As former director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Talbott is uniquely qualified to speak on the impact of CWD on deer and elk in Wyoming and the potential threats of the disease entering New Zealand. He helped officials there identify methods to prevent the introduction of the disease. The meeting was very positive and an excellent opportunity for open dialog.

Talbott also met with guides, outfitters and deer farmers at three regional meetings organized by the New Zealand Professional Hunters Guides Association to discuss the consistent measuring of complex red stags trophies. The meetings were graciously hosted at Poronui, Lake Hawea and High Peak Station.  Considerable discussions focused on SCI’s trophy measuring rule book and the complexity and difficulty of measuring extraordinary trophies. Talbott worked with participants to ensure future consistency and accuracy in measurements of New Zealand red stag trophies. Excellent discussions and feedback were received from the participants. SCI thanks those who hosted and attended these meetings.

Talbott also met with representatives of the Māori Nation, hosted by Māori Matua Tom Loughlin, along with members of the New Zealand Game Animal Council and the Sika Foundation. The three groups are collaborating on an ongoing study focusing on the range and distribution of young sika deer stags and how that information can be used to help manage the species in the future. Net gun crews caught and collared young sika males lured into open parks in the scrub. Talbott also had the opportunity to sample the hunting in New Zealand, hunting sika deer with the Māori to assist with their population studies.

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The workshop kicked off with a training session on the use of bear spray and a practical exercise of deploying bear spray on “Robo Bear”. This is a cooperative grizzly bear conflict mitigation program including the SCI Foundation and the state wildlife management agencies of both Wyoming and Montana. The program currently has two training simulators with plans to add one additional simulator in western Montana. The program utilizes an educational presentation combined with a practical training simulation to train and prepare participants to react properly and effectively deploy deterrent spray in the event of a bear encounter. This training for back country visitors is designed to minimize conflicts, and injury to both bears and humans. The presentation was expertly provided by Bear Wise/Conflict Mitigation Specialist Mark Aughton with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. The training was highly educational and applicable to all who participated.  

A robust conversation was held regarding Executive Order (EO) 14026 and the requirements increasing the minimum wage and overtime provisions for contractors utilizing federal lands as a part of their guiding and outfitting operations. The financial implications of EO 14026 have resounding financial impacts on all outfitters utilizing federal lands. If the EO is implemented fully, hunters utilizing outfitters will see a significant increase in the cost of guided hunts or many operators no longer provide those services.

Chronic Wasting Disease updates and developments were shared by the group.  Recent research demonstrating a strong species barrier between humans and CWD was discussed. Those research findings will be shared with the attendees.  

Staff SCI attorney Regina Lennox provided a legal and legislative overview of current issues being addressed by SCI. Guide and Outfitter Liaison Scott Talbott provided an overview of the SCI convention and the G&O program update.  

Many other subjects of mutual interest such as management of large carnivores, political influences on boards and commissions, resident and nonresident license allocation and their affect on business opportunities, trapping and hunting bans, user day fee administration and use for BLM and USFS lands business opportunities for associations. 

The beautiful Wind River Mountain range provided an outstanding backdrop for the meeting and provided all a variety of hiking, fishing, and sight-seeing opportunities before and after the daily presentations. A sincere thanks to all who attended and helped make the conference a huge success!

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A group of SCI members recently contacted Barbara Crown at SCI’s Hunter Information Service to assist them when their trophy shipment was refused by authorities and returned to the country of origin. The issues were caused due to the documentation and a co-mingling of trophies for multiple hunters in one crate. Having seen the same issue with shipments from multiple regions around the world, Crown reached out to Coppersmith Global Logistics to provide SCI members with a primer on current requirements for trophy shipments and help both hunters and their outfitters avoid costly complications.

As with hunting travel, importing hunting firearms, and other aspects of international hunting, international trophy shipments have become more complicated due to continually evolving regulations and logistical challenges. The range of requirements makes it easy for international hunters to make a simple mistake that can cost them thousands of dollars and ruin a trip. Fortunately, a bit of knowledge beforehand can save time, money and anxiety. Here are some details to help hunters prepare their trophy shipments and avoid the latest pitfalls.

