DSC Praises Tanzania’s Crackdown on Green Mile Safari Co.

DALLAS (July 17, 2014) – Reacting to egregious, alleged violations in hunting ethics and laws, Tanzanian wildlife officials have revoked all hunting licenses and concessions for Green Mile Safari Co. The Dallas Safari Club (DSC) had urged the crackdown and is praising the move as a strong step for hunting and conservation. 

According to media reports, the safari company, a private outfit owned by United Arab Emirates families, is threatening to sue the Tanzanian government for lost revenue caused by the revocation.

Allegations against Green Mile include hunting with automatic weapons, hunting female and young animals, using vehicles to chase and knock down animals and hunting protected species.

In March, a DVD showing this and other deplorable behavior found its way to DSC. The club contacted Tanzania’s new Minister of Tourism and Natural Resources, the Honorable Lazaro S. Nyalandu, to express indignation over the safari company’s apparent misconduct. 

Nyalandu had been appointed to his position only two months earlier.

Then-president of DSC, John Patterson, said in a letter that the club, “strongly believes that one of the most important tools the Ministry can use in its efforts to conserve the country’s wildlife is to only award concessions to safari operators who will abide by the highest ethical standards and uphold the rule of law – and to remove those who do not.”

Nyalandu acted against Green Mile after the DVD was shown in Parliament.

“Today we applaud and support Minister Nyalandu for his courageous action,” said Ben Carter, DSC executive director. “Tanzania has seen its share of difficulties in prosecuting poachers and safari operators who flagrantly violate laws, so this move is a noteworthy and welcome change. We’re hopeful that Minister Nyalandu’s decision will withstand the threatened legal challenge.”

Green Mile operated two hunting concessions in the Selous Game Reserve and one in Arusha. 

DSC has pledged to continue working with Nyalandu to ensure sustainability of Tanzania’s wildlife, wild places and rich hunting heritage.

 

About Dallas Safari Club (DSC)

Desert bighorns on an unbroken landscape, stalking Cape buffalo in heavy brush, students discovering conservation. DSC works to guarantee a future for all these and much more. An independent nonprofit organization since 1982, DSC has become an international leader in conserving wildlife and wilderness lands, educating youth and the general public, and promoting and protecting the rights and interests of hunters worldwide. Get involved at www.biggame.org.

SPORTSMEN’S BILL, CONSERVATION ISSUES WAIT IN WASHINGTON

Legislative Update
June 30, 2014

DALLAS – One of the most important pieces of sporting legislation to come along in years is waiting for action in the Senate. The House on Feb. 5 passed the Sportsmen’s Heritage And Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act, H.R. 3590, with strong support from the Dallas Safari Club (DSC) and many other sporting and conservation organizations.

The SHARE Act is a collection of legislative measures. Short titles within the bill include:

• Hunter and Farmer Protection Act
• Hunting, Fishing, and Recreational Shooting Protection Act
• Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act
• Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act
• Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act
• Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act
• Polar Bear Conservation and Fairness Act

DSC helped shape several provisions, especially the Polar Bear Conservation and Fairness Act, which would correct unjust government takings of legally acquired property. Forty-one bears were taken in 2008 immediately prior to the species being listed under the Endangered Species Act. Listing meant the hides could not be imported to the U.S. This legislation would allow the hides to be released to those 41 hunters.

The bill passed the House by a relatively strong bipartisan vote of 268-154.

The Senate has introduced its own version of the bill (S. 1996).

Here’s a rundown of other DSC priority efforts in Washington D.C. and Austin, Texas.

Elephant Conservation

A House Natural Resources Committee subpanel hearing on June 24 focused on a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ban on importing ivory from lawfully hunted elephants from Tanzania and Zimbabwe in 2014. Some lawmakers criticized the ban as another federal regulatory overreach. DSC called it ultimately harmful to elephant conservation.

