Inyathi Park News June 2023

5 July 2023

Dear colleague

Structure of newsletter

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

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

Buffalo hunting opportunities

We remind members of the hunting opportunity offered by SA Hunters in collaboration with SA Jagter/Hunter for a member to hunt buffalo in the Coutada-11 hunting concession in Mozambique at the end of November 2023. All costs are included. Read here for more information. Tickets cost R100 each, and you can buy as many tickets as you wish.

Pay R100 or multiples thereof in SA Hunters’ bank account by EFT. The account is with Absa, account number 01443990077; branch code 632005. Use your mobile phone number and Buffalo as reference. Send proof of payment to admin@sahunt.co.za

This hunting opportunity includes:

One trophy buffalo bull
One trophy waterbuck
One trophy reedbuck
All travel costs
All accommodation in the hunting camp for 7 nights
Taxidermy services

New messages

Shooting affairs

Responsibility for Sport Shooting at SA Hunters

The Board agreed that André van der Merwe would continue to manage all shooting affairs until the end of 2023. This excludes shotgun shooting which is the responsibility of Boetie Kirchner. Due to Nic Roets’ absence since early 2023 as a result of back surgery, the responsibility for sport shooting was given to Andre. For the sake of continuity for the rest of 2023, it was deemed wise not to change the responsibility for sport shooting management now. The status will be revised at the end of 2023 going forward to 2024.

Liesel Faurie still deals with queries from branches and support them with the administration of shooting competitions and the processing of shooting scores.

National President Shooting and Inter Branch Team Shooting Events

The regional shooting competitions in the President and Inter Branch Team Shooting events were concluded by 30 June 2023. Invitations to qualifying shottists to the two national events will be sent by 14 July 2023.

Other National Competitions

The shotgun and regional sport shooting competitions will conclude at the end of July and August 2023, respectively. The invitations will follow later.

Long Range Precision Shooting

Long range shooting is becoming increasingly popular among members. The SA Precision Rifle Federation (SAPRF) offers long range shooting, but it is an expensive sport. SAPRF and SA Hunters are collaborating in providing long range shooting opportunities for our members. SAPRF developed precision shooting exercises for regular shooting ranges where shottists can use rimfire rifles and .22 ammunition at 300m on smaller targets. .22 Ammunition is more affordable, and it is quite a challenge to hit small targets at 300m. Read more about our long-range shooting exercises for rimfire rifles here.

Lapua Group Shooting Final

The final event in the Lapua grouping shooting event is on 22 July 2023 at the Excalibur shooting range at Sandrivier 58 Branch in Welkom. Qualifying shottists already received their invitations to participate.

Conservation

Legislative and Policy Matters

SA Hunters continue to represent members and our wildlife heritage in discussions with government on legislative and policy matters. The following is feedback from the June Wildlife Forum:

NEMBA (National Environmental Management – Biodiversity Act): DFFE agreed that the current approach in NEMBA should be addressed to not overregulate. Since 2015, there was an attempt to address revision of the bill, but the High-level Panel process and the development of the Biodiversity White Paper LAB put the process on hold. The process to review NEMBA will now continue. SA Hunters hopes to contribute to a rationalised Act that will represent the interests of members better.

TOPS (Threatened or Protected Species) Regulations: The regulations were published for implementation, but then repealed after WRSA challenged minister Creecy on the public participation process. Another round of public consultation will start soon.

As a result, the “old” 2007 TOPS regulations are still applicable. SA Hunters believes that the content of the newly published TOPS regulations was an improvement, despite some areas of concern, because it would have addressed many of the challenges identified in the previous version of the regulations.

Elephant Norms and Standards: The Norms and Standards were repealed together with the TOPS regulations and the existing or “old” Elephant Norms and Standards are applicable.

Leopard Norms and Standards: The Norms and Standards were repealed together with the TOPS regulations. Currently, there are no norms and standards for leopards.

DFFE implemented a process of leopard monitoring and quota setting that will continue to guide the process of allocation of a quota for Leopard hunting. Following the court case won by the Humane Society to set aside the previous leopard quota, DFFE must incorporate aspects addressed in the legal process when determining quotas. Quotas for 2023 were determined and are awaiting approval for publication. Members will be kept informed.

The Biodiversity White Paper was published for implementation. The Comments and Response Report was circulated and several of SA Hunters’ concerns were favourably considered. Several other comments were considered and rejected, including the strong objections on the definition of “animal wellbeing”. The definition adopted was the same definition adopted in the NEMLA process without public consultation. The Comments and Response Report highlight that various other stakeholders also raised concerns on the challenges with the implementation of the current adopted definition of wellbeing, that reads as follows: The holistic circumstances and conditions of an animal or population of animals which are conducive to their physical, physiological and mental health and quality of life , including their ability to cope with their environment.

