Zimbabwe Lion Hunt?

I dont think they hunt in the Gwaai area, but I have really heard great things about HHK Safaris from friends who have hunted with them. I am sure there must be someone on here who can confirm this especially regarding lion.

Originally Posted by BRICKBURN

Some how make sure the documents are real. How I have no idea.

In any case, make sure that your own ass is legally covered! The Lacey Act is some serious stuff!

Correct, it was a photographic lodge and went into hunting only after that. I did the customary check on Malindi and was OK. It is a bit sensitive here so I will not expand... As you know, lots of people have a stand-by position in Zim and until there is (hopefully soon) a change at the head of the state people are careful. As a parenthesis, once there is this inevitable change, there will be hell of legal proceedings all over Zim I think...

Regarding the hunt in Gwaii, again this was for lion through an official auction by Park (three lions in total). I did extensive check on that one before making a bid (which was even announced on Park website). Funny enough, the owners of the land had nothing to say about it and we had full access to the whole area, regardless of the specific property. In fact, we were accompanied by Hwange Park game wardens and not the usual government representative (property "specific"?).
And right, lion hunting was banned for a few years (since 2006, I believe). I have to admit that if I had known about the status of the lion population today, I would have hunted somewhere else since they are still recovering and my feeling is that hunting was premature. Since then, I have been exchanging email with the Lion Conservation Organization, which is studying the Hwange lions. They are dedicated people, not at all opposed to ethical hunting. we provided them with info and DNA sample of the lion shot (which they appreciated). They confirmed the hunt was fully legal, that they knew about it and appreciated my proposal to inform future potential lion hunters of the Hwange lion population status (more credibility coming from a fellow hunter than from a conservationist organization, which some hunters will reject opinion upfront!!!).
For the sake of precision, I ALWAYS check on permits/papers and authorization at the beginning of the hunt, just to be on the safe side... Even if, being Swiss and trophies being send to Switzerland, CITES permits (when required) and proper documentation is sufficient.
So I am confident the hunt was clean, with the caveat about the lion population as mentioned above.

I went with Jimba Safari's Zimbabwe, just out of Hwange national park. What a hunt! the PH Wayne Dietrichsen was first class and this was one AWESOME HUNT! this lion measured 16 6/16th! SCI Gold lion and 15th on the world record list. (unofficial as measurements have been submitted to SCI)

email for some details, it was awesome!DSCN0522.jpg
chopperdan@plateautel.net

Originally Posted by chopperdan

I went with Jimba Safari's Zimbabwe, just out of Hwange national park. What a hunt! the PH Wayne Dietrichsen was first class and this was one AWESOME HUNT! this lion measured 16 6/16th! SCI Gold lion and 15th on the world record list. (unofficial as measurements have been submitted to SCI)

email for some details, it was awesome!DSCN0522.jpg
chopperdan@plateautel.net

You look just a little happy! If you are touching that Lion, Holy crap!

Originally Posted by BRICKBURN

You look just a little happy! If you are touching that Lion, Holy crap!

I AM ONLY TOUCHING HIS SHOULDER! HE WAS HUGE!