The Pain of the Poacher's Snare

The pictures above show some of the tools of the trade of the poacher and his snares. We took this suspected poacher into custody and transported him to officials during a recent hunt in Tanzania.

This is what we as hunters constantly strive to stop. We do so through our conservation dollars, personal participation during poaching patrols, as well as funding independent poaching patrols and community awareness efforts. Those of us who have been to Africa more than a few times have found and removed snares. We have seen these sights and many others that are just as troubling.

The anti-hunters would like the world to believe that managed hunting is the problem. In reality, hunters are conservationists who work to support through funding dollars and personal involvement the species that we off-take. Organized poaching and habitat loss are the real problem. One need only visit our Twitter feed to see the many hundreds of tweets about poaching issues.

The graphic photos contained in the link below are from a recent article written by Lucy Laing about poaching snares that appeared in the 5-21-12 edition of the MailOnline. The article provides some accurate information for the uninformed. Unfortunately, it also omits information about other lion mortality factors. The article also contains information provided by an organization recognized by many on-line as an anti-hunting group. This is unfortunate as managed hunting is a crucial component to properly managing lion populations. Many conservation organizations have publicly noted this and have printed this in their research.

One need only look to Kenya where hunting was banned in 1977 and their game numbers have fallen by 80%. Hunting, as National Geographic put it, is benefiting Africa's wildlife. Using elephant as an example, if you compare Kenya with Zimbabwe you can see a stark contrast in the benefits realized from elephant hunting. Since managed sport hunting was organized in Zim the elephant populations have more than doubled. Numbers went from some 37,000 animals to now over 97,000. The population is expanding at an approximate rate of 5% per annum.

If one looks at managed hunting in South Africa, the white rhino has come back from near extinction to sustainable populations. Syndicated poaching is where the problem exists. The facts clearly show that managed hunting preserves and increases wildlife populations. In 1900, of the five rhino species, the white rhino was the most endangered. Less than 20 existed on a single preserve. When policy toward hunting was changed, private ownership, breeding, and limited managed hunting was instituted. The change resulted in population increases of over 20,000 animals by 2010. 

Organized poaching is a problem that we should all work toward solving both personally with monetary donations and through our hunting organizations. It is important to educate non-hunters about how managed hunting is integral in assuring value to and the survival of the wild lion in Africa. While the article touches on the difficulty of patrolling the parks for poachers it fails to mention how the hunting industry plays a much larger role in poaching reduction in the wild areas that are not within a park's boundaries.

The emotional appeal to stop hunting is presented by anti-hunting groups as the solution to preserving lion and other dangerous game populations. The opposite will occur in Africa if lion and other dangerous game hunting ceases to continue. Lions and other game must have value to communities affected by them or they will be poached and poisoned until they no longer exist.

~Heym Jumbo Challenge 2012~

Review of the 2012 Heym Jumbo Challenge

With Special Guests

Mark Sullivan and Peter Dafner

Professional Hunters

First Place Heym Trophy

Heym Gleichamberg Factory

The 2012 Heym Jumbo Challenge has concluded and was a great success. Participants came from around the world to experience all that the two day event had to offer. From start to finish, everything was extremely well done and was enjoyed by all. Many of those who attended have personally expressed their satisfaction to me and are looking forward to next year’s event with great anticipation! Planning is already underway for the 2013 event which will also be held in Germany.

This year’s event was sponsored by Heym, Jäger Magazine, Jagdzeit International, Martin Baum Taxidermy, Waffen Albert Range, Sax Munitions, PD Safaris, and Wildlife art. All of the sponsors were very helpful and interesting. I must make special mention of Roland from Jagdzeit. Roland offered to show us around his neck of the woods (Melsungen, Germany) later in the week and we had a great time together. While showing us around we had an opportunity to view much of the wildlife hunted in Germany and had a delicious Hirsch meal.

Red Deer

The Heym event consisted of a shooting competition on April 21^st known as “The Heym Jumbo Challenge” and also a factory tour day on the 22^nd at the Heym Gleichamberg factory. The shooting day was structured around special guest Mark Sullivan’s receipt of his newly manufactured Heym .577 Nitro Express double rifle. Day one started early with a safety briefing at the Waffen Albert shooting range in Schweinfurt, Germany. Anton Albert is the manager of the range facility and did a great job preparing the facility for the shooting event.

Stefan Bader Briefing at the Waffen Albert Range

The Waffen Albert Range is a state-of-the-art indoor facility.  The main floor consists of a large hall with a food and drink area available for the attendees and spectators. The shooting competition required a registration fee for those who wished to compete. With the first place prize being a lovely trophy, a very nice shooting bag, and a beautiful  Heym SR 30, Special Mountain Model Rifle in .7mm Remington Magnum-(valued at over 3,500 Euro) there was no shortage of competitors.

Main Floor (Hall) of the Waffen Albert Range

State-of-the-Art facility Made the Indoor Shooting Enjoyable

I previously had spoken with the staff at Heym and expressed my desire to participate in the shooting event without being eligible for the shooting awards. This was announced on the day of the event and was agreeable to the competitors. My interest was to show support for my friend Mark and to support the Heym event. The shooting event was great fun but also offered serious competition for those who attended for that purpose. It was an absolute pleasure to shoot in the modern range facility. I should mention that there were many great shooters present but also some new and less skilled shooters that were learning about double rifles. All were made to feel welcome and encouraged to enjoy the competition.

Either Bring Your Heym Rifle or Use One Provided by the Factory

All competitors were required to use Heym rifles. The shooting event also allowed participants to use the wonderful rifles manufactured and made available by Heym instead of bringing their own rifles if they chose to do so. Bolt action and double rifles were available and ranged from .375 H&H through .458 Lott. I have shot many double rifles but this was the first opportunity for me to shoot Heym double rifles. I found them to be exceptional in every way.

Shawn Joyce Shooting the Heym Jumbo in .577 Nitro Express

Shooting stations consisted of a six balloon speed shooting target, distant and simulated charging Cape buffalo, mechanical/moving leopard target, elephant, distant and simulated charging lion, and finally a head-to-head balloon shooting station. The two shooter balloon station was for the competition finalists to square-off in a shooter versus shooter match.  All of the shooting stations were great and the balloon speed shooting stations were very exciting. There was a break in the shooting day to enjoy a delicious lunch that was made available.

Balloon Speed and Accuracy Shooting Station

Mark Putting the Shooter on the Sticks

Distant Buffalo Target

Simulated Charging Buffalo Target

Peter Dafner Scores the Elephant Station

Dr. Frank Metzner Scores the Distant Lion Target

Immediately following the primary shooting competition the scores were tallied to determine the finalists. The finalists then competed in the final head-to-head competition. After all of the shooting was done Dr. Sebastian Lubig walked away with a gorgeous trophy and a beautiful Heym rifle! Every participant in the shooting event received a prize that they were allowed to select from the prize table. Everything from art to ammunition.

CEO Thomas Wolkmann Presents Dr. Sebastian Lubig his Prize
Heym SR 30, Special Mountain Model Rifle

The top five shooting competitors at the 2012 Heym Jumbo Challenge were:

1. Dr. Sebastian Lubig

2. Christoph Knörr

3. Roland Zippel

4. Herbert Ebner

5. Dr. Jürgen Bornhaupt

Thomas Wolkmann Presents Mark Sullivan His Custom Made .577 NE Jumbo 

A side program “Shooting with Jumbo-Face the Challenge” was conducted at the range and it seemed to be highly enjoyed by shooters and spectators alike. Those who were willing lined-up to shoot Mark’s newly manufactured Heym Jumbo .577 Nitro Express double rifle. There were a few wide-eyed participants after they pressed the triggers but everyone had a great time. The newly designed stock dimensions developed for this rifle are fantastic! 

Kynoch 750 Grain Solids Were Provided for Shooting Enjoyment

I Promise You this Won't Hurt a Bit

Just Press the Trigger and Enjoy the Moment

A Fun Day of Shooting Draws to a Close at the Waffen Albert Range

Following the shooting event and awards ceremony everyone made their way to a restaurant located in Römhild. The Hotel and Restaurant Zum Hirsch prepared a fantastic meal that was hosted by Heym. The hotel/restaurant owner Rolf, his wonderful wife Gabi, and daughter Nicole presented a delicious home cooked meal.  The menu consisted of Bärlauch soup, duck, wild boar, venison, and all of the delicious supporting foods and gravies. I should also mention the delicious homemade beers, hand churned butter, and of course dessert. After an evening of good food and socializing everyone headed to bed thinking about what exciting moments tomorrow would bring during the Heym factory tour day.

