Dear E-Mail Extra



Those fee increases in Tanzania I have told you about repeatedly this month are continuing to create uncertainty. Will they be implemented this year or not? That is what a lot of subscribers are asking me. Understandably, they want clarity on the matter, too.

Unfortunately, there is no way I can provide an absolutely clear answer to that question. My contacts in Tanzania continue to tell me unofficially they are confident hunting fees in Tanzania will remain unchanged this year, but the contacts I could reach this morning were not willing to say that officially for fear of upsetting ongoing negotiations. All I could get anyone to say was: "The government has instructed TAHOA (Tanzania Hunting Operators Association) and the minister to sit down and negotiate and come to an agreement over their differences."

For the record, I continue to take Gerard Pasanisi's earlier on-the-record statement on the issue as Gospel. Pasanisi is the head of TAHOA. He says new fees won't be implemented this year, and I believe him. If I had a safari to Tanzania booked, I would get on the plane and go.

To be sure, this glib reassurance is not helpful to an unknown number of subscribers who are actually being charged the new fees. Subscriber Tom Powell, for example, tells us Zuka Safaris cut his 21-day safari to 11 days because of the new fees. Worse still, a subscriber who asked us not to use his name at this point tells us Game Frontiers has demanded that he pay the new fees for a safari starting in early September. A refusal to pay the new fees, he has been told, will be taken by the company as a last-minute cancellation, which will mean he forfeits everything he has already paid. As this is written, we are awaiting an explanation from Game Frontiers.

What's troubling about the companies that are charging the new fees is the fact that they are forcing clients to take all of the risk. If the fees aren't implemented, clients have to trust their outfitters to issue refunds. And think about it - how many times have you heard of foreign hunting companies issuing US dollar refunds? Why not let clients pay the old fees now and send more money later if necessary? After all, the outfitter will have the client's trophies as ransom. Our best contact in Tanzania, it should be pointed out, was very pointed in his comment about companies demanding payment of the new fees. "Let the buyer beware," he said.

For sure, we are going to stay on top of this matter and let you know how the money shakes out in the end. Companies that charge the new fees and/or cancel or shorten safaris because of them better issue refunds afterward if the fees are not implemented. If they don't, they will face a good roasting in these pages.


[]

[] Down in Zambia, believe it or not, there has been a similar scare over a fee increase. Seems the government there has implemented a substantial hike in trophy fees, and, initially, it was thought they were going to be effective immediately. Fortunately, that is not the case, and there is no ambiguity on the matter, thanks to a prompt clarification by Dr. L. Saiwana, Director General of ZAWA.

"The safari fees in the new Statutory Instrument for 2007 will be implemented during the 2008 safari hunting season. Hunters destined for Zambia should be told that there is no change in fees this year," Dr. Saiwana wrote yesterday in reply to an e-mail I sent him. - Don Causey.

For an expert on safari, Don Causey is just now beginning to understand.

Karibu Africa, Mr. Causey!

There is no speculation at this point. There may be a fond hope. The increases are official and safari companies are being immediately invoiced for them. Causey is basing his letter on informed speculation and damning safari companies in the field that are having to put out cash NOW or stop operation.

I guess he has to blame someone for his having to back off from his earlier stand since he now realizes that his advice might have cost lots of folks lots of money.

I really, really hope that the Tanzanian gov't does what is right. I've got lots of dollars invested and am Selous-bound in September, but I'm not about to expect my safari company not to pass along the charges that are presently being enforced.

As much as I don't like it, hunting in Tanzania this year is like having to buy the "leaper" on the hood of a Jag. If you have to ask why you have to pay extra for the hood ornament, you shouldn't have bought the car in the first place. (Yea, I know the increase is much more than an ornament, but I watched a guy back out of a $60,000 purchase when he discoverd that the little gold jag cost $200).

Hell, I can't afford Africa, much less the extra I'll probably have to pay this year, but my P.H. didn't conspire to ruin his life's work.

