Sep 7, 2020 | News, Newsletter
Q: Tell us how you came to be in Africa.
A: I am the first generation of the Engman clan to have settled in South Africa – and I arrived on an airplane.
Q: So where were you born?
A: I was born in Sweden in a little village named Dalstorp in 1969, and moved to the next door village Ljungsarp a year later, and I stayed there for the following 18 years.
Q: How did you get into hunting?
A: I pretty much grow up with hunting! Being raised in the countryside, we often had hare, deer and moose in the garden, and me being allowed to roam freely with a pellet gun from an early age, I not only kept the local bird population under control, but also honed hunting skills. My father grew up hunting as had his father before him, and so on… At the age of eight, with a 12-bore I shot my first animal, which was a hare.
Q: What made you come to South Africa?
A: As a youngster I did a lot of hunting in Sweden. Then it was put on a backburner for an extended period of time while I travelled the world as a scuba instructor. I met my wife-to-be in the Maldives in 1997, and we ended up in South Africa in 2004 because we were about to become three. We had decided to leave our watersport center in Zanzibar due to the prevalence of malaria, and instead I could actively pursue hunting again. (I had hunted in every visit to SA since 1998.)
Q: Tell how you started as a PH.
A: I did my PH course with the late Ian Goss in 2007, and did freelance hunting wherever and whenever opportunity presented. I hunted for Zululand Hunters and Shikra Safaris, where I learned through Kotie Herholdt a lot about fauna and flora.
Q: Where did you do most of your hunting?
A: From the start, most of the hunting has been split between the Mpumalanga Highveld and the Natal bushveld in South Africa. I early on realized that a range finder is a most useful tool on the Highveld – but you run the risk of spoiling the hunters only to have them ask distance as a norm, even in the bushveld, when it is obvious the animal is well within 100 meters. Once binos with integrated rangefinders became available, that problem got sorted.
Q: Where do you mostly hunt now?
A: My hunting is still primarily focused on South Africa and I hunt most of the provinces – I am slowly building on my network and plan to offer other African destinations for those who so wish. I am venturing into other African destinations, basically as a direct result of the dynamic of the clientele. To elaborate, I am a firm believer that every hunter should be able to hunt Africa. For a Scandinavian – or most other nationalities – to experience the different terrain and the multitude of species available normally ends up being a mind-boggling experience, and as a result the African bug gets firmly imbedded, and new repeat clients add their names to the list! And that is obviously great news! But eventually the need for new areas and species arrives – and we always aim to please.
Q: How do you plan your hunts?
A: When hunting with clients on their first visit, I usually do a combination hunt that starts on the Mpumalanga Highveld – open grass plains – and then move to the Natal bushveld, so that the hunter can experience vastly different terrains and different wildlife. A very common comment after the Highveld part of the hunt is, “I have seen more animals in one day of hunting in Africa than one does during a whole hunting life in my home country”, and for me that is thrilling. Add to that the variation of flora and fauna, and there are endless topics for discussion during driving and around the campfire after the actual hunt been discussed.
Q: Do you have clients wanting specific hunts?
A: I am fortunate enough to have a high level of repeat clients. Therefore I tend to hunt through “stages” with the clients, starting with the more common species and they normally last a few safaris. Thereafter comes the time for more specific target groups, either small predators, grand slams, Tiny Tens, Big Five or any other grouping that appeals to the client.
Q: What is your opinion on the game numbers in South Africa now?
A: The age-old question of then versus now! It would have been great to have experienced wild Africa before the rinderpest and all the “civilized” inventions such as roads, power lines and commercial agriculture and forestry. But one also has to acknowledge that the people of that era lacked much of the comforts we take for granted these days.
Q: What is your favorite animal to hunt?
A: I enjoy hunting as many different species as possible. I also feel a great sense of satisfaction hunting the most common species with someone hunting Africa for the first time, or to have the privilege of guiding a youngster on their very first hunt. Each animal poses its own set of challenges and they are all worth pursuing.
Q: What is the greatest satisfaction a client can get?
A: I think for all the clients, the animal that was successfully hunted at the end of several long and hard days hunting will as a memory that ranks higher than inches. And sometimes, something exceptional comes along! We once hunted a brown hyena that was then one of the top three in the world, and there are other animals that have measured well, such as blesbok, scimitar-horned oryx, nyala, and black wildebeest. As a norm all trophies are being measured for the PHASA medal program (based on SCI system), and we are normally on 80%+ qualifying for medals per annum.
Q: Any special client trophy experience?
A: There are many to choose from, each holding a memory of its own. Once I had a client successfully achieving a Springbok Grand Slam – and at the end of the day it was less than ½” difference between the four sets of horns – all qualifying for Gold. Another memorable hunt was the quest for a kudu. We had a limited period of time in the area we hunted (very good kudu country), and as we set out in the morning of the final day there was a bit apprehension noticeable in the hunter. It didn’t get better as the day progressed since I kept on passing on the bulls we spotted – even the trackers started getting a bit annoyed! We eventually found something I was happy with, and the client managed to take a magnificent old 54” inch bull, that as a parting gift departed down a steep donga! In the end we had to cut and carry the animal out – a hunt the client will never forget!
Q: How do you rate yourself as a PH?
