Thinking of Africa
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://www.biggame.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/untamed.png[/author_image] [author_info]Larry Weishuhn is a widely known writer, speaker, raconteur and world hunter. He co-hosts “DSC’s Trailing the Hunter’s Moon” on Pursuit Channel, CarbonTV and the show’s YouTube Channel.[/author_info] [/author]
The current year will be somewhat different for me. This is the first time since 1995 I will not be going to Africa. There were even years that I made two trips across the Atlantic to experience Africa’s hunting and wildlife.
Admittedly, years ago I fell head over heels for Namibia and returned there to hunt many times. Namibia will always be dear to my heart: its lands, the people, and the wildlife.
I can recall so many great memories across Africa…
Hunting buffalo, lion, leopard, and elephant.
Being chased by rhinos, the only one of the Big Five I have not taken (and yet also really have no desire to do so).
Pursuing greater kudu and a huge variety of plains game from just below the Equator in Benin, Burkina Faso and Uganda to the southern tip of Eastern Cape of South Africa.
My African plans for 2020 were diverted to Europe where I had hoped to return during spring and early summer to hunt roe deer with Stefan and Sofia Bengssten of Scandinavian ProHunters, and then travel to Spain to pursue Ronda ibex with Pedro Alarcon, set up for me by Scott Kendrix with gphunts.com.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 has caused me to temporarily postpone those hunts, but not cancel my hunting trips. Once that part of the world returns to normalcy, or whatever may be “the new normal,” you can bet I will be there.
COVID-19, particularly, has hit our outfitters hard financially, including guides, Professional Hunters, and their staff. This is a strong reality for our friends in Africa. Most Professional Hunters and their companies will not be taking any, or at best only very few clients, on hunts this year. However, their expenses continue. Poaching throughout Africa, too, has been increasing in many regions of the continent and now will likely only increase during the current situation.
For those of us who indeed love Africa and are concerned about what is happening across the Atlantic in regards to wildlife and poaching, there is something we can do. DSC and DSC Foundation have set up a new program called “Hunters C.A.R.E.” which stands for “COVID-19 Anti-Poaching Relief Efforts”. We who are interested can donate to this cause by going to the www.DSCF.org website and click on the “Hunters C.A.R.E.” icon to direct you how you can donate to continue helping with Africa’s anti-poaching efforts.
I may not be returning to Africa this year, or possibly even next year, but that does not mean I do not care about what is happening on that continent.
Regardless of what is going on in the world, there are always small things, of beauty and splendor, for us to enjoy, admire and appreciate!
Watch “DSC’s Trailing the Hunter’s Moon” TV show on our YouTube Channel, or on CarbonTV.
If you haven’t heard any of the “DSC’s Untamed Heritage” podcasts, visit blubrry.com/untamedheritage/ to listen to one of our 30 podcast episodes.