This will probably be my last trip there, as much as I love the place, but I'm trusting my company to do the best it can. I can't ask any more.

It is beginning to look like the best way to keep the hunting fees down is to just not hunt Tanzania.

IMO: TZ Gov. gamble with Clients for ongoing Safaris in 2007. The bill will coming very soon with a huge droop of clients for the next seasons...
Clear advice and trustworthy solutions are unknown words in this wonderful East African Country.

Seloushunter

Rusty You are right. Two of the wealthiest guys I know have canceled their 2008 and 2009 safaris in Tanzania. Both 21 days one in Masailand one in the Selous.

Now these guys are Private Jet, collect British Doubles type wealthy and they say they are not going to pay more. Maybe because they have been several times. Not sure but I was suprised they would cancel,

It seems to me if this type of client is canceling there may be some real trouble for the outfitters in Tanzania.

Causey's advice:

quote:

If I had a safari to Tanzania booked, I would get on the plane and go.

quote:

If the fees aren't implemented, clients have to trust their outfitters to issue refunds. And think about it - how many times have you heard of foreign hunting companies issuing US dollar refunds? Why not let clients pay the old fees now...

Earth to Causey: Wake Up!

I love Mr. Causey's reasoning. The increases are being charged NOW. He wants the safari company to "front" your safari, pay out the increases and "hope" that the presently enforced charges are refunded to the safari company... and I hope Mrs. Clinton divorces Willie and she and Obama hook-up and move to Cuba so I don't have to deal with either.

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:
and I hope Mrs. Clinton divorces Willie and she and Obama hook-up and move to Cuba so I don't have to deal with either.

I nominate this for quote of the week.

Quote of the decade!

I have not posted on this Tanzania thing, I am just waiting to see whats gossip and whats real..

What is real is the increase is in effect, I am charging the increase, if it changes I will refund, if you don't trust your booking agent or Safari company then you had better stay home..

I don't see the increase on buffalo hunts as anything different than what has been happening for the last 30 years, Buff hunts were about $4500 when I started booking hunts, and they have gone up every year with the cost of fuel for the most part..Now they have jumped from $13,550 to $15,550 1x1 for 7 days, thats not much of an increase considing the past history.

What is hard for most to swallow is the jump in Lions and elephants from $3500 and $5400 respectively to about $13,500 and $17,500. respectively, but if you were to hunt elephant bulls in Botswana for instance, then the increase is still in line. Many of you have been spoiled to Tanzania I fear, and are chokeing on the increase and I can understand that, as we are also chokeing on the increase in fuel, concession fees...We intend to stay, we have our concession for next year.

The bottom line will be much like the price of gasoline, not a lot anyone can do about it, and everyone will pay it, like it or not, and rest assured that hunting in Tanzania will continue and your not hunting there will have little effect on the long term effect because of those who can and will continue to hunt. I am not trying to be rude, just thought this thread could use a dose of reality. I don't like it either btw.

Trust me on this, I have been here before, not just once but many times and I feel for those who are getting costed out of Africa. Other countries will surely follow suit and that is already starting, why are they doing this? Like everything else the black African does, because they can. Reason has no particular meaning to them. I have seen African generals shut down airports for several hours, when I asked one why he was doing such a thing, he told me because he could and just stared at me..I told him that was an excellent reason and walked off quickly...

Welcome to the 3rd world.

I can hunt elephant for much less than Tanzania. In Botswana you don't need to book a 21 day hunt. I was going to Tanzania to hunt in 2009 and the tab would have been, at old fees, over 75,000 for all fees and a 21 day hunt. I wanted to hunt an elephant. Can do that much cheaper in Botswana now. Now with increase in fees the 21 day hunt will increase dramatically with all the fees included which will put the tab over 100000. Quite an increase if you ask me. Always wanted a lesser Kudu also.

quote:

and I hope Mrs. Clinton divorces Willie and she and Obama hook-up and move to Cuba so I don't have to deal with either

I knew I liked JudgeG before but now I feel kin to him. I could not have put it better!!! Bravo!!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:

What is real is the increase is in effect, I am charging the increase, if it changes I will refund, if you don't trust your booking agent or Safari company then you had better stay home..

