New rules to trap $30m from Tanzania’s hunting industry

Tanzania has formulated new rules to help tap at least $30 million more from its struggling hunting industry, a sector policymakers see as a key economic growth driver from next year.

Expects say the sector will bring home $53 million, up from an annual $20 million, bringing it closer to being one of Tanzania’s largest foreign exchange earners.

Natural Resources and Tourism Minister Ezekiel Maige said the rules should help the industry make a bigger contribution to the economy, due to its huge potential.

Under the tourist hunting rules, the wildlife rich country will see the licence fee for its prime hunting blocks rising from $27,000 to $60,000 a year.

The revised guidelines also categorised the hunting blocks into five, depending on type and number of animals to be hunted.

Mr Maige says category I has 24 blocks hunting permit fee $60,000 each, while group II has 98 blocks and a hunting fee of $30,000 apiece.

Category III, with 18 blocks, has a hunting licence fee of $18,000 each; while class IV and V with eight hunting blocks each will have a permit fee of $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.

The categorisation was done according to the animals to be hunted, block size and availability of wildlife resources to ensure sustainable tourist hunting and diversity of animal species.

Other factors include hunting bloc accessibility, in terms of terrain and infrastructure from the country’s commercial city of Dar es salaam or the safari capital of Arusha, reliable water supply and scope of human activities within the block.

Mr Maige said that in establishing a hunting block, the boundaries of the proposed blocks are demarcated by Global Positioning System (GPS), according to their potential for wildlife recovery in a given time frame and investment.

Though the minister was silent on the trophy fee, word has it that under the new structure, the trophy fee for hunting a lion is most likely to have risen to $12,000, up from just $2,500.

Hunters may also be required to pay $15,000 to kill an elephant, from the previous fee of $5,000. Hunters are still silent on the fee increase.

Of the African hunting countries, Tanzania undoubtedly stimulates the imagination.

It has long been considered a prime hunting destination in Africa.

Fulfilling the dream of a traditional big game hunting safari continues to be a big draw to Tanzania’s unspoiled wilderness.

Ah, the African mindset once again.

Glad I went when I did. Whoever thought this would be a good idea in the midst of a worldwide recession needs to study economics. When you double the price of something it doesn't mean you double your revenue especially if what you are selling is discretionary or is available elsewhere. They probably just cut their client base by 70%.

They are certainly running some people away.

QUOTE: "Though the minister was silent on the trophy fee, word has it that under the new structure, the trophy fee for hunting a lion is most likely to have risen to $12,000, up from just $2,500.

Hunters may also be required to pay $15,000 to kill an elephant, from the previous fee of $5,000. Hunters are still silent on the fee increase."

Well, I'm out!

This is actually good news. Those of us that have hunted Africa have more than once had to explain to our anti hunting friends that our actions are not threatening the African wildlife, but actually helping it. And what do we always tell them? The more money the country generates from hunting the more it benefits the animals by generating money ect ect. You all know this. We all agree on it. Tanzania has increased the fees on hunting blocks and at the same time has increased the number of hunting blocks. This is just the practical way of putting this into life. Sobbing that this makes it expensive to hunt is hypercritic. Hunting in Africa is still very cheap when you consider the enormous spaces of land required and the amount of local labor needed.

Good hunting
Carl Frederik

Well Carl, perhaps we can all get grants from the World Wildlife Fund to hunt in Tanzania, since it does so much to save the animals. It's about time they put their money where their mouths are, since I don't have enough. Perhaps Denmark has a special fund so that I can apply directly to them?

Maybe the answer would be to have hunting block concession fees cranked up to about one million USD and we'd really be rolling.

quote:

Originally posted by JCS271:
QUOTE: "Though the minister was silent on the trophy fee, word has it that under the new structure, the trophy fee for hunting a lion is most likely to have risen to $12,000, up from just $2,500.

Hunters may also be required to pay $15,000 to kill an elephant, from the previous fee of $5,000. Hunters are still silent on the fee increase."

