Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 2 2016 i PRIVATE GAME | WILDLIFE RANCHING

Met die skryf hiervan, drie dae ná die uiters suksesvolle WRSA-konferensie en my verkiesing as WRSA-president, is ek steeds nederig oor die vertroue wat my medelede in my gestel het deur my te verkies om hierdie dinamiese vereniging die volgende twee jaar te lei. Toe ek my siening van WRSA se strategie met hulle gedeel het, het ek hulle vertel van my droom om Suid-Afrika nie net te hervestig as 'n voorkeurbestemming vir jag en wildtoerisme nie, maar om mense weer te herinner aan die romantiese hart van ons pragtige, sielvolle land. Ek besef watter verantwoordelikheid die president pos dra en erken dit is nie 'n pad wat ek alleen kan stap nie. Met al die uitdagings en geleenthede wat op ons wag, lê 'n besige en soms moeilike taak…

Wildlife Ranching magazine published a contribution by Dr John Burton in our previous edition: IVORY – a burning issue. Daniel Stiles sent a response to the article to Dr John Hanks on 13 March. Dr John Hanks requested permission to share it with the Wildlife Ranching readers, which was approved by Daniel Stiles. The contents of the letter are significant ahead of the CoP17 meeting, which will be hosted by South Africa in September 2016. Read more about the impact of rhino poaching on private rhino owners on page 27. From: Daniel Stiles Date: 13/03/2016 14:38 (GMT+02:00) Subject: Burning ivory This comment is in reference to your news item on ‘The burning ivory debate'. Please find attached a commentary I wrote after the July 2011 Kenya ivory burn. This burn…

“One of the main sources of income for game farms is hunting; it is also the economic backbone of the game industry and plays an important role in wildlife tourism.” Most wildlife tourism in South Africa takes place on private land, which is 18% of the total land suitable for agriculture in the country. One of the main sources of income for game farms is hunting; it is also the economic backbone of the game industry and plays an important role in wildlife tourism. Hunting is generally divided into two categories, namely biltong hunting (domestic market) and trophy hunting (international market). Since the first survey of biltong hunters, in 2005, six additional surveys have been conducted over a 10-year period: 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2015. A total of…

Wildlife Ranching South Africa's annual conference, exhibition and gala dinner was once again held at popular venue Sun City, from 17-20 March. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, WRSA delivered both intellectual stimulation and sparkling entertainment. A strong international contingent of non-South African speakers and guests from the USA, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe was secured. The delegates attending the conference were treated to riveting talks by speakers from as far afield as the US (Texan Charly Seale, executive director of the Exotic Wildlife Association, proved a popular invitee). The conference programme dealt with a wide variety of topics, from the economic landscape and how ranchers can make the most of social media to DNA testing for sable, challenges facing the hunting industry and game-meat as an export commodity. A fascinating panel…

Paul Joubert het nooit kon droom hulle sou eendag met die beste private wildreservaat in Namibië kon spog nie. “My familie het Erindi in 1986 gekoop. Dit was 'n beesplaas en ons droom was toerisme.” Die eerste wildkamp is in 1990 gebou en hulle het stelselmatig wild begin inbring. Paul het in daardie stadium op 'n ander plaas geboer en in 1996 het hulle vir die eerste keer op Erindi hul eie wild begin vang. Hy het hom in dieselfde jaar op Erindi gevestig en deel geword van die projek. “Ons droom was nie wildboerdery nie, maar 'n volwaardige wildtuin.” Met die oorspronklike San-grafure van olifante, leeus en ander wild wat hier op die plaas te siene is, het Paul-hulle besef daardie wilde diere moet weer teruggebring word plaas toe.…

As weather patterns change, and so-called ‘high-impact weather events' like flooding become more frequent, forecasting becomes an increasingly valuable service. Knowing when severe storms and flash flood are likely to hit can definitely assist ranchers in terms of preparedness. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has been working on ways to develop and enhance its capabilities for warnings and forecasts on the 12-hour-and-less time-frame and its radar technology is worth bragging about. Estelle de-Coning, chief scientist at SAWS, says that radar plays a vital role in detecting the kind of weather systems affecting the country, along with other ‘nowcasting' technologies that include satellite data, the lightning detection network and real-time in situ measurement of precipitation. Radar rainfall enhances tools like the flash-flood guidance system (SAFFG), which aims to minimise loss…

