US Closing Lions?

akeate

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Okay, so I have been to RSA a few times now and have read all of the threads about hunting Lions in RSA and the way it is done. I do not want to start a debate about Lion hunting in RSA but rather find out what the US is doing in terms of placing the lion on the endangered species list? I read that in 12 months they are going to be issuing a ruling. So my situation is do I wait and take a chance that US closes lions forever? I'm 36. I don't want to be sitting on the porch wishing I had taken the opportunity when I had it. I was just in RSA in April for a hyena hunt (not successful and the rain was HORRENDOUS but ridiculous fun as always) and, since I didn't draw out here in Wyoming for anything, I am considering going to hunt lion instead while I still have the chance.

I would love to know what the experts here think. Is the US going to close lion importation at the end of this year or next year? If the likelihood is high that they do, I guess I need to start making some plans.
 
akeate, by no means am I an "expert" but I was in the exact same spot you are now. Hunt a cat or take a chance. We decided not to take the chance and returned about a month ago. I guess what I'm getting at is IF a cat is high on your bucket list, why take the chance? If you do start planning, you have a lot of folks with lots of experience here. Best of luck to ya either way.
 
I would go NOW, take a loan out if you have to and go. Time is not on your side if you wait. A lot of good deals out there. RSA outfitters don't want to keep there prices too high, otherwise they could be caught with inventory and no takers because of a closure.
 
I am in the same boat you are in. Lion hasn't been a top choice for me but if I ever want one it probably needs to happen pretty soon. I am already committed to an African hunt in 2014 but am looking into lion hunts for 2015. If you find something good let me know.
 
I was in the exact same spot you are now. Hunt a cat or take a chance. We decided not to take the chance and returned about a month ago.

BnC 04 does this mean you got your lion? If you mentioned it or made a report I missed it.
 
There is couple threads laying it all out, I find the one I started, I go NOW< here is the one I took with Louis and Spiral Horns Safari's last May, in the crate heading to the US in a couple weeks.

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akeate,

There are lots of people who would like to know whether lion importation will be closed to U.S. citizens. The fact that it is being considered is certainly concerning. There is a private organization called the Lion Conservation Task Force based here in the states that is fighting the good fight. They have issued a "Definition of the Huntable Lion" and DSC has adopted this. Hopefully SCI will too. By this, it is intended to be the definition of a huntable wild lion. From what I've read USFWS will be meeting next week to gather some more information on the situation with this expected to be the last of their info gathering process. A decision is expected sometime after that.

When will the decision come and what that will be? Nobody knows for certain.

So it would seem that if you go now and they do close it, well you got it done and you'll be happy. If do go now and they don't close it, well the worst case then is you spent the money sooner rather than later. I'm not sure how that would be so bad unless it were to put you into a financial bind.

If you decide not to go now and they don't close it, well there's nothing lost. But if you don't go and you had the money and time to and they do close it, well then you're going to kick yourself and hard for a very long time.

So if you can afford it and have the time to go now, I'd go. If it's going to put you in a financial bind and be a burden to you and if you're married, to your family, well I don't think it's worth that.

Now having said that and with full disclosure that I am working with/for Jacques Spamer, if you're interested in an RSA lion hunt, I do believe he still has a male lion cancellation hunt available.

Go here for details: http://www.africahunting.com/great-...3-hartzview-hunting-safaris-south-africa.html

I don't think you're going to get a better deal than this. If you're interested in this hunt, please PM me with your contact information and I'll be happy to discuss this with you. I do not care for pushy salesman and will not be one by PM'ing you unsolicited.

As mentioned this is an RSA lion hunt, the lions are indeed raised. However they're not drugged and put out a few hours before you show. On my recent hunt with HartzView, there was a gent there who decided he'd give a lioness hunt a go and headed out that evening for the hunt the next day. These lions will get ticked off and they will charge. Jacques was finishing up a male lion bowhunt when I arrived. That hunt ended with Jacques having to finish off the animal with his .416 Ruger when it charged. It dropped at 5 feet from Jacques, he's got the video to prove it and I saw it.
 
There is couple threads laying it all out, I find the one I started, I go NOW< here is the one I took with Louis and Spiral Horns Safari's last May, in the crate heading to the US in a couple weeks.

260155_4181329789912_906574048_n.jpg

Nice lion. He doesn't believe in manscaping does he.
 
There is definately dark clouds on the horizon for importing lions into the USA . I have urged my clients interested to do it sooner rather than later. 5 took the opportunity this season. We did confirm that if the hunt takes pleace before a listing is done tha trophies will be eligable to be exported. If such a listing is done it should have a future implementation date to secure a grace period for hunts done or booked in such timeframe !

Happy Hunting !
 
Wheels I never feel comfortable telling someone what to spend on a lion hunt. What I think is reasonable to me is expensive to someone else. Also there is the lion vs lioness issue, and how big of property you are hunting.
If you are serious place an ad on here and see what happens. You can also ask the forum, if you have any doubts on the hunt being offered.
I have seen male lion prices cut $7000 from a few years in some instances. It's a jungle out there, supply and demand. And I think some people are willing to bargain. The prices have been steady for many years already.
 
Wheels I never feel comfortable telling someone what to spend on a lion hunt. What I think is reasonable to me is expensive to someone else. Also there is the lion vs lioness issue, and how big of property you are hunting.
If you are serious place an ad on here and see what happens. You can also ask the forum, if you have any doubts on the hunt being offered.
I have seen male lion prices cut $7000 from a few years in some instances. It's a jungle out there, supply and demand. And I think some people are willing to bargain. The prices have been steady for many years already.

These are good thoughts on the way I should approach it. If all goes well then around the first of the year I may post it and see what happens.
 
BnC 04 does this mean you got your lion? If you mentioned it or made a report I missed it.

Wheels, yes we took a lioness and the report is under the SA reports.
 
Question: Does anyone know the status of importing lion into Canada? If the USA closes its borders does Canada follow?
 
This is the same dilemma that I am in right now. I was on my first African hunt only a month ago. Now of course I would like to do a follow up hunt but pursue dangerous game. I have since coming home maintained contact with my ph and expressed an interest in hunting a lioness. He stated that there is a lot of uncertainty with the possible US ban and to hurry up. That just cannot happen. Due to finances I will not be able to return for 3 years, 2 at the very earliest. My question for those here is what is the going rate for a lioness on average?
 
You might consider not importing anything. Personally, I'd prefer to spend my money on having the hunt videoed by professionals. Certainly that will bring back the memories more than a mounted animal.
 
You might consider not importing anything. Personally, I'd prefer to spend my money on having the hunt videoed by professionals. Certainly that will bring back the memories more than a mounted animal.

You know there's something to definitely be said for that!
 
And you don't have to have people come into your home to discover you've hunted lion, you can stick your video on the web and send the link to all your hunter friends.
 

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