Inyathi Park News March 2021

It is evident that Autumn has arrived, judging at the rate the white stinkwoods are dropping their leaves. Members are cleaning their rifles, loading ammunition and checking their scopes for the hunting season.

Structure of newsletter

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.

Old green licences

Last month, I announced that both PHASA and the collectors’ association had joined as applicants in the case regarding the old green licences. Last week, civil society organisation, SafeCitizen, which promotes responsible firearm ownership, also joined, and thereby broadened the scope of this discussion with the Police to an even wider audience.

Queries about issuing of firearm licences

We still receive comments from members and the public about the long waiting period for the issuing of firearm licences. The CFR has been inundated with applications that they cannot deal with effectively. On 15 February, the CFR issued a media statement in which the indicated that they needed at least 120 working days to process an application and issue the licence.

We recommend that applicants follow the progress of their applications on the SAPS website. Read the instructions here on how to use the system.

Firearm licences that expire

We receive many calls from members and non-members for advice on firearm licences that had expired. The most important advice is not to let it lapse in the first place, and to apply for renewal will in advance.

SA Hunters cannot help anyone whose firearm licence has expired. It means that you are in illegal possession of a firearm that you cannot use. You can’t even hand it in at a dealer. The only remedy is to surrender the firearm to SAPS for destruction. Do not use it and do not drive around with it.

We remind members to use the online member administration system on our website to enter information about your firearms and the expiry dates of the licences. The system will warn members in time when their licences are due for renewal.

Renewal of competency

Although the Firearms Control Act and its regulations determine that competency expires when the most recent licence of a particular type of firearm expires (Section 13 Self-defence. Section 15 Occasional hunting and sport shooting, and Section 16 dedicated hunter and sport shooter) SAPS has adopted the view that competency expires as follows:

Section 13 (Handgun or shotgun for self-defence) valid for 5 years

Section 15 and 16 (Any firearm licenced for occasional hunting or sport shooting and any firearm licensed for dedicated hunting and sport shooting) valid for 10 years.

Please be aware of this situation and apply for your competency in time. It is important to remember that you must be in possession of a valid competency certificate for the firearm for which you are applying for a licence.

SA Hunters and social media

Through Facebook and Twitter SA Hunters reaches a much bigger target audience to market and promote the Association.

During March and April, we provided information about services that we offer our members. Follow us and view it https://web.facebook.com/SAJagtersHunters (@SAJagtersHunters) and on Twitter at @SAJagters. Join the discussion and share with friends and members.

SA Hunters’ conservation page on Facebook is known and shares information and news about conservation activities.

Shooting affairs

Regional shooting competitions

The regional shooting competitions are doing well. The downgrading from Covid 19 restrictions to level 1, allows larger groups of shottists at the shooting ranges. Additional instructions and amended protocols for these gatherings have been distributed a while back. The shooting activities are picking up nicely.

Many shottists meet the requirements to earn regional shooting colours. Congratulations! These colours are awarded on a quarterly basis, and the first round of awards will be made at the end of Marcy 2021. Good luck to the shottists that are preparing for the National Sport Shooting Championship from 28 to 30 October.

Sport shooters that still want to qualify for the regional sport shooting colours, may participate in any of SA Hunters’ regional shooting events.

Somchem Propellant

There is good news for reloaders. Rheinmetall Denel is manufacturing propellant at its plant in the Western Cape once again. Read here when the different types of propellent will be available again

2019 SA Hunters Browning National Shotgun Shooting Championship

The 2019 SA Hunters Browning National Shotgun Shooting Competition took place at the Wattle Spring shooting range on 6 March. Thank you to the Pretoria East Branch for hosting the event.

The range design was challenging but excellent scores were achieved. Congratulations to the following winners:

Top shot

Mr André Pienaar Member 010991 (veteran) 94 clays

Senior Men

Mr M A I Mcgee Member 017240 94 clays

Ladies

Me M Oosthuyzen Member 092128 79 clays

Veterans

Mr A Pienaar Member 010991 94 clays

Super veterans

Mr VVI Pitchers Member 071625 83 clays

Juniors

Mr HD Labuschagne Member 075385 83 clays

This was the first year that the regional shotgun event was held in 14 regions countrywide. It gives members an opportunity to achieve SA Hunters’ Regional Shotgun colours and SA Hunters’ national shotgun colours. A shottist that achieves a score of 85% at a regional event qualifies for regional colours. Shottist that already achieved regional colours, can also be awarded national colours if they repeat the score of 85% at the 2021 National Shotgun Shooting Championship on 18 September 2021. Shottists are only invited to the National Shotgun Shooting Championship if they participated in at least one regional shotgun event and are among the top 150 shottists on the ranking list. Consult the national calendar for a regional event near you.