A: I tend to get along with most walks of life, and as a general mindset have the attitude that if there is a problem with the client, it is because I have not been completely clear in communications – there are sometimes unforeseen situations that has not been cleared ahead of time, i.e. dietary, medicinal and so forth. But as a rule we part ways as friends, and normally with a plan in place for the next adventure.
I’m a jack of all trades and normally manage all challenges from medicinal to mechanical, and everything in between.
Q: What weapons do you recommend for your clients?
A: From a convenience perspective – use one of my guns! Less paperwork, less expenses, and quicker out of the airport. If you want to bring your own gun, I will be more than happy to assist with the legalities. Bring something you are comfortable with shooting – absolutely no need to buy and bring a “canon” that you are afraid of shooting.
Q: What is your weapon of choice?
A: I am currently awaiting my .416 Rigby license. I have been managing with a .375H&H up until now! I prefer heavy bullets, and with a 450-grain bullet in the .416 I still have a reasonable range. I am never the person shooting the first shot. Most of the time it is about getting a breaker in on a departing animal, hence the choice of caliber. On a charge it pretty much comes down to shot placement – unless you go really big.
Q: Any close brush with death?
A: I have pretty much managed to keep myself scratch-free up until this point in time. There have been a few charges and hair-raising experiences, but nothing worth writing about – and to be completely honest, I rank that higher than a spectacular fireside story.
Q: What do you think constitutes a good PH?
A: As previously stated, I firmly believe everybody should have the possibility to hunt Africa – there is such a variety that there will be something within everybody’s budget. Having said that, the hunt should be free and fair (and I believe that can be the fact, even in fenced areas, providing the area is big enough and there should be a good number of the specific species in the area). I firmly believe the PH’s job is to find the best trophy he can for the client and I do not prescribe to the measurement guarantees or color variations unless it is for naturally occurring species such as the various springboks and the white blesbok among others. Much of the hype, guarantees and bag sizes only result in the industry getting a bad name. We all have to make a living – but preferably not at the expense of ethics.
Q: What advice would you give a first-time hunter?
A: Be informed, and take an active part in the safari – ask questions about the country, history, flora and fauna, rather than just tag along and wait to be told when to shoot! There is so much more to the experience. Most of the time it is your – as the client – dream come true!
Q: How can hunting benefit the country?
A: There needs to be consistency and co-operation with land owners, game breeders, Government and local communities. It needs to be a value-chain for all involved to succeed.
Q: If you could choose to be any other time or place, where would it be?
A: For me, it’s anywhere where I can sit around a campfire in the evening with tired legs and look at the stars and listen to the night sounds of the African bush after another day of adventure.
*You can follow Axel on Instagram. His handle is axelengmansafaris.
Sep 7, 2020 | News
Like other African ecotourism and hunting destinations, Namibia has been devastated by the sudden and totally unforeseen collapse of both these important industries resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as the virus begins to subside, the country’s resilient and innovative people will no doubt be more than ready to pick up the momentum of wildlife conservation and management they have so successfully implemented in the 30 years since Namibia’s independence in 1990. Some recent developments are highlighted here to set the scene for the return of visitors to this most interesting destination.
The President of Namibia, Mr Hage Geingob, recently announced that stage five of the country’s lockdown exit strategy is expected to be rolled out on September 18. This involves the opening of the country’s borders and the resumption of air travel. The President was delivering the State of the Nation Address at the end of July.
To prepare for this important milestone, Namibia opened its borders on 3 August to tourists from a selected list of international markets. This will run for a trial period to 17 September, and will help determine whether travellers from certain low-risk source markets can be considered for travel to Namibia once the borders officially open.
“The modalities have been carefully negotiated and agreed upon, so as to achieve the dual objective of stimulating our tourism sector and safeguarding public health. Continuous assessments will be conducted throughout this trial, which will inform and strengthen preparations for the imminent reopening of points of entry under stage five,” said Geingob.
The Namibian Chamber of Environment (NCE) is an umbrella association that provides a forum and mouthpiece for the broader environment sector. Founded in 2016, the NCE published its first triennial report in 2019. In it, CEO Dr Chris Brown highlighted the progress made. You can read more about this inspiring initiative at www.n-c-e.org
NCE focuses on eight strategic programme areas aimed at supporting its members, thereby strengthening the environmental sector in Namibia as a whole. Members comprise over 90% of the non-governmental organisations working on environmental matters in Namibia. The Namibian Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) is a full member of the NCE. Its website is at http://www.napha-namibia.com.
A key mandate of the NCE is to provide appropriate support for members’ conservation endeavours. Practical support includes the provision of office and boardroom space, a Cessna 182 aircraft, and assistance with research applications. Conceptual support has been through providing communications platforms for members involved in research and conservation by organising three national symposia and one international conference. Informative support includes expanding the Environmental Information Service online database, and establishing the peer-reviewed, open-access Namibian Journal of the Environment.
With a view to the future, NCE has provided support for young Namibians who want to become involved in the environmental sector. The Bursaries and Internship programmes have proven especially popular and competitive, and 35 students and 13 interns were selected during 2018-2019 from a pool of 153 candidates. Namibia is a leader in the field of community-based conservation, and you can learn more about their ground-breaking work at https://conservationtourism.com.na.
NCE is also mandated to represent the environmental sector to other sectors and stakeholders in Namibia. This includes engaging pro-actively with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, and other Ministries that affect the environment. Its advocacy function has extended to the general public – both national and international – through the NCE website, social media platforms, and a popular conservation magazine.
