Episode 674: “Cries of the Savanna” – A Non Hunter’s Visceral Realization on Trophy Hunting

What this episode covers

Sue Tidwell grew up around hunting but never participated directly. When she met her husband Rick, she began to accompany him on his Idaho backcountry pursuits for elk and mule deer. She generally had no qualms with buck or bull being killed and ultimately ending up on their dinner table. However, like many Americans, Sue had trouble coming to grips with the fact that the same reality (and conservation model) also applied in Africa. Particularly with species like zebra, lions, and other popular mega fauna. So, when Rick began planning his bucket list, once in a lifetime safari Sue experienced some level of trepidation. Why did she feel such deep connection to these African species she’d never seen or interacted with? Anthropomorphism is a major hurdle for many 1st world societies and Sue was caught up in the middle of that phenomenon. On this week’s show she takes us through the amazing 21 day trip deep in the Tanzanian bush. A trip that changed the way she viewed ‘trophy hunting’. She talks about the camp and the staff that are able to thrive due to the financial impact of trophy hunting. What about the role of trophy hunting as a means to fund and ultimately thwart rampant poaching? She recounts each hunting outing and the game that Rick pursued. We also relive their never ending battle with the hated teste fly and how that insect is responsible for keeping some of Africa’s wildest places undeveloped to this day. A masterful story teller, Sue vividly recalls the sights and sounds of one of the world’s wildest remaining places. Hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did and if you have a non hunting friend that is hung up on African trophy hunting, I highly recommend you get them a copy of Cries of the Savanna. (Sue and camp friends) (Rick and the hunting party with his zebra) (A typical Tanzanian morning loading up for the day’s hunt)

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