Outside groups sued the agency to force a reversal of the ban, but with those suits predictably failing in court, DSC is continuing its aggressive but more cooperative approach. Along with Conservation Force and other partners, DSC is providing the agency with the data it needs to assuage concerns about regulated elephant hunting in the two African nations. For example, elephants in areas of Zimbabwe are severely overpopulated and destroying their habitat. Regulated hunting provides needed management but the ban is an unnecessary obstacle.

Three Amigos Provision

A court battle appears eminent over this provision to the 2014 Omnibus Bill.

When President Obama signed the bill into law in January, he approved the DSC-backed “Three Amigos” provision to ensure the future of three antelope species nearly extinct in their native countries but flourishing on ranches in Texas. The measure exempts U.S. populations of scimitar horned oryx, Dama gazelle and addax from Endangered Species Act protections. It clears the way for Texas ranchers to maintain herds of these game animals and offer hunts without federal obstruction. Hunting revenue incentivizes ranchers to ensure that populations thrive.

In March, Friends of Animals filed a complaint challenging the provision’s constitutionality.

UN Arms Trade Treaty

The United Nations Arms Trade Treaty is a clear threat to the Second Amendment. Language within the treaty fails to acknowledge lawful firearm ownership as a fundamental civilian right, even for personal defense, while encouraging governments to collect identities of individuals who own imported firearms.Many staunch supporters of the Second Amendment, including DSC, are following the treaty and will oppose its consideration in the U.S. Senate.

Hunting on Public Lands

DSC is encouraging hunters to oppose a petition submitted to the U.S. Department of the Interior demanding rules against hunting with traditional ammunition on federal public lands, or about 20 percent of the U.S. land area. The petition, filed by the Humane Society of the United States, the extreme anti-hunting and animal rights group, has no basis in science. See details here.

Right to Hunt in Texas

The state legislature convenes every other year in Texas, and bills for the 2015 session will be filed this fall. Anticipated are important measures such as creating a constitutional right to hunt and fish, which DSC will enthusiastically support. Always in the mix are bills affecting deer hunters, dog owners, hunting traditions and rural lifestyles. Also expected are legislative leadership changes that could impact sportsmen’s issues in Texas. DSC will be staying vigilant.

DSC utilizes the legislative services of The LeMunyon Group in Washington D.C. and Mabry Public Affairs in Austin, Texas.

 

About Dallas Safari Club (DSC)

Desert bighorns on an unbroken landscape, stalking Cape buffalo in heavy brush, students discovering conservation. DSC works to guarantee a future for all these and much more. An independent organization since 1982, DSC has become an international leader in conserving wildlife and wilderness lands, educating youth and the general public, and promoting and protecting the rights and interests of hunters worldwide. Get involved at www.biggame.org.

DSC CONTINUES STRATEGY TO REVERSE BAN ON ELEPHANT TROPHIES

DALLAS – With independent lawsuits predictably stalling and failing in court, the Dallas Safari Club (DSC) continues to pursue an aggressive but more cooperative approach to reversing a U.S. ban on importing ivory from lawfully hunted elephants from Tanzania and Zimbabwe in 2014.

Along with its partners, DSC is providing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with the data it needs to assuage concerns about regulated elephant hunting in the two African nations.

For example, elephants in areas of Zimbabwe are severely overpopulated and destroying their habitat. Regulated hunting provides needed management. DSC is hopeful that this and other evidence will help the agency see that broad-brush actions such as nationwide bans have no basis in science or law and are bad public policy.

Combating criminal ivory traffickers by regulating legal hunter-conservationists, DSC officials say, is an ill-conceived, knee-jerk response by regulators or, more probably, politicians looking for photo-ops so they appear to be doing something about the abhorrent problem of elephant poaching.

“Regulating the lawful, in order to change the behavior of the unlawful, always fails,” said Ben Carter, DSC executive director.

Carter added, “DSC considered legal remedies but concluded that suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is likely to be costly, slow and ultimately unsuccessful. Just as importantly, lawsuits can be counterproductive if they needlessly alienate those who otherwise are charged with the responsibility, and would cooperate, to resolve your issue.”

