South Africa Hunting

[KGAINES]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=...aw_060619133246

I just read this and thought some of you might be interested.

[billrquimby]

South Africa first came under fire about 10 years ago when a BBC expose showed how lions were being raised and released on a put and shoot basis. After that, SCI removed all South African and Namibian lions from its record book. Then it was learned there also were some canned leopard hunts. White rhino shooting is so unsporting I won't even describe it. There is a huge business in capturing larger antelope such as kudus, nyalas and gemsbok, running them through auctions and releasing them on farms a few days before the clients arrive. Virtually all hunting in South Africa is done behind game proof fences. Some farms are so large that the animals don't know they're inside. There are others, though, where you are never out of sight of the fence. The Professional Hunters association of South Africa, along with many local hunters, are trying to clean up the industry, but they're also having to fight animal groups that want hunting shut down entirely. One of the changes proposed would make it illegal to shoot an animal anywhere near a waterhole. This already is considered grossly unethical by most local hunters and many of them would like to see it stopped. If it becomes law, it would virtually eliminate bowhunting as it is practiced there now.

 

BillQ

[Red Rabbit]

One of the changes proposed would make it illegal to shoot an animal anywhere near a waterhole. This already is considered grossly unethical by most local hunters and many of them would like to see it stopped.

 

BillQ

 

How is hunting over a waterhole in Africa different than in Arizona? I have not been to Africa, so cannot say, other than what is shown on the hunting shows. Bill, your comment caught my eye, and caused me to question what we consider as acceptable in AZ. Some question the ethics of baiting with corn, beets or alfalfa, but perhaps a salt block next to water hole is no worse.

 

I've placed salt and bowhunted deer and elk next to water. Found the stand to be more effective, but boring. I would rather stillhunt, call, or spot-n-stalk. My first hunting was in south Texas 25 years ago next to a Sweeny corn flicker in an oat patch, but started to prefer to still hunt the edges after a few years.

 

Doug~RR

[billrquimby]

"How is hunting over a waterhole in Africa different than in Arizona? I have not been to Africa, so cannot say, other than what is shown on the hunting shows. Bill, your comment caught my eye, and caused me to question what we consider as acceptable in AZ. Some question the ethics of baiting with corn, beets or alfalfa, but perhaps a salt block next to water hole is no worse.

I've placed salt and bowhunted deer and elk next to water. Found the stand to be more effective, but boring. I would rather stillhunt, call, or spot-n-stalk. My first hunting was in south Texas 25 years ago next to a Sweeny corn flicker in an oat patch, but started to prefer to still hunt the edges after a few years.

Doug~"

 

The difference is that the South African outfitters have built permanent blinds around water for bowhunting. Some of these things are pretty elaborate. In reality, though, there is no difference. A bowhunter waits for a thirsty critter to come to drink and sticks an arrow into it. In South Africa that's considered unethical by many local hunters. Outfitters there encourage it, though, because it's a sure way to rack up a bunch of trophy fees on a 10-day "safari."

 

I used to wonder about ethics until it finally dawned on me: Ethics are the standards accepted by the majority of people in a certain area. They vary greatly from region to region. Here, it is illegal and unethical to hunt deer with hounds, but in some places in the south it is the accepted way of hunting. Here it is illegal to bait bears, other places it is the only way it can be done. Etc. Etc.

 

Even if RSA makes it against the law to hunt near water, bowhunting will continue. It just won't be as productive as it is now.

 

Bill