Inyathi Park News February 2021

Since 1 March, South Africa is on level 1 of the Covid-19 restrictions. Life as we know it, is slightly more normal, but many activities are still out of bounds.

We start with the new and important information first, followed by the regular news.

Therefore, members can get up to date with fresh news first and read other information later.

New messages

Old green licences

Discussions with SAPS continue regarding a process to replace the old green licences. Both PHASA and the collectors’ association are listed as applicants in the case. SAPS gave until mid March for the submission of proposal for consideration. We will keep members informed of further developments.

Firearm amnesty

We all know the firearms amnesty is over for now. On 16 February 2021, SAPS gave feedback to the parliamentary portfolio committee for police. The reporting was a mess with conflicting figures about the number of firearms surrendered.

As an example:

On 3 June 2020, SAPS reported that 23 647 firearms had been surrendered until 28 May 2020, during the previous amnesty. This was two days before the last day of the amnesty. On 16 February 2021, SAPS told the portfolio committee that 45 915 firearms had been surrendered during the amnesty that ended on 31 May 2020. These conflicting figures show a difference of 22 268.

Regarding the amnesty period that ended on 31 January 2021, SAPS said 80 263 firearms were surrendered, wit ha breakdown over the past six months of the amnesty as follows:

Augustus 2020	2 740
Sep-20	3 969
Oktober 2020	4 335
Nov-20	5 311
Desember 2020	6 560
Januarie 2021	57 348
Totaal	80 263

The portfolio committee questioned the Police about these figures but they were not given the opportunity to respond because these figures were deemed unreliable.

The main purpose of the amnesty was to enable individuals whose firearm licences had expired, to hand in their firearms and apply for new licences.

It is general knowledge that there were approximately 380 000 firearms with expired licences. If one accepts that 80 000 of those firearms have been surrendered during the amnesty, another 300 000 still remain in illegal possession.

Members that handed in firearms and applied for new licences will have to be patient. We do not expect these licences to be issued any time soon. A media release by the CFR said that due to Covid-19, it takes up to 120 days (6 months) to issue new licences.

Queries about issuing of firearm licences

A facility on the SAPS website make it possible to track the progress of firearm licence applications. Read the instructions here on how to use the system.

Firearm licences that expired

SA Hunters still receive queries from members and non-members who did not renew licences in time, in spite of many reminders and correspondence during the recent amnesty.

SA Hunters cannot help these individuals. They are stuck with illegal firearms that they cannot do anything with and cannot even hand it over to a dealer. The only solution is to surrender it to the SAPS for destruction, or to keep it locked up and not use it or drive around with it.

We remind members o use the online member administration system to enter detail about their firearm licence expiry dates on their personal profiles. The system will remind them in time to apply for renewal.

SA Hunters and social media

SA Hunters started a Facebook page and a Twitter account to reach more people and to market the Association. We posted information about the amnesty during January which gave us good exposure.

In March, we will post information about services provided by SA Hunters. Visit https://web.facebook.com/SAJagtersHunters (@SAJagtersHunters) and Twitter at: @SAJagters

Chat with us and share our posts with friends and members. The SA Hunters Conservation page on Facebook is well established and share information and news on conservation matters.

Shooting affairs

Precision Rifle Federation

The relationship with the South African Precision Rifle Federation (SAPRF) is progressing well. Branches and members will soon be in a position to offer their disciplines as part of our shooting activities.

Regional shooting competitions

The regional shooting competitions have started. The downgrading to level 1 of the Covid-19 restrictions allows more people at shooting ranges. André van der Merwe amended and distributed the protocols accordingly.

Some shottists have met the requirements for regional colours. Congratulations!

Somchem Propellant

The good news is that Rheinmetall Denel has started with the production of propellant after its plant in the Western Cape had been refurbished. Read here when the different types of propellent will be available again.

The 2019 SA Hunters Browning National Shotgun Championship

The 2019 SA Hunters Browning National Shotgun Championship will be held on Saturday at the Wattle Spring shooting range. It will be great fun to break some clays.

This year is the first time that this regional competition is held in 13 regions countrywide, which means that SA Hunters will be awarding both regional and national colours in shotgun shooting.

To qualify for regional colours, a shootist must achieve at least 85% in one competition at regional level. To receive SA Hunters national shotgun colours, a shottist that already qualified at regional level, must also score 85% at the national shotgun championship in September.. Shottists are only invited to the National Shotgun Championship if they participated in at least one regional shotgun competition and are among the top 150 shottists on the ranking list. Consult the national shooting calendar for opportunities to participate in your region.

Hunting Affairs

The next hunting season is approaching and the various provincial departments are preparing their hunting proclamations for 2021.The Northern Cape already indicated its proclamation will remain unchanged/ Access it here.

Conservation

In February, our conservation activities focused on the production of a documentary on SA Hunters conservation work. The documentary will showcase SA hunters as a leader in responsible hunting and conservation, sport shooting, and firearm ownership. This is a joint initiative by SA Hunters and The Conservation Imperative, that aim to demonstrate the positive contribution towards sustainable use (and hunting) makes towards conservation.

Visit SA Hunters Conservation Facebook page for an update on the filming of the documentary.

Resignations

It is common knowledge that Carl Arnold resigned as President of S Hunters. The VP shooting affairs also resigned as a board member.

The Board appointed a commission of enquiry to investigate the reasons for these resignations. Further communication and information will be conveyed to Branches and members as the Board deemed necessary.

