Watching Conservation At Work

These roan antelope show how proper wildlife management ensures a healthy herd.

Our natural resources are a constantly changing dynamic consisting of plants, animals and water. While hunting in Africa, I witnessed first-hand how vital a Wildlife Game Manager (WGM) is to the overall health and vitality of the herd on a given property.

Hunters and conservationists quickly state how vital hunting is to conservation. I’ll explain how this tool keeps the herd healthy and profitable. After all, it takes money to keep things running — something many people overlook.

Famed African outfitter, PH and WGM, Richard Pascall, looking over
his latest herd-count and field notes numbers.

A Balanced Observer

The WGM closely monitors this dynamic between natural resources with daily excursions on the property he manages. What looks like a splendid ride in the country is actually a constant observation and calculation of what’s occurring on the property with an educated eye.

Daily inspections of water sources, the condition of native bushes and grasses, how much host animals are consuming, and the actual health and well-being of the herd is monitored. The well-managed ranch is a lesson in nature’s harmony by providing what each species needs to thrive, stay healthy and propagate.

The WGM also knows precisely how many of each species exists on the property through meticulous herd counts, so as to calculate optimal herd size ensuring enough food and water is available for the herd’s health. Salt blocks, with supplemental vitamins and minerals, are also utilized for the welfare of the herd.

Tank watched this eland bull die of dehydration on Government land.
It would wait by the fence seeking water.

But sometimes, nature’s lesson is deadly. I once saw eland and wildebeest desperately attempt to break through fencing of government lands to access the game ranch I was on, likely in seek of water.

Government lands are unmanaged, often to the detriment of the animals living on them. If the poor souls were allowed onto the property for water, the WGM would be arrested for poaching. As cruel as it seems, those are the laws.

When food or water is not available, mother’s abandon their young seeking the resources they need to keep themselves alive. It’s the age-old adage “the strongest shall survive.” As wonderful as Mother Nature is, she can be just as cruel

Wildebeest are 90% grazers and 10% browsers, something the WGM takes
into consideration when working up his numbers.

All In The Numbers

The WGM is constantly calculating the food and water needs of his growing herds. Every year, roughly 20 percent of the herd is culled to keep the heard thriving, while at the same time providing profit to keep the Game Ranch funded, further ensuring the survival and well being of everyone involved.

Each and every animal has a value to the WGM and it’s this value that keeps the Game Ranch running through the profits provided by hunters, whether meat, or trophy hunters, with trophy hunters providing greater revenues through trophy fees.

Government lands, where hunting is banned, only hold 2-3 percent of the wildlife as well-managed game ranches. But because there’s no funding from hunting licenses, there’s no money to help the animals on Government land. It’s simple economics, and it can be just as cruel as Mother Nature.

Besides food and water access, game killed by predators must also be calculated.
This gemsbok was the victim of jackals.

No Hunting Equals Death

Many people believe a “no-cull” attitude is game management, when in actuality it leads to the detriment of the herd itself and surrounding peoples.

Botswana, for instance, now has over 5 times the elephants the environment can sustain. An adult elephant eats 200-600 pounds and drinks over 50 gallons of water a day.

The Professional Hunter in coordination with the WGM ensures mature species
are culled so the herd continues to thrive.

The elephants eventually eat themselves out of any food supply, leading to a slow painful death — something so called never-cull conservationists don’t understand, or have ever witnessed firsthand. Instead, they lobby from thousands of miles and several continents away, promoting “feel good” measures that will lead to the demise of the very species they wish to protect.

What these lobbyists don’t understand is the older patriarchs of a species have no value for the propagation of the herd. Younger, stronger males take their place in this continual lifecycle. However, the old patriarch is of trophy class and with a partnership between the WGM and professional hunter (PH) hunting clients are ensured these animals are culled, keeping the herd in harmonious and productive interaction.

Giraffes are thriving in southern Africa due to wildlife management. Without game ranches,
the numbers would not be nearly as impressive.

Health, Wealth And Diversity

The WGM has it in his own best interest to maintain optimal nutrition for his herd for maximum health and growth. The health of the herd is congruent to profits of this cash crop. Just as any farmer sees to his crops for maximum yield, the WGM does the same for maximum herd health. The healthier the herd, the more profitable the herd. The more profitable the herd, the more that can be done in the name of conservation. This is something the “no-cull” crowd fails to realize.

If hunting were outlawed, the Game Ranches would cease to exist — period! The beautiful animals on them would also cease existence. Game animals would be replaced by cattle. Remember, it takes dollars to keep anything running. Wouldn’t you rather see an abundance of different species thriving on a large game farm than beef cattle?

Hunters, whether meat or trophy, provide the resources to keep all species thriving, pay for game wardens to fight poaching, and to research programs studying illness and disease of animals.

See For Yourself

I watched Richard Pascall use the above methods on the 145-square-mile game ranch he manages. It’s bustling with healthy critters and watching them interact in their natural setting is a joy to behold.

But don’t just take my word for it. Book yourself a safari, whether hunting or photographic, and see firsthand just how beautiful Africa is through proper game management. It will change your life, and maybe your opinion on trophy hunting!

I highly recommend Kudu Safari’s from firsthand experience. It is a top-rate, quality-run outfit with the charm of a relative’s farm, making you feel like family. I can assure after staying here you will want to come back. Location is in southern Botswana, heart of the Kalahari Desert.

For more info:
Kudu Safari’s
PO Box 335517
North Las Vegas, NV 89033
(702) 637-9836

We think you'd be interested in this, too

A Balanced Observer

All In The Numbers

No Hunting Equals Death

Health, Wealth And Diversity

See For Yourself

We think you'd be interested in this, too

Skeeter’s...

Original S&W...

I Carry, You Carry

AMERICAN HANDGUNNER INSIDER

SIGN-UP TO RECEIVE FREE DOWNLOADS, NEWS, OFFERS, AND MORE!

Watching Conservation
at Work