“The call-up technique for attracting lions fitted with satellite transmitters two years earlier is now formally in progress. I simply want to see what this pride is made up of.” Dark, dark, darkness cloaks an owl calling in the distance. A nightjar answersthewhoo-whoo with a stuttering staccato sequence of whistles. Silence follows. Only a small swish unsettles the silence. Softly, as a displaced breeze dances across the Acacia treetops. Suddenly, the night explodes into a cacophony of squeals. I fumble with the remote in my hand. Pressing ‘skip' ignites a small red light in the distance. Reindeer bleat loudly into the African night from the remote speaker. My fingers keep on toggling – the flickering red light provides the only invasion into the darkness. Eventually, a buffalo calf in distress…

“The bad press around these much-maligned canids has meant that conservationists struggle to raise their profile.” African wild dog on impala kill – they kill by disembowelling their victims, which is why they have a reputation for being cruel killers. Photo © Robby Holmwood. Scan the QR Code or visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGkyzhub3JI to watch a video published on 4 Jan 2015: Wild Dogs Hunt & Kill Pregnant Impala. Uploaded by Kruger Sightings. WARNING: VERY GRAPHIC. Ranchers are not fond of large carnivore species, for obvious reasons – nobody wants to see their cherished antelope taken out by a predator. Among ranchers, the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), also known as the ‘painted wolf', is the least popular of the large carnivore species, followed by lions, hyenas and cheetahs, according to research…

Flowering plants evolved during the time of the dinosaurs and with them came insects, from which dung beetles evolved. As their name indicates, dung beetles are associated with dung and there is clear evidence that the dung beetle population exploded with the rise of the mammal populations some 65 million years ago. Mammals eat plants and excrete their faeces, which are then used by the next food level (various insect species, including flies and dung beetles; mites, helminths and many more, even some mammals. South African game reserves and ranches have the richest fauna in the world, and where there are many species of game there are many species of dung beetles. There are about 700 species of dung beetle in South Africa and 2 000 in Africa (about 45%…

The importance of these beetles lies in their dung-burying activities. If it weren't for them, much of our land would be covered with waste and/or unpalatable grass growing next to the many dung pads. Examples to illustrate this: •75% of all dung is buried by dung beetles. • In 1930 it was estimated that dung beetles buried 40 000-50 000 tons of human faeces per day in India. • In the Kruger National Park (KNP), 10 000 elephants each produce 150kg dung a day, adding up to 1 500 tons a day – almost all this is used, buried and/or processed into beneficial ‘compost'. • In South Africa, our 13 500 000 cattle each produce 12 dung pads a day, each weighing about 3kg (equal to almost 500 000 tons…

Kry eerder 'n tweede mening voor jy val vir 'n verkoopsman se stories oor die wondere wat 'n hommeltuig vir jou wildboerdery kan beteken. Hommeltuie is wonderlike speelgoed en bied 'n uitstekende diens onder sekere omstandighede, maar hoewel die tegnologie internasionaal met rasse skrede ontwikkel, is dit nog glad nie op die standaard waar dit doelmatig teen wildstropers ingespan kan word nie. Wildlife Ranching het met Gerhard Jacobs, 'n deskundige op die gebied van hommeltuie, gesels. Gerhard, die uitvoerende hoof van Gyrolag (Gyrocopter Light Airborne Geopysics), sê hulle bied dienste in die bedryf vir vastevlerkvliegtuie, helikopters, girokopters en hommeltuie. “As dit kan vlieg, dan vlieg ons dit,” sê hy. “As 'n mens van hommels praat, praat jy van sensors. Dit is daardie toerusting wat jy onderaan die hommeltuie hang wat…

Deserving wildlife ranchers who stand out are honoured each year at Wildlife Ranching South Africa's conference – and one has to be an exceptional industry role model simply to be nominated. Judges apply stringent criteria when they select nominees; ideally, ranchers should show extraordinary competence in areas that include ranching, business, breeding, conservation, mentorship, etc. This year, for the first time, the awards were titled ‘Wildlife Rancher of the Year Southern Africa' to reflect the inclusion of a nominee from Namibia (and in future nominees from other SADC countries will be included). This year, it was seen fit to expand the geographic scope of the nominations for the awards and to include Namibia. In recent years, WRSA has given active support to Namibia in the establishment of its association and…

