Celebrating sustainable hunting

This year the Namibian Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) celebrates its 50th anniversary, honouring a legacy of ethical hunting, conservation and community engagement.

Hunting has particularly positive economic impacts on communal conservancies, generating income and local jobs.

According to NAPHA president Axel Cramer, these revenues support Namibia's Vision 2030, which aims to achieve a sustainable balance between environmental conservation and economic growth.

He stressed the importance of sustainable hunting in Namibia, saying that this also means utilising what you shoot.

“The hunted meat is a great source of protein which goes to farm workers or is used as ration packs, or is donated to soup kitchens or more value is added by making biltong or droëwors, or it is donated to communities in conservancies."

According to Cramer, hunting in Namibia is strictly regulated by the government, which means you can only hunt through coordinated hunting if it occurs through a professional hunter or a hunting guide with a permit that is issued by the government.

Cramer added that hunting permits that are issued by the government for certain species are strictly monitored and are limited to a certain amount that can be hunted.

He said that sustainable hunting goes back to the fact that the ownership of wildlife rests with the farmer or with the community and the concession.

“The result is sustainability, as you can only use wildlife in such a way that you can utilise it in the future.”

Another important aspect is the age-related trophy measuring system. "This initiative aims to encourage the hunting of older, post-prime animals, supporting wildlife population management and biodiversity."

Cramer said that when you look at CITES-listed wildlife, such as elephants and rhinos, the government has further requirements. “You will have to prove as a hunter or as a professional hunter where you are hunting that species, why you are hunting it, and if there is a quota attached to it.”

He said that there are about 90 concessions in the country and hunting takes place on around 40 of these where quotas are determined.

“The environment ministry together with conservancy management does an annual wildlife count and then compiles a quota for three years. A scientific approach is followed."

However, he said that some of the species that are listed by CITES have quotes that the organisation attaches to it.

“For instance, for an elephant hunt, CITES gives Namibia a trophy quota of around 65 a year. Then the government takes this quota and looks at their concessions and how they can divide it where elephants are.”

Cramer noted that it must also be remembered that some concessions have more wildlife than others and therefore benefit more from game.

He also spoke about the environmental footprint of hunting.

"A hunting camp will not have that large of an environmental footprint as a lodge, which has large infrastructure and uses a lot of water. You do not mess as much with nature as a photographic tourist.”

Cramer said another important point is the ethical standards of a hunter.

When hunting in Namibia, Cramer said he would recommend booking a hunt with a NAPHA member, since each member has signed its Code of Conduct.

He said that the association has been at the forefront of community service and education programmes, donating to local schools and adapting training techniques to help the less educated.

The promotion of ethical behaviour towards the environment and nearby wildlife populations has made significant strides thanks to these initiatives, Cramer said.