The first thing hunters must know is that several government agencies are involved when importing wildlife products, no matter where in the world they are going. Trophies are subject to inspection by authorities overseeing customs, wildlife regulations and trafficking, and domestic agriculture and animal husbandry. In the United States that would be the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

If trophy shipments contain primate species, inspection may also be required by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Each agency is looking for specific documentation to ensure the shipment meets current regulations. Any missing or conflicting forms or information can cause unnecessary and costly delays or require the shipment to be returned to the country of origin at the hunter’s expense. 

In the US, each agency has a specific role, with CBP serving as a “quarterback” of sorts. CBP and FWS are law enforcement agencies, while CBP/Agriculture and USDA ensure compliance and safety against invasive pests and diseases.

To avoid complications, here is a rundown of what every hunter must know when shipping trophies home:

What to Provide your Hunting Operator to Arrange your Trophy Shipment

• Provide your full legal name for a hunting license and all documentation.
• Port of Entry. Select a FWS Designated Port of Entry in the closest proximity to the final delivery destination. (Not every international airport has an onsite FWS presence.)
• Select a customs broker where you will receive the trophies and provide their name and contact information. A customs broker will arrange the clearance formalities with all applicable government agencies.

What to Provide the Shipping Agent Preparing your Shipment

• Your selected FWS Designated Port of Entry in closest proximity to the final delivery destination, whether that be the U.S. taxidermist (for unprocessed trophies) or your residence (for processed trophies).
• Provide the full name and contact details of your preferred customs broker handling the clearance arrangements.
• Put the agent shipping your trophies in touch with the customs broker receiving your shipment so they can correspond and make sure all required documents and logistics are in order.
• Provide all requests in writing and be specific if there are special instructions of any kind that need to be transparent to all parties involved. Keep copies of all correspondence.

Documentation – What Documents Must Accompany Your Shipment and Who is Responsible for Them

• CITES permits, export permits, and other export documentation are usually prepared by the shipping agent. Many taxidermists, however, also prepare CITES and export documentation. Veterinary certificates are usually prepared by the taxidermist, and hunting license copies are provided by the outfitter. 
• Items and wildlife parts in the shipment must exactly match the descriptions on the documents. 
• Descriptions should clarify the state of trophies (finished skulls; dried skins; tanned skins; fully mounted) to avoid unnecessary delays with USDA.
• Pay attention to documentation and check for incorrect information or typos. Do not assume there are no errors or that another party will be responsible for incorrect information. As the Importer of Record, you are responsible and liable for the documentation and information delivered to CBP, FWS and any other partner government agency.

Special Trophies – What to do When Trophies include Swine and Primates 

• Decide whether to tan, finish or mount before shipment.
• Have the shipping agent clearly describe the state of the items on the documents.
• Work with your customs broker to arrange for a USDA-approved taxidermist to receive your trophies before the trophies arrive.

Understanding Charges – Who Gets Paid for What; How Shipping Charges are Compiled

• Generally, fees paid for your hunt do not include any post-hunt costs, such as dip and pack or taxidermy services and crating/packing, which are paid to the foreign taxidermist. Some taxidermists do not pack and crate trophies for international shipping. In these instances, the shipping agent (freight forwarder) arranges packing and crating for export.
• Trucking costs, permit fees, documentation prep fees, origin warehousing, and origin export customs clearance, international air or ocean freight are collected by the shipping agent.  
• Import clearance, airline handling fees, FWS inspection fees, handling fees, inspection fees, storage and trucking are all costs incurred once trophies arrive in the U.S.
• International air freight costs are assessed on what’s called chargeable weight (a mathematical equation used to determine volume weight) or actual weight, whichever is greater. Ocean cargo costs for any single shipment that is less than a full container are assessed on weight or measure, whichever is greater. Market conditions, seasonal variances and fuel costs are some contributing factors affecting transportation costs.

Shipping Options – Air Versus Ocean Freight

• Air Freight:  Pros – Fastest transit time. Less handling. Less unknown charges. Cons – Most expensive. Also, most airlines allow only 24 hours of free storage time before charging daily storage fees (currently around $ 160 a day minimum at most ports). 
• The base air freight rate charged is calculated by multiplying the actual or chargeable weight (whichever is greatest) by the air freight rate.  For example: 125 kg x $6.50 = $812.50. Some air rates are inclusive of fuel and security surcharges, however, not always. Quotes received from the origin shipping agent usually indicate both weight and rate details.
• Ocean Freight: Pros – Less expensive base rate. Ship larger size crates. Cons – longer transit time, limited service options, unknown charges at destination.
• Multiple shippers are consolidated into an ocean container, and all share the cost based on the weight or measure of each consignment (House BL). The rate quoted is based on a tariff rate. For example:  Crate is 1.7 cbm x ocean rate $125 w/m = $212.50. This is only a base rate example – other additional charges for ocean cargo would be included in a quotation provided by the shipping agent.

