Please tell me about your experience importing Bontebok

[Sabre]

They claim that bontebok has been changed on the CITES to a lower status and it should make it much easier to export/import. However, everyone I have spoken with says that in reality the process has not actually changed and it is still currently going the exact same as it did before the change.

For people who have imported Bontebok into the US, what was your process for that? How long did it take? How much extra did it cost? Just generally interested in anything you would share about your experience.

Thanks

 

[Sabre]

@Scott CWO do you have any info on this. I believe I remember you recently commenting about bringing over a bontebok.

 

[Scott CWO]

@Scott CWO do you have any info on this. I believe I remember you recently commenting about bringing over a bontebok.

Yes, Conservation Force got my USFWS Import Permit and I already have my bontebok at my taxidermist. I hunted June 2025 so it was pretty fast. John Jackson told me that the rule changes are great but still require an import permit for now. I don’t remember what I paid CC but they can tell you. You have to hunt a ranch with an approved bontebok program. All in all, it was pretty easy and not much more expensive than usual.

 

[Sabre]

Yes, Conservation Force got my USFWS Import Permit and I already have my bontebok at my taxidermist. I hunted June 2025 so it was pretty fast. John Jackson told me that the rule changes are great but still require an import permit for now. I don’t remember what I paid CC but they can tell you. You have to hunt a ranch with an approved bontebok program. All in all, it was pretty easy and not much more expensive than usual.

That is good to know, thanks for the info. I had heard some people claim it took three years, but a taxidermist I spoke with, from what he said, sounded like it wasn't a big delay typically. But I wasn't clear on how much extra it cost to involve someone like conservation force for Bontebok, or how much I would be involved in connecting with them vs. the taxidermist doing it.

 

[Scott CWO]

That is good to know, thanks for the info. I had heard some people claim it took three years, but a taxidermist I spoke with, from what he said, sounded like it wasn't a big delay typically. But I wasn't clear on how much extra it cost to involve someone like conservation force for Bontebok, or how much I would be involved in connecting with them vs. the taxidermist doing it.

You have to do a bit of paperwork with CF and sign a POA so they can take it from there and submit your application to USFWS for you. Your taxidermist in SA will do some other paperwork for South Africa.

 

[Adipose]

We just took a Bontebok in July of this year. We did not need any special permits so far and it is at the Taxidermist in RSA right now. I di know the guy who owned the property took a sample of the animal and put it in a baggie and said he was required to submit it for DNA testing. That id the only different thing so far.

 

[buck wild]

We just took a Bontebok in July of this year. We did not need any special permits so far and it is at the Taxidermist in RSA right now. I di know the guy who owned the property took a sample of the animal and put it in a baggie and said he was required to submit it for DNA testing. That id the only different thing so far.

The "special paperwork" will come when you decide to import it into the US.
Bontebok has intrigued me, but without a full body mount, I'm not sure how it stands out much from a blesbok other than more vibrant color, I suppose.

 

[Adipose]

The "special paperwork" will come when you decide to import it into the US.
Bontebok has intrigued me, but without a full body mount, I'm not sure how it stands out much from a blesbok other than more vibrant color, I suppose.

That certainly may be true. I will not know that until next year. Someone told me that special permits were only required for those that hunted the animal before the restrictions were lifted. I guess I will find out next year.

 

[Sabre]

The "special paperwork" will come when you decide to import it into the US.
Bontebok has intrigued me, but without a full body mount, I'm not sure how it stands out much from a blesbok other than more vibrant color, I suppose.

I think they are interesting from a conservation point of view. Their horns also stay darker than blesbok. The horns are generally supposed to be thicker, although I don't know that you'd notice that in most photos. The rings go all the way around the horn. And as you mentioned, their coloration is a bit more vibrant.

I wouldn't fault anyone for an opinion that they are too similar to be interested in pursuing them. I get that. But I found them interesting enough to add them as an animal to go after. But I also think I might have liked blesbok more than others I have heard comment on them.

 

[Sabre]

We just took a Bontebok in July of this year. We did not need any special permits so far and it is at the Taxidermist in RSA right now. I di know the guy who owned the property took a sample of the animal and put it in a baggie and said he was required to submit it for DNA testing. That id the only different thing so far.

I also hunted them this year and I am at a similar point.

That certainly may be true. I will not know that until next year. Someone told me that special permits were only required for those that hunted the animal before the restrictions were lifted. I guess I will find out next year.

From what I have been told so far is that although the rules have technically changed, no one is really doing anything different than they did before, yet. If I am understanding correctly, some of the hang up seems to be the US side is unwilling to change their requirements from the ESA, despite the exporting country saying it should be changed.

I had decided to hunt them when the rules had not changed and when some people were telling me it could take years to get permits cleared. I have since been told by others that it shouldn't take that long, even before. So I am hopeful that now that rules have changed, maybe by the time my items ship it will be a straightforward process. Based on @Scott CWO comments, I think maybe it isn't as bad as some people made it out to be.

 

[Scott CWO]

I also hunted them this year and I am at a similar point.



From what I have been told so far is that although the rules have technically changed, no one is really doing anything different than they did before, yet. If I am understanding correctly, some of the hang up seems to be the US side is unwilling to change their requirements from the ESA, despite the exporting country saying it should be changed.

I had decided to hunt them when the rules had not changed and when some people were telling me it could take years to get permits cleared. I have since been told by others that it shouldn't take that long, even before. So I am hopeful that now that rules have changed, maybe by the time my items ship it will be a straightforward process. Based on @Scott CWO comments, I think maybe it isn't as bad as some people made it out to be.

CF can answer your questions.