In January, '05 I booked a Lioness/Croc hunt with Andy Hunter out of Big Five's camp in the Zambezi Valley for July '06. I recieved an email from Andy yesterday stating he had just learned that all lioness's had been removed from the quota for all of Zim for '06. I do not care to shoot a pen raised lion/lioness and suspect that any other lioness/croc hunt for '06 is already booked. I would greatly appreciate any info/suggestions for such a hunt in '06 or '07. I have a modest hunting budget, which is why I booked lioness but would consider a lion if the price were right. Though I would like to do Tanzania I believe that would be out of my budget range. Thanks in advance for any viable ideas you might have.

You might try Roger Whittall safaris in Zimbabwe.He hunts in Chewore as well as the Save Valley Consevancy.He should be able to put you on a lioness and croc if he has any quota not booked for next season.

Contact Brad Rolston at rolston585ae@iafrica.com Brad has some limited lion hunts still available for the rest of this year and '06.

The Caprivi Strip in Namibia.

I'd suggest a tuskless ele or even two of them.

I should probably add that what I am trying to accomplish is the Big Five plus Hippo and Croc. I already have Buff,Hippo,Leopard,Hippo. I was planning to do the Lioness/Croc in '06 then a green hunt for the Rhino in '07. If I cannot find what I want, I may do the Green Hunt in '06 then try again for the Lioness/Croc in '07. Before I do that, I will certainly follow through with each of your suggestions: Eyedoc -I will check with Whittall but my understanding is there will be no permits for any lioness in Zim in '06. I don't know much about the Save Conservacy but I think it is privately owned. Don't know if Zims rule would apply to them or not. Use Enough Gun - I will also check with Rolston. DB Bill - I spoke with Wendell Reich yesterday who books for V. Fulton in the Caprivi Strip. My understanding is the lion is real "iffy" there (in and out of the area). Ann - recieved a PM from 500Gr. who suggested I book with Andy for November and shoot some leftover quota as you did with your leopard. All your suggestions will be reseached and I thank you each for them. Mike.

FWIW, Kwa Zulu Natal Parks board want all White Rhino in the province to be 'chipped' within the next year or so - with that in mind you'll probably find a cheaper Rhino dart hunt in 06 than 07.

You could probably still do the dart hunt with Andy Hunter if you wanted to.......