The current world economy is biting all of us. And hunting, being a "luxury", is getting the bad end of the stick. Outfitters are already feeling the tightening of spending amongst clients. And the clients are not booking as many hunts they used to, and if they do, the wish lists has become a lot shorter.
The question amongst all outfitters in especially South Africa is :- what can we do to lure clients to hunt with us? The answer in short is :- not much. I have changed my price lists to South African Rand (ZAR - our currency) in order to give clients the benefit of our weaker currency. It has been many years since foreigners (to South Africa) were able to hunt at the prices on offer now. But still clients are reluctant to book that South African hunt.
Just the other day I talked to one of the biggest outfitters in South Africa, and I was told that they were scaling down big time in order to try and ride out the economic crisis. Professional hunters who were in full-time employment have all been placed on freelance contracts. Some of their hunting land and game have been sold off to cover costs.
When I hear things like this I cannot help but wonder if the hunting industry in South Africa is going to suffer damage which would be very hard to repair. The wildlife industry as a whole is going through a very tough time at the moment, and even those doing photographic safaris to wildlife conservation areas are struggling to make ends meet. During the past 30 years the wildlife industry in South Africa has gone from strength to strength. Is this now coming to an end? And all due to a bad economy?
I certainly do not hope so. But it can only be maintained by continued hunting and photographic safaris.