The latest magazine, Conservation and the Environment in Namibia 2020, is published in partnership with Venture Media and showcases work done by NCE and its members through 17 informative and beautifully illustrated articles. These cover a wide range of interesting topics from conservancies, combating wildlife crime, sustainable conservation, hunting, tourism and wildlife credits, to carnivores, giraffe conservation, endemic plants of the ‘Sperrgebiet’, environmental education and how to foster a quest for knowledge (by asking the challenging questions!). It starts on a sad but inspirational note, with a tribute to Garth Owen-Smith and his community-based conservation legacy.
You can access this magazine and read these enlightening articles at www.conservationnamibia.com, a beautifully presented website with stunning pictures. It should certainly whet your appetite to visit this fascinating country before too long. It is one of the most appealing destinations on the continent, and with motivated and inspiring people such as those associated with the Namibian Chamber of Environment, it will surely bounce back from the setbacks of Covid-19 and continue to be a leading role-model for a wildlife-based economy in Africa.
Dr John Ledger is a past Director of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, now a consultant, writer and teacher on the environment, energy and wildlife; he is a columnist for the African Hunting Gazette. He lives in Johannesburg, South Africa.
John.Ledger@wol.co.za
Sep 7, 2020 | News
Massively built, with relatively short and stocky legs, ears large and fringed with black hair. Massive black horns are variable “W” shaped in the front view and those of the bull heavier, often longer, and a heavy boss is present at base. Ears hang below horns. Adults sparsely haired and overall black in colour, younger animals brown.
African savanna buffalo bulls are one of Africa’s most sought after trophies
Distribution
Wide sub-Saharan range, with the West African race extending from Senegal to central Cameroon, Central African race in southern Chad, CAR, extreme northern Congo DR and Sudan. Southern savanna across East Africa and much of central and southern Africa. Some of the biggest trophies come out of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
African savanna buffalo bulls fighting
Typical horn form of Greater Addo bull
Conservation standing
West African about 20,000, with the largest numbers in Senegal, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Benin and Cameroon. Central African numbers some 60,000 with most in Congo DR and the CAR. Most abundant is southern savanna with at least 550,000 animals. Animals free of diseases such as bovine tuberculosis are sold for very high prices in South Africa.
Habitats
Open woodland savanna with abundant food grasses and access to water for drinking and wallowing. In some areas it utilises mountain forest but feeds in glades.
Behaviour
Sometimes forms into large herds numbering in the thousands. Most herds small and 50 to a few hundred strong. Large herds split into smaller groups, rejoining main body later. Small bachelor herds often encountered, as are solitary bulls. Within herds, of mixed sex and age, adult bulls maintain a dominance hierarchy. Cows also establish a hierarchical system amongst themselves. Herds occupy clearly defined home ranges, which rarely overlap. Most feeding takes place at night, but this may be extended on cool, overcast days. They usually drink in the early morning and late afternoon, lying up in the shade during the heat of the day.
Food
Grass makes up much of their food, showing a preference for grasses that grow in dense swards.
African savanna buffalo cows have lighter horns than the bulls
Buffalo frequently wallow in water and mud
Sep 3, 2020 | News
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in northern Namibia back in 1973, in the town of Tsumeb, though I spent my early years on a cattle ranch just east of Etosha National Park. Later on we lived in town because of the high security risk in the middle of the infamous Angolan bush war. My dad was a cattle rancher for 23 years until 1982, when he decided the risk of the war was not worth it anymore, so for a while we moved to South Africa.
Q: Tell us all about your family
A: I was fortunate to have met Magdel in 2010 who instantly became a huge asset to our business with her enthusiastic and innovative hardworking attitude. Having also grown up on a ranch, she was the perfect match in both worlds, with a great love for the African bush and its wildlife. We have two beautiful kids, Josh (almost 5) and Nina (almost 2). Kind of a late start, I know, but mostly due to my many bachelor years spent hunting in the African bush.
Q: What led you to become a professional hunter?
A: My dad was an avid hunter, and since we did not have power on the ranches back in those days (except for a rather huge generator which only ran for an hour or two at night) we spent a lot of our time as kids wandering around in the bush exploring and, of course, learning from our fathers. My dad’s oldest brother was our neighbor, so we visited back and forth all the time, always with a rifle in hand, very often on foot between the homesteads.
My dad was 14 years old when his father passed away; he had to leave school at the time to run the family ranch south of Etosha. At that young age he killed his first cattle-raiding lion, all by himself, though he went out on his first lion hunt on horseback when he was only eight years old. Such was life in those days. Ranchers had to protect their cattle as that was their only livelihood. Of course, with this background, my dad’s love for hunting automatically just spilled over to me and my brother, Pieter. We have been hunting for as long as we can remember. Once that love for nature and the outdoors is imbedded in you, nobody but the dear Lord can take it away. It’s a God-given privilege, and there is just no other way to get in touch with nature, than through hunting. I only learnt more about the professional side of hunting during my ‘varsity years, and was fortunate enough to have known a former nature conservation official who also started outfitting, who then guided me in the right direction.
I became a PH in 1994 and got my first outfitter’s license in 1997. At the 1999 SCI Convention I was the youngest African outfitter on the floor in Reno. In the meantime, we have had the privilege of having built a proud reputation and also won the Dallas Safari Club Outfitter of the Year award in 2008.