I don't think the main issue here is a matter of trust - it is gagging on a last minute increase of up to 100% prices right in the middle of the hunting season. I doubt there are many here that could scrape up that kind of cash on short notice.

And while I appreciate the views on having the client bear all of the cost, I think that view falls a bit short. If the PH can pass along the entire increase, what skin do they have in the game to try to get those fees reduced for this season? The answer is none. I find it hard to believe this whole issue snuck up on the industry. Yes, this is Africa, but there were warning signs tht went largely ignored. So, folks are expected to pay the increases in the hope for a reversal relying on the very same people who did not see this coming and have no financial penalty for failing?

If these types of extraordinary increases are expected to be absorbed 100% by the hunter, what is the purpose of a large up front deposit? I would venture to guess that a good many hunters believe they are locking in the rates and times when they fork over a large amount of money.

The safari business is just that - a business. Any other business that locked in future performance for a hefty deposit is expected to hedge its own future risk, not pass that risk on to the consumer or client.

And, sorry, but the "you'll pay, like it or not" has nothing to do with a dose of reality. The reality is, no one HAS to go to Africa to hunt. But, PH's and outfitters HAVE to have hunters going to Africa to stay in business. If you think you can do that by alienating the hunting base of non millionaires, my view is that you would be sorely mistaken.

FWIW I too agree with Jim. If I sign a contract with an agent and put up my deposit I expect that contract to be honored or my deposit refunded. If the three of us who are booked to hunt in Tanzania in October get to go and the trophy fees are increased we will shoot less animals just that simple.Two of us have a fourteen day license and I would consider dropping back to a seven day. We have all budgeted for this hunt and cannot just add five to ten grand to the hunt total. That is reality for working people. It chaps my tail to spend a year or more saving for and dreaming of a hunt to have it all ripped apart at the last moment. All of us involved have been placed in uncomfortable positions and have few options available, but if they do up our daily fees as well as the trophy fees we won't go and I have every certainty that our booking agent will do what is right and offer us a return of our deposit or a replacement hunt somewhere else. I am also sure that there are others hunters who are not that confident in what would happen if they backed out over the threatened increases. Right now it is all still speculation on our part as to what will happen, but those of us who are in the middle of this mess will continue to frett and worry over our hunts. I place no faith in anyone except my booking agent telling me what he is going to do. What Ray is doing or charging on his hunts doesn't mean squat to me. Heck, maybe he has enough clients with deep enough pockets to continue bookings in Tanzania as if nothing has changed. If so, good for him. Only time will tell.

joec

Sadly, Ray is correct in his assessment of the situation. It's a matter of supply and demand. The lower end of the market may go eslewhere but the high end will stay in TZ. Everyone is pissed about the way the increase was handled but lets face it, TZ's govt. has gotten away with it. Wait til concession reassignments come up at the end of 09!

I was talking to a someone who works in Tanzania. He is not in the hunting industry, but deals with tourism in general.

One of the points he raised was that the general feeling is concession fees are far too low as far as the government is concerned. He said they are still lower than concession fees in Zimbabwe for instance.

At the same time, concessions are sub-leased and sub-sub-leased in Tanzania at rediculously high prices.

He mentioned a concession in Tanzania which was offered for sub-lease at over $4,000,000 earlier this year, while the government was getting less than 1% of that price.

Apparently they are wisening up to this.

He did agree, though, that some of the trophy fee increases are not justified at all.

Joec,
Let me be vary clear that we have refunded every hunter that wanted his money back, and btw their was no contracts with them in this case, and our brochures state that we are not responsible for gov. rates being increased, Most safari companies have that clause.

