LJS.the whole of the pilansberg is about 80000 hectors of which 45000 hectors is open to the public and the rest is hunting area.Give or take a couple of hectors.Its a well managed game reserve and at any given time they will be able to tell you how many lions,eles and rhinos they have on there property.they will also be able to tell you in which areas each pride is situated.I really doubt that there has ever been a hunter that has gone there on a 21 day lion safari that has come home empty handed.

I agree Pilanesberg is closely managed. I saw the helicopters the rangers use. I still don't understand how it is not a hunt for a wild animal to pursue one of their rhino in such a vast area. I agree the lion are monitored closely since they have concluded the revenue from a couple lions is better than letting them die of natural causes. It helps sustain the parks. The rhino are free ranging and other than counting them they are not domesticated in any way. I don't know what it takes to constitute a "wild rhino". Is it the location of the animal or the control of the animal. I think we go overboard sometimes to pursue the pure hunting situation. These rhino are a far cry from the ranch that shows you a picture of his rhino with a price determined by size. If you want a rhino, I think this is as wild as it gets.

"These rhino are a far cry from the ranch that shows you a picture of his rhino with a price determined by size."

LJS:

I've been to Pilansburg a couple of times, but not to hunt. I disagree that it is "as wild as it gets." I've been in lots of places elsewhere in southern Africa that were a lot more wild than Pilansburg.

The terrain and vegetation are such that it would not be difficult for Pilansburg's rangers to keep close tabs on its entire rhino population, or even take a photo of a "trophy" rhino and sell a guaranteed "hunt" for that particular individual.

Bill Quimby

White Rhino are so territorial that you could practically guarantee a particular trophy bull if it lived on a million acres that was not fenced.

Bill: When I said "as wild as it gets", I was referring to a white rhino hunt not other parts of Africa. The huntable area is much different than the tourist part of the park. The terrain is very rough with few roads which are in rough condition. I have been to both parts of the park and they are not similar at all. I have no way of knowing what the rangers tell the outfitter hunting the concession. When I was there, the rhino was $35K and horn size was not in the equation. The only requirement was an adult male. If that makes it a canned hunt, I don't think there is a legit hunt for Rhino available anywhere.

"... I don't think there is a legit hunt for Rhino available anywhere."

I think you just broke the code.

Bill Quimby