Information on hunting (regulations, procedures etc) can be found at www.phasa.co.za and www.sahunters.co.za.
In the latter half of the twentieth century a new model for management of game on private land developed in South Africa. Fundamental to this model were the issues of private ownership of game animals and adequate fencing required to keep animals in the enclosure. From its humble beginnings the commercial game industry on private land in South Africa developed steadily. Many farmers converted agricultural land to game ranches, motivated by the opportunities of financial gain offered by a growing game industry. Some areas in South Africa became a patchwork of high fences and game numbers increased exponentially. In areas where certain game species no longer existed, land owners translocated animals from other areas to stock their farms. This increased not only game numbers, but also species diversity on private land.
The engine behind this whole process was the market created by hunters wishing to hunt game animals. Research has shown that as much as 60% of the total income of the commercial game industry is derived from hunting. In addition to about 200 000 local hunters, large numbers of foreign hunters visit South Africa annually. The money that hunters are willing to pay for trophies, leisure and meat drive a huge industry with a total value estimated to be in access of R7 billion. Hunting was perhaps the most important conservation development in the 20th Century and continues to be the leading contributor to conservation in this century. It is seen as a form of sustainable use that has been proven to create conservation stakeholders, to stimulate conservation incentives and generate operating revenue for conservation budgets.
Source: Adapted from a paper sent to this project by Prof Pieter van Niekerk (Nelson Mandela University and CHASA)
Find legislation affecting hunting on websites listed on this page like www.phasa.co.za and www.sahunters.co.za.
Both the national Departments of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) are significant role players in the wildlife and hunting sectors. While DALRRD leads agricultural production (including wildlife husbandry), DFFE leads environmental conservation. The latter plays a most important role with regard to resource utilisation, as demonstrated by the appointment of a panel of experts to advise on appropriate norms and standards for hunting (both professional and recreational). Other relevant departments are the Department of Tourism and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic).
North-West University (NWU) Potchefstroom Campus – https://commerce.nwu.ac.za/trees B.A, B.Com and B.Sc qualifications in tourism are offered. Game is included in the studies. Data is collected and research done order to maintain a comprehensive information system for the wildlife industry.
Visit the websites listed earlier on this page.
Also see this heading in “Wildlife Ranching”.
