I have just heard that CAWA has had to shut down their 2012 hunting season mid stride due to a local problem that has affected their operation. This is unfortunate, let's hope they can sort it out.

I always advise if someone wishes to hunt in West Africa they should do it sooner than later as one never knows what the future holds, especially in those parts! As one W. African operator told me in his own words, you can hunt leopard, buffalo, elephant and even lion in several countries but there are all only two countries where one can hunt species like LD Eland and Bongo.


Arjun Reddy
www.huntersnetworks.com

I was there when it all went down. I suspect we may see several outfitters cancel their 2013 seasons if things don't settle down quickly. Between Kony hiding out in the CAR, the African coalition troops going after him, and the flood of nomadic cattle herders pouring into the CAR because of drought and renewed fighting in the South Sudan, the number of immigrants and cattle herders in every area is far greater than it's ever been this year and getting worse.

Greg and I talked via e-mail today, and I talked to Mike Fell on the phone 2 days ago. Mike spent all season guiding for Erik/CAWA.

Stay optimistic, these things usually get sorted out. Erik's a great guy, and a long family history in the CAR. Besides, I am scheduled to be with CAWA, Feb. 14 - 28, 2013. So I must stay positive!

We have hunters booked for next year, too, and Erik is a first-rate guy. I'll be rooting for them.

Hope it works out CAWA must have inested a huge effort to get this operation going.

Have hunted twice with Erik. First rate operation and a heck of a guy.
Hopefully he gets his business up and going soon.

Any new reports?

Talked to a PH that works with CAWA

"Its not just CAWA most all have closed downed for the season.

- One concern is that the LRA is threatening cow herders and they flee to safety in the hunting areas and the LRA will follow. I have personally encountered the LRA in the bush in the RCA several years ago and it ended well. Previously, they had a clear political agenda, but it is almost entirely gone, and now they live as refugees and trying to survive by attacking villages for food and weapons

However, I believe that these problems will fade away until next year. State of the RCA has always been a bit unstable because of a weak government / military, but this does not mean that it was dangerous to stay there. We will never be risking the safety of our clients

I get information from time to time by Erik and Emelie so I can contact you when I know more"

Thanks Anton.

Having just completed my 40th season in the C.A.R. where it was "business as usual," except for the presence of cattle in our safari area for the first time, due to temporary drought conditions, it is just not true that most safari companies shut down mid-season due to security problems.

Rudy Lubin Safaris in conjunction with Chasse, Vision, Safaris (CVS); Safaria; Idongo Da Bangoron Safaris; Kotto Safaris; Christophe Lemee/Club Faune; PH Marcel Tiran, PH Michel Fusy all completed their seasons. And we all fully expect to operate in 2013.

PH Rudy Lubin

I have learned that PHs Alain Lefol and Jacques Leamaux, who have both hunted the C.A.R. for more than 35 years, and who both operate in eastern C.A.R. have completed their safari seasons or are presently hunting now with clients.

Please let me know specifically who shutdown in mid-season, other than CAWA. Otherwise, this sounds like an unsubstantiated rumor that is spreading and does no service to C.A.R.'s safari industry.

Rudy Lubin

Rudy Lubin

I have just learned that PHs Alain Lefol and Jacques Lemaux, who have hunted the C.A.R. for more than 35 years, and who operate in eastern C.A.R., have completed or are presently hunting clients as usual.

Please let me know specifically which safari companies, other than CAWA, have shut down midseason due to security reasons. Otherwise, this is just spreading rumors and is a disservice to C.A.R.'s safari industry.

PH Rudy Lubin

I just cut and pasted the answer I got from one of the Phs in CAR. Im no expert on CAR and if you say all is well it probably is.

SAFARIA ( http://www.safaria-car.com ) is also having a god season with no problem what so ever. They are doing their last safari of the season next week.

A