Possible stupid question: What do you do with your safari hunted animals?
- Thread starter skimmer
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From what i understand, no part of the animal is wasted. The locals eat and use all of it that they can, as well the hunters of course have some to eat as well. Im thinking they are not allowed to bring the heads or anything back into Canada, but I could be wrong. Ardent could answer this for sure.
migrant hunter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
Trophies are brought back, meat is used locally I believe. I think some management areas supply meat to the locals as part of their deal for the land use, but I might be wrong on that. Trophies(heads etc) are brought into Canada all the time. I just brought mine from the UK.
Thanks for the answers guys.
I feel better about maybe going out on safari one day. I was sure there was a system in place, but I'd never heard of it. I've never met a hunter who would waste an animal, but, as kamlooky might say, "ya don' know lessin ya be askin"
I feel better about maybe going out on safari one day. I was sure there was a system in place, but I'd never heard of it. I've never met a hunter who would waste an animal, but, as kamlooky might say, "ya don' know lessin ya be askin"
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Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Probably the "greenest" business in the world, as funds are made off maintaining the natural species instead of wiping them out and replacing them with a few scrawny cattle (common in much of Africa now), and protein is supplied to the locals to boot. As mentioned, no protein is wasted in Africa, everything I've hunted there has been more thoroughly gleaned of meat than anything I've seen butchered here. Even the organ meat is spirited away in a hurry, and the Lion I hunted turned into a pink skeleton in a couple hours, so even the exotic stuff is scraped to the bone. You can feel good to be a part of it, my only advice is avoid South Africa and head to Namibia and Zimbabwe (especially Zim) if you want to see real Africa.
Im a newbie to hunting, i need to hunt more in Canada first. Then when i win the lottery ill go to Africa.
I was against trophy hunting once, but I got into a debate with you and C_fbmi and you guys straightened me out. I did some research too and the stereotypes are balony, some species would prob be extinct if it wasnt for trophy hunters putting money into the conservation of the species.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Yep, White Rhino as an example has had a huge rebound in population with much help from hunting, even Rhino conservation groups of a far more green stance than normally would compliment hunting, have commented positively on what hunting has achieved. The animals having a sustainable, long term value causes an interest in the legitimate hunting community in preventing disgusting practices like poaching, and dedicating land and efforts to building sustainable, healthy populations. For instance, the bull I'm hunting this winter is a senior citizen, no longer breeding, and no genetic loss to the population but a great boon for efforts financially. As any hunter here knows, hunting mature males doesn't impact the breeding potential of a species, hence all our buck and bull tags for large sizes only used in North American conservation.
The Rhino I'll hunt, one year would simply no longer be able to outrun the predators. We are one of those predators, even naturally, humans and our ancestors have been hunting everything in Africa for millions of years, and with the extensive use of the meat and long term boost to the species hunter attention provides, it's a hunt I am proud to take part in and enjoy.
To elaborate and get a bit sideways, as mentioned we're a natural predator there, and everywhere really, and it seems in our era of industrial agriculture (not knocking it, grew up on a large commercial farm) we forget our place as a natural predator, and see it as distasteful whenever we discuss any species that isn't ugly. I can tell you one thing, about hunting in Africa, it is in our genes and evolution. Set foot amongst Lions and Rhinos, with nothing between you, come around thorn trees to find something sixteen feet tall looking down at you, face a Buffalo at close range, bump into an Elephant… and you feel some sort of alive I can assure you. Your bones remember, there is a thrill, fulfillment, and a sensation that overwhelms all thoughts and cognizance of the world outside of that moment; if you find the right moment. That moment can be anywhere, Canada provide's plenty too, Africa just does it on a scale nowhere else can. Go forth and look for it!
The Rhino I'll hunt, one year would simply no longer be able to outrun the predators. We are one of those predators, even naturally, humans and our ancestors have been hunting everything in Africa for millions of years, and with the extensive use of the meat and long term boost to the species hunter attention provides, it's a hunt I am proud to take part in and enjoy.
To elaborate and get a bit sideways, as mentioned we're a natural predator there, and everywhere really, and it seems in our era of industrial agriculture (not knocking it, grew up on a large commercial farm) we forget our place as a natural predator, and see it as distasteful whenever we discuss any species that isn't ugly. I can tell you one thing, about hunting in Africa, it is in our genes and evolution. Set foot amongst Lions and Rhinos, with nothing between you, come around thorn trees to find something sixteen feet tall looking down at you, face a Buffalo at close range, bump into an Elephant… and you feel some sort of alive I can assure you. Your bones remember, there is a thrill, fulfillment, and a sensation that overwhelms all thoughts and cognizance of the world outside of that moment; if you find the right moment. That moment can be anywhere, Canada provide's plenty too, Africa just does it on a scale nowhere else can. Go forth and look for it!
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
No need to win the lottery in order to hunt in Africa. A Cape Buffalo and Plains Game hunt in Zimbabwe including taxidermy (unless you go way overboard) and flights will cost you around $25K-$30K. If you're disciplined you can put that kind of money away over the span of 5-6 years. Add in the fact that you pay the deposit a year before you go, then the balance of the day rates 30 days before you go, trophy fees etc after you get back, shipping 6 months after that and final taxidermy bill up to 1 year to 18 month after you return and you defray that $30K over almost 3 years so in reality if you can put a few grand away every year for 10 years you'll have amply cash.
A PG hunt in South Africa could easily be done for under $20K with the same payment schedule.
