We have reached the end of the traditional hunting season of which half have been lost due to Covid 19 restrictions. It is day 153 of lockdown with ʼn significant decrease in the number of infections. Our lives will not change dramatically at level 2. The risk of new infections remains. Be careful and stay safe.
- Newsletter structure
Last month, we started reporting on the new and important matters first with the repetitive information at the end. Therefore, members can get up to date with fresh news first and read other information later.
Fresh news
- Old Green Licences
Following the Police’s success in their appeal against the GOSA interdict, they are very cocky and we can expect them to challenge the SA Hunters’ 2009 interdict on the validity of the old green licences.
Several associations took a stand on this matter in recent weeks. Contrary to popular belief, there is no factual information that the Police has started with a challenge in this regard but it can be expected. The Board of SA Hunters will discuss it at its September meeting but we need to accept that the old green licences could become invalid any time soon.
Our advice to members with valid green licences is to start applying for relicensing and to ensure that their competency is in order before embarking on the application process.
We will keep members informed of any developments regarding the green licences. Meanwhile, these licences are valid if you have never applied for a new white licence.
- New Amnesty
The first month of the new amnesty from 1 August 2020 to 31 January 2021, is over. We are curious to know how many firearms have been handed in during this period to date.
There is no doubt that the Minister’s intention with the amnesty is for the police to get their hands on the firearms with lapsed licences. To succeed in their quest, at least 2840 firearms would have to be surrendered on every working day during the six month period. I doubt it would happen. Only time will tell.
We hear reports of people that had handed in their firearms during previous amnesty and applied for new licences that have been issued with new licences.
Therefore, our advice is to use the amnesty to hand in firearms with expired licences for which you have not applied for renewal in time, and apply for new licences.
Remember the following:
- Your competency must be in order to own a firearm. Renew it as required by law. Maak
- You must hand in the firearm under the amnesty. There is no other way.
- You must apply for a new licence within 14 days after handing in the firearm.
- Ensure that the relevant documentation is complete and correct. It will improve your chance to get a licence.
- Shooting affairs: We can shoot again
Al our national shooting competitions for the year have been cancelled. 24 branches have resumed branch shooting activities in terms of the protocol that we provided. Enjoy the shooting but protect yourself against Covid-19. Branches that have resumed shooting days probably have a good reason for their decisions.
- Hunting Affairs
Extension of hunting season
The proclaimed hunting season in most provinces is over. Hunting throughout the year is only allowed on exempted/sufficiently fenced farms for species listed on their permits.
We raised the matter of an extension to the hunting season during our meeting with Minister Creecy. Two options were offered to provincial authorities. The first was to publish new hunting proclamations to extend the hunting season. The second one is to grant special permits per application.
Most provinces indicated that individual applications would be easier to deal with because the process of issuing new proclamations would take too long. Therefore, landowners without exemption/sufficient fencing that wish to allow hunting, may apply for permits at their local office of department of the environment.
Trophy registration 2020
SA Hunters will not have any trophy awards this year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We encourage members to enter qualifying trophies at their branches for inclusion in the trophy register. All entries will be carried over to 2021.
Most branches have a team of competent trophy measurers. Branches that wish to offer training for trophy measurers, can contact the regional coordinator, or contact Boetie Kirchner at boetiek@sahunt.co.za for information.
Hunting reports
Members are reminded to complete their hunting reports on their online profiles to maintain their dedicated status.
- Conservation
Lead poisoning of wildlife
International pressure to ban the use of lead is mounting. Hunting ammunition is one of the known uses of lead. The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries appointed a task team to investigate the impact of the use of lead on wildlife and to make recommendations in this regard.
SA Hunters is also represented on this lead task team. Known potential sources of lead that could impact on wildlife, is the ammunition used for hunting, harvesting operations, game management, and the control of damage causing animals. The Manager Hunting Affairs and the Manager Conservation of SA Hunters serve on the task team.
Lizanne Nel, Manager Conservation, participated in a panel discussion on the impact of lead on vultures, absorption and health risks of lead on humans and animals and lead poisoning in crocodiles. SA Hunters’ work in this regard was also raised. Members can view the panel discussion here on YouTube video or on SA Hunters Conservation page on Facebook.
Members are requested not to leave behind any carcasses or entrails of animals killed with lead ammunition in the veld. Rather bury it where predators cannot access it.
Lion conservation
The South African Lion Working Group comprising various interested parties in the wildlife sector, was established as part of the African Lion Biodiversity Management Plan. Lizanne Nel represents SA Hunters on the working group. Our wild lion and managed lion populations are healthy and fall under the IUCN’s least concerned category. According to the Non-detriment Finding – a CITES requirement for the trade in wild lions and lion products – hunting has no adverse effect on the conservation status of lions in South Africa. Available and suitable natural habitat is the only limiting factor.