Hunting affairs

Hunting licences and permits

Members that want to hunt this season must ensure that they have the necessary licences and permits. See here for more information. Cape Nature compiled a useful guideline for the Western Cape that is available here.

Hunting reports

We remind members to complete their hunting reports online. A completed hunting report qualifies as one activity required for maintaining annual dedicated hunting status. The hunting reports will be available on the SA Hunters app by the end of April.

Hunting destinations

Owners of hunting destinations whose operations meet the practices and policies of SA Hunters, may apply for accredited hunting destinations status with SA Hunters. Contact Boetie Kirchner at boetiek@sahunt.co.za if you are interested to be added to this list.

Conservation

Nature Management Interest Group

Members are reminded of the SA Hunters’ initiative to establish an interest group for members that wish to promote conservation management practices and promote responsible hunting destinations.

The Board of SA Hunters agreed to establish such a group after a need had been identified among land-owners. A 2014 survey indicated that about 1 000 land-owners are members of the Association, managing approximately 1 million ha crop, stock and game farms that are also the natural habitat of rare species and game populations. Following further consultation with interested parties, the Association wants to provide specific services regarding the management of natural areas to such members.

The following aspects have already been identified:

Liaising with government on legislation for the management of natural areas and permits affecting the wildlife sector
Developing and contributing to strategies to serve the interests of this group with regard to promoting the management and responsible use, including hunting
Awareness of conservation initiatives among members with regard to species management i.e., vultures, girdled lizards, black-footed cat, leopards, owls, etc.
Creating a positive reputation of game ranchers and resource managers and the role that they play in socio economic development, food security, and conservation.
Developing guidelines for best practices and grading systems that would benefit landowners.
Promoting healthy interaction among members of the interest group and experts.

Land-owners and wildlife managers can register to be part of this group by making contact with Lizanne Nel at lizanne@sahunt.co.za

Resignations

The Commission of Inquiry into the reasons behind the resignations of the former President and VP Training, and the validity of the procedures that the Board had followed in this process, concluded its tasks, and made the following findings:

There was no illegitimate conduct by the Board. The Commission expressed the view that it was reassuring to note that the Board had referred its actions and correspondence for legal scrutiny to ensure that it followed proper procedure;
The two board members had resigned out of their own free will;
The matter is deemed to be concluded and not further action is required;
However, the Commission recommended certain amendments to the constitution of SA Hunters, the internal rules, and the disciplinary procedure.

The Board will consider the recommendations and make the necessary amendments.

Dedicated Status

SA Hunters has 12 349 dedicated hunters and 10 819 dedicated sport shooters that have not yet registered sufficient activities to maintain their 2021 dedicated status. Members are reminded to register their activities to prevent the cancellation of their dedicated status before the end of 2021.

Repeat messages

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.

Last month’s entries can be viewed here on our website.

Categories for the 2021 competition

Conservation in action: Photographs that illustrate conservation and community service by members and branches.
Plants and animals: Photographs of plants and animals, including landscapes, birds, reptiles, and insects. Please remember that this category does not include photographs of hunted animals.
Our cultural heritage: Photographs that demonstrate our celebration of our culture, country ,and all our people.

Photography Workshops

SA Hunters is planning photographic workshops at branches and regions to promote the development of members’ photography skills. The training will comprise three levels, i.e., novice, advanced and master photographer, or a combination of these. Certificates of attendance will be issued.

To assist us with our planning and implementation, members and branches that are interested in these workshops, are requested to send their names, region, and branch, contact number and photography skill level to sahuntphoto@gmail.com

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 Co-op

During April 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.
Oom Fanie Combrink, former co-owner of Magnum Arms in Nelspruit, has retired. He wrote a booklet, Handboek vir die Jagter, in which he shares his life experiences on hunting, designing firearms, reloading of ammunition, guns and spares, scopes, and the shape and construction of ammunition. It is an easy-to-read booklet with clear explanations of complex physics.

The booklet is available to members of SA Hunters at R170. Oom Fanie suggests that members order together or place bulk orders through their branches to reduce the cost of postage. Place your order at faniecombrink@gmail.com

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 43 543 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