Well, I'm out!

______________________________________________

The original post is not quite accurate: trophy fee on Lion is already $4,900.U.S. and Elephant is $7,500. to $20K (depending on tusk weight). And this does not include any anti-poaching or community developement fees.

quote:

Sobbing that this makes it expensive to hunt is hypercritic.

No the point we are trying to make is that the amount raised by the safari industry in Tanz will decrease.
Say a safari in Tanz costs $50K and you have 1000 safaris a year. Total revenue $50M. Increase that cost to $100K and your client base drops to say 250. Total revenue $25M. The total revenue was just cut in half!
Some folks have unlimited funds, most of us do not so we will hunt elsewhere.

quote:

Originally posted by TANZ-PH:

quote:

Originally posted by JCS271:
QUOTE: "Though the minister was silent on the trophy fee, word has it that under the new structure, the trophy fee for hunting a lion is most likely to have risen to $12,000, up from just $2,500.

Hunters may also be required to pay $15,000 to kill an elephant, from the previous fee of $5,000. Hunters are still silent on the fee increase."

Well, I'm out!

______________________________________________

The original post is not quite accurate: trophy fee on Lion is already $4,900.U.S. and Elephant is $7,500. to $20K (depending on tusk weight). And this does not include any anti-poaching or community developement fees.

Plus, keep in mind that any new trophy fees for 2013 and beyond are not set in stone yet, as far as I know.

Secondly, if there's one very positive aspect to this. If in fact Hunting does become one of the LARGEST economic contributors to the country's economy. They will be much less likely to want it to go away! Perhaps a price we pay to continue the longevity of Tanzania's wildlife.

that's great- it's the price "we" have to pay to continue the longevity of Tanzania's wildlife. except that 90% of us can't pay it. glad i went 9 years ago when it was reasonable. all those feathers i see flying around is the gold egg- laying goose they are killing and when it is dead, the anti hunters will sit back and laugh. prices this high will definitely reduce the number of animals of all species killed each year. as an aside, Denmark's economy must be roaring if Carl considers a $150,000 21 day Tz. safari as cheap.

It may be Cheap for Carl, but for people like me who have it on my Bucket list have to "X" it out. I am just glad that there are other Viable options that are not as Expensive.

Not only will this cause Tanzania hunts to increase, but it will undoubtedly increase the cost of lion hunting in Zambia.

quote:

Originally posted by Blacktailer:

quote:

Sobbing that this makes it expensive to hunt is hypercritic.

No the point we are trying to make is that the amount raised by the safari industry in Tanz will decrease.
Say a safari in Tanz costs $50K and you have 1000 safaris a year. Total revenue $50M. Increase that cost to $100K and your client base drops to say 250. Total revenue $25M. The total revenue was just cut in half!
Some folks have unlimited funds, most of us do not so we will hunt elsewhere.

It is called the price elasticity of demand; Econ 101. The problem is what do you charge to maximize revenue. If there are unlimited lions, then there is no constraint on the demand vs price curve. But unfortunately, there is a constraint: the number of lions we can kill.

But I have to say, at these prices, there are a lot of other things I can do with my money. Just glad I am one of those guys who likes to hunt everything everywhere.

Guys - To some degree, you're putting the cart before the horse. NOT all of the blocks are going up in cost, in fact MOST are staying roughly the same, and many are reducing in price! Currently ALL blocks are at a $27,000 per year cost to the block owner, Level 2 blocks are only going to $30,000 per year, and many others are going down in price. Level 1 blocks are going to $60k, but that is NOT indicative of ONLY hunt quality. Other factors include hunting block accessibility, in terms of terrain and infrastructure from the country’s commercial city of Dar es salaam or the safari capital of Arusha, reliable water supply and scope of human activities within the block.

If blocks are split into more managable sizes, and quotas are allocated accordingly. There might actually be more hunts available, thus price will be dictated by demand.