Only one hunter opted for a refund, maybe a second hunter will, not sure but he has been given the option of refund.

We are now charging the fee increases or the 2008 prices. Should the prices roll back then we will pass that on to the hunter, he gets a refund if the Govt. settles for less..but the increase is now in effect, so we shall see.

I have lost two hunts to date by being outbid. In both cases the client was quoted 2006 pricing, and they think they cut a fat hog, but if the pricing does not roll back then their either screwed or get a refund. That refund will come at a time when its too late to book another hunt..

As to those who are bitter and mad, it will do no good and yes we have to lump it, that is the reality of life. One thing some need to keep in mind, and are apparantly losing sight of and that is the fact its not the Safari Company or the Booking Agents you should be mad at, its the Tanz. gov. but that will have little effect on anything...Our concession fees went sky high and I think we paid a price increase of over $50,000. for 2008..That hurts and we are forced to increase our price, like everything in this world it is ALWAYS passed down to the consumer. Bought any gas lately, it cost me $80 to fill my truck the other day.

I learned many years ago not to worry myself with something I have no control over, you'll just die sooner if you do..

We must protect natural resources, Kabwe stresses

2007-08-19 10:30:51
By Peter Msungu


Yeterday all Dar es Salaam roads including feeder ones, lead to the famous Jangwani grounds, venue of the biggest CHADEMA demonstrations held to denounce the recent suspension of Kigoma North Member of Parliament, Zuberi Zitto Kabwe.

Addressing a historic mammoth rally attended by thousands of people who have been annoyed by his four month suspension from National Assembly (Bunge) sessions, the vibrant legislator told the audience that he was fighting for a just cause, and that is to safeguard the resources of this country.

He asked President Jakaya Kikwete to cleanse his house - the government - of what he characterised as bad elements.

``As members of Parliament we are here to ensure that the country`s resources are safeguarded for the benefit of all Tanzanians,`` Kabwe told the enthusiastic crowd that braved a heavy downpour and stood firm to listen to the speaker.

``Time has come when we all have to stand firm to safeguard our natural resources, otherwise we will not be doing justice to our people who have so much faith on us,`` said the fiery legislator.


The opposition MP told demonstrators who included members from the opposition camp, civil society and human rights activists that he was suspended after tabling a private motion asking the house to form a probe team to examine government contract with Barrick Gold, which the Minister for Minerals and Energy, Nizar Karamagi had admitted he signed in London this year.


``I had also wanted that committee to investigate what I saw as a questionable review of mining agreements between the government and investors,`` he said, adding that this was after assurances from President Jakaya Kikwete that mining contracts will continue being reviewed, but surprisingly even before such reviews were made public, here was a minister signing a contract in London.

``And the worst thing, the contract is signed in a hotel called `Churchil? and not in our High Commission office in London, this did not only surprise me but my colleagues in the opposition camp,`` he told the rally amidst deafening chants of shame, shame... He told the attentive rally that when he later learnt that even the President was not kept in the picture about signing of the contract he started having doubts on the whole deal and hence his proposals for the formation of a probe team.

SOURCE: Sunday Observer

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
I was talking to a someone who works in Tanzania. He is not in the hunting industry, but deals with tourism in general.

One of the points he raised was that the general feeling is concession fees are far too low as far as the government is concerned. He said they are still lower than concession fees in Zimbabwe for instance.

At the same time, concessions are sub-leased and sub-sub-leased in Tanzania at rediculously high prices.

He mentioned a concession in Tanzania which was offered for sub-lease at over $4,000,000 earlier this year, while the government was getting less than 1% of that price.

Apparently they are wisening up to this.

He did agree, though, that some of the trophy fee increases are not justified at all.

Sounds like there are WAY too many middlemen taking a cut of the action and providing WHAT for it?!