Q: Which countries have you hunted, and where are you hunting these days?
A: I first started out in South Africa, got licensed in numerous provinces initially, then ventured into Zimbabwe with mixed successes. At the end of 1996 I ended up in Kenya on a culling expedition in northern Samburuland – an amazing experience, and ever since then East Africa was in my blood. I became involved in Tanzania in 2000 where I still spend most of my days on hunting safaris, going on 20 years now. Just a beautiful country. We added Cameroon to our list of destinations some 10 years ago and now enjoy entertaining our clients up there annually in both the savanna and the forest
Now I mostly hunt in Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa and some in Cameroon. South Africa also adds to our operation through the huge variety of plains game available, especially a must for the collectors. However, I always tell everybody, if you do not want to be disappointed in your first (or any) African experience, then Tanzania is awaiting you. This is unspoiled nature at its best, paired with dangerous-game hunting at its best. I’ve been hunting in Tanzania since 2000, uninterrupted, and there is just nothing on earth that can beat this adrenalin-rushing experience on a daily basis. It makes you feel alive every day, and every day has a new challenge. We pride ourselves on focusing mainly on totally free-range hunting and, if not possible, on huge chunks of privately-owned land in the applicable countries. The great part of it is that the different seasons in these different destinations works out well for us. We moved back to Namibia in 2012, where we cater mostly for the plains-game market, with some elephant hunts offered up in northern Namibia. I am now also hunting there fulltime, mostly up in the old Caprivi (now called Zambezi Region), generally focusing on dangerous game. I have hunted Botswana as well – truly an elephant hunter’s paradise.
Q: If you could return to any time or place in Africa, where would it be?
A: I think I would have loved to explore Africa, and more specifically East Africa, with the likes of FC Selous and the white hunters out of Nairobi during that time.
Q: Which guns and ammo are you using to back-up on dangerous or wounded game?
A: Currently, my Chapuis .470 NE with 500-gr solids is my favorite. If Chapuis would make a .500 NE I would jump right on it, but since they don’t, I had to settle for the .470 – I just fell in love with the gun some 15 years ago – it can write its own stories…J There are certainly quite a few popular and great brands out there, but Chapuis just fitted me well in all aspects, and a very important one was the standard beavertail front end / forearm so I don’t naturally cover the rear sights when I grab the rifle. It is just a well-balanced rifle and I just don’t miss with it.
Q: What are your recommendations on guns and ammo – for dangerous game and for plains game?
A: I have always been a big .375 H&H fan when it comes to client recommendations, purely because it’s such a versatile rifle and handles much easier than anything else out there, on average. It is important for clients to have confidence in themselves when shooting big calibers – if they have confidence in themselves it is easier to have confidence in the rifle. One of my clients nicknamed his Sako .375 he bought back in the ‘80s, “Irene”. I promise you, she is deadly accurate! The .458 Lott is also up there, and then when clients want to go for double rifles, it then becomes a personal choice for them, but from a management point of view I’ll recommend them to get a .470 NE.
Q: What is your favorite animal to hunt and why?
A: Elephant – just intriguing, challenging, all together awesome to hunt while understanding that the money involved truly contributes big time to conservation and protection of wildlife habitat.
Q: Looking back, which was your greatest trophy?
A: That’s a tough one, there are so many of them. Just recently I got a splendid 62” kudu bull, but one among many that always come to mind is a magnificent, perfect, almost 47” Cape buffalo we hunted in western Tanzania, after the client had taken an awesome 42-incher on the first day of the hunt.
Q: What was your closest brush with death? Looking back: anything you should have done differently?
A: In 2010 I got hit by a leopard which I ended up shooting in the chest with my .470 NE at point blank. He still got me on the arm, and as we went down I literally hit him with my fist as hard as I could on the ear… It worked. He ran off and died 15 yards from me, from the 500-gr bullet through his heart. Under the circumstances not much could have been done differently. The interesting thing was that there were five or six PHs who got hit by cats that year, mostly leopard – and everyone’s name started with a “J”.
Q: How has the hunting industry changed over the years, and the hunting clients themselves?
A: Well, over the last 25 years we have certainly experienced a lot of changes, some positive, some negative. Unfortunately, more recently it has become much more success-driven from the clients’ perspective – instant gratification is the norm, fueled by the rapid development of technology and communications. Life has become too fast in many ways, and there are always the pros and the cons. Few people / clients have the time to smell the roses anymore – success is measured in the number of animals taken which immediately defeats the purpose of “trophy hunting / conservation hunting”. I feel that we as professionals are tasked to re-educate hunters about the ethics of hunting and how we should protect our hunting heritage in the process. Many young PHs in the industry also need to be taught that success is not measured by the number of animals you take every year and the filling of client wish lists through the so called ”put-and-take” method – that is a certain death wish for the industry. We need to totally do away with that, whether it be on game ranches in the USA, Africa or wherever. I believe there is no place for that concept in the hunting industry if we want to survive and justify hunting around the globe. Make the effort to hunt animals in their natural habitat and ranges. We need to get away from the $-driven approach in order to satisfy personal and clients’ needs and demands. It is our duty to instil in clients that ethical hunting is a conservation tool to ensure a sustainable future for the industry, wildlife, and its habitat, and it comprises many components, and the road to success starts with us and our ethics.