However, others did institute legal action. The court denied the plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction against the ban. The entire lawsuit was not dismissed but is under advisement. If the case is allowed to move forward at all, it will drag out far more than a year – longer than the stated ban.

DSC believes the court’s initial ruling validates the strategy of a diversified response from the hunter-conservationist community.

Along with providing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with additional information, DSC is working to bring officials from Tanzania and Zimbabwe to the U.S. to testify about the harmful effects on wildlife and people of the elephant ivory ban.

DSC also is keeping Congress informed of the issues.

Carter said, “We believe in using scientific resources and data to prove that this arbitrary and capricious ban is actually hurting elephant conservation, not helping it. We continue to believe the ban should be, and will be, reversed as soon as possible.”

Previous DSC statements and news releases concerning the ban are posted here.

 

About Dallas Safari Club (DSC)

Desert bighorns on an unbroken landscape, stalking Cape buffalo in heavy brush, students discovering conservation. DSC works to guarantee a future for all these and much more. An independent nonprofit organization since 1982, DSC has become an international leader in conserving wildlife and wilderness lands, educating youth and the general public, and promoting and protecting the rights and interests of hunters worldwide. Get involved at www.biggame.org.

GENETICISTS BANKING DNA TO ENSURE FUTURE OF AFRICAN ANIMALS

DALLAS – Dallas Safari Club (DSC) is continuing its financial support of a Texas A&M University effort to build a DNA repository of African game species. The growing bank of DNA samples can be used to track the genetic heritage and health of wildlife.

DSC has awarded grants for this effort since 2011.

“Biologists say this program is an insurance policy for the future of wildlife,” said Ben Carter, DSC executive director. “And it’s passionate, generous hunters, mainly from the U.S., who are making it go.”

“Outdoor Life” magazine featured the program in its March 2014 edition.

In the article, Dr. James Derr of Texas A&M related the importance of genetic diversity in the restoration of American bison. Once estimated at 30 million, only a few hundred remained by the late 1800s. Inbreeding among survivors should have led to extinction. But ranchers had saved a few bison from different regions and different genetic stocks. That diversity, researchers would later discover, is what saved the species.

That’s the lesson that inspired Derr to develop the DNA repository effort for Africa, where today the fate of many species is clouded by habitat loss and poaching.

Grants from DSC and other donors allowed Derr to develop more than 250 DNA-collection field kits. Professional hunters and their clients in 11 African countries now use the kits to collect hair and blood samples from game species ranging from rhinos and lions to duikers and kudus. Back at the university, samples are analyzed, the DNA extracted, and genetic information mapped and loaded onto a database available to researchers worldwide.

Carter said, “DSC is proud to be part of this effort. It’s another important way that hunters are contributing to conservation for the future.”

 

About Dallas Safari Club (DSC)

Desert bighorns on an unbroken landscape, stalking Cape buffalo in heavy brush, students discovering conservation. DSC works to guarantee a future for all these and much more. An independent nonprofit organization since 1982, DSC has become an international leader in conserving wildlife and wilderness lands, educating youth and the general public, and promoting and protecting the rights and interests of hunters worldwide. Get involved at www.biggame.org.

WHY ALL HUNTERS SHOULD CARE ABOUT BAN ON ELEPHANT TROPHIES

DALLAS (June 4, 2014) – Relatively few hunters will ever hunt an elephant. But every hunter who supports science-based wildlife conservation and management has reason for concern about the Obama administration’s recent ban on importing lawfully hunted elephant trophies.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced in April that elephants hunted in Tanzania and Zimbabwe in 2014 may not be imported to the U.S.

Citizens who are ignorant of the differences between legal hunting and illegal poaching, “May have cheered the ban,” said Dallas Safari Club (DSC) Executive Director Ben Carter, “given all the recent headlines about elephant poaching, wildlife trafficking and the federal government destroying its confiscated stockpile of smuggled ivory.”

