Curious, have any of you ever asked your PH/Outfitter how much of your daily rate and/or trophy fees go back into the local community?

We talk about the benefits of hunting, but do you really know what benefits you are actually providing?

This will vary from area to area. One of the reasons hunting is getting more and more expensive , especially here in Zimbabwe is operators are continually trying to keep their communities happy, provide more and more benefits etc, hence annual price hikes in fees and trophy fees. If you hv a good area, rest assured you will always have to be looking over your shoulder at which other p/h or operator is trying to offer your council / community a "sweeter deal" than what you are offering etc... The flurry of activity in an area come lease expiration time is amazing. Show me any of the "tried and tested good guys/operators" on this forum from Zimbabwe who can honestly say they got their hunting areas/leases signed without greasing palms..political influencing of local chiefs /MP's etc. Or you have an operator with political connections, who gets the lease renewed even though there may be a far better offer on the table, with better downstream benefits to local communities, which never gets to the negotiating table. Put the right amount of dollars in the right hands/pockets, things go your way.In most cases the local people living in the area day to day with the wildlife tend to always get the short end of the money stick...sad but it's true.

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In most cases the local people living in the area day to day with the wildlife tend to always get the short end of the money stick...sad but it's true.

Without question. The benevolent government folks are the one's raking in the cash. Little wonder why the locals resort to poaching to feed themselves.

Royal pays the community 25% of gross income and my salaries/costs for scouts/staff also comes to another 25%. Roughly.

In Zambia the financial bids for concession (concession fees) is what the community receive. For example Lunga Luswishi will now pay $100,000 per annum to the community. The community also receives a % of the trophy fees and numerous handouts and charity from the Operator. In addition the Operator assists the local Wildlife Departments in anti poaching, transport and supplies which is fairly costly.

On the other hand photographics have no financial obligation to any community.

Another failed argument by the antis - that photographic safaris replace the revenues generated by hunting...

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Originally posted by fairgame:
Royal pays the community 25% of gross income and my salaries/costs for scouts/staff also comes to another 25%. Roughly.

In Zambia the financial bids for concession (concession fees) is what the community receive. For example Lunga Luswishi will now pay $100,000 per annum to the community. The community also receives a % of the trophy fees and numerous handouts and charity from the Operator. In addition the Operator assists the local Wildlife Departments in anti poaching, transport and supplies which is fairly costly.

On the other hand photographics have no financial obligation to any community.

That's the failings of our campfire projects/government concessions here in Zimbabwe , funds either go into the bottomless pit of game dept coffers, or "councils" running the affairs on behalf of the communities, who always seem to find creative ways to gobble up their cash.

Direct payments to the communities, and operators working closely with the communities is the only way to do it. As you have proved in Zambia in your area fairgame. Well done sir

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Originally posted by Zimbabwe Wildlife Conservation:

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Originally posted by fairgame:
Royal pays the community 25% of gross income and my salaries/costs for scouts/staff also comes to another 25%. Roughly.

In Zambia the financial bids for concession (concession fees) is what the community receive. For example Lunga Luswishi will now pay $100,000 per annum to the community. The community also receives a % of the trophy fees and numerous handouts and charity from the Operator. In addition the Operator assists the local Wildlife Departments in anti poaching, transport and supplies which is fairly costly.

On the other hand photographics have no financial obligation to any community.

That's the failings of our campfire projects/government concessions here in Zimbabwe , funds either go into the bottomless pit of game dept coffers, or "councils" running the affairs on behalf of the communities, who always seem to find creative ways to gobble up their cash.

Direct payments to the communities, and operators working closely with the communities is the only way to do it. As you have proved in Zambia in your area fairgame. Well done sir

We still have problems with the spending and accountability and I would like to see our trophy fees being paid to communities and ultimately extend them the ownership of the game.

Anyone know about the Namibian Conservancies?