Q: Which qualities go into making a successful PH and/or a successful hunting company?
A: First of all: patience and passion. Respectful behavior towards all people and animals alike, complemented with hardworking ethics. Pride yourself in what you are doing and do not put the $ up as your objective. Do your job, and blessings will come your way in due time. These words from Charles T Davis always stuck with me: “To ride, to shoot straight and speak the truth, this was the law of ancient youth, old times are past, old days are done, but the law runs true, O little son!”
Q: What makes hunting with you different from others?
A: I always tell clients when hunting with us, you hunt for the experience. I am never selling a client an animal, we are selling an experience, and yes, part of that experience, of course, is having a successful hunt.
Do not get me wrong… we totally understand that part, but the difference is that not everything is based on size. We like to hunt ethically (the better the client’s ability to move around, the easier this is for us to maintain), which of course includes taking down the older male specimens which have generally done their part in nature. In most situations this will result in taking out pretty good – to sometimes very big – specimens, if that is of importance.
This is the perfect example of Conservation through Utilization. This small percentage of animals taken selectively by trophy hunters contributes in a huge way to the survival of various species and the protection of their habitat, while affording such hunters the opportunity to spent priceless time with Nature, learning every day from their experiences, enriching their lives in many ways – something the anti-hunters unfortunately will never understand from the comfort of their warm lounges in New York, or where ever that might be. We abide by the code of ethics prescribe by PHASA (Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa) which I believe is a very simple basis of respecting nature while enjoying the privilege of hunting Africa.
Q: Which qualities go into making a good safari client?
A: Everybody has different personalities and circumstances, resulting in different objectives and approaches. However, in general those clients who are best prepared, both physically and being proficient with their equipment, and who normally have the least expectations other than just wanting to have fun, just wanting to enjoy their hunting safari – they often are the luckiest folks who walk away with the big old boys – especially hunting true free-range areas. Patience is the name of the game, and when God smiles upon you when out there, be grateful!
Q: If you should suggest one thing to your hunting clients to improve their experience of their safari, what would it be?
A: Take the time to prepare yourself for your trip, it’s your time and money – maximize the opportunity, and trust your PH, especially if he is not a rookie!
Q: Based on your recent experience in the field, do you think that any species should be upgraded to Appendix i or downgraded to Appendix ii, or closed all together?
A: Not really. Of course it also differs from country to country. I think African countries / governments are pretty much on top of managing their natural resources these days – at least in the countries where we operate, the respective government departments are very serious about their task at hand, and to secure long-term sustainable income through hunting as a utilization channel. I believe they also understand the sensitivity around the industry and therefore close cooperation /consultation with stakeholders is typically the norm.
I do believe, however, that foreign governments and their wildlife departments need to respect the laws of African countries, in the sense that if an animal is legally harvested in a specific country, respect that, and allow importation. Use your energy to run your own countries and not the world. Don’t play with the livelihoods of poor people in foreign countries for the sake of your own political gain, essentially leading to your own monetary gain at the expense of many poor people in Africa who are just trying to survive and feed their families.
Q: What can the hunting industry do to contribute to the long-term conservation of Africa’s wildlife?
A: I believe most of us have already been intensely involved and committed for a long time, whether physically or financially, to secure not only our hunting heritage but also wildlife habitat, and to find harmony between human encroachment and wildlife habitats. We have also been trying to educate the uninformed about our efforts and its importance. It is a nonstop battle that intensifies every year, and I truly feel that most professionals carry the conservation of Africa’s wildlife at heart like nobody else. It’s blood, sweat and tears – this is our true success story and we won’t slow down in our efforts.
Q: Are you involved in local programs – conservation, education, anti-poaching, health services?
A: Yes – BIG TIME, both in Namibia and Tanzania. The government in Tanzania also expects and insists on us to do so. Annually we spend tens of thousands of dollars on different projects: Maintaining and stocking local dispensaries; building and maintaining schools and offices for teachers; providing meat, and uplifting socio-economic standards. We also contribute to the American Chamber of Commerce in Tanzania’s programs and fundraisers for anti-poaching, as well as similar programs in Namibia.
Q: In what ways are you affiliated with SCI?
A: Though I first became a member back in 1996, I have been a life-member for some time now. I am also a Master Measurer, and our company, Game Trackers Africa contributes big time annually with donations in order for SCI to raise the funds that are required to fight battles for hunters around the globe, to keep hunting and conservation alive. We also support a few specially selected chapters.
Q: If she had the chance, would your wife do it all over again, and what advice would she offer to any future wives of PHs?
A: There are always immense challenges in terms of relationships and marriages involving PHs, but I was fortunate that Magdel had spent a good amount of time with me in wild Africa, and she fell just as much in love with that African wilderness as I did, and therefore totally understands my passion. After thinking about it long and hard, she reckons she’d do it all over again; nothing good in life comes easy, but make sure you know what you sign up for!
And having kids they, of course, take first priority. I have had the privilege of having my four-year-old boy already experiencing an elephant hunt which of course totally opens new horizons for him. I believe that kids growing up in the bush see life from a different angle.
Q: Anyone you want to say thanks to who has played a major role in your life?
