Hunting Seasons of West: Exploring General Hunting Rules, Legislation and Permits, Hunter Events and Cultural Experiences

Hunting Seasons and Legal Framework in the West Region The West Region's official hunting season runs from November to April, carefully timed with the dry season when animals concentrate around the Noum and Noun river systems. MINFOF adjusts dates annually based on crop harvest cycles in the Bamboutos foothills, often delaying openings in areas where maize and coffee harvests overlap with traditional game movements. Unique to this region are volcanic soil hunting permits required in the Mount Bamboutos caldera, where mineral deposits alter animal behavior. Since 2020, reforms mandate GPS-collaring of all professional hunting guides and electronic reporting of daily harvests within 12 hours. The West Region maintains stricter quotas than neighboring Northwest, allowing only 8 buffalo permits per season due to declining populations. Game-Specific Seasons and Peak Activity Prime time for giant forest hogs and bushbuck runs December-February when they raid cassava plantations at night. March-April offers exceptional harvest mouse hunting (considered a delicacy) as they swarm rice paddies before the rains. The region hosts the Bafoussam Buffalo Calling Championship (January), where hunters mimic mating calls, and the Bamboutos Mountain Marathon Hunt (March), combining trail running with spot-and-stalk challenges. Bird hunters target November-December for spur-winged geese migrating to Lake Baleng. Avoid May-October when torrential rains trigger landslides and most animals retreat to inaccessible highland forests. Protected Species and Seasonal Restrictions in the West Region Absolute bans protect chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, and African golden cats. Special agricultural bans prohibit hunting within 1km of active farms during planting seasons (May-June and September-October). The entire region closes May-October, with additional cultural bans during Bamileke royal ceremonies (announced via village gongs). Since 2021, all forest hog hunts require thermal imaging verification to ensure compliance with nighttime hunting bans. Licensing Process and Outfitter Requirements Foreign hunters must obtain a Grassland-Mountain Permit (≈$1,800 for 21 days) through licensed operators like Bamboutos Safaris, submitting altitude acclimation certificates and volcanic gas awareness training. Local hunters require tribal council approval and must pass annual marksmanship tests at the Dschang Wildlife Academy. The West Region Trackers Guild provides mandatory Bamileke guides specializing in plantation-edge hunting tactics. Penalties for Violations in the West Region Poaching carries fines up to 20 million XAF (≈$32,500) plus confiscation of vehicles, with particularly severe penalties for primate-related offenses. MINFOF conducts undercover farm inspections posing as agricultural workers near Foumbot. All hunters must carry printed topographic maps - digital maps alone incur 200,000 XAF (≈$325) fines. Tactical Recommendations For bushbuck, .30-06 Springfield with 165-grain soft points provides optimal performance in transitional forest-grassland zones. Heat-dissipating boots are essential when hunting recent lava flows in the Bamboutos foothills. Focus on coffee plantation edges at first light when animals retreat from night feeding. The Bamileke pit method - using natural depressions near salt licks - proves particularly effective for forest hogs. Cultural Hunting Events in the West Region The Bamileke Royal Hunt (December) revives ancient net-driving techniques using sacred drums, while the Noun River Night Fishing-Hunt (February) uniquely combines spearfishing with crocodile spotting. The West Region Conservation Carnival (April) features regulated hunting demonstrations to fund school conservation programs.