I would think an agent or outfitter that wants to keep the continuing goodwill of his clientele would find a way, even if it is just to offer a full refund of deposits. Maybe agents should be offering to forgo their commissions to cover some of the extra costs.

And some of the lessees, sub-lessees, leasing outfitter, contracting outfitters from the leasing outfitters, the middlemen appear to be endless.

Telling clients that THEY should have planned for a lot of extra fees is crap. If the clients can be expected to front up with much larger fees so the outfitter or agent should be expected to cover some of the increases or at least the refund of the deposits from THEIR POCKETS.

An aweful situation for innocent clients without bottomless pockets.

It will be interesting to see if Tanz ends up with more or less total sales in 2007 and 2008 as a result of the fee increases.

I think most people understand things change. What they do not expect is extraordinary change.

Comparing the price increases to gasoline prices is disingenous, at best. Fuel is a worldwide commidity that is constantly repriced, sometimes several times a day. Gas prices may change daily as well, based on supply and demand.

Safaris are not a commidity and the prices are not subject to the same supply and demand pressures as a commodity. And this case is a perfect illustration. There was no spike in demand or calamatous decrease in the wildlife population that triggerd this event.

In addition, while people understand that trophy fees may be changed by a government through no fault of a safari operator, the daily rates are a whole different matter. Those rates supposidely reflect what it costs the operator to reserve the particular concession and cover expenses of operation. In this situation, the rates are being significantly increased on the concession side as well. When people are looking for a safari to book, they do price compare and shop. One would think that the hunting rights to the concession being sold were properly held by the safari operator before the hunt was booked. The increases to the rates we are seeing on this side would appear to indicate that the deal for hunting rights was more myth than reality.

Going back to the gas scenario, increasing daily rates is like a gas station significantly increasing the cost of gas because their landlord just increased the rent for the station, regardless of the market price of fuel.

And I am sure there are few people cancelling at this point - there is still a high level of chatter on the hope of getting the fee decision reversed for this hunting season. Vacation was taken, non refundable plane tickets purchased, etc.

I for one find the attitude of "like it or leave" a little disturbing. Especially when the outfitters and booking agents I know of receive a percentage of the fees for the hunt as a commission - the more the fees, the larger the commission. And their incentive for fighting for lower fees is what?

Jim:

Don't forget that the increases are retro-active. PH's are being billed for trophy fees for animals already killed and concessions supposedly paid for. Using your gas analogy, it's like the gov't telling the gas station and the driver that taxes are 5X what you belived for the gas that you already used and paid for.... and, if you don't pay again, you go to jail and lose your station (PH) or your car (driver).

I know that my adjusted fees for 2007 do include both the PH and I taking a hit. Still, I take only one while the PH is taking a hit on 10 or so safaris and having to return a deposit or two (of monies already spent in prep for those safaris). I'm dealing with eggs and he with bacon.

As to your quote "One would think that the hunting rights to the concession being sold were properly held by the safari operator before the hunt was booked. The increases to the rates we are seeing on this side would appear to indicate that the deal for hunting rights was more myth than reality."..... The concessions were "properly held" (as something can be in Africa)... the Gov't just decided to retro-actively increase the price up to 5X the rate already paid and in its cofers.... Kind of like what Clinton did when he charged us an increased tax rate several years ago in July, effective back to the beginning of the year... and the U.S. populace re-elected him... go figure.

Judge G-

I understand that, and I am still feeling the pain from Clinton's retroactive tax increase!

When you are out there booking hunts in advance (i.e., selling "hunting futures") you cannot place all price risk onto the client, especially the pricing related to concession fees. What we are being told, is that in reality all fees are esentially "spot market" and bear no relation to the price quoted in a contract (containing the usual weasel words). In essence, the safari operator is not committed to much of anything, but expects that contract to lock the hunter in to a minimum price. Not a warm and fuzzy feeling for the hunter.