A: First, I thank our heavenly Father. I had enough close calls where I could say for sure I could feel His saving hand keeping us out of harm’s way. I am grateful for the privilege to lead a life in the outdoors, and for Magdel for her awesome support, including taking care of the business side of things… she truly keeps the wheels rolling. And of course our great complement of staff, from Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia and Cameroon – we have many loyal staff members who have been with us for a long time, some 20 years plus. That makes a huge difference!
Q: Any last words of wisdom?
A: In Capstick’s words: “… unless your passion is greater than your fear, your fear will only cripple you!”
Aug 12, 2020 | News
Last month a reader correctly told me to stay on topic as my last editorial deviated towards what we are all so sick of – so, thanks for pulling me in line. Here goes:
One has to be tough to live in the oldest desert in the world, withstanding the harshest mid-day heat, freezing night-time temperatures. And successfully surviving in such conditions, the elegantly regal animal that really typifies Africa – the gemsbok – is our chosen animal to be featured this month.
To read more, click here.
Aug 7, 2020 | News, Newsletter
Mike Birch of Hunt the Sun Safaris takes us on a trip through South Africa’s largest province.
Possibly the most underrated hunting destination in South Africa, the Northern Cape offers hunters a wide diversity of species and habitats. Being the largest province in South Africa, yet with the lowest populace, already means that you are on the right path if you yearn for open country with big skies. The Northern Cape is a vast area with large parts being arid and seemingly inhospitable. The people are hardy and genuine, untainted by modern trappings.
- Click here to see more of the Northern Cape’s people, places and wildlife.
The Kalahari is a well-known hunting destination with its red sand dunes and camel thorn trees, an area renowned for heavy-bodied springbok and herds of gemsbok. The Northern Cape, however, offers so much more than just the Kalahari. The distances in the Northern Cape are huge – many often don’t realise just how much so. To travel from Kimberley to Union’s End, the furthest northern point in the Kgalagadi Park where the Botswana, Namibia and South African borders meet is a distance of almost 1,000km (620 miles) and more than a day’s drive. Port Nolloth on our coastline is again almost 950km (590 miles) in a westerly direction.
Local fisherman in Port Nolloth
The Northern Cape contains six biomes: the Nama Karoo, Succulent Karoo, Savannah, Grassland, Fynbos and Desert Biomes. A biome is an area that is classified according to the plants and animals that live in it. Each biome can also have different ecosystems and vegetation types or groupings. Perhaps it is important to consider that in nature you seldom find distinctive lines separating biomes, and these areas are integrated with often wide transition zones. These zones are dependent on factors such as rainfall, aspect, soil substrate, and elevation. The Kalahari has been well described, and probably needs little introduction, as is the Karoo (part of the Nama Karoo biome) which is also well known. The Richtersveld, Bushmanland and remainder of the Karoo regions that make up the western part of the Northern Cape fall into either the Nama or Succulent karoo, and for the purposes of covering vegetation descriptions will not be discussed widely.
- Click here to see people of Northern Cape.
- Click here to see a typical town street in the Northern Cape.
This, however, does not mean that the areas do not have hunting. On the contrary, the greater part of the Karoo region offers incredible opportunities for hunters. Specialist hunting for scarce species such as klipspringer and the elusive grey rhebok make these areas highly sought-after. However, in this article I will concentrate on the region of Kimberley and its surrounding areas.
Kimberley is famous for it’s Big Hole mine
The area surrounding Kimberley falls largely within the Savannah and Grassland biomes, although some Karoo elements are evident. The landscape consists of wide-open grassy plains with scattered trees and scrubs. Dotted throughout the landscape are inselbergs which are locally known as kopjes. These rocky outcrops provide a unique and diverse array of flora in an otherwise flat landscape.
In areas where the substrate consists of deep red sands, the tall, characteristic camel thorn and umbrella thorn trees dominate, providing that authentic African savannah backdrop. Where the soil become shallower, the bush is denser and short, and the dwarf karroid shrubs that are present provide much-needed nutrition to the antelope.
- Click here to see a picture of a San Bushman, the original inhabitants of the area.
An interesting feature in the area includes the Northern Cape salt pans that occur as small depressions. These are ephemeral pans that only contain surface water for short periods of time, filling only after high rainfall events. They provide unique transient habitats for an array of birdlife, including the lesser and greater flamingos that form a pink wave across the desert mirage.
So what makes this area so special? Its diversity. The area is a transition zone between the Savannah, Grassland and Nama Karoo biomes, each with a number of different vegetation types, as well as having South Africa’s largest two rivers flowing through before joining to result in a huge diversity of habitat. Few places offer such marked differentiation in habitat which, of course, allows for a wide variety of species to be hunted. On a hunt you could cover areas with deep-red Kalahari sands with huge camel thorn trees, kopjes, and thick stands of the aromatic Camphor bush or Karoo – all on one property!
All these vegetation types have a grass component, and this has led to the area being well sought-after by game farmers. Diverse vegetation coupled with good soil minerals produces healthy animals.
The Kimberley region has a mixed average rainfall ranging from 350mm – 550mm, usually increasing as you head north and decreasing as you head west. The temperatures oscillate between the extremes. We have measured -10° Celsius (14° Fahrenheit) in winter, but summer days can be unbearably hot, in excess of 45° Celsius (113° Fahrenheit).
