TOM,
I for one, fully appreciate the leaps and bounds hunting in Africa has taken over the years. It has been truly progressive. You are correct in your optimism and view of the big picture and most of us acknowledge that things are better now, then they were many years back. What should be noted, as you specified, is the hunting context. Namibia & South Africa are a different kind of game when it comes to ranching and game farms. The factors in such operations are worlds apart from naturally wild habitats.
In general, MOST natural hunting concessions have seen a decline in the wildlife and habitat quality over recent years. Even the BIG Outfitters who thrived in the 70's to the present are now deeply concerned about their well-kept areas. The pressure on wildlife is increasing ladies and gentlemen. Populations in Africa are growing at alarming speed (even though less per household than previous years - but no matter how much lower it becomes, the numbers are still overwhelming). Population densities are highest closer to natural resource hot-spots (water, soil, wildlife, timber).
Gone are the days when huge tracts of land could be controlled by an Outfitter (more scrutinized are foreign Outfitters). Today, there are more people, who want more from what 'investors' are doing in their traditional lands. Prime areas in Tanzania are almost entirely occupied by foreign outfitters. A select few of these are the reason prices are so high for Tanzania. But not their fault, they were hunting celebrities and royalty from the very begining. It's just that people jumped on the bandwagon and started selling in association with the possibilities and some of the market responded by wanting what was only reserved for the 'upper' class! People forgot about 'value for money'.
Yes, there are outfitters out there who need to stay real to the game. Outfitters who exploited a thriving industry by over-charging for hunts. Even now, they still do. They may even continue -to me it suggests that they have a secure segment of the market and are operating in some kind of an economic vacuum. Which does in one way or another, suggest that only a certain market will manage to hunt the costly countries.
Hunting is not doomed. My concerns are simply the gloom of hunting the way I know it! Just as the loss of tiger hunting, I hope hunting of DG in the wilds of Africa has a longer and brighter future. The signs suggest otherwise, but i am still in it because i am optimistic and fighting for the cause. The truth needs to come out for reality to be addressed. Unless a problem is highlighted, there is a risk it will not be rectified. The earlier we can deal with some of the emerging problems in African Hunting, the easier it will be. Leave it pending and it will be incurable.
People must understand Africa better. Even in a globalized world, Africa is still unique in its problems and solutions. In the present crisis, we are getting the brunt of it. In the tourism aspect, we are ENTIRELY dependant on foreign input. The reality of today is that 10% of concessions have already been surrenderred to the government and 80% of the outfitters are operating this season at a loss. Bookings are down 30 - 60%. As for next year, not many are even thinking of putting down a deposit. Deposits are what keep us running for the 6 months of off season! The off season is when we meet the communities and initiate development projects and visit government offices to fine tune cooperative efforts. Off season is also the time when anti-poaching activities need to be at highest alert and fully functioning in the field.
Anyway, whatever the scenarios around the world, we need to get together as hunters to enjoy the positives and deal with the negatives. In that aspect, the future will be bright because i truly believe that the African Hunting Fever caused by the bug, will allow more people to contribute rather than exploit. Cheers Bwana,