My 60# ivory was released today after a 3 month seizure by the USF&W. Woo-freakin-Hooo!!!

Here he is


I took Jumbo while hunting with my son in Vaughan Fulton's Caprivi concession last July. The problem started when the Los Angeles F&W inspector notified Victor Hahn of Hahn International there was a "problem".

THE HEROES-
Pam Foerster, International Air Cargo Services, Windhoek
Maria Felix - Hunter International Brokerage Services, Pleasanton, CA
Inspector Lisa Peratino, Field Supervisor, USF&W Los Angeles


THE ZEROES
Victor Hahn, Hahn International, Los Angeles
Nelson Freeman, Safari Club International


It seems a number engraved on the tusk did not match the permit. Not to worry, I was told by the US inspector. Washington DC will sort this out strait away with the Namibia Ministry of Environment and Tourism, with guidance of the CITIES office in Zurich. Yeah right.

Wendell Reich with Hunter's Quest International was my booking agent, then sounding board through this ordeal. He offered an ear and advise. Wendell was pretty emphatic that this would eventually sort itself out, and I should just be patient. With so much invested financially, emotionally, and as a legacy, patience was in short supply. I was offered the advice NOT to deal with the F&W office, that would make things worse. Given the fact that from my elevated vantage point (firmly screwed into the ceiling) Wendell's advice sounded good. Hindsight being 20/20, the process would have gone quicker if I checked the emotions at the door and worked within the "system" to get the right paperwork.

But I didn't. I chose to bring everything I could to bear, including my congressman, SCI, Nelson Freeman, my local SCI chapter, John Jackson from the Conservation Force, Vaughan Fulton, customs broker, the AR forum, dialing the Director of the USF&W, etc. I also had some preconceived notion that our agents were bureaucratic blockheads, completely anti hunting.

As the situation unwound, there were made statements that lead to the entrenchment of my belief our government is out to get us. About two months into the process, Vaughan Fulton told me he saw a second documents that were sent by the Namibia MET. He could not understand why the tusk was not released. My calls to DC were not returned. My congressman could get no additional info. I had no choice but to believe Vaughan-the problem was with the US. At this point, I involved John Jackson. John said my only recourse was to sue in Federal Court. Be prepared to spend the price of another hunt and several years if I ever hoped to see my tusk again. Whatever it takes, right?

Then the angel that is Maria Felix answers my post. She advised to work through the system. She was able to get Pam Foerster moving and shaking in Namibia. She also recommended I speak directly with Inspector Peratino (IP)in Los Angeles.

That was very good advice. IP said that NO new CITIES document was received by the USF&W, in spite of what Vaughan reported. That when the correct document was received, my ivory would be released shortly. Pam was able to move the Namibia authorities to produce the document. IP looked at a draft, and advised it would NOT meet the requirements, and suggested the amendments that would work. She looked at another draft, gave her blessing, received the replacement, and expedited the release. She went out of her way to help as well.

Here is the result









The Zeroes

Victor Hahn is to be avoided at all costs as an import broker. His double talk, inaction, wait and see, crossed paperwork and inexperience could have cost my ivory.

Local SCI chapter - Sorry, do not know of anyone you can call.

Nelson Freeman, from his last email to be dated 3/13/09 "Jack,

Just getting back into the office from lunch. If I read this correctly, one tusk has been released, the second has been officially seized. As you noted, there should be an official letter of seizure. This letter should contain information about submitting an application for remission to retrieve your tusk. Most likely, US Fish and Wildlife will need a new CITES export permit from Namibia that accurately reflects the classification. I am unsure how to go about getting the new CITES permit, but one option is probably to have the Tusk shipped back to Namibia. ...

Nelson"

Wrong answer. The tusk CANNOT be returned for a new permit process.



The Chorus

John Jackson. Wanted a 5k retainer to sue. If all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Vaughan Fulton. Would have expected him to take the lead in getting a new permit. Passing innacurate information did not help.

Congressman Gary Miller. Wanted to help, but did not have the tools.


Lessons Learned

1. The paperwork MUST BE CORRECT. To all who hunt CITIES animals, please make a point to ask your PH and export agent to double check the numbers. Have them scanned and emailed to you. Present them to your knowledgeable import broker for review.

2. It is possible to work in the system, if you know how. Find that person. I was lucky, that person found me.

3. Use the best people for the process. No one wants to go through this.

At the end of the day, I found the USF&W helpful. I understand now they are bound by law to make sure the paperwork is correct. They did their job professionally and with courtesy.

Thanks for the interest. Let me know if I can help if you get stuck.

Glad to hear that you got it resolved.

Good news!

would love to see more pictures of your trophy room

This is outstanding news. Congratulations on receiving your tusk and Three Cheers for Maria, Pam and Lisa. It is reassuring to know the USFW can be supportive!

Good job! But I will wait patiently to see who posts that this was all your fault.. I know it's coming, just a matter of when...

Jack,

I could not be happier for you.

Mark

Success, in regards to a difficult issue, is always well received!

Glad to hear that you have received your tusk.

Good Show,

To my knowledge it is rare for USFWS to unseize something.

Jeff

Glad all is well and that Maria Felix was able to assist you. She gets my highest recommendation, as I mentioned in the original post. You simply must have a customs broker familiar with the import of African trophies. Anybody can do it until something, as in this case, goes sideways; then you need an expert like Maria.

quote:

At the end of the day, I found the USF&W helpful. I understand now they are bound by law to make sure the paperwork is correct. They did their job professionally and with courtesy.

I have had the same experience with the USF&W field agents. I cleared plains game that I brought back in my checked baggage. Both times the F&W agents were extremely good to me.

I also cleared an Elephant that was shipped from Zim. Again, very good service from the F&W people. You would have never believed that they were Gov. LEOs. Very good people.

I am very happy to hear that you received all your property. I can't really imagine the stress this must have caused you.
Jason

Hello Jack

I am glad to hear that you got the Ivory.

Regards
Aziz

Congratulations! Nice to have it end well.

I also highly recommend Hunter International Brokerage. Hunter and Maria are great people.

Congrats on finally getting your trophy home.