Draft Game Meat Strategy and Game Meat Regulations: DFFE is awaiting cabinet approval for the strategy. SA Hunters cautioned that the strategy can only be implemented once DALRRD has changed the Game Meat Regulations.

Voluntary Wildlife Certification Scheme: The certification scheme was developed by various role players in the sector, including SA Hunters. The report is in the process for approval, after which the first phase of testing for implementation will be launched. Various game ranchers will participate in the process. Members that are interested to participate in the testing phase can contact Lizanne at, Lizanne@sahunt.co.za.

Budget and Membership Fees

The SA Hunters’ budget for the next financial year was approved at the Board meeting in June 2023. The following decisions will impact on the finances of SA Hunters:

Membership fees increase with an average of 5% per annum or R35 for a regular member. Information on the various membership categories and fees are available here.

Congress 2023 will be a live event, and not a virtual event. The travel and accommodation costs for the congress increased dramatically, which means that there will not be a dinner. The first notice for the Congress has been sent to branch chairpersons already.

President Series Knives

We remind members of a Board decision to produce a limited series of knives to pay tribute to living former presidents of SA Hunters.

The first series of only 25 numbered knives that represent the preference of Oom Nic van der Merwe, is ready for orders. Members that order the knife can choose between handle of camel thorn wood or ivory. A photograph of the knife is available here.

Members can transfer R2 500 in the bank account of SA Hunters at Absa, account number 01443990077. Use your member number and Nicmes as reference.

Marketing of Hunting Opportunities and Firearms on Facebook

We advise members to be cautious when responding to cheap hunting opportunities offered on Facebook. We regularly receive complaints from members that they have been conned on Facebook after having paid for hunting opportunities that neither exist, or for which the hunting destination has no record of any bookings being made.

Fraudsters also advertise firearms in a similar fashion and disappear with your money.

Members should do their homework before paying for any product or service being offered. Check that it exists. Once the money has been paid, it is too late to do anything about it.

Hand delivery of magazines

The delivery of magazines (SA Hunter and Magnum) by OntheDot seems to work much better, especially in view of our dysfunctional Post Office. We call on all members to consider the hand delivery of the magazines. Please call Michel Schoeman on (012) 808 9300 if you experience any problems with delivery of the magazines.

Third party insurance

We remind members that their membership fees include third party insurance against legal liability to the value of R20 million. In 2020, a member killed a hunting companion in a shooting accident but failed to report it to the insurer. Three years later, his claim was rejected by the insurer. Members involved in accidents or incidents while hunting or during a SA Hunters’ activity must report it immediately or at least within 30 days for SA Hunters to activate any insurance compensation.

Dedicated Status

By the end of June 2023, SA Hunters had 14 399 members with dedicated hunter status of which 6 998 complied with the requirements to retain their status. Members must register at least 2 hunting related activities by the end of October 2023, to retain their status.

11 950 members have dedicated sport shooting status of which 4 323 already comply to retain their status. Sport shooters must register at least 3 sport shooting activities by the end of October to retain their status.

Support to Members

Members might want to support their fellow members:

Wild Flowers of the Limpopo Valley

Retha van der Walt’s book Wild Flowers of the Limpopo Valley – Including Mapungubwe is available once again at R350 plus postage. She is offering the book at a discount of R330 plus postage to members of SA Hunters. Order the book directly from Retha at ludwigslust@xnets.co.za. Remember to confirm your membership to qualify for the discount. Read more about the book here.

Complete Guide to Snakes of Southern Africa

The third edition of snake expert Johan Marais’ book, Complete Guide to Snakes of Southern Africa is now available in both Afrikaans and English. The regular price is R450, but Johan is offering a signed copy to members at R392 per copy, delivery included. Order directly from Fernanda at info@asiorg.co.za or 060 957 2713. More information is available here.

Repeated messages

Alternative contact telephone numbers for SA Hunters national office

Continuing load shedding in Pretoria affects our telephone system. If you cannot get through to us on 012 808 9300 try any of the following numbers:

Reception: 082 848 8547

Firearm support: 066 256 2916

Training: 082 658 6680

Finances: 082 727 5158

Hunters shop: 066 231 8185

Membership

Recruit members and earn commission

SA Hunters has 42 121 members.

Every 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 agreed that branches that succeed in resigning lapsed members, will also benefit from the commission. The branch chairpersons have more information.

SA Hunters distribute member application forms to various dealers. These forms are also available from Dorothy Els by dorothy@sahunt.co.za

Memorial publication

Only copies of the memorial books with the hard covers are still available at R300 per copy.

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.