“Even most sportsmen, who usually are offended when they’re treated like poachers, didn’t pay much attention, as if the ban would affect only those few hunters interested enough, and wealthy enough, to actually hunt an elephant,” he added.

But Carter said the ban sets a dangerous precedent for hunting and conservation overall.

Here’s why:

1. Lack of Data – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said the move was meant to protect elephant populations, but cited only anecdotal evidence of problems while acknowledging a lack of reliable information. Fact is, elephants in certain areas of Zimbabwe (and Botswana) are overpopulated and destroying their own habitat. DSC has offered to help the agency collect the data it needs to consider an informed reversal of the rule. The agency has not responded.

2. Removing Conservation Funding – Sustainable-use hunting is the foundation beneath a proven conservation system that pays for biologists to monitor elephant populations, water for elephants in arid habitats, law enforcement to protect elephants from poachers, and much more. Obstructing hunting de-funds this system. 

3. Political Influence – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a world leader in conservation, but this ban seems so arbitrary and capricious – so unscientific – that DSC suspects it followed outside political influence. The timing of the rule relative to midterm elections also is suspect. Conservation’s forefathers fought to build a model based in science and free of coercion and political agendas. Breakdowns cannot be tolerated.

4. Bad PR – Legal, regulated, ethical hunting is unrelated to illegal poaching and trafficking. Yet, more and more, all are lumped together in the rhetoric of politicians and bureaucrats. This ban is just the latest example. Obama and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service voice concern over elephant poaching – and then actively thwart lawful hunting? At best, it’s a lost opportunity for federal leaders to explain long-successful, science-based, sustainable-use conservation.

5. Lawsuits and Divisiveness – Environmental and animal-rights extremists pioneered the profitable tactic of suing the federal government over procedural trivialities, gouging taxpayers for reimbursement of legal fees, and then using frivolous rulings as a basis for fundraising and membership drives. Hunters, by and large, haven’t needed such schtick. We have science, history and rapport on our side, and DSC encourages the sporting community to continue to take the high road with partners in conservation. Whenever possible, better to overwhelm agencies with useful biological data than with court cases.

6. Locals Matter – A tool for sustaining and managing wildlife, safari hunting also is vital to rural communities in Africa. Livelihoods are supported economically – and lives are supported literally, as hunting provides protein to hungry people. Each lawful elephant hunt provides a tremendous amount of each.

7. Africa Isn’t America – U.S. citizens are accustomed to federal intervention through the Endangered Species Act. But there is no similar legislation or funding or expectation in Africa. The species that thrive are those with tangible, measurable value. If hunting goes away, what incentive does a rancher find for keeping herds of grazing gemsboks? Or cattle-eating lions? Or elephants? The old saying, “if it pays, it stays,” is still true on the Dark Continent. This is on-the-ground conservation reality is too often ignored by ill-conceived initiatives like the Obama administration’s recent ban.

 

About Dallas Safari Club (DSC)

Desert bighorns on an unbroken landscape, stalking Cape buffalo in heavy brush, students discovering conservation. DSC works to guarantee a future for all these and much more. An independent nonprofit organization since 1982, DSC has become an international leader in conserving wildlife and wilderness lands, educating youth and the general public, and promoting and protecting the rights and interests of hunters worldwide. Get involved at www.biggame.org.

DSC DOUBLES GRANT TOTALS IN 5 YEARS, ALLOTS $1.2 MILLION FOR 2014

DALLAS (May 5, 2014) – Fueled by unprecedented growth in its annual convention, Dallas Safari Club (DSC) has allocated a record $1.2 million for 2014 grants to support conservation, education and hunter advocacy efforts worldwide.

DSC has more than doubled its annual grant totals since 2010.

Over the past five years combined, DSC has allocated $4.5 million for projects ranging from researching African lion population dynamics to improving habitat for desert bighorn sheep in west Texas, and from educating youths to lobbying Congress for beneficial legislation.