Consolidated versus Commingled Shipments – The Difference and Why Commingling is Problematic

• The topic of multiple hunters packed together in one crate is becoming an ever-increasing problem for the trade because of the advanced systems and electronic platforms now utilized. Since Sept. 11, 2001, data sets and data transmissions have vastly evolved, and the way data is reported affects our supply chain and import process.
• When shipping internationally, “consolidation” is not packing multiple hunters in one crate.  A better description is “commingling” hunters in a crate. Consolidation is when there are multiple entities packed separately and shipped under one conveyance or master bill of lading. Each entity is issued a unique house bill of lading that travels under the master BL. All ship together on one conveyance, but each is manifested separately and cleared by House BL. This applies to both ocean and air shipments.  
• Although FWS in some U.S. ports has implemented a local port policy that hunters cannot commingle in one crate, this is generally not a FWS issue. The need for each hunter to be separately crated and manifested is because of Customs and Border Protection’s Automated Manifest System (AMS).  
• AMS was implemented after 9/11. All shipments destined for the US must have advance manifest data transmitted to U.S. Customs within specific time frames before arrival. Airlines and ocean carriers are responsible for transmissions. The electronic data transmitted must match the electronic entry data transmitted for customs clearance by the customs broker for releases to properly process in Customs and the broker’s interface platforms.
• AMS requires detailed shipper and consignee information, and the system is built with a “one-to-one relationship” – meaning one shipper to one consignee. If multiple hunters are packed in one crate, only one of the hunters’ information is transmitted to customs.  
• Names must match the required documentation. All trophy items in a crate must be matched to the documents of the importer, namely the hunter importing the crate and listed on the licenses and other import documents.
• Exceptions for packing multiple hunters in one crate are husband/wife and parent/minor child.
• Each hunter must provide a customs broker with a customs power of attorney allowing them to legally handle and take possession of their shipment. 

Hunters following these tips are more likely to receive their trophies without any hassles, surprise charges or delays. Should anything come up, work closely and quickly with your customs broker to resolve the issues. The more time you wait, the more likely that fees and other charges will stack up.

Coppersmith Global Logistics operates a Trophy Hunting Division dedicated to servicing hunters and their trophy shipments. Visit their website at huntingtrophy.com for a list of offices and contact information. SCI members with questions about hunting travel, trophy shipments and other related issues may contact Barbara Crown at SCI’s Hunter Information Service for assistance at 520-798-4859 or email bcrown@SCIFirstForHunters.org.

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The Commission heard public comments from three individuals—Louisiana State Sen. Stewart Cathey, SCI Acadiana Chapter President Richard Kennedy, and Tensas landowner John Madden—in strong support of opening a hunt. The commenters noted the increasing bear population and increase in human-bear conflicts, especially in the Tensas area.

Commissioner McPherson thanked SCI for our defense of the Louisiana black bear delisting, calling SCI a “tremendous organization.” Since 2018, SCI has been engaged in litigation to defend the delisting and celebrate the bears’ success story.

The post Louisiana Black Bear Update appeared first on Safari Club.

• A recent study ranked Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe among the top five countries for megafauna conservation, and Zambia and Mozambique among the top 15 – all ahead of the U.S. 
• Hunting provides the most important source of revenue for many range state wildlife authorities. The countries with regulated hunting have the largest populations of lions, elephant, rhinos, giraffe, and many other animals in the world. 
• In a three-year period, hunting generated $2.4 million (without including fees from black rhino hunts) for Namibia’s Game Products Trust Fund. These funds are reinvested in wildlife conservation. 
• Hunting generates around 50% of community benefits from conservancies in Namibia, including monies, meat, and social benefits; much of the revenue is then reinvested into wildlife conservation and management. Communal conservancies in Namibia have grown from 35,000 square km in 2004 to over 166,000 square km today.
• Almost 55% of the hunting revenues in Namibia’s communal conservancies come from elephant hunting alone. These revenues benefit approximately 220,000 people.
• A study of rural community members in Namibia found that 91% opposed any ban on hunting.

