So, what happened? The stated reason is the naming of a new minister to oversee this area of the government. The new minister, it was decided, needed time to study the allocation plans before going forward. It's anyone's guess now when the allocation will take place.
In the meantime, of course, hunting is continuing in Namibia on private land and a growing number of Conservancies. What's being lost is the chance to hunt areas containing the majority of the country's big game, such as elephant, leopard, lion and buffalo. The bright side (if there is one here) is the quality of the game that will be available on Government Concessions in Namibia once those areas open. This is an opportunity to keep your eye on.
The other bit of good news from this country is word that Namibia has solved the problem that was causing US Fish & Wildlife to deny entry to some leopard trophies. The problem had to do with a CITES tag USF&WS did not like. A new, self-locking tag that meets all USF&WS requirements is now being used in Namibia. Problem solved.
........(continued)