The working group has been informed of a study to determine if captive-bred lions contribute the conservation of lion. The study has not been completed yet. A communication strategy to inform the public about the status of lion conservation in South Africa and the implications of the trade in lion bone, will be implemented as well.
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for the Environment requested the department to reconsider the future of captive-bred lion activities and the lion bone trade. The export quota for lion bones has been suspended until the minister’s high-level panel can make recommendations to government on the conservation and utilisation of lion, rhinoceros, elephant, and leopard. The Manager Conservation serves on the high-level panel.
Our VP Conservation has made an interesting comparison on the distribution of lion vs blue wildebeest, which indicates that the commercial value of game species and the ability to estimate the value through hunting, determine the distribution and population size. View the information here.
- Magazines
We already informed members that our two magazines will only publish eight editions each annually. The hand delivery of magazines in cities seem much more reliable that the Post Office.
SA Hunter and Magnum are also available as digital magazines. Contact Michel Schoeman at (012) 8089300 or michel@sahunt.co.za with any queries about the magazines.
- Compliments for SA Hunters
Occasionally we receive message about the conduct of our members. It was very pleasing to receive the following message from an experienced professional hunter:
“I had the pleasure of hunting with a group of SA Hunters members who impressed me with their ethics, preparedness for the hunt in terms of equipment and physical fitness. All game was taken in fair chase on a walk and stalk basis. These hunters have convinced me that our hunting heritage is in safe hands and that this is the true face of our hunters in South Africa. These hunters have broken the mould of the stereotypical biltong hunters of the past.”
Thank you to our members for their good conduct.
- Dedicated Status 2020
We still receive queries from members about maintaining dedicated status, even after the announcement that the Board of SA Hunters agreed to leave our members’ status for 2020 unchanged.
Our members with dedicated hunter and sport shooting status will continue to qualify for the 2020 season, even if they could not participate and register activities during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Special Offers
SA Hunters have commercial relationships with several dealers that offer special discounts to our members. From time to time, suppliers have special offers that apply to members only for a limited period.
- Sale at SA Hunters Shop
SA Hunters decided to reduce the clothing stock in our shop and to change our range. Many items are on sale. Enquiries: Rene at (012) 8089300 or rene@sahunt.co.za
- Support from Toyota
Members of SA Hunters will receive DOUBLE MYBONUS POINTS when buying any new Toyota vehicle between 1 July 2020 and 31 December 2020.
Click here to inform MyBonus about your new Toyota purchase and to activate your points. Alternatively, phone 012 843 5660 and speak to Chene Fourie or Charlotte Prinsloo.
- Humansdorp Co-operative
Humansdorp Co-operative is offering the following for August: All Redding Reloading Equipment at 10% plus 5% = 15% discount. When placing the order, please remember to tell them that you are a member of SA Hunters.
- Supporting our members
Many of our members have been adversely affected by Covid-19 circumstances. Below are some opportunities from members to members. Please support them:
- Good quality, dry bushveld firewood available at reasonable price in Pretoria area. More information here.
- Covid-19 personal protection and sanitation products. Custom made masks that do not fog up your glasses, hand sanitiser, no contact keys and other essentials. More information is available here.
- Game meat recipe book: Members qualify for R50 discount per copy. Ouma Leonè de Lange gives R50 discount and donates R50 to SA Hunters for every recipe book sold on https://www.ouma-se-wildsboek.co.za Use the “SAHUNT” promotion code when placing your order. This recipe book is perfect for the hunter, includes 220 recipes to make around the camp-fire, with conversion tables for weights and oven temperatures, and the velocity of several calibres.
Repeat messages
- Hunting Affairs
Archers Rock Safaris sponsors hunting opportunity
Archers Rock Safaris offered a hunting opportunity to the value of R50 000 that members can win with a lottery ticket of R50. The hunting package is available for either rifle, bow or a combination of both. It includes:
One kudu bull up to 52 inch, one blue wildebeest bull up to 29 inches, two impala rams up to 22 inches, and one warthog with up to 12 inch tusks; free accommodation in five star lodge for two hunters or one hunter and one guest for four nights and five hunting days; and a free spa treatment. All meals, transport, cool room facilities and guides are included.
Archers Rock Safaris agreed to postpone this hunting opportunity to next year. Anyone that bought a ticket already will still stand the chance to win, while others have more chance to buy tickets.
There is still a chance for more people to buy their tickets for this prize. Read more about Archers Rock Safaris hunting opportunity here. We thank Archers Rock for moving this hunting opportunity to next year. With the restrictions on hunting from 28 July, it would not have been possible to use this opportunity now.
To stand a chance to win this prize:
- Transfer R50 or multiple amounts of R50 (for more chances to win) electronically to the bank account of SA Hunters at ABSA, account number 01443990077.
- Use your mobile phone number and Archers as reference.
