And so, another year has come and gone. The office of SA Hunters closes on Wednesday, 11 December.
Over the past week, large parts of the country received much-needed rain for which we are very grateful. Farmers must work hard now to plant while many of us are looking forward to the holiday.
Firearms amnesty
The big news of the moment is undoubtedly the firearms amnesty announced by the Minister of Police recently. We sent out two newsletters on this matter to members during the last week.
Our advice is that members should be very cautious about this amnesty. If you wish to keep your firearm of which the licence has expired, we recommend that you do not hand in your weapon but wait to see how the situation develops. We still believe that the amnesty is illegal.
If you decide to hand in your weapon, you will have to sign a document stating that you are surrendering your firearm and that the state may destroy it.
We suspect that the intention of the amnesty is specifically for people to hand in their weapons and to then apply for new licences, but the application is likely to be refused. If that happens, you already signed away your firearm and it will be destroyed without compensation.
The NHSA confirmed today, that it applied to the High Court to have the firearms amnesty announced by the Minister of Police, recalled. SA Hunters supports the NHSA application and we trust that it would be successful. Because it is an urgent application, it will probably be dealt with on or before 17 December 2019.
Old green licences
If you have the old green licence for any of your current firearms for which you never applied for renewal in terms of the new act, then that licence remains valid.
Renewed licences that expired
If you received a new licence that has not expired, then you are technically in illegal possession of the firearm. Keep it safely locked away and do not use it, except in an emergency. Do not ride around with it in your car.
If you applied for renewal of the licence, but never received it, be extra cautious. Some members think that because they did not receive their licences, the licence had never been issued. This could be the wrong assumption. Ask your DFO to check on the SAPS system which licences are assigned to your name. Some of your members never received their licences, while the SAPS system indicate that the licences had been issued and have since expired. Do not accept that the old green licence is still valid just because you never received the new white licence.
Competency
Check if your competency is valid. In the special newsletter sent out on Friday, we advised members to apply for the renewal of their competency immediately if it is no longer valid. You will not be given a new licence if your competency is invalid. If you are uncertain about the validity of your competency, ask your DFO to check for which firearms your competency is valid.
Conservation
At the most recent meeting of the IUCN, SA Hunters became a full member of this international conservation body. The IUCN stands for the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,300 Member organisations and some 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous people organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s wellbeing.
As part of a cooperative agreement between SA Hunters and BatsAfrica, SA Hunters gave a presentation on the migration of bats (Bats on the Move – advancing our understanding of movement by Africa’s bats) at the recent Oppenheimer Simposium. SA Hunters’ branches will be able to participate in this project and contribute to the monitoring of bat distribution and migration.
Lizanne Nel and Boetie Kirchner were officially appointed as members of the National Poison Prevention Working Group (NPPWG) of government to represent members and the association in deliberations with other role-players to reduce incidents of wildlife poisoning. Incidents of wildlife poisoning are increasing throughout Africa and is often linked to illegal wildlife trade when poachers use poison to kill wildlife, which in turn often lead to the death of scavengers.
The Minister of Environmental Affairs appointed a High-Level Panel to act as an advisory committee to the Minister to review policies, legislation and practices on matters related to the management, breeding, hunting, trade and handling of elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros. The conservation manager of SA Hunters represents the interest of SA Hunters on this panel.
Government requested SA Hunters to present an introduction at the first meeting of the Amathole Biodiversity Economy Node in the East London area. SA Hunters’ model where the wildlife economy plays a leading role in the rural economic development, is being implemented in various regions in South Africa. Mornay Eyre, the Regional representative of SA Hunters in East London, will represent SA Hunters on the committee.
Hunting affairs
Although the hunting season is over for most of us, a few of our members had the privilege to hunt before the end of this year. SA Hunters managed to get hold of a buffalo cow available for hunting. Last weekend, Warrick Diesel successfully hunted the cow. We got hold of a fourth buffalo cow for members. The lucky hunter is Richard Jelley, one of our older members ( (r 71 years) will use this opportunity around 20 December. The buffalo hunts are very popular, and we will try our best to obtain similar opportunities for our members in 2020.
The wild pig permit system is well underway, and more landowners registered in November. At this stage, we have 248 registered farms and 865 permits have been issued.
South Africa had a zero leopard quota in 2019. It will be carried over to next year. Visit www.saleopardhunting.com for interesting information on determining age and gender of our spotted big cat.
Shooting affairs
SA Hunters’ shooting programme for 2020 was made public at the end of November. It includes various shooting disciplines presented at regional level. The Regional Shooting Programme, Universal Rules, Shooting exercises and competition rules are available here.
SA Hunters helped underprivileged
At its annual golf day in June, SA Hunters collected golf shirts for a charity project. Each player was asked to exchange a used golf shirt for the new one they received at the golf day. The used shirts were donated to underprivileged residents of a squatter camp in Pretoria.
Memorial book
At the Congress dinner Herman Jonker, editor of the book, gave an interesting talk about the significance of recording the history of SA Hunters. It was interesting to hear his views on historical information.