But wait until you're 55 or so before you go for the first time. If you go before you're thirty like I did you'll have the "Go Back Want" for a long, LONG time!
migrant hunter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
I knew guys in the UK who went for plains game every few years. It seemed way cheaper than what I have heard here in Canada. I'd google some Uk companies to see what their prices are like before booking anything through an agent in Canada. Also the plains game is way cheaper than "the big five", if you are happy to shoot antelope and have an awesome trip. When I shoot a trophy sheep, a 7x7 elk and a 50" moose, then I'll worry about Africa!
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Sound advice and numbers all around, you can definitely hunt Africa on a regular income. I did my first trip while driving a 1991 toyota truck that was on the fritz, and renting a crappy condo in a small northern town to make it possible. Fortunately my wife was patient at the time. I remember the trip, and in ten more years will never remember the '91 Toyota, or for that matter remember if I was driving a new F350 or that '91. In fact, most African hunters actually are blue collar, you'd be surprised how many pipe fitters and public works guys you meet on the way over, it's refreshing.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
It's legal, they'll sell the cape and horns to taxidermists (lots of damaged capes need replacing, broken horns etc, or even just camp decorations) but no, everybody I know brings theirs back. Totally acceptable to collect photos too, some countries and species export is problematic and it's all one can do.
I guess a slightly different question might be, would there be any reason for me to hunt trophy animals rather than cull animals if I don't intend to bring trophies back?
Just trying to ask all the questions before I make plans.
I don't have a trophy room and my wife isn't interested in mounts in the house so we have to compromise since she puts up with all my hobbies. Plus, I'm trying to do this without spending 2x the money that a safari costs.
The main reason to consider a safari is to gain experience in spot and stalk, particularly with another hunter who knows what they are doing.
Just trying to ask all the questions before I make plans.
I don't have a trophy room and my wife isn't interested in mounts in the house so we have to compromise since she puts up with all my hobbies. Plus, I'm trying to do this without spending 2x the money that a safari costs.
The main reason to consider a safari is to gain experience in spot and stalk, particularly with another hunter who knows what they are doing.
- Location
- Beaverlodge, Alberta
I'll jump in here with a little story. A few years back when I started elk hunting, my wife was against having trophies in the house. I compromised because I figured I wouldn't get anything too impressive my first time out anyways. So my plan was to just keep the antlers and mount them on the shed in the yard.
Then I stumbled across a massive bull my first season. A once in a lifetime bull. A huge 6x6 that some guys search their whole life for. It was a little shy of the boone and crocket minimum to get my name into the book, but still amazing by any means. But, I had made a deal with the wife not to have any trophies in the house, so I didn't take care to preserve it as a trophy(I didn't cut it far enough back on the shoulders, didn't keep the cape. Its now just a European mount sitting in the shed).So now I have this amazing specimen, but don't have a proper mount done to do it justice. My wife doesn't understand what that trophy means to me and to every other guy who has poured his heart and soul into a hunt. She never will. But it kills me everytime I see those antlers.
Compromise elsewhere, man. You never know how amazing your trophy might be. Not only is the trophy something to be proud of, But a good mount also shows respect to a mighty animal, preserving its glory. Trust me, You don't want to regret not having your trophy.
why im single.
Its not super common to leave the trophies; but it does happen. Hunters have different motivations for going. In my own case I've brought some trophies home that got given away, stored or never un-packed. What exactly is the hunter to do when he's out of walls? Should only people who live in museums go on hunting trips?
Trophies are interesting momentos of your experience, but that's all they are. While there's nothing wrong with them, having mounted heads doesn't make you a better or worse person either. Neither does a few inches of bone or horn or foot of hide one way or the other.
I'm a meat hunter. And I'm trophy hunter. On a different day I'm a cull hunter. In the end I've come to realize that the real "profit" that I get is the memories and the experience. I've had this conversation with many hunters. You'd be surprised how many would have went with no taxidermy and more hunting if they had their lives to live over.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
On my only, or more properly my first hunting safari to South Africa, I killed 8 animals, all respectable trophies. I did not get any of them mounted in the full head mount/taxidermy fashion.
I got he hide of my Kudu tanned and had a European mount done of the skull & horns. I got the hide of my Impala and Springbok tanned and of course the Zebra hide. Got the taxidermist to clean and ship me the skulls only without taxidermy for my Impala, Springbok, Gemsbok, Mountain Reedbuck, Eland and Warthog. Saved a few thousand dollars, and I still have nice mementos of my hunt. I will trim and mount the skulls as European mounts myself. I think European mounts and tanned hides are a wonderful alternative to taxidermy that allows you to keep a trophy, display it in an artistic and respectful manner, save wall space, and save a bundle of $$.
ALL the meat of the 16 animals that my brother and I shot was completely used - we ate a little, the staff ate some, and the rest was dried into biltong or made into sausage and sold to support the management of the land for wildlife.
I got he hide of my Kudu tanned and had a European mount done of the skull & horns. I got the hide of my Impala and Springbok tanned and of course the Zebra hide. Got the taxidermist to clean and ship me the skulls only without taxidermy for my Impala, Springbok, Gemsbok, Mountain Reedbuck, Eland and Warthog. Saved a few thousand dollars, and I still have nice mementos of my hunt. I will trim and mount the skulls as European mounts myself. I think European mounts and tanned hides are a wonderful alternative to taxidermy that allows you to keep a trophy, display it in an artistic and respectful manner, save wall space, and save a bundle of $$.
ALL the meat of the 16 animals that my brother and I shot was completely used - we ate a little, the staff ate some, and the rest was dried into biltong or made into sausage and sold to support the management of the land for wildlife.
Waaaaiiiiiiiit a MINUTE. Do you work for the Tourism Board of Zimbabwe Ardent? LOL Beautifully written.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Very much truth. Once you've been among them, nothing else really compares. And once you've watched a game scout shoot at poachers with an AK you've seen just about everything!
