DSC Auction Raises $350,000 for Rhino Conservation

DALLAS (Jan. 11, 2014)-A Dallas Safari Club (DSC) auction has raised $350,000 for rhino conservation efforts in Namibia.
All proceeds-100 percent-will go into a special fund used by the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism for anti-poaching patrols, habitat protection, research and other measures crucial for protecting populations of endangered black rhinos.
The auctioned item is a hunting permit for a black rhino in Namibia’s Mangetti National Park. Read more

Rhino Auction, Hunt Praised by Boone and Crockett Club

MISSOULA, Mont.–Controversy surrounds an upcoming fundraiser and hunt for a black rhinoceros, but the Boone and Crockett Club is praising both as positive moves for the future of a critically endangered game species.
During its Jan. 9-12 convention, Dallas Safari Club (DSC) will auction a rhino-hunting permit prescribed by biologists in Namibia. The hunt will be for an old, post-breeding, aggressive bull known to charge and kill younger bulls, cows and calves in Mangetti National Park. Removing these animals increases herd survival and productivity.
DSC expects the permit to bring at least $250,000, perhaps up to $1 million–with 100 percent of proceeds earmarked for Namibia’s rhino conservation efforts including anti-poaching patrols. Read more

Minnesota Hunter Loses War of Words

Roger Schmid was cited for hunting without a license and even though he claimed not to be “pursuing” deer, officials pursued his attempt to skirt the law.  It seems that Schmid wanted to argue that sitting in a deer blind with a loaded firearm was not actually pursuit (statute language).   A judge disagreed and the wordsmith is now defined as a poacher.  Too bad for the cheater, but he rightfully earns a place in my poacher category, nonetheless.  Details here…

Thanks to the OutdoorPressroom.

Michigan Poachers Fined. Ordered to Apologize

Michigander Charlotte M. Peyerk, 66, of Shelby Township, Michigan has gone from hero to zero after killing a grizzly bear out of season.  Her fine is $25,000 and she must apologize to the Safari Club International for cheating.  Her son, Mark of Mio, Michigan must pay $30,000 and write a letter of apology, as well.

Both rightfully earn a place in my Poachers category.

Details here…

Thanks to the OutdoorPressroom.

DNR conservation officers seek information on Manistee County bear poaching

Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers are seeking information regarding a bear poaching incident that occurred in the evening of Nov. 16 in northeast Manistee County.
A trail camera photo provided to the DNR by witnesses shows a bear sow and three cubs seen in the vicinity of the Manistee County poaching incident.
Conservation officers were called to investigate the shooting of a female black bear, found dead of a shotgun wound near a hunting blind on public land in Cleon Township. Witnesses said that the bear had been killed on Nov. 16 at approximately 5:30 p.m. Three bear cubs are believed to have been orphaned as a result of the bear being killed, although the cubs were not located.

Conservation officers are seeking to interview a white male who was spotted at the scene on Nov. 16. The male is believed to be involved in the killing and is described as having a thin build, standing approximately 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall. The male had facial hair and left the scene driving a dark-colored pickup truck. The DNR Law Enforcement Division is requesting any information to aid in the investigation of this poaching incident. Read more

U.S. Destroys Confiscated Ivory Stockpile

The United States has destroyed its six-ton stock of confiscated elephant ivory, sending a clear message that the nation will not tolerate wildlife crime that threatens to wipe out the African elephant and a host of other species around the globe. The destruction of this ivory, which took place at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wildlife Property Repository on Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge near Denver, Colorado, was witnessed by representatives of African nations and other countries, dozens of leading conservationists and international media representatives. It is the latest in a series of actions by the Obama administration designed to crack down on international poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking. Read more

African Conservation Leaders Deliver Strong Message to U.S. Government

Last week, Safari Club International Foundation held its 12th annual African Wildlife Consultative Forum (AWCF) in Livingstone, Zambia. Conservation leaders attending included wildlife management authorities from the nine African counties of Botswana, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as representatives from the safari industry, NGO and wildlife science sectors.

The government representatives attending the AWCF delivered this week a letter to the Co-Chairs of the Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Attorney General Eric Holder. The letter presents their recommendations for the implementation of President Barack Obama’s Executive Order Combatting Wildlife Trafficking.

The letter recommends that the Task Force appoint Safari Club International Foundation to its Advisory Council to act as a liaison for the African governments who are the principle agents for conserving wildlife on their continent.    “It is distressing that Africa’s governments were not included or even consulted on the U.S. government’s new Task Force to stop poaching. This policy decision of the U.S. government directly affects Africa’s communities, wildlife, and economies. To ignore these countries is an obvious misstep that needs to be rectified,” SCI Foundation President Joe Hosmer said. Read more

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