The book, which should be available early in 2020, celebrates SA Hunters’ 70th birthday. It includes interesting facts, stories and photographs from our hunting history. It deserves a place on every member’s coffee table.
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. Members that want the luxury version should order soon to avoid disappointment. A sample of the book can be viewed here and here.
To order your copy:
- Transfer the correct amount (R 300 for the ordinary version or R 1 000 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.
Branch accomplishments
We added a new section to the SA Hunters website, titled Taksuksesse/Branch Accomplishments, where we feature branch success stories. Branches can send information and suggestions for inclusion to André van der Merwe by andrevdm@sahunt.co.za. Visit here to see four feature articles that are well worth reading.
Hand delivery of SA Hunter
Members are reminded that they can choose to have their copies of the SA Hunter magazine delivered at their residential address. This method is more reliable than the postal service. We can deliver 10 000 copies of the magazine more effectively at residential addresses. Please check that your residential address is correct on the member administration system and send an e-mail to admin@sahunt.co.za
Anyone that experiences problems with the hand delivery service, can report it to admin@sahunt.co.za and explain the problem. We will ask Media24 to attend to it.
SA Hunter shooting opportunities in 2020
Our magazine, SA Hunter will present two special shooting events in 2020. These include:
- A special shotgun shoot at the Wattle Springs shooting range on 22 February 2020, sponsored by Inyathi Sporting Supplies. Entries are open now.
- A gong shoot at Jan Staal du Toit’s shooting range between Ermelo and Amersfoort on 9 May 2020, sponsored by Safari Outdoor. Excellent prizes can be won.
More information about these two events are available here.
SA Hunters celebrates 70 years
We already told members about the various projects to celebrate SA Hunters’ 70th birthday
Jewellery
There are still a few jewellery items left in the range designed and manufactured by Maryna de Klerk of M2 Jewellers. Photographs of the items are available here.
Anyone interested in purchasing jewellery items that feature ivory from the Nico van Rooyen collection, can phone Realda Goosen at (012) 808 9300. Please quote the number of the item you are interested in purchasing. All sales are concluded on the first order and payment received.
Knives
There is a lively interest in the limited series of 500 knives with ivory inlays at R1000 each. These Buck pocket-knives also feature the SA Hunters logo.
Make an EFT of R1 000 in SA Hunters bank account at ABSA, account number 01443990077. Use your member number and Knipmes as reference. Send proof of payment together with your member number and contact details to Realda Goosen at realda@sahunt.co.za She will contact you.
Membership
The membership of SA Hunters is stable at 42 029 fully paid up members on 1 December 2019, after blocking members that failed to pay their fees. We hope to get most of these members back.
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.
The Board also decided to appoint agents to recruit new members for the Association. If you are aware of anyone that is not a member of SA Hunters and that travels regularly, and that might be interested in recruiting members, ask them to send their contact details, residential address, the areas in which they travel, and the opportunities that they might have to recruit members for commission, to fredc@sahunt.co.za
Dedicated status
From our 16 884 dedicated hunters, 2 721 members did not register sufficient activities to retain their status. The names of these members whose dedicated status expired, will be reported to the Central Firearms Register in 2020.
From the 11 430 dedicated sports shooters, 1 812 members did not register sufficient activities to retain their status. The names of these members whose dedicated status expired, will be reported to the Central Firearms Register in 2020.
Some members sent their activity information by e-mail. We experienced problems with our 3-mail system earlier this year. It is possible that some of this information did not reach us. Please visit your profile on the member administration system on the website to see if the data is correct.
Ivory knife 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. 64 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
Travelling with firearms
Members going on holiday must make sure that their firearms are safely locked away in their gun safes. The key to the safe should not be left behind at the house. When travelling with hanguns, be extra careful. Do not store the firearm under the car seat when you stop somewhere to eat or rest. A motor vehicle is not a safe place to store a firearm. Keep it in a holster on you or in a backpack that you keep with you at all times.
Commercial business
Special discount for members of SA Hunters
A new agreement with Humansdorp Koöperasie came into effect on 1 November 2019, which offers unique opportunities to our members.
The opening offer of 10% discount on Zastava rifles at Humansdorp Koöperasie is still valid for December 2019.This is the ideal opportunity for the that gift, To Dad, from Dad. Click here to view the range of rifles that are available under this offer.
- 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 following providers offer benefits and discounts to SA Hunters members.
- 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
See here for more information.
HuntEx
HuntEx2020 will be held from 24 to 27 April 2020. Diarise this event and make sure you do not miss this opportunity.
Christmas message from the President
Read the SA Hunters’ President’s special Christmas message here.
SA Hunters offices close
SA Hunters office closes on 11 December for the Christmas holiday. We notified members well in advance. Emergencies will still be attended to on 11 December, but we open again for business on 6 January 2020.
Today is my last day at the office for this year. I want to thank each and every member for their support, cooperation and understanding during the year.
May you and your loved one’s experience peace and joy this Christmas. Best wishes for 2020.
Kind regards
Fred Camphor
SA Hunters CEO
