22/12/2020
COVID UPDATE
Well, what a year it has been! As 2020 draws to a close let's look at the situation around our hunting destinations and what the outlook for 2021 might be. While no-one has a crystal ball when it comes to this global pandemic, it's good to look positively on the future, all I can say about 2020 is that we are lucky it wasn't like ebola or we wouldn't even be reading facebook posts right now! I would encourage all our followers (You!) to add photos and comments from any hunting that you have managed to do in 2020, or even just some pics from a memorable hunt you have been on in the past, let's try and look positively to the future!
OK, let's look at the current situation in world hunting destinations:
Africa:
Starting with good news, Lisa McArtor of TDK Safaris tells me that they are operating in the 2021 season, so if you haven't been to South Africa before now's the time to consider it, but she did mention that they are filling quite quickly, so don't leave it too late!
Most other African countries are also open, I had a client hunt in Tanzania recently with no problems at all.
South America:
COVID is still rampant down there and GHOTW Outfitter Emilio Paris of Emilio Paris Hunting tells me that until an effective vaccine is rolled out and he can get all his staff vaccinated also, he does not recommend hunting in Argentina at this stage. Keep in mind, that when they do open again I would imagine the bird populations will have exploded, and the animals will have had zero hunting pressure for more than a year, making it ideal for bow hunting when they do open again!
Europe:
Spain: Ignacio Navasques of Great Spanish Hunts didn't have any positive news either, Spain is closed and with the second wave of COVID cases as well as the new strain hitting europe, he is unsure when they will start hunting again, watch this space.......
In Russia they did have a autumn hunting season, but only for resident hunters, they are hoping to be open for the autumn 2021 season, I hope so too as I am planning to go back there for another bear hunt and to catch up with some good hunting friends!
New Zealand: Our borders are closed at the moment and the public are very sensitive to any talk of relaxing the rules around opening the borders, there is a vaccination program scheduled for 2021, whether that happens in time for our hunting season (March-August) is doubtful, if you are interested in hunting in New Zealand, I would have a "wait and see" approach, but most likely we won't be fully open until 2022.
Mexico: Mexico is open to hunting and right now Sergio and his team at .mx are mid-season. I see that they just finished a very successful week with a father and son bow hunt for desert sheep on "the" island (Carmen Island). So if you are itching to travel for a hunt, Mexico is also a good option.
Any more info you might need, please comment below or hit up the outfitter directly and don't forget to add any hunting pics below! The Great Hunts Of The World team wish you all a safe and Merry Christmas and a great 2021!!!
