I believe today is the official end to hunting as we knew it in Botswana! Heavy, heavy heart!

My first safari was to the Okavango Delta in 1996, is was truly "the place where God lives"!

Best regards, D. Nelson

That's funny, someone just offered a elephant hunt in the Discounted Hunt section. My first safari was to Botswana with my father back in 83. It's sad to see something like this happen to such a beautiful country.

Sad sad day. I was fortunate to hunt the Okavango delta 4 times. It is truly a magic place. I think D Nelson got it right when she posted once "it's where God lives". At least i have my journals.

Until there is a change in Government.

quote:

Originally posted by D. Nelson:
I believe today is the official end to hunting as we knew it in Botswana! Heavy, heavy heart!

My first safari was to the Okavango Delta in 1996, is was truly "the place where God lives"!

Best regards, D. Nelson

Is today absolutely the last day? I know someone leaving on an elephant hunt there this Saturday...

I was told this by my PH who regularly hunted in the Okavango Delta. I know the season ended mid Sept. There may be areas that are still open and, of course, private ranches.

Do you know what concession your friend is hunting in?

Best regars, D. Nelson

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Until there is a change in Government.

not likely to happens as the Khama's seem to own the country. what Ian wants, Ian gets- and he wants hunting gone!

D - Agreed, a real shame. I personally have experienced 4 wonderful safaris in Bots, including shooting not only my best, but the last legal lion shot in Bots in September 2007.

You are correct - today is scheduled as the close of the hunting season.

The animals are Doomed

Mike

The ban on hunting in Botswana is not on private land. There will still be a possibuility to hunt , but not on state land.

but yes, the beginning of the end...

-Jostein

Tuesday the 17th of September 2013 was the last official hunting day of the Hunting Season in Botswana , there is still hunting by special dispensation in some areas such as NG8/9 and 35 , as well as CT 27 until end of November 2013. All hunting on government concession will close by January 2014 and the Government will not issue a quota , permit or license for hunting on public lands. All big game hunting is therfore closed from January 2014. This ban is said to be temporary as the Government has always stated that it has a policy of sustainable use , so species in decline will not be utilized however species not declining may be utilized. Recent wildlife surf.yes have shown most species arein decline but the researchers have categorically stated the decline is not due to hunting but to drought , human encroachment , fires and poaching.
Hunting will be permitted on private high fenced ranches.

Anti hunter Dereck Joubert has gone very public about the success of closing hunting and I ask all hunters to make the effort and try counter this as publicly as possible , from visiting his Facebook page to any other media platform.
They are presenting platforms for people to comment thinking only Anti hunters will comment but it provides us with an opportunity to comment as well. This includes the article by National Geographic on hunting , please people we cannot be silent about this and grips amongst ourselves , we need to educate the general public by both action and word. If we don't other countries in africa will follow - Kenya , Ziare , Uganda , Botswana , Zambia , the list is growing.

I still say that the EWB study is bogus. It's been three years and the study still hasn't been released; only press releases stating massive declines - but no backup as to methodology, accuracy, assumptions, margins of error and so on.

What up?