I got this e mail last night. Sounds like things are headed south already. What a shame.
-----------------------------------------------
larry and Jeff ,m
thought you guys may appreciate these pics ...had a hell of a week
last week ...got an elephant of 73/60 lb ...then a few days later one
of 91/67 lb ....
I doubt I will have such luck ever again!Have attached a few pics
....all going well here ...despite the impending closure!I cannot
believe how rapid the slide here has become. Wildlife here truly
doomed.Obviously very concerned re my future and trackers too ...but
the only great loser is our wildlife. Its a disgrace to see what is
happening with land in this country. Human pressure on all resources
way beyond control. It is gutting.
What hunts do you guys have lined up this year?Drop a line with your news!
All the best,
Murra

The Chinese "influence" will decimate the wildlife in that country in 5 years. What a damn shame.

I agree Wendell. China and Southeast Asia will be the downfall of all of it in Africa. So unfortunate.
Look what they are doing here in the west, when it comes to mushroom picking. They go nuts, strip everything off and if you encounter them, they try to run you off. Thank god for second amendment

Larry - Obviously from Murray Hibbs, a guy we've both hunted with in Botswana. I've seen a pic of the 90 pounder he took recently, impressive.

Like some here, I feel fortunate to have hunted Bots 4 times in the past - for lion, elephant and buffalo. Yep, its a shame what's happening there - that's the only way to put it, a shame!!!

Five years ago, I never would have guessed Botswana would ban hunting. I should have went when I had the chance. This will make elephant and buffalo hunts in other countries even more expensive.

When we were there in August, we saw a lot of poaching . Shots every night. Close to camp. We spoke to some of the rangers. They painted a bleak picture.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
When we were there in August, we saw a lot of poaching . Shots every night. Close to camp. We spoke to some of the rangers. They painted a bleak picture.

Unlike some other countries, the Botswana National Defense Force is fully capable of controlling elephant poaching. Whether they do or not remains to be seen going forward.

Larry:
Brass arrived with my thanks.
Cal

You are welcome Cal. Wanted to shoot today but there was a lot of lightening .

Botswana has long been on my bucket list of places I'd like to hunt.

What a shame that poor government priorities are writing off what should be a precious resource for the country.

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
When we were there in August, we saw a lot of poaching . Shots every night. Close to camp. We spoke to some of the rangers. They painted a bleak picture.

Unlike some other countries, the Botswana National Defense Force is fully capable of controlling elephant poaching. Whether they do or not remains to be seen going forward.

We saw poached carcasses every day last August and the game rangers were ambivilant if not in on it.

Jeff

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Bunduki:

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
When we were there in August, we saw a lot of poaching . Shots every night. Close to camp. We spoke to some of the rangers. They painted a bleak picture.

Unlike some other countries, the Botswana National Defense Force is fully capable of controlling elephant poaching. Whether they do or not remains to be seen going forward.

We saw poached carcasses every day last August and the game rangers were ambivilant if not in on it.

Jeff

Yes I remember yours and Larry's report but I thought Larry said you did not see elephant poaching, but other animals..giraffe, kudu...?

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Bunduki:

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
When we were there in August, we saw a lot of poaching . Shots every night. Close to camp. We spoke to some of the rangers. They painted a bleak picture.

Unlike some other countries, the Botswana National Defense Force is fully capable of controlling elephant poaching. Whether they do or not remains to be seen going forward.

We saw poached carcasses every day last August and the game rangers were ambivilant if not in on it.

Jeff

Yes I remember yours and Larry's report but I thought Larry said you did not see elephant poaching, but other animals..giraffe, kudu...?

Correct on no elephants...yet

I had an offer to hunt elephant in Botswana this year but due to time constraints I could not get it to happen. Rather depressing that there will not be another chance to make it happen. Even if hunting opens back up there it sounds like that there will not be anything to hunt.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Bunduki:

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Bunduki:

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
When we were there in August, we saw a lot of poaching . Shots every night. Close to camp. We spoke to some of the rangers. They painted a bleak picture.

Unlike some other countries, the Botswana National Defense Force is fully capable of controlling elephant poaching. Whether they do or not remains to be seen going forward.

We saw poached carcasses every day last August and the game rangers were ambivilant if not in on it.

Jeff

Yes I remember yours and Larry's report but I thought Larry said you did not see elephant poaching, but other animals..giraffe, kudu...?

Correct on no elephants...yet

+1.

The one thing I vividly remember is the poachers driving near camp at night and shooting nearby. I remember several species poached but do not recall seeing an elephant. It won't be long.