Using a koppie as a good vantage point looking over the umbrella thorn veld. Note good grass diversity
Game species that have been introduced have generally adapted extremely well. Very few species are not suited to this region, and these are mainly browsers from warmer climates. Nyala have been widely introduced and tend to struggle in the cold winter months, with high lamb mortalities. A few bushbuck have also been introduced with mixed results. These animals, as well as blue duiker, red duiker, and suni are best hunted in the coastal areas where they naturally occur. Roan and sable are common, as well as introduced species such as impala, warthog, bontebok and common reedbuck.
Indigenous game includes blesbok, springbok, eland, red hartebeest, blue wildebeest, black wildebeest, duiker, steenbok, tsessebe, Burchell’s zebra, Hartmann’s zebra, mountain reedbuck, buffalo, black rhino, white rhino, gemsbok, and ostrich. Grey rhebok and klipspringer, although not naturally occurring in the Kimberley area, are found in parts of the Northern Cape. Strictly, these will not all be indigenous to all areas of the Northern Cape – they are treated as indigenous to the province for administrative purposes and for the purposes of this article.
So if you have not yet made a trip to the Northern Cape, you should do so. The big open skies and abundant game with herds of springbok, gemsbok and other plains game often numbering in their hundreds, are a sight to see. Hospitality is typical of the platteland (rural areas) and facilities range from simple farmhouses to upmarket catered lodges. Proudly Northern Cape!
Aug 6, 2020 | News
In my July column I discussed the mysterious deaths of numbers of elephants in the Okavango Delta region of Botswana. The authorities in that country have been rather reticent about releasing any results of the tests conducted on tissue samples from the dead elephants by a number of laboratories in several different countries, which in itself seems rather strange. Meanwhile the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are having a devasting effect on people, wildlife and conservation in many parts of Africa.
On 10 July 2020, Reuters ran a story titled Botswana gets first test results on elephant deaths. It said Botswana had received test results from samples sent to Zimbabwe to determine the cause of death of hundreds of elephants but was ‘waiting for more results from South Africa next week before sharing findings with the public’.
“We have to wait for another set of results and reconcile the two to see if they are saying the same thing before we come to a definitive conclusion,” Oduetse Kaboto, a senior official in the environment and tourism ministry, said in a televised briefing. “We are hoping the second set of results will come in next week and that’s when we should be able to communicate to the public the cause of deaths.”
In the same story, it was reported that Chris Foggin, from Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, which conducted tests on elephant samples from Botswana, said only that country’s government could share the findings.
But Botswana has yet not made any official announcements regarding the test results, and on 3 August a report appeared in Science Alert, purporting that something was actually known about the cause if the elephants deaths. The article reported that preliminary tests conducted in various countries ‘have not been fully conclusive and more are being carried out’.
Botswana’s Wildlife and Parks Department boss Cyril Taolo apparently told AFP in a phone interview that “based on some of the preliminary results that we have received, we are looking at naturally-occurring toxins as the potential cause. To date we have not established the conclusion as to what is the cause of the mortality”. He explained that some bacteria can naturally produce poison, particularly in stagnant water.
However, in my July column I reported that the theory of toxins in water bodies was specifically excluded, because no other animal species in the affected areas had died near water bodies where dead elephants were found. Whatever was killing the elephants appeared to be strictly species-specific.
Botswana authorities have now reported that elephants are no longer dying in the affected parts of the country, and so the mystery continues…
Meanwhile it is no mystery that the COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating impact on African wildlife and biodiversity conservation, and that the rural people who live close to ecotourism and hunting areas are faced with dire circumstances as financial benefits from wildlife utilisation dry up.
Numerous families whose livelihoods depended on revenues from conservation and hunting activities are facing starvation, as international travel bans have killed the tourism revenue that used to flow into Africa.
Drastic times call for drastic measures, and one can but hope that African conservation agencies and managers will rise to the occasion, and ensure that sustainable subsistence hunting be allowed under strict management and reasonable quotas. Unless this is done in an orderly and sensible way, uncontrolled hunting and poaching can be expected to spread like wildlife across the continent.
Particularly in areas where local communities have worked with government conservation agencies to protect and nurture wildlife on their land or in adjacent protected areas, this is the time when they should be rewarded, not in cash this time, but in kind. The kind that you can eat and provide sustenance for your family.
Dr John Ledger is a past Director of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, a consultant and academic on energy and the environment, and a columnist for the African Hunting Gazette. He lives in Johannesburg, South Africa. John.Ledger@wol.co.za
Aug 5, 2020 | News, Newsletter
The southern oryx, or gemsbok (O. g. gazella) is a large antelope with a stocky build and a short, thick neck. Both sexes carry long, almost straight, transversely ridged, rapier-like horns with those of bull shorter and more robust. The body is greyish-fawn in colour, with black-and-white marked faces; a black stripe extends down throat and black stripe along each side separating upperparts from white underparts.
Distribution
You’ll find the gemsbok in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa with marginal populations in Angola and Zimbabwe. Hunting takes place in two of the main range states.
Conservation standing
Southern oryx has a population of >300 000.
Habitats
Dry, open country but also occupy lightly wooded, open grass savanna. Southern oryx also found in sand dune country.