And, what the Tanzania operators seem to forgt is that Africa is a big place, and that there are other options within the continent. And the attitude expressed regarding Tanzania is in sharp contrast to that of the guys in Zim. Those guys have endured more than just about any man can take, and continue to provide first class service and attitude. With few exceptions, I would trust those guys to fight the good fight and not fall back on the tired old line "this is Africa" or ""like it or leave it".

If the attitude of the operators in Tanzania is consistent with the thoughts expressed here by one of their own ambassadors in the business, they can keep their business and I'll look elsewhere for a future safari.

Jim:

If the price increase was effective next year, I could agree with you as to the "spot market" theory. Unfortunately, it is ex post facto.

As you know, I hunt Zimbabwe and have deposits paid for next year. I do so with fingers crossed for good luck, though. Mugagbe may tell my PH's to go live elsewhere and if he did so, I'd hope to get my money back.. but it's something I still consider a calculated risk.

You say that there are other markets in Africa. Let's review that. Zambia just closed hunting in a day. Kenya did about the same. Mozambique arrested PH's and clients "for assisting the opposition". I've mentioned the vagaries of Zim politics (Heck, hunters were physically removed from concessions by war vets). RSA hasn't been too bad but are you really hunting DG, there. Namibia has rumbles. Botswana closed lions after lots of folks had booked and paid deposits.

As to Ray... I think he's referring more to next year rather than this one. Everybody is taking serious dings this year... him and including other, perhaps less-crumudgeonly agents and PH's who sometimes post here. Trust me on that.

The really silly thing about this is that the entire increase is only a few million dollars. Not enough for Tanzania to risk one of its greatest sources of hard currency.

Unlike some other countries, bidding for/buying concessions has never been truely open. Maybe this event will change that and a free market will set the concession rates.

My son and I leave on 9/4 for 21 days. I am as concerned as anyone as I have a bunch of money up. I was again told late last week not to worry about it. It will be resolved. My sources tell me they get the same answer from multiple safari companies. It surely doesn't seem to be getting resolved very fast. Certainly not fast enough for me.

Personally, most of the increases don't seem too bad. The obvious exception being lion, leopard and elephant. I am going to go anyway. However, if this isn't resolved ,it is going to have to be a damn big lion, leopard or elephant for me or my son to shoot.

The concession fees are factored in the daily rates. Again, these go to the government. When one considers a $40K increase is spread over an entire season of clients, that likely isn't much.

What I don't get is why some people think the booking agent should cover this. They have nothing to do with this. I would bet money that they wish it would go away so they could quit taking calls on this issue and do something productive.

I also do not understand why people are pissed at the safari companies. This additional money goes to the government, not the safari company. Some act as if the safari companies are ripping them off. I will bet the safari companies wish it would go away as well.

The government there is the problem. This is the second year in a row they have injected stress at the last minute to all the people who are making preparations. This is my vacation. Also my sons graduation from college. When vacations stress me, something is wrong.

Between last years hunt and this years hunt, I will have spent an enormous amount of money in that country. Something over $200,000. If I am spending this amount of money, I don't need the stress. I need a government that is a litle more consumer friendly.

It is going to take a lot of people of those drives through the Crater or the Serengetti to replace what I spend there on hunting if I don't go back. I can't imagine that is good for the country.

All in all, I wish I had booked the Botswana elephant hunt. There would have been no stress and I would have money left over.

Very well said, Larry.

quote:

The government there is the problem. This is the second year in a row they have injected stress at the last minute to all the people who are making preparations. This is my vacation. Also my sons graduation from college. When vacations stress me, something is wrong.

Between last years hunt and this years hunt, I will have spent an enormous amount of money in that country. Something over $200,000. If I am spending this amount of money, I don't need the stress. I need a government that is a litle more consumer friendly.

It is going to take a lot of people of those drives through the Crater or the Serengetti to replace what I spend there on hunting if I don't go back. I can't imagine that is good for the country.

