Just FYI, there is a relatively new (I believe that it is relatively new) magazine out called, Insight. It is about Tanzania hunting. It is nicely done, good photographs, good mix of articles, glossy paper. In Houston you can get them at Barnes and Noble. The magazine is pricey -- $12/issue. I usually learn at least one new tidbit of information from each issue. For example, I did not realize that you use the color of a lion's nose (they darken as they get older) to help age lions. A 5 to 6 year old male will have a nose that approximately 50% black.

Just thought someone might be interested in the magazine.

Mike

The "nose ageing" of lions is based on research conducted by Dr. Packer (and others). There is some question as to whether the standard holds for all lion populations, as the study was conducted only on Serengeti lions.

You can read the article at Lion Research. Go to the Database of Articles and download Sustainable Trophy Hunting of African Lions

Regards,

Terry

Sorry for the quick hijack - but I personally don't set much store by the nose ageing thing. All you have to do is turn on the TV wildlife channel and you'll see plenty of cubs with black noses...... add on the fact that Lions scrap like billy Oh and end with part healed scratches on their noses that go pink as they heal - and then add on the fact that they spend a fair bit of time with either blood or mud or a combination of both on their noses and (like me) you'll probably come to the conclusion that nose colour isn't a particularly good way of assessing ages..... At least, not on its own. It might work in one area - but nowhere near throughout Africa.

Personally, I'd rather look at the width of the face, development of the hairline of the mane, general demeanour of the Lion, general muscluture and overall mane development when compared to the average for the area.......... then and only then, would I consider the colour of the nose......

I recently posted a thread asking members to send me pics of their trophies so I and a scientist friend can try to make a comparison of different Lions in different areas - So far, it's very interesting - but I still need more pics and details before I/we can come to any firm conclusions - but so far, I haven't seen anything to change my mind.......

Good magazine though.........