Apologies from Roy Sparks - Sparks Hounds
Dear friends,
I have done a bit of soul searching over the last day or so and feel that I owe apologies to anyone I may have offended with regard to the content of my posts on the respective forums here at AfricaHunting.com
In the heat of the moment after discovering Jerome's superb facility I used it to vent my anger and frustration concerning my predicament with the leopard hunting in Namibia.I have not conducted myself as a gentleman in this respect and herewith offer apologies to AfricaHunting.com for having to field my harsh rebukes, and I apologise in turn to those who have been at the receiving end of my anger.
I trust that there are enough good folk out there in Namibia who will consider the welfare of the leopard so that we may still be able to have plenty around to hunt in future generations.
Futhermore I believe that time may well prove that the hounds were valuable to us as hunters and that they and their masters will be given fair consideration as an asset to hunting the problem leopard on ranches.
My hope is that we can once more be of assistance to the hunting industry.Namibia is a great country and one I could comfortably reside in.Generally the hunting is unequaled in Southern Africa especially on the unfenced private ranches.It is out of this world.So till things change my partner and I will have to abide by the rules and conduct baited hunts for leopard and enjoy the fantastic plainsgame hunting that is in abundance throughout the country.Yours sincerely, Roy Sparks - Sparks Hounds.
OPEN LETTER TO ROY SPARKS
OPEN LETTER TO ROY SPARKS
I am writing in my personal capacity as a proud, ethical and serious Namibian Professional Hunter and Trophy Hunting Operator. For the past 30 years I have dedicated my life’s work to selective fair-chase trophy hunting as the ultimate conservation tool, as well as lucrative form of land utilisation in Namibia. I am outraged at your slanderous remarks, wild accusations and generalizations on this forum regarding canned predator hunting, which challenge the integrity of our sport and the trophy hunting industry.
Unlike you, Mr. Sparks, I am not a man of idle threats who flip flops between opinions. How can you write with such apparent ‘knowledge’ about the condition of leopard hunting in Namibia on one day, and then apologize profusely on the next, and possibly be expected to be taken seriously..?
How dare you, as a guest in my country, pretend to be such an ‘expert’ on trophy hunting in Namibia, as well as indiscriminately attack our trophy hunting operators across the board?
Certainly, in any industry anywhere in the world one will find ruthless individuals willing to break the law for a quick buck. I firmly believe that these people are rare and far between in Namibia, and know that The Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism, working in close partnership with NAPHA and the Namibian police, is actively pursuing the culprits in order to prevent them from operating in our country.
Your remarks have caused irreparable damage as the seed that ‘canned hunting’ is out of control in Namibia has been firmly planted in the minds of the readers of this esteemed forum. The reality on the ground is that nothing could be further from the truth.
A quota is a limit, and certainly not a goal. Exceeding the CITES quota for Leopard in Namibia, as out of control hound hunting was threatening to do, as well as unethical practices by some hounds men (mostly foreigners) are what led to the moratorium on Leopard hunting in the first place.
I am a proud member of NAPHA - the Namibian Professional Hunting Association – which is one of the most active and respected organisations of its kind in the world. NAPHA works closely with our Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism and is very well respected in local as well as international trophy hunting, government and business circles.
I trust that any leopard or plains game hunting that you claim you will be doing in Namibia will indeed be in your personal capacity as a paying hunting client, as you are a foreigner in my country who is not registered here as a Professional hunter, Hunting Guide or Trophy Hunting Operator.
I will not enter into any correspondence with you on this matter – but be assured that I am watching you. Should you utter any further untrue, unfounded and slanderous comments about our industry, I will not hesitate to challenge you in the courts of my beautiful motherland, Namibia.
Enysse - Info on good guides for Mtn. Lion - Bobcat
Hi Enysse,
I had some real good houndsmen from Utah and Nevada hunt in Namibia with me many years back.These guys are the real deal,they have taken over the trade from their dad Val Robb.Billy and Chriss are good hunters and have really good hounds. If you want a good hunt with experienced pro's let me know and I'll get you in contact with them.
Hope I can be of help in this respect.
Kind regards,
Roy Sparks - Sparks Hounds.