Jaco Engelbrecht se loopbaan in die wildbedryf het in 1994 onderaan die leer van sukses as 'n veldgids by Mabalingwenatuurreservaat begin. “Ek het myself daarna tot op die hoogste vlak van Veldgids Vlak 3 gekwalifiseer en toe aansoek gedoen vir die pos as wildlewebestuurder by Mabalingwe.” Saam met sy vrou, Lorna, het hulle hul eerste lappie grond in 2000 by Driefontein, so 35 km noordwes van Naboomspruit, gekoop. Dit was net 70 hektaar groot, maar Jaco het groot gedroom en hard gewerk om dit te bewaarheid. Vir 'n ruk lank was Jaco uit die wildbedryf. “Ek het safaris gedoen en toe ook begin om doodskiste te verkoop vir geld vir my eerste plasie.” Daar het hy die grond oor sewe jaar opgebou en sy besonderse njalaprojek van die grond af…

The life cycle of the dung beetle is obviously that of an holometabolous insect, namely: Egg: A single egg is laid by the female dung beetle in each brood ball, which will hatch seven to 10 days later. Several larval instars: A larva hatches from the egg and begins to feed on the moist dung in the brood ball. The larva goes through several moults, or instars, before it pupates. The especially finished ball (clay is plastered by the female onto the outside of the dung ball) helps keep the dung moist and cool, ensuring the emerging larva has food and is not killed by the summer heat. Pupa: During this stage, the larva metamorphoses over a period of about a month into an adult, either male or female. Those…

1. Improve the number and diversity of dung beetle species by increasing the diversity of game and other (reptile and carnivore) species on the ranch. 2. Do not drive off-road unnecessarily. 3. Do not drive over dung pads. 4. Do not plough unnecessarily. 5. Never unnecessarily use chemicals (especially acaricides, dips, insecticides and anthelmintics) in the environment or on animals. 6. Consult your vet and determine the best strategic parasite control programme that hits the parasites at their weakest or most susceptible time and minimises any collateral damage, e.g. of dung beetles. Choose products that are least detrimental to dung beetles and which carry dung beetle-friendly trademarks, e.g. Triatix, Ecomintic 50. 7. Generally choose pour-on over spray over injectable over sustained-release bolus. 8. Time the treatment so that it does…

Dieselfde middel wat ons lewens so onherroeplik verander en vergemaklik het, is deesdae weer die middelpunt van bespreking. Nie meer vanweë die omwenteling wat dit gebring het nie, maar vanweë die koste daarvan. Ons praat natuurlik hier van elektrisiteit! Om die stygende koste in perspektief te stel moet ons na 'n paar syiers kyk. Hskom se gemiddelde “Landrate”-tarief was in 533; slegs 58 sent per kW2uur. Tans en vir die res van die jaar gaan die Hskom-kli•nt U4.37 per kW2uur moet opdok. Git is 'n verhoging van 64:( oi 73( per jaar op basisjaar oor die afgelope agt jaar. En dit is di‡ verhoging, wat ongeveer agt keer meer is as die gemiddelde inÛasiekoers, wat die lewe vir verbruikers so moeilik maak. Daarteenoor is dinge ook nie maanskyn en rose…

“Excitement fills you as you know that Erindi has just over 65 000ha of open land filled with free-roaming wildlife; it is known to be one of the most amazing conservation areas on earth.” From the unexpectedly green landscape of Windhoek, the landscape starts changing just outside Okahandja, as you make your way north towards Otjiwarongo, and leaves you with a satisfying confirmation of what Namibia should look like. Semi-arid landscapes with anthills up to 3m high are seen along the surprisingly well-kept road, where you start your 40km journey on an even more surprisingly well-kept dirt road. Excitement fills you as you know that Erindi has just over 65 000ha of open land filled with free-roaming wildlife; it is known to be one of the most amazing conservation areas…

Now that you have your perfect fire going, you need to know how to braai the perfect steak – it's the one thing you really should be able to comfortably braai to perfection. There are only a few basic guidelines and once you have mastered this skill, you will have everyone licking their lips and coming back for more every time. The first step is choosing your favourite cut of meat – sirloin, rump, fillet, club, T-bone or a classic rib-eye (my personal favourite). But whichever you choose, it must be good quality meat. No matter how well you braai inferior meat, it will never turn out great – and we want perfection! Also look at how long it has been matured. Anything longer than 21 days is good, but…

At the time of writing this, three days after a hugely successful WRSA conference and being elected WRSA president, I am still humbled by the confidence my peers showed in me by electing me to lead this dynamic association for the next two years. When sharing my view of WRSA's strategy, I shared with them my dream to not only re-establish South Africa as a hunting and wildlife tourism destination of choice, but to reposition the romantic nature of our soulful and beautiful country. I realise the responsibility that comes with the position as president and I acknowledge the fact that it is not a road I can walk alone. With all the challenges and opportunities awaiting us, we have a busy and sometimes difficult task ahead of us and…

