Huntinamibia - NAPHA Info - HUNTING CODE OF CONDUCT
HUNTING CODE OF CONDUCT
Abide by all the Laws and Regulations governing Namibia, including those specifically pertaining to the hunting industry. Show and demonstrate respect for all Fauna and Flora, the environment and the non-hunting and hunting public. Act responsibly towards all landowners and/or holders and clients. Maintain honesty and integrity at all times. Practise the principle of Fair Chase as defined in this document. Abide by the Code of Ethics as defined in this document. Ensure weapon safety as defined by the 10 GOLDEN RULES. Promote and demonstrate responsible management practices to ensure the sustainable use of the resource base and to maintain biodiversity. Exercise professionalism at all times in all aspects of the profession. Ensure sound and ethical social, business, hunting and environmental practices at all times. Promote hunting as a recognised and sustainable form of the utilisation of renewable natural resources.
FUNDAMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Hunting 2. Environment 3. Social 4. Business
1. Hunting At all times subject yourself to uncompromising fair and ethical hunting practices as defined. Demonstrate a high degree of professionalism by: using the correct hunting methods and the correct equipment; the correct choice of adult trophy animals; ensuring full attention to safety and weapon-handling; ensuring the correct treatment of trophies; sound knowledge of the hunting areas and environment through continual learning; ensuring humane practices in the utilisation of wildlife; making every effort to follow up and track down wounded game; and ensuring that no wanton wastage of venison takes place (predator baiting allowed). 2. Environment Set a good example by: upholding environmental protection standards; promoting and partaking in responsible management practices; ensuring ecologically sustainable off take; and maintaining and ensuring the diversity of nature.
3. Social It is of the utmost importance to the Namibian hunting industry that the true value of Namibias wildlife resource is recognised by all parties.
Show respect for: different races, religions, cultures, traditions, gender and perceptions of the non-hunting public; and non-hunting tourists by avoiding exposure to hunters and vice versa in accommodation establishments or in the field.
Absolute discretion and showing exemplary manners should be displayed by: demonstrating integrity and upholding good relationships in all dealings with stakeholders; exemplary socially responsible behaviour to all concerned; and promoting community involvement and maximum benefits (labour, venison and monetary) in accordance with the Broad-Based Economic Empowerment (hereafter BBEE) principles. 4. Business At all times: provide clear and transparent terms of business by contract and any agreement; be scrupulously honest in all business dealings; only advertise and promote deliverable products on the premise of the fair-chase principles; and provide acceptable regulated products and services to clients, and ensure that the clients/hunters trophies (horns, skulls, capes and skins) are delivered in a good condition and within a reasonable time, to either shipping agent or taxidermist.
FAIR CHASE
Fair Chase by definition entails:
1. The pursuit of free wild animals, possessing the natural behavioural inclination to escape from a hunter, and be fully free to do so. 2. Wild animals are not to be hunted with an artificial light source or other similar technical equipment. A motorised or other (horse etc) modes of transport may not be used to chase the said animal. 3. No ethical hunter, while hunting, should take female animals with dependent young. 4. A wild animal should exist as a naturally interacting individual of a wild sustainable population located in an area that meets both spatial and temporal requirements of the population of which that individual is a member. 5. Wild animals should be hunted sustainably within an ecological functional system.
CODE OF ETHICAL HUNTING IN AFRICA
1. Hunting is to take place on the principle of Fair Chase as defined. 2. Abide by relevant laws, other legal requirements and recognised Code of Conducts. 3. Enhance by action, the survival of wildlife populations, protection of biodiversity and the promotion of sustainable utilisation. 4. Ensure humane practice in the utilisation of wildlife. 5. Use the correct hunting methods and equipment. 6. Engage at all times in fair and honest practices. 7. Educate others to benefit from sustainable use, conservation, correct procedures and in the ethics of hunting. 8. Recognition of the needs of indigenous rural communities relating to sustainable natural utilisation.
10 GOLDEN RULES OF WEAPON SAFETY
(Applicable to firearms and bows)
1. Treat every firearm with respect and as if it is loaded. 2. Be sure that the barrel and action of your firearm are clean of any obstruction. 3. Be conscientious of the direction in which the muzzle of your firearm is pointed. 4. Never point a firearm at anything you dont wish to shoot. 5. Be sure of the target before you shoot. 6. Never shoot a bullet at a flat hard surface or water. 7. Never climb a tree or fence, or jump a ditch with a loaded firearm. 8. Unload firearms when not in use, and store in a safe place. 9. When firearms are stored, there should be no ammunition in the action and/ or magazine. 10. Avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages prior to, or during shooting.