Trophy fees, that's yet to been known. But I'm sure TAHOA is pushing to keep them the same, or a slight increase at most.

Aaron,

The bottom line is they are trying to squeeze 165% more out. Unless the outfitters and agents are making some serious profits that they are willing to give up the overall prices will have to go up. The rest is a shell game.

quote:

Originally posted by CharlesL:
Aaron,

The bottom line is they are trying to squeeze 165% more out. Unless the outfitters and agents are making some serious profits that they are willing to give up the overall prices will have to go up. The rest is a shell game.

Overall, you could be right. But for now, its a lot of speculation! I do think the splitting of the blocks will help with some of that, but we have to wait and see.

Obviously operators are conscious of price hikes, and will do their best to keep prices as low as possible. But the TZ govt does effect prices, with their decisions.

Been to Tan. twice, looking like I won't be going back, damn shame. It will be fun to see how the goverment officals in Tan. decide how to cut blocks in half and decide who's block is worth $60,000.00. I feel bad for those block owners cause they ain't going to sell to many $150,000.00 21 day hunts.

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:
Guys - To some degree, you're putting the cart before the horse. NOT all of the blocks are going up in cost, in fact MOST are staying roughly the same, and many are reducing in price! Currently ALL blocks are at a $27,000 per year cost to the block owner, Level 2 blocks are only going to $30,000 per year, and many others are going down in price. Level 1 blocks are going to $60k, but that is NOT indicative of ONLY hunt quality. Other factors include hunting block accessibility, in terms of terrain and infrastructure from the country’s commercial city of Dar es salaam or the safari capital of Arusha, reliable water supply and scope of human activities within the block.

If blocks are split into more managable sizes, and quotas are allocated accordingly. There might actually be more hunts available, thus price will be dictated by demand.

Trophy fees, that's yet to been known. But I'm sure TAHOA is pushing to keep them the same, or a slight increase at most.

SO YOU THINK THOSE WHOSE BLOCK FEES WENT DOWN ARE GOING TO REDUCE THEIR PRICES? AND THOSE THAT ARE MORE ACCESSIBLE ARE GOING TO REDUCE THEIR ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS CHARTER COSTS( I KNOW- THE CHARTER FESS ARE OUT OF THEIR HANDS= PURE BULLSHIT)?? I am willing to bet you right now that overall Tz. hunting cost will go up by 25% or more in the next 2 years. the ridiculous will become the absurd. and if the market was so strong for 21 day full bag safaris, EVERY outfitter would not be be offering 10 day buff hunts.

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:
Guys - To some degree, you're putting the cart before the horse. NOT all of the blocks are going up in cost, in fact MOST are staying roughly the same, and many are reducing in price! Currently ALL blocks are at a $27,000 per year cost to the block owner, Level 2 blocks are only going to $30,000 per year, and many others are going down in price. Level 1 blocks are going to $60k, but that is NOT indicative of ONLY hunt quality. Other factors include hunting block accessibility, in terms of terrain and infrastructure from the country’s commercial city of Dar es salaam or the safari capital of Arusha, reliable water supply and scope of human activities within the block.

If blocks are split into more managable sizes, and quotas are allocated accordingly. There might actually be more hunts available, thus price will be dictated by demand.

Trophy fees, that's yet to been known. But I'm sure TAHOA is pushing to keep them the same, or a slight increase at most.

SO YOU THINK THOSE WHOSE BLOCK FEES WENT DOWN ARE GOING TO REDUCE THEIR PRICES? AND THOSE THAT ARE MORE ACCESSIBLE ARE GOING TO REDUCE THEIR ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS CHARTER COSTS( I KNOW- THE CHARTER FESS ARE OUT OF THEIR HANDS= PURE BULLSHIT)?? I am willing to bet you right now that overall Tz. hunting cost will go up by 25% or more in the next 2 years. the ridiculous will become the absurd. and if the market was so strong for 21 day full bag safaris, EVERY outfitter would not be be offering 10 day buff hunts.

