SA Hunting Poised For Growth

Arthur Rudman, veteran game rancher and member of the Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa and Wildlife Ranching South Africa, speaks to Roelof Bezuidenhout about the future of the hunting industry in this country and across the continent.

WHAT IS THE STATE OF TROPHY HUNTING IN AFRICA?

Now that game ranching has stabilised and auction prices have dropped to acceptable levels, hunting in South Africa is set to gain ground. In contrast, in African countries to the north, where most land is owned by the state, game numbers are declining and hunting concessions and hunting have become expensive. Further, unpredictable government policies have caused havoc in the international hunting world, to such an extent that some concession holders in Tanzania have cancelled contracts.

Even those South African outfitters and their professional hunters who have traditionally purchased hunting concessions in other African countries are now encountering resistance from hunters because of the greater availability and affordability of game in South Africa. So, despite South Africa’s red tape and the negative (and false) publicity around so-called canned hunting, we’re still a preferred destination.

Clearly, the lesson for Africa is that the key to successful game ranching and hunting is privatisation, where minimum poaching and corruption occur and financial returns encourage landowners to build their herds. Namibia is increasingly following South Africa’s game ranching model, which now offers up to 50 species and subspecies and attracts, in addition to the serious hunter, first-time hunters, partners and children.

The larger the hunting ranches and the wider the selection of animals, the more popular they are. Of course, many countries

offer game and bird hunting and fishing. Hunters have many choices, but the countries must be tourist-friendly.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE AMERICAN HUNTERS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE INDUSTRY IN AFRICA?