I received Wallace Taber's book "Safari Sagas" from my good friend Sam Pancotto. From the year 1951 he writes "My admonishment would be not to wait much longer if you plan to go on safari in Africa. Even now, there is but little to hunt in South Africa. And, in East Africa, it is going fast, Frank Bowman, well-known Nairobi white hunter, gives wildlife another ten years......at most fifteen at its present rate of decline".

It's a good thing he was wrong!

In comparison he was probably right. Especially if you discount the farm bred game farms.

I think the exclusive safari hunting that was conducted in the Golden Age is still available for someone with sufficient resources.

Game ranches and short package hunts just make the adventure available to a wider market that wouldn't even have dreamt of going to Africa 40-50 yrs ago.

"Surely it is obvious enough if one looks at the whole world that it is becoming daily better cultivated and more fully peopled. All places are now accessible, all are well known; most pleasant farms have obliterated all traces of what were once dreary and dangerous wastes; cultivated fields and subdued forests, flocks and herds have expelled wild beasts; sandy deserts are sown; rocks are planted; marshes drained; and where once were hardly solitary cottages, there are now large cities. No longer are islands dreaded, nor their rocky shores feared; everywhere are houses and inhabitants. Our teeming population is the strongest evidence; our numbers are burdensome to the world which can hardly supply us from its natural elements; our wants grow more and more keen, and our complaints more bitter in all mouths, whilst Nature fails in affording us her usual sustenance. In every deed, pestilence, famine and wars, and earthquakes have to be regarded as a remedy for nations, as the means of pruning the luxuriance of the human race." Tertullian, 337 A.D.

Correct me if I am wrong, but the early fifties is when "they" got organized in starting national parks, the Selous, wide spread conservation efforts, organizations like EAPHA, and the general recognition of the need to conserve the big game...the mean colonialists.

But population increases will put all animals in danger. I just hope it lasts for at least another 3 months!

I remember reading one of the Martin Johnson books that was probably written in the 1920's or 30's where he predicted the same thing. He warned that you needed to hurry to Africa because the animals wouldn't be around long. I agree - go now and go often!

quote:

Originally posted by Kathi:
I received Wallace Taber's book "Safari Sagas" from my good friend Sam Pancotto. From the year 1951 he writes "My admonishment would be not to wait much longer if you plan to go on safari in Africa. Even now, there is but little to hunt in South Africa. And, in East Africa, it is going fast, "Frank Bowman, well known Nairobi white hunter, gives wildlife another ten years......at most fifteen at it's present rate of decline".

The key here is the last sentence in bold above! If the decline seen in 1951 had continued till today, and the game farms, and re-introduction of wild life back into their old habitat, had not happened, I fear we would not see Africa as it is today!

I still think that advice from 1951 is worth following: Hunt all you can now, especially in Africa, because the world is changing fast, and the window of opportunity is narrowing quickly.

I don't see him as a false prophet -- rather a visionary..............

AD

Well back then an East African game licence probably included four elephant, black rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo was a common game animal. Plus dozens of plains game, I don't see the statement as incorrect at all.

Having said that I would argue a short safari is now much more accessible to many more people but that has more to do with the ease and price of travel than anything else.

***

I like that quotation of Tertullian. But not many centuries after 337 A.D. Europe and the Roman Empire was plunged into a Dark Age.

Another dark age one day. Only those who does not understand the repeatability of history would think it could never happen again.

Kathi,

How old is Sam Pancotto these days? He must be getting up there. I hope he is in good health.

One thing's for sure, Sam Pancotto took Mr. Taber's advice seriously. He has been on more safaris and taken more game, especially huge elephants, than most of us can even dream of.

Sparked by a reference to Sam that I saw on another site, I leafed through Andrew Holmberg's and Bert Klinebuger's books the other day, and saw many photographs of Sam (and some of his wife Rose) with many 100 lb.+ elephants.

And I wouldn't dare reject Mr. Taber's advice, no matter how good things seem to be going, not today and not ever. Remember the shock and disbelief after Kenya and Tanzania suddenly closed all hunting? Thank God at least Tanzania saw the error of its ways and reopened. And can anyone even count the number of civil wars and coups d'etat that have occurred in Africa over the years, all with awful effects on wildlife and hunting?

To paraphrase Jay Mellon, the best time to hunt Africa is always now.

mrlexma,

Sam is 77 and fiesty as ever. Sam is taking his grandson on safari next week. Sam's wife Rose and daughter (Marilyn) are in Fiona Capstick's book Diana Files. Marilyn shot a 106lb. bull on her honeymoon.

Wow AD!

You've really got a way with words.

"Widow of Opportunity"

Brilliant and profound, if you think about it.

I guess she'll show up right after the Fat Lady Sings

Regards

Elmo

Thanks for pointing out my mistake!

Hang on to your shorts, and I'll edit that post ASAP!

AD

Just after FC Selous first return home, he complained about the game being shot out and golden days of hunting Africa were over.

Hey, Kathi, it's great to hear that not only is Sam Pancotto still kicking, he's still hunting, and teaching his grandson to carry on as well!

All of us can only hope that when we're 77, we'll be able to do the same.