Don't you think quota might have something to do with the number of 21 day full bag hunts offered?

I guess I'm with Aaron here. It is not set in stone yet, and who knows what it will look like. Somehow, I doubt that the price of a Tanzanian lion hunt is going down, that will probably go up by more than the 165%. But buffalo might come down, and who knows, maybe it will open more plains game up. Its not really possible to do a EA plains game only hunt now. With more operators, it might be. You might also see that if someone is in a "less prime" concession, they will not be able to get the same money for a hunt as someone in a more prime location- so it might (unlikely, but might) have an effect of lessening the price in a less prime block.

As to the charter costs- if they need top get people to twice as many camps, maybe there will be some competition. That would bring prices down a bit.

Nevertheless, it does sound bad for the days of a full bag hunt.

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:
Guys - To some degree, you're putting the cart before the horse. NOT all of the blocks are going up in cost, in fact MOST are staying roughly the same, and many are reducing in price! Currently ALL blocks are at a $27,000 per year cost to the block owner, Level 2 blocks are only going to $30,000 per year, and many others are going down in price. Level 1 blocks are going to $60k, but that is NOT indicative of ONLY hunt quality. Other factors include hunting block accessibility, in terms of terrain and infrastructure from the country’s commercial city of Dar es salaam or the safari capital of Arusha, reliable water supply and scope of human activities within the block.

If blocks are split into more managable sizes, and quotas are allocated accordingly. There might actually be more hunts available, thus price will be dictated by demand.

Trophy fees, that's yet to been known. But I'm sure TAHOA is pushing to keep them the same, or a slight increase at most.

SO YOU THINK THOSE WHOSE BLOCK FEES WENT DOWN ARE GOING TO REDUCE THEIR PRICES? AND THOSE THAT ARE MORE ACCESSIBLE ARE GOING TO REDUCE THEIR ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS CHARTER COSTS( I KNOW- THE CHARTER FESS ARE OUT OF THEIR HANDS= PURE BULLSHIT)?? I am willing to bet you right now that overall Tz. hunting cost will go up by 25% or more in the next 2 years. the ridiculous will become the absurd. and if the market was so strong for 21 day full bag safaris, EVERY outfitter would not be be offering 10 day buff hunts.

jdollar - Man, take it easy! I never said prices are going to go down. I said that in many cases, the block fees are not increasing by a tremendous amount, thus safari prices hopefully will not either. Trophy fees will definitely be something out of the operator's control.

As for charter fees. Saying outfitters dictate the prices, is like saying the charter companies dictate safari prices!! But since I manage all the marketing for one particular Tanzania company, and work for them too, what the heck do I know?

As for 10-day buffalo hunts, your comment is simply incorrect. We for example have over 80 buffalo on quota, and could do a maximum of 16-18, 21 day full-bag safaris each year. Even if every single 21 day hunter wanted to shoot 3 buffalo each, which never happens, we would still have buffalo to sell. So obviously we are going to sell 10-day buffalo hunts too! Besides, some guys want to hunt TZ, and want only 10-day buffalo hunts!

I certainly hope we do not have to raise prices much, or at all for that matter. But much of that is really yet to be known.

i might get struck by lightening tonight but is highly unlikely. if you think buffalo and plains game hunting( not to mention the outrageous charter fees) is going to get cheaper in Tz... well good luck, but i wouldn't hold my breath. since most of the plains game can only be taken on a 21 day license and trophy fees are basically set by the government, how is it going to get cheaper?

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
i might get struck by lightening tonight but is highly unlikely. if you think buffalo and plains game hunting( not to mention the outrageous charter fees) is going to get cheaper in Tz... well good luck, but i wouldn't hold my breath. since most of the plains game can only be taken on a 21 day license and trophy fees are basically set by the government, how is it going to get cheaper?

jdollar - I'm not sure why you keep saying/thinking anyone, including me said its gonna get cheaper in TZ? No, I doubt seriously that's going to happen. I said, hopefully prices will NOT go up, or will go up minimally.