Within this conservation model, there are few stories as prominent as rhino conservation. Here are some facts about Namibia’s rhinos: 

• The most robust black rhino populations exist largely because of habitat protected, and anti-poaching efforts funded, by hunting. Namibia contains the largest free-ranging black rhino population in the world.
• Black rhino are one of many examples of hunting as a population management tool. Older males are individually selected for hunting when they are no longer reproducing effectively and interfering with breeding by younger males.
• By using hunting to control “surplus” male black rhino, Namibia and South Africa have managed for high population growth and reduced intra-species conflicts.
• Over 90% of the global white rhino population and over 70% of the black rhino population lives in Namibia and South Africa. According to the IUCN African Rhino Specialist Group, “both species of rhino have increased considerably since sport hunting of white and black rhino resumed in 1968 and 2005 respectively.”
• The hunting is very sustainable: approximately 83 white rhino and five black rhino are hunted each year across the two countries, representing only 0.50% and 0.13% of the current white and black rhino populations, respectively, in the two countries.
• In addition to benefiting the population, hunting generates significant funding to be reinvested in further conservation activities, such as when a hunter paid $350,000 to hunt a black rhino in Namibia that was post-reproductive and killing other rhinos. Those funds were invested in law enforcement training and equipment, an anti-poaching intelligence system, and a black rhino survey in Etosha National Park, Namibia.
• Funds from hunting black rhinos in Namibia are allocated to black rhino conservation projects. Recent projects have included black rhino population surveys, rhino crime investigation and prosecution, and building a rhino DNA tracking system.

One thing is certain: southern African countries are the experts in the conservation of African. Yet, the Western world often attempts to control Africa’s wildlife, resources, and trade. Science-based, regulated, sustainable use – especially hunting – is proven as the most effective conservation tool in the world. SCIF will be discussing these topics and more at this week’s African Wildlife Consultative Forum in Namibia. Follow along for updates on issues from biologists, academics, conservation organizations, professional hunting groups, and range state government officials.  

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In 1972, President Richard Nixon signed the Presidential Proclamation establishing National Hunting and Fishing Day, laying the foundation for this important annual observance and emphasizing the responsible use of our nation’s natural resources for future generations. In the spirit of President Nixon’s decision to champion our country’s deeply rooted hunting and fishing culture, SCI remains steadfastly committed to ensuring the sustainable enjoyment of our outdoor heritage. 

“SCI is proud to join the hunting and angling communities in celebrating 51 years of championing the right to hunt, shoot, and fish across our great country,” said SCI CEO W. Laird Hamberlin. “National Hunting and Fishing Day is a fantastic opportunity for new hunters and anglers to participate in our historic sport while seasoned sportsmen and women can go afield, reflecting on their contributions to ensuring healthy wildlife populations and preserving public land access for all Americans.”

SCI, like National Hunting and Fishing Day, was founded in 1972. Since then, SCI has been and continues to be the leader in defending the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI is FIRST FOR HUNTERS, with 146 chapters and affiliate networks representing millions of hunters worldwide.

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• More Information (Link): https://www.kavangozambezi.org/2023/08/31/kaza-launches-its-2022-kaza-elephant-survey-results/

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Béla Hidvégi, founding president of the SCI Hungarian Chapter and an SCI International Director, was recently named the 2023 Weatherby Foundation Award winner.

“We at the Weatherby Foundation extend our warmest congratulations to Béla on winning what is considered to be the highest award in the hunting world,” said Peter A Larsen, the foundation’s president. 

Larsen said Hidvégi has an amazing record in the game-fields of the world and has a truly outstanding record of conservation and writing accomplishments.  

Hidvégi has now won three of the most prestigious awards in the hunting industry: The Conklin Award, Pantheon Award and now the Weatherby Award. 

Hidvégi said this one is very special. 

“When I was 9 years old, my father told me that we would go hunt bongo together one day.”

Hidvégi grew up in Hungary, and his father was imprisoned by the communists for six years. 

“Those words stayed with me and kept me going through the difficult times after I escaped during the 1956 Hungarian uprising,” said the hunter. “My father’s dream came true after 56 years when I finally got that bongo. That is why hunting, and this award, are so important for me. This proves to myself what I can do, and it shows the younger generation that all is possible.”

