as I did not see where 1 was shot.
BTW, did you happen to notice if any of the pictures showed any of the hunters using BSA Lee-Speed Sporting rifles? A picture of that would be a great addition to my collection.
I would imagine doubles were used. Do you know what calibers?
Thanks again for sharing,
Joe
in Houston
Always looking for BSA Lee Speed commercial sporters