Huntinamibia - NAPHA Info - The Namibia Professional Hunting Association Trophy Medals
Selective hunting is conservation
In the area of conservation, Namibia is one of the leading countries in Africa. The number of animals has doubled since the 1960s. Seventy to eighty per cent of all wild animals in Namibia are found on private land – this is credited largely to the trophy-hunting industry.
The Namibia Professional Hunting Asso¬ciation (NAPHA) wants to ensure that all hunting clients coming to Namibia have an exceptional experience. We therefore encourage you, the hunting client, to hunt only with registered NAPHA members. NAPHA is committed to providing the highest standards of excellence relating to every aspect of your hunting excursion. It is important for Namibians to see you leave as a happy and satisfied hunting client.
Hunting with a NAPHA member will not only ensure recourse if you are not satisfied with your hunt. You will also be supporting the upliftment projects that NAPHA is passionate about.
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.
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).
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 and Tourism (MET). This does not apply to conservation harvesting programmes or in cases of old age, an animal with a 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 the NAPHA medals system. The Medals The prestigious Game Fields Medal re¬¬wards 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 today 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 Fields Medal following the same procedure as for the other medals, with the condition that a trophy photo is supplied to substantiate the application.
The Gold, Silver and Bronze 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 with the Bronze medal, and trophies 5% above this minimum are honoured with the Gold 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.
Medals are available after your safari from the NAPHA office in Windhoek. Your hunting professional must supply the trophy measurements and permit number. Medals can also be purchased retroactively for trophies taken in Namibia in past years, on submitting the trophy measurements and permit number.
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 www.napha.com.na
The spectacular Kudu and Baobab portrait medals will honour the trophies you take in Namibia. These pleasing mementos of your Namibian hunting trip will remind you of those wonderful weeks spent on safari in Namibia, and will also honour the hunting area that the trophy came from.
Please ask your Hunting Professional for more information.
Hunters Support Education The initiative Hunters Support Educa¬tion is NAPHA’s latest project. Funds are invested in the education of previously disadvantaged people, specifically children. NAPHA is committed to making a difference by creating a better learning, living and supportive environment for children – our leaders of tomorrow.
NAPHA targets schools and hostels in all regions of Namibia to determine their basic needs and requirements. Required items are then purchased and presented/donated to the school officially. All funds are used strictly for the purchase of goods – no money is spent on administrative costs. NAPHA members work voluntarily on this project.
The key objectives of Hunters Support Education are as follows: • Uplifting basic educational conditions in schools and hostels; • Creating a better life and future for children; • Creating a higher standard of living and education that will be of benefit in later life; • Increasing job possibilities for school-leaving children; • Motivating teachers and staff to go the extra mile by supporting the schools with better equipment, since teachers make other careers possible; • Officially publishing/advertising the project, creating public awareness to incite other parties to become involved in similar projects, or assisting NAPHA in the drive to help the underprivileged and show what the hunting industry is doing for the community.
The project is aimed at involving hunters and hunting organisations worldwide to support NAPHA in this initiative. For every one NAPHA Medal sold, N$10.00 goes towards the project.
Donations or contributions to further the goals of this important project are highly ap¬¬preciated. NAPHA thanks the Dallas Safari Club for collaborating on the launch and for its initial and continual funding of the project.
Other current NAPHA projects: • Assistance to Government for regulating the hunting industry; • Negotiations with Government on hunting-related issues; • Education projects for previously disadvantaged people to become hunting assistants and guides; • Scientific research to determine the age of trophy animals; and • International negotiations to promote and market hunting and public awareness of Namibia. info@napha.com.na, www.napha.com.na