Enquiries at SA Hunters office

SA Hunters receive may e-mails and telephone queries. We do not wish to treat our members as numbers, but it is helpful when members can provide their membership numbers when making an enquiry. It allows us to find the member profile quickly among the 43 000 other members. Please help us by quoting your member number when making an enquiry.

Renewal of Competency

Although the Firearms Control Act and its regulations determine that competency expires with the last licence of a particular firearm (Section 13 Self-defence. Section Art 15 Occasional hunting and Sport Shooting and Section 16 Dedicated hunter and sport shooter) the SAPS adopted a practical approach regarding the lapse and renewal of competency.

Section 13 (Handgun or shotgun for self defence) expires 5 years after competency was issued.

Section 15 and 16 (Any firearm licenced for occasional hunting or sport shooting and any firearm licensed for dedicated hunting and sport shooting) competency expires ten years after it was issued.

Please apply in time to renew your competency. Remember that when applying for any licence or renewal of a licence, it is essential to be in possession of a valid competency certificate for the firearm licence that you apply for.

Cal us for assistance. Keep in mind that not all police stations are consistent in applying the same rules regarding the renewal of competency.

Photographic Competition

The Association has introduced a new adjudication process for the SA Hunters Photography Competition. Judges will assess the photographs according to the themes for the relevant year and provide constructive feedback on a score sheet to the photographer to encourage members to improve their skills.

Certificates are awarded as follows: 60-74% Bronze, 75 – 89% Silver, 90-100% Gold.

See instructions to enter and the rules here.

Photography workshops

The Association plans to offer photography workshops at branch and regional level to members wishing to improve their knowledge and skills. Training will be provided at 3 levels: beginner, advanced and master photographer. Participants will receive attendance certificates.

To help us with the planning and implementation of the workshops, we request all members and branches interested in these workshops, to send their detail (name and surname, region and branch, contact numbers, skill level) to sahuntphoto@gmail.com

13. Special Offers

SA Hunters negotiated special discounts for its members with various dealerships. Some of these deals are only available for a certain time.

Media 24 Products

Media 24 offers a special deal to members to receive the complete product range of electronic news at the cost of only R75 per month. Read more here.

Adventure Afrika Magazine

Most outdoor, travel and camping publications did not survive the Covid-19 restrictions or had to rein in their operations drastically. Two entrepreneurs took the brave step to enter this market segment with a new magazine, Adventure Afrika. The regular subscription is R430 for twelve editions. They are offering it to SA Hunters at only R350 for 12 editions. Read more here.

Adventure Africa is a new, exciting, and diverse 4×4, camping, overlanding and lifestyle magazine. Currently in its fifth edition, it is filled with adventures and trips criss-crossing the country and continent. Subscribe until end of March and stand a chance to win a getaway for two to Mapesu Private Game Reserve, near Mapungubwe. Subscription for 12 months is R430 but discounted to R350 for members! Send an email to mary@4x4afrika.com to find out more (use SAH/Subs in subject line).

Doctari Knives

The Doctari knife project with its ivory handle and logo has resumed. The ivory is from the Nico van Rooyen trophy stock. Place your order as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. There are only 50 knives available.

Pay R5 500 in SA Hunters bank account no 01443990077; branch code 632005, and use the reference Mes and your mobile number. Send proof of payment to admin@sahunt.co.za

Memorial publication

The memorial publication is now available to order in two options:

The book is in A4 format and available with an ordinary cover at R300 per copy, or 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 220 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

Sale at SA Hunters’ Shop

SA Hunters decided to reduce the clothing stock in its store and to change its product range. Various items are available at discounted prices. Enquiries: Rene at (012) 8089300 of rene@sahunt.co.za

Humansdorp Koöperasie

During March 2021 Humansdorp Kooperasie offers bulk ammunition to branches at special prices. Place your order through the branch to benefit from the special price.

The special offers available are:

Lapua .22 ammunition in SK, SK Standard Plus and SK Magazine

9 mm Par ammunition in Sellier en Bellot, ZVS en Winchester

7,62X51 (308 Win) FMJ – surplus ammo is available at reasonable prices.

Support to members

Many of our members have been adversely affected by Covid-19 circumstances. Below are some opportunities from members to members. Please support them:

Retha van der Walt and two other co-authors published a new book on Fungi and Lichens of the Limpopo Province. This book is based on Retha’s research on wild fungi en lichen that are found in the Limpopo province. It is difficult to believe that more new species are discovered regularly. Some of these species are well known in other parts of the world but discovered in the Limpopo Province and Limpopo Valley for the first time recently. Albeit a scientific publication, it provides interesting reading. The regular price is R380 plus postage. Retha offers 10% discount to members of SA Hunters, which means the book is available at R342 plus postage. Read here for more detail.
Good quality, dry bushveld firewood available at reasonable price in Pretoria area. More information 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.
Frikkie Bouwer, one of our older members, has ammunition, points and shells in the following calibres available: 30 06 Sprg, 308 Win, 30-30, 7X57mm. Read here for more information.

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 2021. 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

SA Hunters has 42 683 members. Our membership is increasing again to reach 43 000.

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 wants to receive the same material, can enquire with Dorothy Ras by dorothy@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:
1. humkoop.co.za
2. co.za
3. 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 or e-mail addresses:
1. Telephone numbers
  1. (042) 2910431
  2. (042) 2951501