Trophy Hunting in Namibia

Trophy Hunting in Namibia

Arguments for selective trophy hunting are not likely to convince animal rights activists, animal lovers an nature / environmental conservators. Nonetheless, it is confirmed that in certain African countries, for example Kenya, where hunting is banned, the game population is considerably endangered due to poaching. Certain threatened species, like Rhino, Elephant and the Grevy Zebra are close to extinction, as the presence of hunting guides and hunters is missing, and poachers just shoot anything that happens to be in way of their firearms, or they catch them in their snares. Selective trophy hunting in Namibia has contributed towards the reintroduction of indigenous species to Namibia.

Since 1994 trophy hunting in Namibia become an increasing growth. The reasons therefor are not accidental. Different measures and continuos efforts have caused this growth:

The Namibian Government has anchored the lasting use of their natural riches in the constitution. Trough that it is anyway possible to subordinate trophy hunting to the protection of the law.

NAPHA, the Namibia Professional Hunting Association, guaranties the hunting clients unforgettable African hunting experiences through ethical behaviour and professional occurrence. Many hunting visitors return with pleasure to Namibia because their first trophy hunting safari completely corresponded to their wishes. These hunters are multipliers for other hunters who also want to go on hunting vacation into Namibia.

NAPHA's professional hunters and hunting guides stand in for the basic principle of the lasting use. The long tradition of ethical trophy hunting on highest level has shown, that the use of natural game recourse is an essential factor for the protection of the Namibian stability of game species. Through successful game-management, which is based on the principle of protection by selective hunting, even decimated kind of species, which once populated parts of Namibia, were established again.

The Safari Club International (SCI), the Dallas Safari Club (DSC) and the Dortmunder "Hunt and Dog" exhibition support the NAPHA, while they offer - in particular for the NAPHA-members- the possibility to advertise for their respective hunting providers / operators through their meetings and exhibitions.

The NAPHA-Trophy Medals
Internet: http://www.napha-namibia.com

So that excluding trophies of high quality will be hunted, NAPHA developed a quality control system, by which is prevented that professional hunters and hunting guides hunt trophies, that do not correspond to the set minimum size. Namibia is one of a few countries in Africa, that practise such a form of the quality control - to the protection of a strong genetics and to the protection of the interests of hunting guests. As almost in all African countries, which offer trophy hunting, usual, the hunting guest pays for the obligatory trophy fee regardless how strong it is and in which medal class it lies.
The NAPHA medals programme was established not only to give hunting clients an award for the trophies harvested in Namibia, but as a source of revenue for NAPHA to use for the various ongoing projects important for the future of hunting. In addition 10 N$ flow into cultural and social projects for every medal which is sold. You find the measures of trophies for the classification into the respective medal class and the prices for the medals and documents in the NAPHA website see above.
The NAPHA medals measuring system is based on the Safari Club International (SCI) measuring system., that is the sum length of both horns and both circumferences at the base, with the following two exceptions:
* Warthog -only the length and circumference of the longest tusk is required;
* Elephant -the combined weight of both tusks in pounds (lbs).

Game Fields Medal
The prestigious Game Field Medal is to reward the hunting client for harvesting a gold-medal trophy of an extreme age. It is crucial for the hunters of the future that the hunters of to day preserve strong gene pools by harvesting trophies that are past their prime - thereby ensuring superior genetics for future generations. Hunting professionals apply for the Game Field Medal following the same procedure as for the other medals., with the condition that a trophy photo is supplied to substantiate the application.

NAPHA Top 10
The esteemed NAPHA Top 10 is a record of the best trophies taken over the years with both, rifle and bow. See if any of your trophies qualify at: http://www.napha-namibia.com

Black-faced Impala of the author;
NAPHA Top 10, no. 7

Gold-, Silver- and Bronze Medals
These medals, together with the appropriate certificate, are obtainable for mature trophies that qualify.
The SCI record book is the recording standard for the NAPHA medals system. Trophies making the minimum scores for entering into the record book are rewarded the Silver Medal. Trophies that are 5% below this minimum score are awarded wit the Bronze Medal, and Trophies 5% above this minimum are honoured with the Gold Medal.

To place your trophy in NAPHA's-List of Top 10
                two things have to be done:
1. The trophy has to be measured and pointed by an
      official surveyor of NAPHA.
2. A photo of the harvested trophy game species must
      be added.

Conservation Medal
Trophies that do not qualify for the above-mentioned medals because of old age or because the trophy is deformed or broken, qualify for the Conservation Medal minted in Old Silver.

The Namibian minimum measurement system is to protect hunting clients hunting in Namibia from harvesting animals below the minimum requirement, as per the Ministry of Environment an Tourism (MET). Trophies below this standard do not have to paid for by the hunting client. This does not apply to conservation harvesting programmes or in case of old age, an animal with broken horn or a sick animal, if the hunting client expressly asks for this trophy.
The Namibian minimum measurement system should, however, not be confused with NAPHA medals system.