Entries close on 30 March 2021.
Direct any queries to Boetie Kirchner at boetiek@sahunt.co.za
This hunt will be available from June to August 2021
- Membership
Recruit members for commission
The Board agreed that a member or a branch that recruits ten or more members per year, can earn commission of between R100 to R150 per member. More information is available here.
SA Hunters distributed membership application forms at various dealers. Any member that wish to receive the same material, can enquire with Dorothy Ras by dorothy@sahunt.co.za
Members that have extra time on their hands, are encouraged to phone friends and acquaintances and invite them to become members.
- Ivory Project
The Doctari ivory knife project is back on track after we fell behind with orders and deliveries. This project entails the production of knives with ivory handles from the Nico van Rooyen ivory stock. Only 150 knives will be made. Place your order as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. 100 knives have already been ordered.
Transfer R5 500 in the bank account of SA Hunters at Absa, account number 01443990077; branch code 632005. Use Knife and your mobile number as reference. Please send the proof of payment to admin@sahunt.co.za
- Memorial publication
The lockdown also delayed the printing of our book, but we finally received and dispatched the first batch of orders. It is an excellent book. Although Father’s Day has come and gone, it will still make a welcome gift.
The book is in A4 format and available in two versions: one with an ordinary cover at R300 per copy, and a luxury version bound in buffalo leather at R1000 a copy of which only 100 copies will be available.
To order your copy:
- Transfer the correct amount (R300 for the ordinary version or R1 000 for leather bound version) in SA Hunters’ bank account at Absa, account number 01443990077.
- Use your member number and Book as reference. Check that you enter your member number correctly to ensure that we can process your order.
- Buck Knives
There are only 240 items left in this limited series of 500 Buck knives at R1 000 each. These knives have ivory inlays on the handle with the SA Hunters logo engraved. Transfer R1 000 by EFT into SA Hunters back account at ABSA, account number 01443990077. Use your member number and Knipmes as reference. Send proof of payment, your member number and contact details to Realda Goosen at realda@sahunt.co.za
- Commercial affairs
In November 2019, SA Hunters signed an agreement with Humansdorp Koöperasie that gives 5% discount on the regular prize of a range hunting and shooting products to members of SA Hunters. See the links below for information about the discounts.
Please note that delivery could take longer than usual.
- Visit the following websites for more information:
- humkoop.co.za
- co.za
- co.za
- Place orders telephonically or with e-mail.
- You must be a paid-up member and provide your member number to enable Humansdorp Koöperasie to check your status.
- Place your orders with Eduan du Toit, Cheryl Coetzee or Riaan Vermaak at any of the following numbers ore –mail addresses:
- Telephone numbers
- (042) 2910431
- (042) 2951501
- Telephone numbers
- iii. (042) 2951082
- E-mail addresses
Your order will be dispatched by courier or other delivery method as soon as the money has been received.
The complete list of service providers that offer special discount to members of SA Hunters, are available below. Please note that the majority of these suppliers are closed during lockdown.
- Humansdorp Koöperasie
- Toyota SA
- Westvaal Nelspruit
- Wildman Hunting and Outdoor
- Hokaai Slaghuis
- Die Wildshoekie Vleismark
- LAVA Vakuumverpakking
- Selftrack
- MAINSU Kragopwekkers
- Cens Digital Gehoorbeskerming
- Uitlaatstelle van De Graaf Autosentrum in Van der Hoffweg Pretoria
- Helle-messe
- Nitecore Flitse
- Fitch and Leedes
- Otterskloof
- Cassie Nienaber – Ladingontwikkeling en Herlaai
- Archers Rock Safaris
- Dovetail Wooden Boxes
Click here for more information about any of the above-mentioned benefits.
- Photography Competition
SA Hunters’ annual photo competition will go ahead in 2020. The purpose of the competition is to compile a portfolio of the best photographs that our members have taken during the year. We will upload the photographs on our website and use it in presentations and advertisements at events such as the gala evening of our annual congress.
At the end of each month, we will choose photographs to add to our portfolio and publish them on www.cw.co.za Gold, silver and bronze certificates will be awarded to the best photographs.
Our sponsor donated a new camera for the winner of the best photograph. The prize will be handed over to the winner during the our next congress gala evening. We are also trying to obtain more prizes for different categories.
Finalists for July are here on our website. Look out for August’s finalists which will be posted shortly after the end of the month.
Our categories for the 2020 competition are:
- Our Heritage. Any landscape, plant, or animal life (including birds and insects) that represents our country and neighbouring countries natural heritage.
- Hunting field. Photos depicting people or animals’ hunting experiences and actions. Please remember that this category does not include photos of hunted animals. Send those photos to the magazine’s Bokspog.
- Man in Nature. Any photos where people interact with nature.
Read here how to enter.
Kind regards
Fred Camphor
SA Hunters: CEO