Hidvégi lives by a personal motto: “Determination, stamina and humility.” His extensive collection of international game animals is on loan to two museums in Hungary where there are more than 560 full and shoulder mounts, mostly of African game animals. More than 100,000 visitors attend the museums each year.  

He has written 11 books, three on mountain hunting, and appears frequently on TV or in talks in Europe about hunting and conservation.  

The Weatherby Award selection committee uses three criteria, as well as other factors, to determine that year’s winner. They are: hunting accomplishments, conservation and education, and character and sportsmanship. 

“In my country, one of our great hunters once said, ‘I finally got up to the top of the cucumber tree.’ I have the same feeling now,” said Hidvégi. 

“Béla has been an unwavering champion for conservation and hunting and his accomplishments with SCI and in the field are incomparable and an inspiration to the entire international hunting community,” says SCI CEO W. Laird Hamberlin. “SCI celebrates Béla rightfully joining the prestigious group of past Weatherby award winners.”

Weatherby Foundation International will present the award at a gala in Dallas in January.

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This article was originally published in the July 2023 edition of Safari Times.

South Africa’s game managers, outfitters and ranchers are justifiably proud of what they have accomplished. They like to tell us that wildlife has increased by an amazing 30-fold in the last 50 years, and it’s true.

As late as 1970, South Africa’s wildlife was in a similar state to North America’s wildlife in 1900, tattered remnants in scattered enclaves. Norman Deane’s Zululand Safaris was the first pioneer outfitter, primarily focusing on South Africa’s dwindling indigenous rarities.

My first South African hunt was in 1979 with Gary Kelly, who apprenticed under Norman Deane. It was a short hunt that produced a great nyala. Back then, there wasn’t much going on in South Africa.

Things happened fast, due in large measure to South Africa’s privatization of wildlife. Thanks also to an eager and growing safari market, for which a fledgling SCI can also claim credit. In the 1980s the game ranching and outfitting industries exploded. South Africa soon hosted Africa’s largest safari industry, and still does.

For years, South Africa was the only country where the entire Big Five (and Dangerous Seven) could be hunted. How-ever, she was primarily a plains game destination. Opportunities for dangerous game were limited to isolated corners, with Cape buffalo almost unavailable.

Except for Namibia and South Africa, most safari countries (and companies) now operate on a “buffalo economy:” One buffalo on quota equals one safari. But not Namibia or South Africa. Both are major livestock exporters. Because of bovine dis- eases, buffalo were essentially eradicated by early settlers.

 In Namibia, remaining buffalo are restricted to the far north. A “red line” was created (north of Etosha), south of which buffalo are not allowed. Namibia has great buffalo hunting in Caprivi and other north-ern enclaves, but availability is low, and prices are high.

South Africa had essentially the same problem. Her primary remnant buffalo were in the Kruger Park corridor, plus a few other parks and reserves. Availability was low, so few outfitters had access to buffalo. Genetics were (and are) awesome, but prices were extremely high: Trophy fees alone were nearly twice the total cost of a buffalo safari in Mozambique or Zimbabwe. Such was the status quo as recently as 20 years ago.

South African game ranchers had an advantage. There wasn’t any red line, but there are stringent veterinary restrictions and testing requirements to bring buffalo anywhere near cattle country. Game managers and ranchers teamed-up with scientists: Find, isolate and breed up disease-free buffalo.

The process was slow and costly. At first, certified disease-free buffalo were scarce and frightfully expensive. Buffaloes are slower breeders than domestic cattle, aver- aging a calf every other year.

So, proliferating buffalo that could safely be introduced into game ranches took time. In fact, changes were so gradual that I just about missed them.

Cape buffalo are also slow growing. A bull needs a full decade to mature and have fully hard bosses. Few grownup bulls were available which meant, not so many years back, too many South African bulls “need-ed another year or two.”

However, genetics are spectacular. South Africa has always produced big bulls, and better now since selective breeding is part of the science.

Regardless of age or size, South African buffaloes were, in my view, too expensive. Great buffalo hunting was available else-where for so much less that it didn’t make sense. I ignored what was happening, but the work continued, and time passed me by.

Things have changed. Game ranchers and outfitters gave it 20 years, and I did not. Today, buffalo have been widely introduced onto suitable properties into all provinces across South Africa. Unlike a decade ago, most South African operators now have access to buffalo. With availability, prices have dropped.

