Table of contents for Huntinamibia 2024 (English) in Huntinamibia

Dear Reader, I spent my childhood weekends running wild in a beautiful corner of the Namibian bushland. The bush is more than just a place to me: it’s a feeling, a connection to the land that runs deep within my soul. I can still recall the sensation of a Swarthaak thorn catching on my jersey, the warmth of red sand between my toes. And then, there it is – the sight of a kudu cow, with her magnificent round ears and mesmerising long-lashed eyes, peering at me through the thicket. In an instant she disappears, darting off with her family, vanishing back into the wilderness. All that remains is the soft coo of a Mourning Dove perched in a shepherd’s tree nearby. This wilderness, this sanctuary, is familiar to so…

- Namibia’s conservation success story The sustainable use of wildlife, especially trophy hunting, has played a critical role in the development of communal conservancies. Prior to 1998, there were only four hunting concessions operating on Namibia’s communal lands, with none of these concessions providing meaningful engagement with or benefits to resident communities. Today there are 46 trophy-hunting concessions operating on communal lands, with the conservancies being empowered as both the benefactor and custodian of these hunting concessions.…

When reminiscing about our childhood days in Namibia, we fondly remember witnessing majestic kudu bulls gracefully leaping across the roads or proudly surveying the hills nearby. However, over the years, these awe-inspiring sightings have become increasingly scarce. The furniture in old farmhouses, crafted from the horns of these magnificent animals, serves as a constant reminder of their grandeur and the prevailing sentiment that "you don't see them that big these days anymore." Such comments are not uncommon, especially while looking through the old hunting record books on the farms. Non-trophy hunters lament that "the good genes are all taken to hang on a wall somewhere". It is evident that conservation is crucial to sustainably utilise Namibia’s wildlife and preserve its beauty for future generations. Recognising this, the Namibia Professional Hunting…

This may not apply to all areas where this species occurs as springbok are distributed over large tracts of Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, and the terrain differs considerably, but it certainly applies to the barren open country of southern and western Namibia. The springbok is my favourite game animal – for a few days of springbok hunting at the edge of the Namib Desert I postpone everything else. So much so, that if I would have to stop hunting except for one species, I would choose springbok. Now, while springbok certainly are not endangered, it has become apparent in a dramatic way to me that springbok country true to my heart’s desire – meaning vistas of endlessly far horizons in unspoiled, unfenced landscape – is disappearing. When the Tsiseb…

Personally, I have a different take on this: not an individual animal or species is what gives value and reason to hunting, but nature as a whole. And pristine nature at that. Conservation cannot merely be justified and defined by a headcount of the number of game animals present at a place. Conservation must look at the health of nature and the originality – for lack of a better word – of nature, how each species has its place in a habitat and plays its role in the life cycle of an ecosystem. Hunting – and the financials that inadvertently come with it – should be about the experience, about experiencing nature in all its layers. From a very early stage in my career I personally had difficulty to “hunt…

“For us the horns are worthless, for poachers they are millions of dollars. Only trophy hunting adds value to the horns.”– Pohamba Shifeta Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism One of the pilots has spotted a black rhino (Diceros bicornis bicornis) and alerts the teams over the radio. Soon the rhino is down in the thick thorny bush and everybody has to walk quite a distance to get to the young female. Within twenty minutes the rhino is dehorned by Environment Minister Pohamba Shifeta, DNA samples are taken, any small wounds treated, the horns and off-cuts sealed in a plastic bag in the presence of a police officer, the animal measured and marked. Everybody gets back into the vehicles and helicopters, the veterinarian injects an antidote and a few minutes…

Dear Friends and Fellow Conservationists, I am delighted to once again extend my warmest greetings to the avid hunters, wildlife enthusiasts, and conservationists who have gathered here within the pages of Huntinamibia magazine. Hunting in Namibia holds a unique place in our nation’s heritage and in the hearts of many. It is an activity that not only allows us to connect with the stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife that make Namibia exceptional but also plays a crucial role in the intricate tapestry of conservation, sustainable land use, and rural livelihoods. Throughout our history, Namibians have displayed a remarkable commitment to the preservation of our natural treasures. The modern conservation paradigm that defines our nation today was born from a deep understanding of the inextricable link between hunting and conservation. It…

Throughout human history there has been an unbending pattern of parents, or other mentors, raising the next generation of hunters: teaching and equipping the young for the moment when they themselves would become hunters as well. The act of hunting is an extremely complex thing that not only requires a high level of skill and knowledge but, more importantly, also a deep sense of respect for nature and an understanding of the impact of one’s actions. These are things that my father learnt on his own hunting journey, and they are the reason why the task of raising me and my sister to become hunters was something that he did not take lightly. Being born into an environment of hunting and raised by a passionate hunter set me on a…

The issue is ripe with fear in Africa because of the implications such a move would have for conservation on the continent. Currently eight out of the top 10 countries engaged in large mammal conservation use trophy hunting as an important component of their efforts. It is because of trophy hunting that many governments, landowners and local communities today choose to keep land as wildlife habitat rather than converting it to agricultural land. It is also why they choose to invest in anti-poaching measures and why they tolerate dangerous wildlife on their doorstep. The removal of these three incentive pillars would likely topple conservation in many parts of Africa. Let us take a closer look at how trophy hunting supports these incentives for nature conservation. WILDLIFE HABITAT VERSUS AGRICULTURAL LAND…

