Good news for you elephant hunters.

[clintonhater]

https://nypost.com/2017/11/16/animal-activists-outraged-by-trump-lifting-big-game-trophy-ban/

I'd much rather watch them alive myself, but better paying hunters than ivory poachers. Between corrupt gov't officials, incompetent law enforcement, and the exploding native population, most wildlife in Africa is doomed anyway.

[Vern Humphrey]

It's long been known that the way to make a species prosper is to make it huntable. Hunters will ensure there are plenty of ducks, deer, elk and elephants.

[clintonhater]

Hunters will ensure there are plenty of ducks, deer, elk and elephants.

In a country with a stable, well-administered gov't, and respect for the law among most of the population, yes; but what African country fits that description? In those countries, game preserves & national parks are just lines on the map put there to lure foreign tourists, which the surrounding native population can usually ignore with impunity.

[JB White]

Regulated hunting works great until the rate of poaching overwhelms it. Those African poachers will kill you for a hide in a heartbeat.

[Vern Humphrey]

Regulated hunting works great until the rate of poaching overwhelms it. Those African poachers will kill you for a hide in a heartbeat.

The key to regulated hunting is to PAY the local people for the game you take.

In countries where there is no hunting, the local people regard the game as nuisances, and the poachers as heros.

In countries with regulated hunting, the local people regard the game as an asset, and the poachers as thieves.

[clintonhater]

NBC evening news reported the matter tonight, showing that photo of Trump, Jr. holding the elephant tail he had just cut off; which, presumably, he was not allowed to bring back with him. (Photo was bound to be misinterpreted & used against him, so why did he make it public?)

Also on PBS was another story about an American woman's long-time efforts to save the elephants in Kenya, which is one of the countries that ban (legal) elephant hunting, but have a big poaching problem. Talked about hiring locals as tourist guides, and other ways to get the tourist dollars into the hands of locals, rather than corrupt gov't officials.

[clintonhater]

Cancel your safari--Trump has just flip-flopped on the import ban. So now he's succeeded in antagonizing BOTH conservationists & Safari Club members!

[bruce]

Have been hunting small, medium and big game since 1979. Once dreamed of doing the Big 5. Nowadays ... no Big 5. Oh well. One of those things. Good for those who can. Is the process of licenses, fees, etc. riddled with corruption? Probably. About like defense contracts with the DOD. That's just the way it works. If any money ever gets down to the local level, it's a mere pittance compared to what is being slopped out on up the food chain. JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.

[Clark Howard]

If you wish to elucidate yourself on the status of African politics and governance, you should talk to one of the refugees from those countries. The Continent is descending into pre-1800 conditions. Regards, Clark

[Vern Humphrey]

Also on PBS was another story about an American woman's long-time efforts to save the elephants in Kenya, which is one of the countries that ban (legal) elephant hunting, but have a big poaching problem. Talked about hiring locals as tourist guides, and other ways to get the tourist dollars into the hands of locals, rather than corrupt gov't officials.

This is the same woman who, when told about the success of Botswana's regulated hunting program -- compared to the disaster in Kenya -- said, "That's managed elephants! I'd rather have no elephants than have managed elephants!"

Well, thank you, Slobber Lips, for making that call for the rest of us.

[dave]

Its time Elephant hunting was stopped, and efforts against pooching was stepped up. They mourn their dead for days! They can make as much money at photo safaris and sight seeing tourists, maybe more. There are outfits that cater to these people, no hunting is allowed in these areas. And of course they include many other animals.

[Vern Humphrey]

Stopping hunting is exactly the wrong approach. When elephants are not hunted, they destroy crops and are regarded as vermin by local subsistence farmers. Poachers, by contrast are regarded as heroes. The subsistence farmers will aid the poachers, and keep silent when questioned by game wardens.

Where there is elephant hunting, the fees pay for elephant fences, reparations for damages, and help pay for schools, water sources and so on. The meat is shared among the local farmers. The people regard the elephants as assets, and poachers as thieves. They cooperate with game wardens to protect the elephants.

[barretcreek]

It is common knowledge that in one of the nations which has banned hunting, Mrs. President has close ties to the poaching cartel. Chinese market for ivory dwarfs the sport hunting market.

[Dick Hosmer]

Regardless of the pros and cons pertaining to hunting/not hunting, the biggest (IMHO) and most stupid blunder is what happens to captured poached ivory. Do the authorities sell it and use the funds to help the remaining elephants? No, that would make too much sense - they burn it, and thereby waste the sacrifice of hundreds (thousands?) of elephants. If that is not one of the dumbest ideas going, I have no idea what is.

[clintonhater]

Regardless of the pros and cons pertaining to hunting/not hunting, the biggest (IMHO) and most stupid blunder is what happens to captured poached ivory. Do the authorities sell it and use the funds to help the remaining elephants? No, that would make too much sense - they burn it, and thereby waste the sacrifice of hundreds (thousands?) of elephants. If that is not one of the dumbest ideas going, I have no idea what is.

Ivory dealers love to see those burns--it drives up the price of their stock.