Heym Factory and Office Located in Gleichamberg

Day two started at the Heym factory located in Gleichamberg. The attendees were divided up into manageable sized groups and were each escorted through the factory for employee guided tours.  Every step of the manufacturing process was observed and explained during the tour. The tour started with the arrival of rough materials through the presentation of a completed rifle to the client.

Barrels Being Honed

Barrels Awaiting Hammering

The tour offered an opportunity for interaction and discussion with the actual tradesperson in their work area while they were performing their skills. Everything from barrel making, hammering the barrel, gun assembly, soldering double rifle barrels, part fitting, stock wood selection, stock making/fitting, regulation, and of course finish and engraving. Being able to personally meet with Master Engraver Michael Richter and view his work was an unexpected bonus. I greatly appreciated the personal attention provided by Rico during the factory tour and also the opportunity to shoot in the rifle regulation area. It offered me the chance to handle and shoot Heym rifles I had never shot previously.

Attention to Detail in Every Step

Older Machines are Utilized for Some Machining Duties

Soldering

Assembly and Fitting

Following the factory tour a delicious barbecue meal was prepared at the factory along with other great German dishes and desserts. The food was excellent and the spirit of friendly good-fellowship was ever-present! After the delicious lunch the large group assembled in the Heym conference room for the professional hunter lecture event.

Peter Dafner PH

Peter Lectures to the Attendees

Prior to the professional hunter event several presentations were made by Thomas Wolkmann on behalf of Heym. Following the presentations Peter Dafner began his presentation. Peter is a German PH in East Africa. Peter specializes in buffalo hunting and presented his experiences and shooting techniques through an audiovisual presentation. Peter shared his recommendation on caliber selection and bullet types. The presentation was followed by a question and answer period.

Mark Sullivan PH

Following Peter’s presentation, Mark Sullivan began his scheduled presentation. Mark began by showing an audiovisual presentation with hunting footage. The video presentation was followed by lecture, a question and answer session, and a live demonstration in front of the class. Mark interacted with the group and described his way of hunting and preferred shooting methods with big bore doubles. Mark also shared his experience with different guns, calibers, and bullets.

Mark Presents to the Attendees

Both Peter and Mark mingled with the attendees and were available for personal private discussions following the group presentations. Mark and Peter also provided photo opportunities and autographs to the many attendees.

Many chose to take a final opportunity after the lectures to visit with new friends one last time and also to look at and handle the finest of handmade guns manufactured in Germany. The Heym event was many things to different people. It was a fantastic competition with an extraordinary and personal tour into the manufacturing process of these rifles. The event also allowed those present to have an opportunity to get to know the professionals who use these rifles daily in their jobs. An unexpected bonus was the opportunity to interact with a very diverse group of people from around the world and to make many new friends. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality extended by Thomas, Manfred, Frank, Rico, Stefan, and all the employees at Heym. It was also a pleasure to spend time with Chris from Heym USA.

Our Search for Bärlauch and Schnittlauch

I have to mention that the Hotel and Restaurant Zum Hirsch is a great place to stay. The owner Rolf, his wife Gabi, and daughter Nicole were fantastic hosts. Rolf was hauling me and my wife around the forests of Germany to pick Bärlauch and Schnittlauch! He also took us to see many wonderful sights near Römhild. We came as guests but we left as friends and are looking forward to our next visit with them.

The Bärlauch and Schnittlauch Harvest!

The executive staff and workers at Heym did a great job with this event. My wife and I are looking forward to seeing everyone again soon. Thanks for making us feel welcome and part of the Heym family. If the 2012 event is any example, anyone considering attending the 2013 Heym event will have a great time. This year’s competition had fifty-one shooters accompanied by ninety-four spectators. Thirty-nine competitors shot Mark’s .577 Nitro Express. One hundred thirty-four attended the factory tour day. Next year’s event promises to be just as great and as well attended.

Heym Promotional Photo with Heym Jumbo .577 Nitro Express
Mark Sullivan PH-Nitro Express Safaris & Shawn Joyce-Diizche Safari Adventures

I enjoyed seeing how these firearms are manufactured. After having the opportunity to shoot these great Heym double rifles from .450/.400 to .577 Nitro Express I know that Heym makes a fantastic double that perfectly meets my needs. I am looking forward to attending next year, seeing my new and old friends from Germany and Europe, hunting for Roe buck, and maybe just maybe picking up my new Heym double! Hope to see you next year at the event.