the future – OUR FOCUS
The youth is our future. They will eventually take over the responsibilities to run the Association according to members’ needs and expectations. As hunters and nature lovers it is important that SA Hunters equips youngsters to appreciate conservation, hunting, firearms and nature.
Our children are our future. They will continue the SA Hunters’ hunting, conservation, shooting and firearm traditions which are also entrenched in our South African culture. SA Hunters offers many opportunities for juniors to participate in a variety of shooting disciplines that will develop their skills and ensure that they become responsible and safe firearms users.
One of the most important contributions that any hunter can make towards hunting, is to introduce a new hunter to responsible hunting activities. A good mentor can convey and instil sound values about hunting and the environment. A good mentor is someone that already has the skills and knowledge that a young hunter aspires to. SA Hunters has developed a junior training manual Mentorship Safari, which covers all aspects about hunting, which includes from respect for nature to utilisation of hunted wildlife. This manual comes with a detailed facilitator guide to aid the mentor in achieving all the goals.
The SAHGCA Trophy Register, which is updated annually, is a record of the measurements of horn sets, teeth, ivory, or skulls presented and measured at branches countrywide. The intention of the Trophy Register is to acknowledge the person for submitting the trophy for record purposes. It is not a competition to honour the hunter or the person that found the trophy.
We are borrowing nature from the youth. We must ensure that we empower them to continue caring for the environment by teaching them to understand the natural world and to appreciate its complexities. Therefore, it is crucial that we involve the youth in outdoor activities that will guide them towards accepting the responsibility as custodians of our natural environment for future generations.
Photography plays a fundamental role in creating awareness about the environment. It is a means of sharing what is worth protecting. We offer members – young and old – the opportunity to share their photographs, improve their skills, and to compete in the SA Hunters Amateur Photography Competition. The competition runs over a 12-month period and is open to all members of SA Hunters. The categories for youth participation are structured around conservation topics, which aim to improve their story-telling and communication skills along with a deep appreciation for our natural heritage.
It is a priority for SA Hunters to involve the youth from an early age in branch activities. Active members usually include their children in branch activities. Some branches have been successful in reaching out to youngster from their communities, even if they have no direct link to the Association. Through proper mentorship and good leadership, these youngsters can become valuable members and potential leaders of SA Hunters in the future.