Behavior
Form herds of up to 30 animals but when moving to feeding grounds, several hundred may gather temporarily. There are regional and seasonal variations in herd size and composition, mixed-sex herds, nursery herds or small bull groups. A territory-holding bull rounds up mixed or nursery herds and has sole mating rights. A bull will establish a territory when he reaches his fifth to seventh year. In southern oryx these territories average 7.6 km² (1 878 acres) to 25.7 km² (6 350 acres), whereas herd home ranges in the Kalahari average 1 430 km² (552 mi2). Bulls may hold a territory for up to three years.
Food
Mainly grazers, but will browse, take seed pods and wild fruits.
A pair of southern oryx bulls sparring at water
Southern oryx at edge of waterhole, Etosha
Aug 5, 2020 | News, Newsletter
Tell us about your family, how they originally got to Africa
My family started exploring southern Africa in the 1970s. My grandfather purchased a ranch in former South West Africa, now Namibia. My father Dietmar and my mother moved to Namibia in 1990 when I was born. They lived on a mountainous ranch in the Khomas Hochland, and after four years my parents were ranching and hunting on three ranches. Now we are living on a farm in the central Khomas Highland with a conservancy area of 174 000 hectares.
When and where were you born?
I was born on 16 October 1990 in Windhoek. Having German parents it gave me the opportunity to become a Namibian national which I am proud of.
How did you get into hunting – what was it that influenced you?
When he was hunting kudu and mountain zebra, my father would take me with him in my baby-seat.
With whom did you train, apprentice and learn from?
My father taught me the principles of fair-chase hunting. Then Isaak Songo, my father’s right-hand ranch manager, a Damara Bushman, trained me the art of walk and stalk hunting. Today, Isaak and I are still hunting together.
What was the most important thing you learned during those early years?
Definitely patience.
What did you enjoy about hunting?
To travel and to explore different areas of Africa and to get to know the people. With all guest hunters, we share the same love for the nature, the flora and fauna, and therefore we are friends.
Anything you leant about what not to do?
Become impatient
Which countries/areas have you hunted since then and for which animals?
In AfricaI hunted Namibia and Cameroon. In Europe Germany, France and Romania it was for red stag, wild boar and roebuck, and in Russia – Kamchatka – for moose and brown bear. In the USA, Montana, it was for Puma.
What led you to be there and tell us about those experiences?
This topic is ideally talked about at the campfire with a gin and tonic. What led me there was always on invitation to visit guests that had been on safari with me here in Namibia. Each time I have been welcomed at a friend’s house, someone who loved sharing their home with me.
What did you find interesting about different places?
Each country and the people themselves have their own ways of hunting and protecting their home environments.
If you could return to any time or place in Africa, where would it be?
Always to my home, the Khomas Highlands!
Which is your favorite trophy animal to hunt? And why?
Kudu hunting in the Khomas Highland. To me, the kudu bulls are one of the most majestic animals.
What is the best trophy animal one of your clients ever took?
The best kudu trophies taken were one 62” with a PH from Alaska, the second 59” a gentleman from Sweden, and 58” with a good friend from Florida. These are my top three.
Tell us about two of your most memorable hunts – without naming names
My father passed away last year and I favor all hunting memories with him.
Tell us about a disaster of a client and what you had to deal with
There is only one client that comes up in my thoughts and that’s a fellow who came with his wife. They were both a bit overweight, and the wife as always laughing when she had a glass wine or more. It all started well with a huge blue wildebeest in the salt. The next day we wounded an oryx and after a long follow-up we got a second opportunity which failed. Then we headed for a giraffe, but the client’s shooting was awful and I had to take the back-up shot to finish the hunt. He was not happy, and they both decided they would prefer to stay in the Hilton for the rest of their stay.
What are your recommendations on guns, ammo, or equipment for the first-time hunter to Africa?
For plains-game hunting I recommend the .300 WinMag or the .375 H&H
Which guns and ammo are you using to back-up on dangerous or wounded game and tell us why?
The most dangerous-game hunting my team and I do is for leopard. We are always heavily armed, from 12 gauge shotguns to the M14, the .300 Win Mag, the .458 Lott, and even the .470 NE double has joined us on these dangerous hunts.
Have you had any brushes with death?
I might be a bit boring on this one: If you carefully approach wounded game the golden rule is not to cross their sight and approach from the back. The second golden rule is always have a back-up shot ready then nothing should happen. Although if I think about brushes with death, there have been some experiences where the heart starts racing, but always kept a cool head.
If you should suggest one thing to your hunting clients to improve their safari experience, with you, or with anyone else for that matter – what would it be?
The most important thing is to be excited and to be ready for the adventure. If you have a good PH you will have the time of your life.
What can the industry do to contribute to the long-term conservation of Africa’s wildlife?
All of us who love the outdoors and the open horizons need to keep on hunting because conservation hunting is the best tool for conserving Africa’s wilderness.
What would be your ideal safari if you have one last safari?
I would have loved to go back to the Caprivi for another buffalo hunt with my father. I would never be where I am today without him.
Jul 29, 2020 | News
July independence …or not?
In line with USA’s month of Independence, it seems just about everything has lost its independence. From education, social and main stream media, our civil liberties, through to just about anything else. The only thing we truly have left that’s independent are our minds.
And even they’re attacked from every angle, every day. Retaining independence and clarity of thought is a feat all on its own. As an aside, if you have not read the book by Christopher Wiley (the brains behind Cambridge Analytica) this is an incredible and terrifying read.