What I can tell you is:
1. Outfitters DO NOT control charter fees.
2. 10-day buffalo hunts are not sold in TZ, only becuase the operator cannot sell all of their 21-day safaris.
3. Most EA Plains game species do require a 21-day license, but one can hunt them on a 7-day hunt. We offer these 7-day hunts for Gerenuk, Lesser Kudu, the gazelles, oryx, etc, etc. And NO CHARTER required, only a 2.5 hr drive from Arusha. So not everything is outrageously priced in TZ.
4. Some block fees will go up, some roughly the same, some will go down. Trophy fees, that's yet to be seen. Anything other than that is speculation at this point, nothing more.

Tz was on my bucket list. Oh well! Unless I win the lottery. It's only a dream.

come hunt in zimbabwe its better value for your money

quote:

Originally posted by ingwe007:
come hunt in zimbabwe its better value for your money

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
( not to mention the outrageous charter fees)

Its outrageous that a litre of diesel in Egypt is $0.18 vs $1.25 in Tz....... Its called operating costs and these need to be passed on to the client.

the old fable of the golden goose comes to mind

quote:

Originally posted by ingwe007:
come hunt in zimbabwe its better value for your money

come hunt in Zambia it is better.

quote:

Of the African hunting countries, Tanzania undoubtedly stimulates the imagination.

It has long been considered a prime hunting destination in Africa.

Fulfilling the dream of a traditional big game hunting safari continues to be a big draw to Tanzania’s unspoiled wilderness

Watched a doccie on TV where some guy took his teenage kid to TZ to shoot the big 5 (mixed feelings about that) but anyway in 30 days or maybe 45 days, don't recall. In all that time, they saw a lot of elephant but NOT ONE went over the legal 35lb minimum. I also have first hand reports from a PH who went to TZ to look for lion. He reported there were more lion in Zim. And that's not saying much.

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
i might get struck by lightening tonight but is highly unlikely. if you think buffalo and plains game hunting( not to mention the outrageous charter fees) is going to get cheaper in Tz... well good luck, but i wouldn't hold my breath. since most of the plains game can only be taken on a 21 day license and trophy fees are basically set by the government, how is it going to get cheaper?

No disrespect my friend, but most TZ outfitters have zero control over the "Outrageous Charter Fees", as most dont own their own planes. We currently charge $1400. for one hour bush flying in a 206. I dont feel thats outrageous. This is what we are quoted by Charter Companies, who are in business to make money; we make no profit on this at all. (Do you realize what it cost to buy a plane, service/maintain, fuel, airport fees, experienced pilot salaries??)
I worked for one TZ company that had there own fleet. One of the new planes he bought cost 2.5 million according to the owner. That's right, million. this plane must make money & pay (eventually) for itself. After all, This is a business like any other, and it must show a profit.
Unlike most African PHs, I have had the great privlage of hunting wild Alaska several times. Each & every time I was charged simular fees to charter a bush plane. Did I cry about Outrageous flying prices? No. I was quite happy to reach remote hunting areas quickly & safely; away from the beaten track.
We always try to keep the cost down for clients by sharing the charter (one in/one out) when possible.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ Gould:

Watched a doccie on TV where some guy took his teenage kid to TZ to shoot the big 5 (mixed feelings about that) but anyway in 30 days or maybe 45 days, don't recall. In all that time, they saw a lot of elephant but NOT ONE went over the legal 35lb minimum. I also have first hand reports from a PH who went to TZ to look for lion. He reported there were more lion in Zim. And that's not saying much.

Russ, I really don't mean this to be rude. But, sometimes I truly wonder if you've ever done this stuff before? More lions in Zim! Really, you actually believe that??

