BigGameHoundsmen.com

seems like every time i see something cool on this computer the very next post is to cut them down.

kordog wrote:seems like every time i see something cool on this computer the very next post is to cut them down.

Kordog
I nor African are cutting anyone down.
It likely seems cool to someone like yourself that knows little of the rules regarding the situation and that is understandable.
However, look at it in this light...would you think it is cool if guys that call themselves houndsmen here in the US were to post something on the fourm that you know is illegal and could effect your spotrt??? would you just let it pass by???
I don't think so!!!!
Some of the houndsmen in SA who do not have a viable business outside of that country are very restricted on what they can hunt with their hounds.
Namibia is now closed to hound hunting and for reason similar this post of illegal hunting with hounds....
California is closed, who is next????

African wrote:Thunderhorn it IS illegal to hunt Lion with hounds in South Africa (unless declared problem animals by the Department of Environmental affairs) and 2 such fine trophy males on the same hunt is confirmation that it was an 'enclosure' hunt.

There is a fierce debate continuing in South Africa surrounding the hunting of enclosure bred Lion for trophy hunting.Some believe farming the cats is no different than ranching cattle for beef and will supply a demand for Lion trophies that a wild population can no longer support - others believe it is not possible to regard this as a 'hunt' and the practice is only economically benefiting select individuals whom do not have a regard for the integrity of the hunting industry's ethical image.

Make up your own mind - 1 thing remains true; tracking hounds are the most selective and reliable method of dealing with problem animals, it is only the handler that requires clear administration.

Well put African.
I wonder if this Roy Sparks guy will tell us where they killed the lions at and who the client is???
Do you know if this guy is a licensed PH in South Africa???

Thunderhorn - unless the hunt was for 'damage causing animal' control I doubt you will receive any detailed information.
In order to conduct a dangerous game hunt in SA one must be a registered PH in the Province where the hunt commences (each Province having slightly differing ordinances) and be accredited as a having a licence to hunt dangerous game (further requirements needed beyond the standard plains game licence).

Unless things have changed recently, Roy has never been a registered PH. He has always hired his services out to the licensed PH's.

Benny G wrote:Unless things have changed recently, Roy has never been a registered PH. He has always hired his services out to the licensed PH's.

I did a little looking and made a couple of calls and emails, it seems there are a few questions about this guy and who's hounds they really are as well...
None the less if it is " Illegal" as African says it is to use hounds to hunt Lion in SA and for sure the cats are in a cage .....we dont need this guy on this forum ......not very good publicity for the public to see.
This guy needs to be out of the hound hunting business... it effects each and every houndsmen around the wold when guys do this ...JMO

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Thank's Ike and the rest for your input,

Seem's folk are quick to jump to conclusions especially when they dont know any hard facts pertaining to events that took place.

Yes it is illegal to initiate a hunt ( to kill ) using hounds for lion in an enclosed lion ranch in South Africa.

It is not illegal to employ hounds or any other dog for that matter to track down any wounded game in South Africa.

It is not illegal to track declared problem predators with hounds either for darting and relocation or to terminate that animals life.

It is not illegal to employ hounds to track down escaped predators from breeding projects in order to bring them under control either lethally or by immobilization.

I have often been contacted to deal with these kinds of situations by the National Parks and Provincial Parks.I have also been asked to assist using my hounds on predator research programmes in South Africa.

I also make my services available on high dollar hunts for recovery of wounded game with my dogs ( insurence ) for the client and outfitter = business = legal.

I have been and still am currently an outfitter and PH ( since 1987 ). The only species of the big 5 I have not participated in killing is a rhino. I shot my first African Buffalo at age 14 and my first leopard at age 16.

If you're not up to date regarding rules and regulations in Africa you should should rather refrain from passing remarks.

You want to see the hounds in those pictures come visit my kennels and come watch me hunt them then you decide who they belong to.

Before you do that you could take a little time and read from your Bible if you have one ,
1 Corintians 13: 4-7 .

If you believe I'm on this forum to boast a bit , well maybe you're right - I am proud of my hounds and in fact I was almost called to bay up a pair of Bengal tigers that escaped from their enclosure yesterday - still on standby.

Regards - Roy Sparks.

i will say it again every time i see something cool on this computer the very next post is to cut them down. jealousy is a fire that cant be put out .

Well Roy - pray do tell, what scenario was those 2 Trophy lions then? wounded? escaped? problem animals?

Ike, some of the most progressive and groundbreaking conservation principles and practices have been founded in Africa and South Africa especially.
Please do not confuse my remark with a claim that we are world leaders, but the perception that Africa is some dark little shape on a map trailing the rest of the world by 30 or 40 years is ignorant.
There are some excellent Universities producing fine professionals to enter into the conservation field (amongst numerous other industries) and gain unique experience rendering them being highly sought after in the International market.

Take a look at the current World Cup being hosted in SA and make up your own mind.

In order to be recognized as a respectable sector, the African hound hunting fraternity is cleaning house!

I pray that those cleaning house start at their own doorstep and in their cupboards.Often those that beat the drum the loudest may be the ones that have something to hide. I have seen it in hunting associations level throughout Southern Africa - the high rollers on the exco's are often happy to be in those positions to give an illusion of innosence yet they are often the grandest transgressors of their own laws. A good diversionary tactic.

There are probably more ranch lion in South Africa now than there are wild lion in all of Southern Africa , they are farmed for trade - trophy hunting , breeding programmes , eco-tourism.No different to most game ranching in South Africa in high fenced areas.Lion are escaping from these enclosed areas weekly and need to be shot or recaptured. Some of us happen to be well connected and well enough known in genuine day to day predator hunting circles that we are on 24 hour standby with our hound teams for the game department or private owners.

Tough on guys that miss these opportunities I'm glad to have them. If someone asked me to track a lion on a 500 hectare enclosed area for whatever legal purpose and I could give my hounds the opportunity to have some fun I would do it. I know of people that do a lot worse just to get their hounds trained and still fail at that.

I've given my hounds opportunity to trail all the species I care to apply them to and I am comfortable with that and the fact that they can do it and in style.

Roy Sparks.

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Why the side-step Roy?


Are you suggesting those two $50 000 Lions escaped and you were called in to kill them?
No attempt to dart them?

Or rather problem animals?
Or both were wounded at the same time in the same camp?