Hunting Sense

Thirty years since trophy hunting was banned in Kenya, the idea of bringing it back is being reconsidered.

There are many factors being considered, but there is no doubt that the revenue made off of trophy hunting is playing a major role in the considerations. Over 18,500 hunters visit Africa, bringing with them nearly $200 million a year, with around 8,350 of them generating $50 million in revenue annually in the southern part of the country. It is definite proof that trophy hunting is big business.

Apparently, though, the question is, does any of the millions generated off of hunting actually go back into conservation efforts? For the most part, it seems they don’t. So the concern is, if trophy hunting does make a comeback, how will it affect the wildlife population?

If you look at the success of wildlife management through controlled hunting here in North America, it is clear that hunting wouldn’t have a negative impact on the wildlife numbers. If the proper regulations and organizations were created in Kenya, they could see some of the same results as we have here. But, in a land where the hunters are there for trophies more than the meat, it would depend on enforcing the regulations to protect the wildlife instead of looking the other way for some extra money.

From what I can tell, it isn’t uncommon for blank license to be sold in some areas with no limit set for the number of animals that can be taken. It also isn’t uncommon for hunters to trap live animals to take back with them. And it wasn’t uncommon to see ‘canned hunting’, although, the countries directive, as outlined in the Threatened or Protected Species Regulations, is for all canned hunting to end by June 1st.

The Threatened or Protected Species Regulations also targets items used for hunting that are contrary to what is considered ‘fair chase’, such as vehicles, spotlights, dogs, artificial lures, and other gadgets. No doubt these will play a part in any decision Kenya eventually decides on the trophy hunting issue. The question I have to ask though, how will hunters who pay for the hunts react to the changes? For the ethical hunters, it shouldn’t be a big deal.

Hunting in Africa is a dream for many, and if Kenya decides to welcome trophy hunters, it will be beneficial to both parties. How it is implemented will decide how it plays out for the wildlife populations. No matter what, there’s no doubt that it will be interesting to see what happens.

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