South African outfitters have advantages: Simplified logistics, good roads, internal flights and a widespread supply.

Privatized wildlife means that landowners set their own quotas. If a landowner feels he has a buffalo bull to spare, he can sell it for hunting or take it to the meat market.

It’s a market economy so, while extra-large bulls command a premium, average prices for nice, mature buffalo bulls have fallen. At the same time, costs have escalated at a faster pace elsewhere in Africa. These include transport, charters, supplies, area fees on government concessions, li-cense fees, trophy fees, the works.

I didn’t see this coming: From few and too-expensive just a few years ago, South Africa now has the most available and af-fordable buffalo in Africa. Moreover, after decades of careful breeding, it also boasts the continent’s best horn genetics.

This is not new; going back 20 years, the most beautiful buffalo bulls I have ever seen have been South African “breeders.” Such bulls are not hunted; they are care-fully maintained in small pastures to pass along their genes.

Unable to think of Cape buffalo as live-stock, I missed the point: Those bulls are throwing calves that are going to properties all over the country. A few years later, those calves are throwing calves, and so on. Fast forward, and today South Africa’s outfitters aren’t just in the plains game business. They are in the “buffalo and plains game” business. Or, for hunters who dream of just one nice buffalo, South Africa is now sol-idly in the “buffalo safari” business, with easy access, competitive pricing and excel-lent horn quality.

So, why would any sensible hunter go anywhere else? Well, virtually all South African buffalo are restricted. Properties vary from medium to huge, but in South Africa, there is no place for completely free-range buffalo.

That is not a negative, just a fact. Even massive Kruger is fenced. From the land-owner’s standpoint, fencing serves to protect your animals from poachers, and from wandering onto a neighbor’s property where you can no longer protect them.

Many of us, me included, place a premium on free-range hunting. Our SCI record book maintains categories for free range and “estate.” Most South African buffaloes fall into the latter category. Fortunately, we have plenty of free-range options for buffalo.

However, quality of experience isn’t based on the presence or absence of a fence, nor on any set acreage. Terrain and vegetation matter. Whether for impala, kudu or buffalo, the area needs to hold appropriate habitat so the animals can move and feed naturally. It also needs to be large enough so they can use their senses and abilities to evade us.

How we hunt also makes a difference. Regardless of horn size, hunting buffalo is all about the experience. There is nothing wrong with glassing from a vehicle; it’s done all over Africa. For a buffalo bull to be meaningful, at least the final approach and shot must be on foot.

Some properties are bigger than others, and the buffalo is a large and visible animal, so size matters. A buffalo hunt is always ex-citing. However, hunting on foot in thick, natural habitat, it doesn’t take more than a few thousand acres to be difficult and challenging.

Yes, the buffaloes are restricted. They know that. They also know every rock and tree, and exactly how the prevailing wind blows. After years of dismissing South African buffalo, my first experience gave me my comeuppance.

I bought a hunt at an SCI auction, just because I wanted to see if I’d been right. I was wrong. We tracked for six days, time and again coming up on buffalo, unable to get a shot. A stray puff of breeze, a stick underfoot, buffalo exploding.

Start over. I finally got a shot on the last day.

I did it again very recently, hunting with Jose Maria Marzal (Chico & Sons Safaris), out of their lovely Tsessebe Lodge in north-western Limpopo, joining Jim Gent and his brother-in-law Dan Poland on a hunt they booked at our Nashville convention.

The first day, we tracked a small group for three hours, and had a close encounter but no shot. The second day, we got on tracks early and followed them for nine hours. Plagued by shifting wind, we heard them crash off ahead of us, but never saw a buffalo.

Jim got his bull on the third day, stalked and shot on rare open ground. I got my chance a couple days later, tracking a bull through thick cover. The hunt ended with a quick shot in the brush. Both were wonderful bulls – mature, heavy bossed, wide enough and exactly what we were looking for.

That kind of success can come anywhere in Africa where buffalo are hunted…or not. Depending on luck our bulls could have been larger (or smaller).

The point is: Buffalo hunting in South Africa has come of age and it’s good. It is just one of several sound options when you get ready to make your dream of a Cape buffalo come true.

Col. Craig Boddington is an author, hunter and longtime SCI member. He is Past President of the Los Angeles Chapter, a decorated Marine and C.J. McElroy Award winner.

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