Thats very True.

Seloushunter

Good luck on your hunts guys, like Ernest says, it's a calculated gamble. Based on other credible sources that have returned, you shold be fine. My biggest concern would be the retroactivity of the price change in that the lion you shoot next month and pay for, might be hit with the increase when you go to take it out of the country next year. Regardless, I wish you all good hunting. jorge

Anyone who thinks the Tanz fee increases won't flow on to every other African hunting country are kidding themselves. Hopefully the others are more sensible with the timing of it however.

I just sent my last money to pay for the daily rate and trophy fee for the first buffalo (at the compromise/adjusted/f'ed up rate). Departure is 11 September. This ain't my first rodeo, but I don't feel one bit less excited from my first.

I'll be damned if I know what the hell will happen, but my name is Ernest Gilbert and I'm a Selous-a-holic.

I just had yet another conversation with my booking agent. He is a relatively large player in the business.

He says he has had NO clients charged the new fees to date. He said that he was 100% confident that the new fees were not going to be imposed until he started reading the info posted here over the weekend.

He has e mails and calls out right now to see what is going on and if things have changed.

I'm not in the messed up mix for this year, but I am booked for a short Buffalo hunt in the Selous for 2008, so I'm going to likely feel the pinch at some point. I think that Ray and some of the others posted here that say we should blame the government and not the booking agents/outfitters are missing something. No, I don't blame the outfitter for the current situation. But I don't have a real channel to the Tanzanian government and can only put pressure on the entity that I'm doing business with. This is nothing new to travel or any type of business for that matter. It's up to the hunter to economically "force" the outfitters to scream bloody murder to their government for relief, not a non-citizen like myself. I've heard it said here that cancellations/shortening hunts, etc. will make no difference. Well, maybe not in the long run, but over the next couple of years it sure will have some negative impact on the outfitting industry in Tanzania. This loss of revenue will motivate the industry to aggressively petition the government for relief. That is the way it should work and we hunters shouldn’t be embarrassed about it.

As far as the “nowhere else to go†argument goes, I can only speak from personal experience. I chose the Selous over the Luangwa for a short buffalo hunt because of the cost. If the projected rates were in place when I was planning this trip, I would have probably opted for Zambia since I had a much broader range of animals to pick from, including crocodile and hippo. Anyway, I’m in for the ride now, but that doesn’t mean that I’m going quietly.

Well put GL. I do believe that we as hunters can have an influence on their policy. The shut up and take it attitude will just get you more of the same. When they start having people like Larry Shores stay away that are spending a lot of money or enough of the seven and ten days hunters not going it will make a difference in their policies. If the quota is not being utilized because they can't sell the hunt things will change. Probably the sub-leasing of blocks will come to an end, it needs to. If they have to change some of the players so be it, but it doesn't have to all come back to the hunters paying for others greed.
My agent also says it ain't happening at this time and that's what I choose to believe. As of now we're booked and we're going with the contract we signed in Dallas. Might even extend and stay a bit longer for some of the 21 day animals.
Just passing time till the 3rd of October.

joec



joec

quote:

Originally posted by Kathi:
Dear E-Mail Extra
[] Down in Zambia, believe it or not, there has been a similar scare over a fee increase. Seems the government there has implemented a substantial hike in trophy fees, and, initially, it was thought they were going to be effective immediately. Fortunately, that is not the case, and there is no ambiguity on the matter, thanks to a prompt clarification by Dr. L. Saiwana, Director General of ZAWA.

"The safari fees in the new Statutory Instrument for 2007 will be implemented during the 2008 safari hunting season. Hunters destined for Zambia should be told that there is no change in fees this year," Dr. Saiwana wrote yesterday in reply to an e-mail I sent him. - Don Causey.

I got the same email as Kathi, but since I wanted to quote The Hunting Report, I decided to use Kathi's convenient post to do so... (thanks Kathi dear)...

