Newsletters

NHSA NEWSLETTER

VOL. 16 (00) - xx-xx-2020

 COVID-19 LEVEL 4 LOCKDOWN

GOVERNMENT APROVED PROCEDURES AND MINIMUM DOCUMENTATION NEEDED RE HARVESTING OF GAME

Dear Member,

With diligent work over the past weekend (25 & 26 April) by members of the Hunting and Wildlife Associations of South Africa (HAWASA), a proposal was set forward to the relevant government departments to manage harvesting of game through hunting on game farms/ranches during the different levels of lockdown.

In conjunction with the proposed Regulation adaptations, two documents were also suggested to be in possession of the hunter when s/he travels to and from the hunting destination (Download Annexure B - Declaration by Hunter and Annexure C - Transport of Venison Permit bottom of this Newsletter).

The following HAWASA suggestions were approved by the relevant government departments for inclusion into the Regulations regarding the National Disaster Management Regulations in terms of managing the spread of the Covid-19 virus:

Clause A. 1: 

The harvesting of wildlife through hunting will be conducted in line with the restrictions of movement of persons and goods as per THE NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS as amended from time to time.

The necessary health and safety measures must be adhered to as per Annexure A, and hunters must be in possession of the necessary permit as per Annexure B and a signed declaration as per Annexure C.

Annexure A:

HEALTH & SAFETY MEASURES FOR THE PURPOSE OF HUNTING: LEVEL 4

1.    Hunting will be allowed in line with the restrictions of movement of persons and goods as published in THE NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS as amended from time to time.

2.    TRAVELING TO GAME FARMS / HUNTING DESTINATIONS:

2.1    Hunters must be in possession of a confirmation permit from the game farm / concession authority where the hunt will take place, clearly indicating the hunter’s point of departure and the game farm’s address and coordinates. (see Annexure B below)

3.    CERTIFICATION AND DECLARATION:

      A hunter must be in possession of an identity document and a declaration confirming the following:

3.1    That the purpose of the hunt is for harvesting of game. (see Annexure B below)

3.2    That the hunter does not show any symptoms and, to his/her knowledge, have not been into contact with a person infected with the virus. (see Annexure B below)

3.3    That the hunter will abide to all the necessary regulatory requirements including a hunting confirmation permit. (see Annexure B & C below)

3.4    That the hunter will abide by the health and safety measures put into place by the management of the game farm where the hunt will take place. (see Annexure B below)

4.    ON-FARM HEALTH, SAFETY & TRACEABILITY:

      The management of the game farm will:

4.1   Temperature screen all persons entering the game farm;

4.2   Keep a register of all persons entering the hunting area;

4.3   Ensure that the required hygiene measures are into place, e.g.:
        -   washing of hands
        -   wearing of masks
        -   social distance

4.4   Ensure a temporary facility for isolation is available, should someone show any of the known symptoms of COVID-19;

4.5   Display posters in the facilities, regarding hygiene protocol and the procedure to be followed, should a person be placed in temporary isolation for the period until the person has been tested and moved to an official place of isolation;

4.6   All those engaged in the specific hunt must remain within the confines of the hunting destination/property for the duration of the hunt, not commuting elsewhere unnecessarily whatsoever;

4.7   The necessary health and safety measures will be in place for all staff and hunters e.g. the wearing of face masks in common areas and using hand sanitizers;

4.8   Disinfect facilities before new hunters are being allowed on the game farm.

5.    RETURN TRIP:

5.1   A letter from the game farm management, allowing meat, carcasses or parts thereof to be taken home or to a processing facility as the case may be. (see Annexure C below)

Members are seriously requested to please not compromise adherence to the Travelling Regulations related to Level 4. 

If one individual transgresses these hard fought for Regulation adaptations by all in the hunting sector in order to try and protect at least some of the annual income of game farm / ranch owners, we can well get into a situation where government closes down on any travel, even within provinces, for any form of hunting.

Please do not be the cause of such a situation.

DOWNLOAD ANNEXURE B

DOWNLOAD ANNEXURE C

Kind Regards

Natshoot Office

All Members informed of the posting of this Newsletter via Email on xx-xx-2020