These figures do not include $350,000 raised in January by auctioning a hunting permit for a black rhinoceros. Those proceeds were not routed through DSC but will go directly from the buyer to Namibia for crucial rhino conservation and anti-poaching initiatives.

“We’re looking forward to selecting worthy projects to fund with this year’s $1.2 million,” said Ben Carter, DSC executive director. He added that specific grant announcements will follow in coming weeks.

Carter said the DSC convention and expo, next slated Jan. 15-18, 2015, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, is enjoying a substantial uptrend in attendees, exhibitors, booths, corporate sponsorships and auctions. Membership also is growing steadily.

“The additional revenues translate to additional spending in support of our mission,” he said.

Carter thanked the organization’s supporters, volunteers and staff for their ongoing devotion to DSC, conservation, education and hunter advocacy.

 

About Dallas Safari Club (DSC)

Desert bighorns on an unbroken landscape, stalking Cape buffalo in heavy brush, students discovering conservation. DSC works to guarantee a future for all these and much more. An independent nonprofit organization since 1982, DSC has become an international leader in conserving wildlife and wilderness lands, educating youth and the general public, and promoting and protecting the rights and interests of hunters worldwide. Get involved at www.biggame.org.

DSC JOINS PARTNERS IN WEST TEXAS GUZZLER PROJECT

DALLAS – Dallas Safari Club (DSC) has joined several partners on a conservation project expected to benefit thirsty wildlife across a broad area of west Texas’ extremely arid Big Bend region.

The joint effort resulted in construction of a monumental 4,600-gallon wildlife water guzzler. A guzzler collects, stores and rations rainwater to create a supplemental drinking source for wildlife. Species expected to benefit from the new guzzler range from game animals like mule deer and desert bighorn sheep to protected species like elf owls and even endangered Rio Grande silvery minnows.

The guzzler is situated on El Carmen Land & Conservation Company’s Adams Ranch in southern Brewster County, Texas, but the conservation benefits will extend onto adjacent ranches as well as Black Gap Wildlife Management Area and Big Bend National Park.

“This guzzler will capture over 1,000 gallons of water for every inch of rainfall – an essential resource for productive wildlife populations in this extremely arid region,” said David Wetzel, who coordinated the project for the Mule Deer Foundation.

Volunteers from the Mule Deer Foundation, DSC, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Sul Ross University and Texas Bighorn Society worked together to build the guzzler.

Ben Carter, DSC executive director, added, “It’s always fulfilling to accomplish something as a group that no single organization could have done by itself. Working together for wildlife is something that hunters have always done exceptionally well. Here’s a big pat on the back for all the groups and volunteers involved.”

Photos of the project can be found here on Flickr (photo credit to Thomas Janke and Bonnie McKinney).

 

About Dallas Safari Club (DSC)
Desert bighorns on an unbroken landscape, stalking Cape buffalo in heavy brush, students discovering conservation. DSC works to guarantee a future for all these and much more. An independent nonprofit organization since 1982, DSC has become an international leader in conserving wildlife and wilderness lands, educating youth and the general public, and promoting and protecting the rights and interests of hunters worldwide. Get involved at www.biggame.org.

DSC RENEWS LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES FOR TEXAS GAME WARDENS

DALLAS – Dallas Safari Club (DSC) is pleased to announce it is renewing life insurance policies for every game warden in Texas in 2014.

Currently there are 532 game wardens in Texas.

DSC has purchased the insurance policies and covered 100 percent of the premiums since 2005. Each policy is worth $10,000. Over the years, these policies have paid tens of thousands to the families of Texas game wardens who died in the line of duty. 

“These policies are an expression of support for those who serve on the front lines of conservation in our home state,” said Ben Carter, DSC executive director. “We hope they provide some peace of mind for officers and their families, and we pray the coverage is never needed again.” 

“We could not be more grateful for the concern and support that our partners at DSC have extended to our game wardens and their families,” said Carter Smith, executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. “DSC members have always recognized the inherent dangers our officers face each and every day working to protect our lands, waters, fish, wildlife, property and lives.”

