I took a Bontebok last July ('06). Returned home and sent the F&W a check for $100 plus the application for a CITES permit. I later received a confirmation letter (dated Aug. 11th) and was advised "due to a large backlog, expect up to 90 days to receive your permit." Well my friends, due to Gov't red tape, in order to receive a CITES permit, your application must be listed on the FEDERAL REGISTRY, so the public can make comments...any comments. Now, after 30 days, your app can be approved or denied. Mine was finally approved on November 21st. I received it on January 6, 2007. Point is: schedule a big delay when filing for a permit. On Leopard, you might want to file before you go. But keep in mind this VERY important thought: you have ONE year from the time the permit is issued to use it. Otherwise you MUST turn it back in to the F&W Service. They DO NOT return phone calls/messages. It took 5 months for me to receive my permit. Next: Due to the USDA joining the US Customs Dept so to speak, they are saying we must ship trophies home via Airlines. It is fast (7 days) but 3 times more expensive than shipping by Sea (21 days). The fiasco is ongoing but hopefully they will go back to having a choice in the matter. I am unclear on why, but I am looking into the reasons. I have a shipment about to leave RSA and I do not want to be told I must ship by Air. That is BS! Will keep you posted. grayghost

For the big ticket animals, I would definitely try to plan ahead and get the CITES permit before going. However, as had happened to a friend of mine, sometimes the permit will expire before the animal is shipped. If you fear that might happen, you can reapply within a reasonable amount of time (I forget exactly how much time) before the permit expires without the public comment period because you already hold the permit.

I do understand your case with the Bontebok, though. Sometimes with the smaller ticket animals, you just don't know what you might run across. With the big money animals, though, it pays to get the permit in advance.

It is also worth noting, that USFWS will not issue a permit for animals from some countries, because of the country either not managing their wildlife as CITES committee requires or because paperwork blunders. Mozambique is an example of the latter with elephants. Moz has just not complied with one or more sections required by USFWS, even though it is obvious their elephant population is beyond carrying capacity of the country. Therefore, no elephant may be imported into the US from Mozambique.

Same with Marco Polo sheep from Krygyzstan, which fell from grace from USFWS in 2006, as well as the U.S. State Department.

I hope your paperwork and permit get sorted out. Your Bontebok looks very nice. It would be a shame to not be allowed to import it to the U.S.

Good luck

Thanks Alyeska. Things are moving on schedule currently. Our trophies are due to be picked up from the Taxidermist on the 22nd. When they will arrive here in the States? Should be within one to three weeks at the most, but it will still require USF&W, USDA and Customs clearance. That shouldn't be any problem. Normally, a typical Plains Game hunt is no issue. You get your trophies in 5-6 months which gives us time to save for the Taxidermist. Any Swine (warthog, bush pig etc) or Primates (baboons, monkeys) will be inspected by the USDA but as long as they are packaged correctly and your paper work is in order; no problem. This is the responsibility of the African Taxidermist who is contracted by your PH/Outfitter to perform this job. Good one's perform their work without problems. When I hunt Zimbabwe next month, I'll be introduced to my host's Taxidermist in Bulawayo. They are reputable and have a good repore with many of the PHs in Zim. Good hunting, grayghost

If you don't mind me asking, who are you hunting with in Zim?

I was amazed at Bulawayo, you can tell it used to be a beautiful town, but that time has passed. I had never seen the Jacarundi trees before, those were a shock to an Alaskan boy. Purple leaves!

It took me about 9 months to get my trophies to Alaska. There was a quarantine period for anthrax in the area we hunted. I was very glad to get the call they had arrived.

Zim is such a wonderful country, I just hope it can survive Mugabe and his cronies in some sort simibilance to what it was and what it can be. I would love to get back there for another hunt, whether it would be a 7 day plainsgame hunt or a 21 day elephant hunt. Priorities are for something different now, but I would certainly return in 5-7 years.

Good luck on your hunt. I hope you enjoy it for all Zim has to offer, from sunrise to sunset till you slumber.

I'm the US Hunting Consultant for African Impala Safaris in Zimbabwe (other countries included). I'm going over with Arnold Payne. He was born in Zim (Rhodesia) but went to school here in the States. We will be going all over their concessions doing a variety of business but I will be hunting most of the time. I would prefer later in the year as with all the rain I know the bush is going to be very thick. The benefit will be an abundance of food for game. This year should yeild a super growth for plains game and the big 5. I'm anxious to see what our quota will be on DG and Sable. You took some VERY nice animals on your trip to Zimbabwe. Three more weeks and I'll be there. I hope to bring back a lot of pictures and video. Also, I'm going to meet one of the more well known Taxidermists who operates in Bulawayo. There should be no reason to expect anything longer than six months max on getting your trophies back. That's part of our trip: getting things hooked up with the right people. Good hunting, grayghost

Good day every keen hunter out there.

I would just want to say how sorry I am for all the people out there who live to hunt in Africa and then if you eventually take an opportunity to do something about it. You are faced with endless admin, like permits and all the other relevant documentation needed to hunt. For me who grew up in South Africa where any day is a hunting day with about nothing to be arranged like permits and stuff. The biggest problem for me is , where am i going to put the venision after the hunt, because when hunting season starts for us in middle may it takes me usually a month to fill up every little space available in our freezers including my granddad's! I absolutely love my country and all the opporunities inside it, especially the wildlife and its beauty, and allthough whe may have problems like crime in certain parts, I believe every place has its pros and cons, and if my home country can give me hunting and nature its sure as **** going to need some huge con to condem it.