Landed in my inbox today from a well-known outfitter:

"END OF SEASON ELEPHANT SPECIALS - BOTSWANA

Two (2) elephant tags are available IMMEDIATELY in NG34 and NG42 respectively.

14-DAY 1X1 ELEPHANT SPECIAL: $20,000 EACH

Included:
14-day daily hunting rates (inclusive of PH and field and camp staff services, accommodation, meals, drinks, field preparation and transport of trophy to shipping agent), Value Added Tax on hunting rates, concession and community levies, licence and trophy fee, irrespective of ivory weight, ground transport from MAUN to camp and back.

Excluded:
Observer rates ($330 per person per day, incl. VAT), firearm permits ($150 ea), aircharters, accommodation and travel expenses prior to or after contracted period, meet-and-greet services and transit permits in South Africa, gun hire, ammo and ammo import tax, additional plainsgame licences and trophy fees, agent commissions, tips and expenses of a personal nature.

Dates available:
Now up to 19th SEPTEMBER 2005 – both camps.

Special condition:
Elephant MUST be shot. Expected trophy weight – 45 – 55 lbs."

I know the outfitter, but have not seen his operations. I don't know what is the background of the latter statement. Just thought I'd let you know because the regular price for this is quite a bit higher.

Frans

Hey Frans,

just curious--what was with the 'must be shot' comment? As opposed to arrowed? Serious question.

Anyway, not there yet financially. Someday. Maybe. Hope you're well.

I couldn't get the outfitter on the phone yesterday, so I e-mailed him. Will let you know.

The statement intruiged me too. I think he is under some sort of pressure to meet a quota (??)

Frans

I checked. The outfitter feels obliged to fill their allotted quota, for fear of getting less quota assigned to them for next year. That is the significance of the "MUST be shot" statement.

At $20,000 for a Botswana elephant this looks like a great deal...

Let me check my petty cash box...

Frans

quote:

Originally posted by Frans Diepstraten:
Let me check my petty cash box...

quote:

Originally posted by Kamo Gari:
Hey Frans,

just curious--what was with the 'must be shot' comment?

These are probably "Community Areas" where the concession holder has guaranteed the local community a certain amount of income based on the hunting quota. The PH is on the hook for the money if he can't produce a trophy fee. A better way to put it might be, "There will be no discount if an elephant is not taken."

One area (NG42) borders the South Eastern end of the Chobe NP and also has a joint border with the Nxai Pan NP; the other area (NG34) borders the South East of the Moremi Game Reserve, and is located just North of Shorobe.

Frans

Both sold.

Frans