How were they gonna hunt the Big 5 in TZ???

quote:

Originally posted by Russ Gould:

Watched a doccie on TV where some guy took his teenage kid to TZ to shoot the big 5 (mixed feelings about that) but anyway in 30 days or maybe 45 days, don't recall. In all that time, they saw a lot of elephant but NOT ONE went over the legal 35lb minimum.

The PH on that hunt was my good friend Nigel Theisen. I'll ask him and see what he has to say!

read the title of this thread- pretty much says it all, especially the word "trap". since i hunted there in 2002, prices have doubled, but for damn sure my income has not. the amount of game i saw in the Selous didn't come close to what i have seen in Moz or Botswana. i realize that some posters here have a vested interest in promoting Tz hunting but the big buck-limited bang is getting tougher to swallow- and it apparently will soon get worse. now, feel free to tell me i am wrong/stupid/mis-informed/etc...

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
read the title of this thread- pretty much says it all, especially the word "trap". since i hunted there in 2002, prices have doubled, but for damn sure my income has not. the amount of game i saw in the Selous didn't come close to what i have seen in Moz or Botswana. i realize that some posters here have a vested interest in promoting Tz hunting but the big buck-limited bang is getting tougher to swallow- and it apparently will soon get worse. now, feel free to tell me i am wrong/stupid/mis-informed/etc...

Nobody's gonna call you names. You are entitled to your opinion of Tanzania, as well as your proposed boycott. But dont you think calling Tanzania a "Trap" is a bit over the top??? Is an expensive Farari or Jaguar a "Trap" because someone can only afford a Chevy or ford? I hunted in several countries in Africa and I found Tanzania to be better (now MY opinion). If I find a place I like better, I will probably go PH there instead.
Ever wonder why so many PHs are coming in droves from South africa & Zim to get licensed in TZ??? Answer: They are really impressed with Tanzania's wildness. Also its peaceful political climate, friendly people, not to mention large variety of animal species & trophy size.

Zim PH's go there because they can make a lot more money, since tip is generally figured on the basis of a percentage of daily rate- and daily rate is MUCH higher in Tz. am i wrong? and i didn't set the word "trap" in the headline- the original poster did. nice try though.

Jdollar, you just want to argue........ and have the last word.

The use of the word "trap" was from the reporter who wrote the article. That alone says enough about the accuracy of that article.

And your latest assertion that Zim PHs flock to Tz because the tips are higher...... wow. Is that why you are going to Zim because you will be able to "tip" less

quote:

The use of the word "trap" was from the reporter who wrote the article. That alone says enough about the accuracy of that article.

A simple typing error : "TRAP" instead of "TAP" and it is used in the text but I guess some folks prefer "TRAP"

quote:

Originally posted by Bwanamich:
Jdollar, you just want to argue........ and have the last word.

The use of the word "trap" was from the reporter who wrote the article. That alone says enough about the accuracy of that article.

And your latest assertion that Zim PHs flock to Tz because the tips are higher...... wow. Is that why you are going to Zim because you will be able to "tip" less

"Russ, I really don't mean this to be rude. But, sometimes I truly wonder if you've ever done this stuff before?"

The rhino was done in RSA from what I recall. That's not the point. My post had to do with the elephant ivory (or lack thereof). And levdm, by all means talk to your pal and if he tells you something different, ask him why he lied on camera. I am surely not the only guy who saw this documentary.

You are right, I am no expert on Tanzania. Always assumed the hunting was top notch though based on the prices. That's why the documentary I watched really struck me. In that many days at $2K plus per day, to not see a shootable elephant? Wow.

Aaron from Littleton CO, I do resent your insinuation, and I consider it a cheap shot to try to boost your own credibility at my expense. I have spent almost 30 years of my life in Africa. How much time have you spent in Africa? I suspect my 30 years there is longer than you have been alive, judging from the maturity of your post. Since you bring this up, please do post your Africa resume online for all to see. And while you are at it, you should probably also declare whether you do represent outfitters in Tanzania, just so we all know where you are coming from.