Hunting Through the Seasons in North-West: Rules, Permits & Cultural Events and Traditions

Hunting Seasons and Legal Framework in the North-West Region The North-West Region operates a December to April hunting season, carefully timed to avoid the heavy rains that make its mountainous terrain impassable from May to November. MINFOF coordinates with local chiefs to set village-specific opening dates based on altitude, with lowland zones around Bamenda opening two weeks earlier than highland areas like Oku. Unique to this region are fog-hunting regulations governing visibility conditions in the Bamboutos Mountains, where hunters must carry GPS distress beacons. Since 2020, reforms require biometric registration of all hunters and electronic tagging of harvested bushbuck and forest hogs to combat poaching in the Kilum-Ijim Forest corridor. Game-Specific Seasons and Peak Activity Prime time for mountain reedbuck and bushbuck runs January-February when they descend to 1,800m elevations to escape freezing temperatures. March-April offers exceptional forest hog hunting as they root in farmland margins during planting season. The region hosts the Bafut Hunting Festival (January) featuring traditional grassland fire drives, while the Ring Road Challenge (March) tests endurance hunting across three altitude zones. Bird hunters target December-January for francolin and turaco before mating seasons begin. Avoid May-November when landslides close most access roads and animals retreat to inaccessible high peaks. Protected Species and Seasonal Restrictions in the North-West Region Absolute bans protect chimpanzees, drills, and Mount Oku frogs, with minimum horn lengths enforced for bushbuck (14 inches). Special cultural bans apply during Oku honey harvests (April-May) and Bafut royal ceremonies. The entire region closes May-November, with additional weekly hunting bans every first Tuesday for traditional land rituals. Since 2021, all forest hog hunts require community elders' approval to prevent crop protection conflicts. Licensing Process and Outfitter Requirements Foreign hunters must obtain a Mountain Zone Permit (≈$1,200 for 21 days) through licensed operators like Bamenda Highland Safaris, submitting altitude medical certificates and avalanche preparedness plans. Local hunters require village council approval and must attend annual marksmanship tests at the Bambui Wildlife Training Center. The North-West Guides Union provides mandatory Kom trackers with specialized knowledge of volcanic fumarole game trails. Penalties for Violations in the North-West Region Poaching incurs fines up to 15 million XAF (≈$24,500) plus confiscation of all gear, with particularly severe penalties for chimpanzee-related offenses. MINFOF conducts night vision patrols in the Ako-Mbembe forest, where illegal snaring persists. All hunters must carry printed permits - digital copies alone incur 300,000 XAF (≈$490) fines. Tactical Recommendations For mountain game, .308 Winchester with 180-grain bullets provides optimal trajectory across elevation changes. Kevlar gaiters are essential against bamboo rat traps in farmland zones. Hunt volcanic warm vents at 3,000m+ elevations for cold-weather game concentrations, particularly in the Sabga Hills. Time approaches for 10AM-2PM when thermal winds mask human scent. Cultural Hunting Events in the North-West Region The Kom Fire Hunt (December) revives ancient flame-herding techniques for grasscutters, while the Ndop Plain Archery Tournament (February) enforces traditional bamboo longbow use. The Bamboutos Mountain Marathon Hunt (April) combines trail running with spot-and-stalk challenges across three ecosystems.