S.A. Leopard Permit Problems for 06

[hutty]

I have been in touch with several PH's and SCI in Africa in regards to a leopard permit in the Limpopo Valley for the 2006 season.

It seems the gentlemen in Limpopo who issues the permits is not relasing any, has invented a new game conservation fund R5000, and is looking for some type of BEE certification.

Does anyone know who in South African Dept of Tourism we can contact since it seems like some type of shakedown?

Any info or if anyone else has heard anything would be greatly appreciated. I am looking to head over next June with a large group of hunters and one of my buddies really wants a leopard.

[bornhunt]

Frankly, my opinion is that your outfitter should take care of the permit issues for leopard. Any outfitter offering leopard includes all possible costs in his leopard package and gets BEE certification if it is needed. Leopard is our speciality. We hunt mostly with hounds, in Namibia and Zimbabwe and any permit costs and any unexpected costs is taken care of by the outfitter. Let me know if you get anywhere with your quest and if you need any other info.

Regards

Toby Cilliers
Born to Hunt Safaris

[grayghost]

It is a shakedown. That's why it's best to go with an experienced outfitter that knows how to deal with this gar-baage. Sometimes the PH has to do what he has to do, considering the political climate. But this is his job. That's why I let Hunters Support handle our gun permits. We walked through the gun registration process without any problems, while other guys stood in line and waited. They wound up "donating" to the drink fund. After converting our USD to Rand, it cost us under $125 each. Well worth it and I'll use them again next year. Be sure to have your friend get familiar with our US Fish & Wildlife proceedure for a CITES permit on the cat. No big deal but he may want to apply as soon as he returns home if he's successful. Wait on a permit is running 90+ days in some cases. As of today, 5,000 Rand converts to $701.20 in USD. I wouldn't exchange money here at home. My local bank robbed us. We exchanged $1K USD and received $5,600 Rand. On that day, we should have received $6,800 Rand. And they told us "no fee for our customers." Yeah, right. Good hunting, grayghost

[Bwana White Hunter]

Originally posted by hutty
I have been in touch with several PH's and SCI in Africa in regards to a leopard permit in the Limpopo Valley for the 2006 season.

It seems the gentlemen in Limpopo who issues the permits is not relasing any, has invented a new game conservation fund R5000, and is looking for some type of BEE certification.

Does anyone know who in South African Dept of Tourism we can contact since it seems like some type of shakedown?

Any info or if anyone else has heard anything would be greatly appreciated. I am looking to head over next June with a large group of hunters and one of my buddies really wants a leopard.

Be a bit more clearer. Is the problem the hunting permit or the CITES permit?

[grayghost]

go to Zimbabwe to hunt Leopard. As far as the CITES permit, best go ahead and apply for it at least 4 months before you go. Otherwise you'll be waiting a long time to get one. Our Gov't is slow as molasses unless they want something from you. grayghost

[MacD37]

The RSA is not the best place to hunt dangerous game of any type. I'd go to Zimbabwe,Zambia, or Tanzania, with Zimbabwe being my first choice for Leopard. Zambia's Luangwa Valley has lots of Leopard, lion, and Buffalo, but is sometimes very expensive, but still cheaper than RSA in most cases for dangerous game. The bargains that also have good Leopard hunting are in Zimbabwe.

Your booking agent, or your outfitter can obtain all you need prior to your arival A good booking agent is worth his weight in gold on these cat hunts!
;)