I have what I hope is not a silly question. Are there currently any restrictions or bans on the importation of trophy ivory(elephant)? How about any other game commonly hunted in Africa but perhaps misunderstood in the U.S.?
On a somewhat related topic how much effort is required in taking rifles out of the U.S. and returning with same?

Elephant ivory can be brought back to the U.S. from countries like Botswana, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. I believe there are restrictions preventing hunters from bringing their ivory back from Mozambique and Zambia.

Botswana was considering culling up to 100,000 elephants there due to over capacity and destroying farms and villages.

White Rhinos are legal to hunt in several countries, it is only the Black Rhino that is listed as endangered (or is it vice versa???).

I believe that Elephant and Rhino would be the two most misunderstood of the game animals and their ESA status.

Currently to temporary take rifles out of the U.S. and bring them back, I think that all is required is the 4457 declaration form with serial numbers and description.

Instead of taking my word for it, though, check the BATF website and with Customs.

As for taking rifles out of the country and returning with them, all you need is proof of ownership; ie, a bill of sale or a 4457 form from customs. I use the 4457 for rifles, binoculars, cameras; etc.

I have what I hope is not a silly question. Are there currently any restrictions or bans on the importation of trophy ivory(elephant)? How about any other game commonly hunted in Africa but perhaps misunderstood in the U.S.?
On a somewhat related topic how much effort is required in taking rifles out of the U.S. and returning with same?


rockfarmer, any elephant ivory has to be accompanied by a "CITES" permite. This is aquired by the PH ypu are booking with. Only certain countries are on the CITES list for Elephant. Botswana, and Zimbabwe are the two easiest to hunt. The hunts are usually restricted to 21 day hunts, to shoot elephant. The daily fee is set at around $2000 per day, and the trophy fee for the elephant will very according to the size of the ivory, but start at around an average of $10K, for a 30/40 pounder, to $15K for REAL Tusker. The average elephant hunt, today, is around $50K when said, and done! With that in mind, don't let the media tell you "HUNTERS" are shooting out the elephant! Nobody could affrod to shoot very many, in a life time! :rolleyes:

s.

White Rhinos are legal to hunt in several countries, it is only the Black Rhino that is listed as endangered (or is it vice versa???).

I believe that Elephant and Rhino would be the two most misunderstood of the game animals and their ESA status.

alyeska338, the white rhino is only legal to hunt in RSA, and if you think elephant hunting is expencive, forget the white rhino! The trophy fee alone on him is around $30K! Besides he is no fun to hunt anyway! He may be larger than the black rhino, but he is a pussycat, compared to the black rhino, or in fact, any of the other big five! The hippo, taken on dry land, is far more dangerous!

You are correct about the misunderstanding on the elephant, and the rhino. To listen to the news media, one would think the only thing left in Africa is AIDS! The fact is, elephant are in no way endangered, by anything other than the anti hunting crowd"s failier to see the reaL benefite of sport hunting as a way to insure the long term existance of a renewable, viable, and huntable population of all game
animals. :rolleyes:

Thanks for the clarification on that Mac. I'm sure nobody questions the expense associated with hunting the largest of the dangerous game animals. I don't think I will ever be fortunate enough to do that.

I suppose buffalo is the most affordable dangerous game? I could be talked into shooting one of those.... :D

Thanks all for the info. The elephant question was a matter of curiosity. I would like to hunt plains game in the near future, I've just got to quit wasting money on silly stuff like food and a mortgage.