The Southern African Wildlife College now offers a two-year professional hunting course. Students will attend eighteen months at the SAWC and then proceed to a six months apprenticeship with selected hunting outfitters with a good reputation. The course content will include not only those unit standards specified by SAQA but a number of additional ones which have appeared to have been overlooked by the SGB. Preference will be given to prospective students from SADEC countries with previously and presently disadvantaged individuals who meet entry level requirements given priority. A maximum of fifteen students will be accepted and a strict pre-selection process will be implemented to choose the most promising and suitable candidates. Visit www.wildlifecollege.org.za for more info.
DEA GIVES R75 MILLION TO CURB POACHING IN SANPARKS
Department of Water and Environmental Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa, pledged R75 million over the next two years to SANParks to curb rhino poaching during her budged speech to the National Assembly on 28 May this year. The Minister also detailed the government’s views and vision on moving towards a green economy, hunting, conservation and biodiversity. The budget speech can be downloaded at the DEA website. On 3 July 2013 the Minister also held a media briefing on the Cabinet’s recent approval that South Africa prepares and submits a rhino horn trade proposal for consideration at CITES CoP 17. The event will be hosted in South Africa in 2016. For more information visit www.environment.gov.za.
BLASER BUYS JOHN RIGHBY & CO.
Gunmaker Blaser Jagdwaffen of Isny, Germany has purchased John Rigby & Co. with effect 1 March 2013. Blaser also owns J.P Sauer & Sohn and Mauser Jagdwaffen. Rigby’s production facilities will be moved from the USA to Isny and a custom shop run by Marc Newton and Patricia Pugh will be established in London. The London shop will also host all the company’s historical records. Blaser’s Mauser division will provide Rigby, London with genuine Mauser barreled actions. Production will initially focus on bolt action rifles, but plans are being drawn up to once again offer double rifles. Shotguns do not appear to form part of the present strategy. According to Blaser the new Rigby plant still has to be erected on the chosen site and production will only commence upon its completion, but it is expected within months.
NARROW US SENATE VICTORY FOR PRO GUNNERS
It is generally believed that the right to keep and bear arms of American citizens as provided for in the Constitution of the USA will be eroded if the Obama regime enters the UN Arms Trade Treaty. Senator Inhofe proposed an amendment to Section Concurrent Resolution 8 ES intended to uphold the Second Amendment rights and prevent the United States from entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty. The proposal narrowly succeeded by 53 to 46 votes and is hailed in pro-gun circles as a victory over senators prepared to compromise the Second Amendment. Even so it should be a concern to gun owners in the USA that their Constitutional Rights were so nearly compromised. To read more visit www.truthorfiction.com and the US Senate website www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS
