Not saying I would try it considering the cost of a lion hunt but would it be feasible to hunt Lion with a .44 Magnum or other handgun? Is it legal in any country? Has it been done recently?

http://member.scifirstforhunte...RB/view_minimums.cfm


Link has separate top 10 listing for lions taken in S.A./Namibia and listing for lions taken in other countries with a handgun (with some photos).

There is no reason why one cannot do it where it is legal - and frankly, I don't understand why it would be illegal.

In the hand of a man who can shoot it accurately, there should not be a problem at all.

As to being permitted...

To the best of my knowledge handgun hunting is not permitted in Namibia (as per the PH's I've asked).

In Zim special permits are required and I'm told that these are issued for hunting area other than national parks only, but that it is not an ordeal to get them arranged. Again, this is second hand info.

Check with operators in the area you are keen to hunt. Strangely I'm not sure what the situation is with handgun hunting dangerous game in South Africa, where I live. I guess this is because most south Africans tend to hunt DG elsewhere. That said there are many lions shot here each year.

In most countries isn't the minimum for lions something on the order of one of the 9.3's or ,375's considered to be the minimum cartridge that will reach the FtLbs required for a rifle why would they allow a pistol cartridge that is much less powerful than the rifle mins?

Can only fully address handgun hunting in Namibia from "Ordnance. No. 4 of 1975 - Nature Conservation Ordnance, 1975, pg 36, para 42. (yes it is still valid and current and can be downloaded from the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism web site):

"42. (1) No person shall use a revolver, pistol, or automatic fire-arm when hunting game..."

This section also covers the minimum muzzle energy requirements.

The temporary import of all handguns is also prohibited.