It is the end of July and we are 126 days into lockdown. In Gauteng, Covid-19 has probably reached its peak as hospitals are full and the infections are on the increase. The same seems to be the case in KZN and the Eastern Cape, while the Western Cape has fewer new infections which might indicate that the worst is over in that province.
In spite of the extended lockdown, we should remain vigilant. The spread of the Corona virus is still uncertain as it appears without warning. The disease can be very serious with devastating complications. RSA’s death toll is relatively low compared to other countries, but many people are getting seriously ill. Keep in mind that those that die of the Coronavirus, suffocate. It is a terrible way to die. Please do not make light of this disease.
- Newsletter Sections
Members have become use to the format of our monthly newsletter and that some information, such as the photo competition, is repeated. In future, we will start with the new and most important information, with the repetitive section at the end. Members with little time to read, can focus on the new stuff, and leave the rest to read later.
New Messages
- SA Hunters and Corona Virus(COVID-19) – May we hunt?
The lockdown is still at level 3. The most recent amended regulations published by the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries on 28 July 2020, state that:
- Hunting is only allowed in the province where the hunter resides
- The meat must be for own use.
- The curfew remains valid (away from your house only between 04:00 and 22:00, as amended on 30 July)
The following explicit restrictions apply:
- No travel across provincial borders to hunt
- No accommodation may be provided to any form of hunting activity
For all practical purposes, these restrictions make hunting impossible, because hunters need a day or more to travel, a few more days to hunt responsibly and to process the meat and return home. Approximately 65% of hunters live in Gauteng while most hunting opportunities are outside the province. This means that these regulations prevent people from hunting.
Please remain responsible in whatever you do and how you do it. We sent a special newsletter in this regard on 28 July 2020. We will keep you informed of any changes.
SA Hunters and other role-players requested a meeting with the Minister, and a meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, 6 August.
We also had discussions with other groups to consider court action against this unilateral decision, which in principle denies us the right to hunt. We will keep members informed of any new developments. We need to understand that any court application will take time and will not impact on the current hunting season.
- Covid-19 Loan Guarantee Scheme
The government announced easier access to the Covid-19 loan guarantee scheme that can provide relief to small business in covering their overhead costs. The scheme has been endorsed by government and the banks. The news article is available here. We are merely sharing this information as a service to members.
- SAPS’ Appeal against GOSA Court Judgement
By now it is general knowledge that the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the SAPS against the GOSA court judgement of 2018. A copy of te judgement is available here.
This judgement is a massive blow to firearm owners whose licences have expired and who did not apply for renewals in time. In principle, the SAPS may act against these firearm owners, but we believe that such steps would not happen immediately.
- New Amnesty
It has been known for a wile that the Minister of Police requested parliament to approve a new amnesty period from 1 August 2020 to 31 January 2021. We are expecting the request to be approved this week, but it might only happen next week.
We anticipate that the same terms and conditions will apply as in the previous amnesty, but there might be changes. We will inform members as soon as we have the information.
- What does the new amnesty period mean?
With the previous amnesty it was clear that they targeted firearms with expired licences that were not renewed in time. About 27 000 firearms were handed in and 10 000 people applied for new licences for the firearms that they had handed in
It is estimated that there are 450 000 firearms with expired licences for which the owners did not apply for renewal. We expect the new amnesty to target this group again. Of these firearms, 350 000 are handguns that probably had licences valid for 5 years and were kept for self-defence purposes.
If you own a firearm with a lapsed licence, we recommend that you hand it in under the amnesty conditions and apply for a new licence.
Remember the following:
- You must be competent to own a firearm. Ensure that your competency is valid and renewed as required by law.
- You must hand in your firearm under the amnesty – there is no other option.
- You must apply for a new licence for the firearm that you handed in within a certain period after handing it in.
- Ensure that the documentation for the licence application is complete and correct because it would improve your chances to obtain a licence.
- Shooting Affairs – we may shoot again
All our national shooting competitions for the year have been cancelled. The chances are slim that the national shotgun competition will proceed. There is some good news, though. The Minister of Sport and Recreation confirmed on Monday that sport shooting activities may proceed as long as all safety protocols are being met.
The Minister’s letter is available here.
The prescribed protocol is available here.
Each branch must appoint a Compliance Officer. The branch chairpersons can fulfil that role and will be held accountable to ensure that the protocols are followed to and that all other requirements are adhered to. Each branch must also appoint a Safety Officer that must ensure that all the requirements are met at the shooting event.
André van der Merwe and André van Heerden will liaise with the branch chairpersons to ensure that all the rules and protocols are implemented. Please be patient. Give the branches chance to prepare for the shooting activities according to the prescribed rules.
- Hunting Affairs: Wild Pig Permits
SA Hunters issued nearly as many permits this year as during the same period last year. Many landowners that registered their farms on our system to issue the permits, neglected to submit the signed authorisation for to our office. If you registered your farm on our system, but it has not been activated, contact Boetie Kirchner at boetie@sahunt.co.za to active the registration. It will allow you to issue the permits electronically. Follow the easy step by step instructions to register your farm to issue the transport permits here.
- Conservation
African Wildlife Forum – Forum for hunting and conservation organisations in Africa
SA Hunters, as a member of the AWCF, sent a letter to the California legislator to object to legislation (S.B. 1175) intended to ban the import of legal hunting trophies to California, USA. SA Hunters joined other organisations in a combined letter, but also sent a separate letter to the legislator to highlight the negative impact of such a law.
Conservation at branches
Two articles about separate conservation initiatives by branches are available on the website here. Members are encouraged to enter sightings of rare and shy species on their profile on the website under Animal Sightings. These sightings can make a significant contribution to document the distribution of species and assist in their conservation.
The system will be available on a mobile App in due course. Members that have any suggestions for this application, can get in touch with the Manager, Conservation at lizanne@sahunt.co.za
- Magazines
We already informed members in a special newsletter about the changes at Media24, which is the publisher of SA Hunter and ManMagnum. These changes do not severely affect our magazines, except that only eight editions per magazine will be published annually. The publication dates of the magazines until the end of 2021 are available here.
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.
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 Koöperasie
Humansdorp Koöperasie offers the following during August: 10% plus 5% = 15% discount on all Redding reload equipment.
Nightcore SA
Nightcore SA offers 15% discount on their MH40GTR torches in August.
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.
Older messages
- Membership Fees
The Board agreed not to increase membership fees for the next year.
To accommodate members, SA Hunters amended its system to ease the pressure and enable members to pay their fees in four instalments. The membership period will be extended automatically by three months after every payment.
Members may choose to receive no magazines, one magazine or two magazines on renewal of their membership. Members only pay 50% of the shelf price of magazines over and above their membership fees.
Members that choose not to receive any magazines, may pay their membership fees by monthly debit order.
- Maintaining Dedicated Status
Because the Covid-19 restrictions prevented members from participating in activities, the Board agreed to maintain the dedicated status of all members for 2020. Where possible, register any qualifying activities as usual, but we will not cancel your dedicated status for 2020.
- 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.
- 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 June are here on our website. Look out for July’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