The landscape of the Namibian bushveld is like a grand theatre: an expansive, sun-baked stage where dramas of life and survival unfold. My greatest dream as an avid hunter is to one day fell a stately old kudu bull. With weekends frequently spent out in the Namibian wilderness hunting for mostly subsistence, the dream is fuelled by the beauty of nature and being surrounded by the rugged bush. After each successful hunt my subconscious mind is fuelled further and the dream becomes vivid in my slumbers. The pursuit of an elusive old kudu bull known as the Grey Ghost. From first light the bushveld seems to pulsate with life. The mighty camel thorn trees stand sentinel in the morning haze, while the delicate twitter of birds echoes through the vast…

I grew up hunting. Since I was one year old we spent months on end in the big game hunting concessions of my father, surrounding Khaudum National Park. It was a simple life from a basic tented camp giving me and my siblings one of the most carefree childhoods imaginable and something that nowadays belongs to times gone by. For as long as I can think I have been interested in hunting. As a child I would always play hunting games with my San companions, dragging imaginary elephants back to camp by their trunk. For my 5th birthday I got a Daisy Gun and from there onwards I could actually hunt for something real. My first successful hunt was on a highly protected crimson-breasted shrike. My father was not happy…

In the realm of environmental conservation, there are individuals whose unwavering dedication and fearless spirit set them apart from the rest. Muyemburuko Max Kangwaka, a true force to be reckoned with, has been awarded the esteemed title of NAPHA’s Conservationist of the Year for his tireless efforts to protect nature and advocate for the rights of affected communities. Despite facing immense pressure from various entities, including regional councils, judicial authorities, and the powerful ReCon Africa, Max has remained steadfast in his pursuit of transparency and justice. Born on February 2, 1984, in the Kavango East Region’s Levayi Village, Max Kangwaka’s passion for conservation bloomed early in his life. He attended Levayi combined school, later transferring to Shamangonwa Combined School for his tenth grade. The seeds of his environmental advocacy were…

During a preparatory Executive Meeting for our AGM the theme Resilience immediately came to my mind. An easy but relevant subject, I thought. Easy to talk about because of the hardship that we as professional hunters and stakeholders in the tourism industry had to endure in the recent past: consecutive years of drought and declining game numbers, which took its toll in 2019, followed by the COVID pandemic causing a perfect storm. Easy to talk about as a Namibian who knows to adapt all the time to make a living from the Land of the Brave and provide for his family… but actually not quite so easy as there is no solution to fit all sizes. Resilience was indeed the theme of the 48th Annual General Meeting. It reminded me…

Daybreak finds my hunter and I sitting close to a camel thorn wood fire, for the morning air is chilly after the night’s rain. It is the end of March in Namibia and the coolness is a welcome surprise, caressing us in the eerie stillness enveloping the camp. The sound of the crackling fire is the only reminder of the present, as our thoughts are lingering on the previous day, and no word is spoken between us. It is slightly disturbing. It is fitting. There are some things in this world which defy conventional description, where language and words fall short of recounting experiences or the complex emotions behind them. Africa offers little middle ground; landscapes that demand huge acceptance, to the extent that one would lose oneself, willingly and…

Wildlife population management through hunting plays an integral role in conservation in the Namibian context for several reasons: 1. Sustainable Utilisation: Namibia follows a conservation model known as community-based natural resource management (CBNRM), where local communities have ownership rights and are involved in wildlife management decisions. By allowing hunting as a form of sustainable utilisation, Namibia has created incentives for communities to conserve and protect wildlife populations on their lands. The revenue generated from wellregulated hunting activities provides economic benefits to these communities, making conservation a viable and attractive option. 2. Habitat Conservation: Hunting can be used as a tool to manage wildlife populations and maintain a healthy balance between species and their habitats. By selectively targeting specific animals, such as older males or surplus individuals, hunting helps prevent overpopulation and reduces…

As I neared my high school graduation in Namibia, I told my dad that my bucket list hunt before heading off to university in the U.S. was for a mountain zebra. Ironically, this had also been my older sister’s graduation wish a few years earlier. The story of my own zebra hunt actually began with hers. In the scorching heat of late October my sister Haley, guided by my dad, and I set out on foot in the granite hills of northwestern Namibia with the goal of getting within reasonable rifle range of a big, free-range mountain zebra stallion. After two days, many miles walked and many failed stalks, we finally got to within 150 yards of a small herd of zebras resting on top of a granite koppie (small…

Just after midday we arrived at Elandpro Safaris, where the Breedt family of farm Mooilaagte greeted us with their kindness and hospitality. Some boerewors was prepared on the fire for lunch, and then we were ready for the shooting range to ensure the rifles were adjusted before venturing into the bush. My dad and I both shot at the 100m target with the .375 H&H that we would be carrying into the veld with us, and everything was on point. Now we knew that success was only up to us. Before it got too late in the afternoon we wanted to see if we could find any fresh tracks that we would be able to follow. After some driving, Gerrit and Ben, the tracker, assessed various tracks and we set…

It was the first time I hosted hunters on the farm after taking over the business from my parents in 1995. I had guided hunters before, for others and for my dad, but this was the first time I had clients of my own. The group was composed of three Frenchmen. From the outset, one of them emphasised that he only practices spot-and-stalk hunting. This was a change for me as I had grown up shooting from blinds or, if necessary, from the vehicle. However, this approach to hunting resonated with me. Since it was their wish, I made it my mission to cater to their preference. We managed to successfully stalk and hunt everything they desired to kill. This was a significant turning point in my professional career and…