The African Hunter Magazine Volume 19 # 5 | Page 5

advantages of using a print-on-demand facility, especially in Africa, are numerous. Some of our publications will no doubt be available as e-books, but as with our e-magazines, the preference seems to be for hard copy editions. We have had a number of queries from readers about ordering these titles, but because we have adopted printon-demand, we hold no stocks - all you need to do is visit our website. It will take you right to the correct place, and an invoice will be generated automatically as the order is placed. Their quality is outstanding and delivery and service very good. Much, much simpler than ordering from Africa will ever be. As we wait to see what the outcome of discussions with US Fish & Wildlife over the ivory importation ban will be, we are entering another hunting season that appears to be full of promise - if you are on an African hunt, and you happen to be in Zimbabwe, drop in to our offices and pay us a visit! I J Larivers On Target Dear Editor I am trying to research a rifle and its maker, and any information, no matter how little, would be greatly appreciated. This rifle was customized by, and belonged to, and was used by, Carl S. Labuschagne. Carl was a Professional Hunter in South Africa and a custom gunsmith. This rifle was originally a Dumoulin Brevex .505 Gibbs and had a G&H style side mounted scope when Carl first purchased it. It is a Custom Square Bridge "Brevex" Magnum Mauser with a three-round capacity. Carl hand-made the stock and performed a major redesign / customization of the rifle for his personal use. Sadly, Carl passed away this last September. Helmut Sakschek [email protected] Dear Editor As you might know, Customs have been getting in touch with clients asking them to prove that they have left Zimbabwe with their firearms. I have had meetings with the revenue authorities in Bulawayo and am told there is no need for alarm. They have simply lost some of these forms dating back to 2008. Although this seems like it is not your or our problem, in effect the security officials need reassurance that these firearms have left the country. So we strongly urge operators to make it their problem if their clients are on this list. Send Zimra the date of departure and if possible some sort of proof that the gun has left or is currently still in the clients’ possession. Meaning they would need a police station to verify. This is a proof of ownership document that needs to be then sent to Zimra. For future: We suggest that the client makes four copies of the temporary firearms permit. On the permit have them write the date of departure, flight number and port of exit. Then keep one copy on file for future reference. Louis Muller Pro-Safaris Africa It has been our experience that Customs and the firearms African Hunter Vol. 19 No. 5 [email protected] licensing authorities in Zimbabwe are both relatively efficient and will try their best to be of assistance, but one underlying problem is that there are varying degrees of overlap between different government departments all trying to perform the same function and there is often little or no communication between them - Editor Dear Editor I, Fausto Carbone, would like to dispel rumours that I'm involved with the building of Vine Camp in Mana Pools National Park. I have been guiding in Mana Pools since 1987 and have always believed and supported the idea that Mana should be kept as pristine as possible and the number of bed nights controlled, therefore I don't support new camps being built in the park. Best regards Fausto F. Carbone Neither do we! - Ed Dear Editor At 16.00 on May 5th a man witnessed no less than ten children stoning three elephant bulls on the outskirts of Lake Kariba. One large one with a single left tusk and two younger ones. A mother of three children not involved was on a footpath close by and one of the three bulls attacked. She is very fortunate to have gotten off with an injured leg and a slight back problem. Fourteen hours later the bulls are still very nervous and pose a serious threat to pedestrians. One bull was photographed last year in the same area trying to kick one of the dogs that was set on them! He is very stroppy as a result of his experiences. Kariba Animal Welfare Trust Zimbabwe People throw stones and set dogs on elephants and then wonder why elephants kill them. It’s a whole new level of stupid - Editor [email protected] Page 5