Hi what do you guys think of this 'premium hunting'?

Excert
This Namibian Professional Hunters Association-supported project, based on quotas established by the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) and the relevant conservancy committee, allows 'premium' hunters to shoot more than the traditional trophy hunting permit limit of two specimens. But the only trophy is a photograph. No part of the animal is taken out of the area by the hunter and the entire carcass is the property of the conservancy. Because no trophies are involved a licensed PH is not required although the project has trained local guides. This is NOT trophy hunting at a cheap price but rather an alternative to trophy hunting for 'real' hunters who are fit and enjoy the challenges of hunting the desert on foot.
http://www.estreuxsafaris.com/articles.html#alter

That does not sound right to me. In most southern african countries a foreign hunter has to be accompanied by a licensed profession hunter. If he is hunting, he is hunting, regardless of export or not.

I've been doing that for years on plains game hunts. I have a house full of mounts and don't need anymore. Shipping and taxidermy have just become too expensive. I'd rather put the $$ saved towards trophy fees.

Now if you're running any daylight non exportable bull elephant hunts at reasonable prices, I'm interested.

I find the idea interesting, and, like Labman, I have no room for more stuff on the walls. I just shot them an e-mail for more details.

Someone sent an inquiry to Elly Hamunyela at Namibia Ministry of Environment and Tourism about this claim from Esterhuizen Safaris, aka Estreux Safaris, and here is her reply.


"Registered guides must be present to accompany hunters, being it foreigners or Namibians who wants to gain experience in big Game hunting."


The price you pay will not be worth the eventual penalty you will pay; so, as always, caveat emptor.