Lots of talk about Tanzania because of possible impending implications to hunters this year, but Causey also mentions Zambia following Tanzania's lead by raising fees next year.

I know we have several agents representing outfits in Zambia, as well as Tanzania, have any the agents heard about Zambia's plans to increase fees and by how much?

You want guarantees? Not in African hunting. You pay your money and you take your chances.

Never asked about guarantees. Figured some our booking agent members might know something, though...

A few comments:
1- The suggestion that some concession holders "sub-lease" their concessions for amounts up to $4m is totally untrue. I challenge anyone including Saeed's source to prove me wrong. I believe what was trying to be inferred was that Hunting companies, holding rights to several hunting concessions have been sold or offered for sale at $4m. That is believeable.
2- To date, the Gov Notice re the fee hikes remains in place. The Gov has not, despite strong recommendation to do so by TAHOA, revoked that Gov notice. Any Outfitter going against that directive by honoring 2006 game fees for 2007 hunts is taking a risk that it will play out in their favor.
3- To answer Jorge, game fees are payable once a hunt is over. Once game fees have been paid, an export permit for that trophy can be obtained. If an outfitter pays game fees today, they will pay based on the new increased game fees. The trophy does not have to be exported within the current year of operation. Even if the outcome of current negotiations with Gov means that 2006 game fees remain in effect for 2007, and the operator pays his game fees within the required time frame for this, and he decides to export these trophies in 2008, by which time the Gov would have raised their trophy fees, the Gov cannot charge him the difference. The game fees would have been fully paid-up.
4- Rest assured that the Gov has realised what a F@#k up they have created. The issue now is how can they "back-out" without embarassing themselves. They can't admit they were wrong, so they need to find a process wereby they can go back on their decision "graciously". This is what is taking time to accomplish.
5- The photographic industry has also suffered the same consequences. A series of gov fee increases have been announced throughout the photo tourism sector, also retro-actively, that has shaken the industry. We are talking about the 3rd largest foreign exchange earning sector in the country and the 3rd largest contributor to the countries' GDP!!! They have realised the consequences of their decisions and are paying dearly for their senseless actions.

Thanks, Bawanamich:

Your information, directly from the scene, is invaluable in planning, particularly in protecting ourselves from the worst scenario.

As to "saving face": All the minister has to do is go on television and shake his finger at the audience and say, "I didn't have sex with that woman, Monica Lewenski!". He might not save his job, but his wife may be successful in politics?

I'm just glad I didn't have a 21-day hunt booked and could handle the increase (albeit with a flat wallet if it remains in place). Three weeks and gear-in-the-well. Maybe I'll win the lottery... I keep forgetting to buy a ticket, though. Makes it harder to win.

quote:

3- To answer Jorge, game fees are payable once a hunt is over. Once game fees have been paid, an export permit for that trophy can be obtained. If an outfitter pays game fees today, they will pay based on the new increased game fees. The trophy does not have to be exported within the current year of operation. Even if the outcome of current negotiations with Gov means that 2006 game fees remain in effect for 2007, and the operator pays his game fees within the required time frame for this, and he decides to export these trophies in 2008, by which time the Gov would have raised their trophy fees, the Gov cannot charge him the difference. The game fees would have been fully paid-up.

Thanks Bwannamich, the issue was brought up by someone and I didn't understand the mechanics of it. So, if I hunted Tz today and paid 06 fees (the old rate) and my trohies would not ship until say next spring, I would not be hit with the difference in fees since I paid at the old rate? You are right though, it is confusing! jorge

Mich,

What is your estimiate of what will happen in 2008? Will the new fees apply???

Best regards;
Brett

Mich:

If you had a substantial amount of money on deposit and were leaving in 2 weeks, what would you recommend?

Thanks.

Leaving for the Selous in 1 hour . Ten day hunt on a 14 day license-I feel quite good after speaking with Adam Clements yesterday.