Funding for DSC’s annual sponsorship of these insurance policies is generated through the organization’s annual convention and expo. Held each January, the 2015 event is slated for Jan. 15-18 in Dallas at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and Omni Hotel Dallas. Visit www.biggame.org for details.

 

About Dallas Safari Club (DSC)
Desert bighorns on an unbroken landscape, stalking Cape buffalo in heavy brush, students discovering conservation. DSC works to guarantee a future for all these and much more. An independent organization since 1982, DSC has become an international leader in conserving wildlife and wilderness lands, educating youth and the general public, and promoting and protecting the rights and interests of hunters worldwide. Get involved at www.biggame.org.

DSC STATEMENT ON NEW U.S. ELEPHANT POLICY

DALLAS – On April 4, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that African elephants hunted in Tanzania and Zimbabwe in 2014 may not be imported to the U.S. The agency says its new policy will be reevaluated in 2015 and beyond. The Dallas Safari Club (DSC) is concerned that this ruling was made suddenly, arbitrarily, unilaterally, with disregard for science and citizens in the affected countries, and with ignorance of on-the-ground realities of conservation in Africa. By banning American hunters, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has effectually de-funded the system that protects elephants where they are threatened, and manages elephants where they are overpopulated. DSC has contacted the agency, lawmakers and stakeholders. Its letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is posted here.

 

About Dallas Safari Club (DSC)

Desert bighorns on an unbroken landscape, stalking Cape buffalo in heavy brush, students discovering conservation. DSC works to guarantee a future for all these and much more. An independent nonprofit organization since 1982, DSC has become an international leader in conserving wildlife and wilderness lands, educating youth and the general public, and promoting and protecting the rights and interests of hunters worldwide. Get involved at www.biggame.org.

 

PRAIRIE CHICKENS, LIKE AFRICAN LIONS, NEED LOCAL LEADERSHIP

DALLAS (April 2, 2014) – It’s 9,500 miles from West Texas to South Africa. But both places are home to wildlife species joined in a struggle that pits local, on-the-ground conservation measures against the world’s most suffocating bureaucracy in Washington D.C.

The lesser prairie chicken is proposed for listing as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced last week.

The African lion is in the queue for same consideration, the agency says.

“Everyone wants healthy wildlife, but nothing divides people and fractures efforts more than wrapping that issue in politics,” said Dallas Safari Club (DSC) Executive Director Ben Carter.

Carter pointed out the Endangered Species Act’s poor record in species recovery. Since 1973, hundreds of species have been listed. De-listings, such as the bald eagle, are very rare. Adding doubt is the fact that environmental protection groups have built an entire industry around natural resource policy, using lawsuits and petitions as publicity stunts to solicit donations.

“The best hope for wildlife, from lesser prairie chickens to African lions, is local conservation leadership that includes the area’s landowners and economic realities,” he said.

In the case of lesser prairie chickens, DSC is a strong supporter of a plan developed by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Carter Smith, president of the association and executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, described it as “unprecedented.” Thirty-two companies, including oil and gas companies operating in the bird’s five-state home range, agreed to enroll some 3.5 million acres in habitat programs and provide more than $21 million in funding.

For African lions, DSC is urging a localized strategy to improve population sustainability while keeping the overall economic and conservation benefits of hunting. The solution is simple self-imposed harvest restrictions. Science shows that hunting only older male lions achieves both goals.

With either species, Carter worries that federal intervention through the Endangered Species Act will undermine the best chances to ensure healthy populations for the future.

 

About Dallas Safari Club (DSC)

Desert bighorns on an unbroken landscape, stalking Cape buffalo in heavy brush, students discovering conservation. DSC works to guarantee a future for all these and much more. An independent organization since 1982, DSC has become an international leader in conserving wildlife and wilderness lands, educating youth and the general public, and promoting and protecting the rights and interests of hunters worldwide. Get involved at www.biggame.org.