The WRSA Conference, Exhibition & Gala Dinner 2016, hosted at Sun City from 17 to 20 March, was attended by a large international contingent. WRSA has gone out of its way to invite and host game ranchers from our neighbouring countries Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia, as well as from the USA-based Exotic Wildlife Association, who sent a number of delegates. Following the success of the event, several letters have been received from delegates. The Wildlife Ranching editorial committee decided to share two letters with our WRSA members and readers. Read more about the WRSA event on page 38. Dear Peter and WRSA team Congratulations on the WRSA 10th birthday AGM, conference and gala dinner at Sun City I wish to thank and congratulate all involved in this great event; the…

“It is possible to save and review each shot sequence to analyse shooting sessions, plus share these stats on social media and chat applications.” A spotting scope is part of the vital equipment that hunters and sport shooters need to magnify or watch an object more clearly – but even spotting scopes can fall short, particularly on a hot day. Frustrated at not being able to see more than 200m beyond his target at shooting-range competitions, Regardt Ferreira decided to develop a WiFi camera that would do the job of a spotting scope, but more reliably and in all conditions. His self-contained GoCam™ is easy to use – simply place the camera in front of your target and, using the free application developed for Apple and Android devices, view the…

Wildlife Ranching Namibia (WRN) was founded in October 2014. Since its inception, it has served the wildlife industry with passion and enthusiasm. THE CURRENT COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE: President: Mike Bredenkamp Vice-President: Piet de Lange Secretary/Treasurer: Zelda von Schauroth Members: Tertius Joubert Joey Coetzee Leevi Nangandu Frik Engelbrecht Due to the value placed on game, the wildlife industry has not only restored wildlife to the land, but has also enhanced and restored the genetic quality of Namibia's wildlife. The Namibian wildlife industry has grown positively, as a result of legal trade, hunting, meat producing and eco tourism. Kenya, with similar agricultural industry, banned private ownership in 1977 – their game declined by an estimated 70%. In this light, we want to congratulate the minister and his ministry on the quick and…

Blaauwkrantz ranch has been in the Rudman family since 1936 and they began game farming long before it was an accepted practice. “Only those people who really enjoyed animals would farm with them,” Arthur says. He became involved with the East Cape Game Management Association in the 1970s – their chief remit is to conserve the natural resources of the Eastern Cape – and started to enclose certain areas of Blaauwkrantz in order to protect the kudu, which was dwindling in the area. Today, Blaauwkrantz is famous for its top-quality trophies of the East Cape kudu, now the largest herd in Africa, consisting of some 40 species and subspecies. The Rudman ranch grew from 4 300ha to 43 000ha and supports some many thousands of game animals – a far…

Barry York has been a farmer all his life, deciding to farm full-time in 1986. After losing everything in Zimbabwe, York moved to South Africa, where he and his family initially lived “in a caravan under a tree”. Barry went into hunting in order to make an income and was able to purchase a property on the Limpopo river, adjacent to Madikwe, where he went on to develop the first private game ranch in then Bophuthatswana. “Unfortunately, we were forced to leave in 2006, so we bought land in Alma, in the Thabazimbi district, in 2008,” he recalls. “This was a cattle farm, but it did not work very well. Luckily, we had a breeding herd of golden wildebeest, which we had started in 1991, and we game-fenced a portion…

Net gun capture has not been widely practised as a major form of capture in South Africa. Most of our species are gregarious and live in habitats that allow for the most popular forms of capture, which are boma and chemical capture. New Zealanders invented the original net gun, as they needed an effective method of catching mainly red deer in rugged mountainous terrain. Although New Zealanders became masters of net gun capture, in the beginning a combination of fierce competition, lack of knowledge, inferior equipment, rugged flying conditions and a lack of respect for safety caused many accidents, leading to a high loss of life. Because of this, most people have regarded net gun capture as being an extremely dangerous form of capture for both human and animal life.…

Eskom het 'n 8%-verhoging vir 2015/16 geïmplementeer en daarna aansoek gedoen vir 'n verdere 10.1% verhoging. Die feit dat NERSA dit afgekeur het, voorspel 'n dubbelsyfer-verhoging vir 2016/17 en die afsienbare toekoms daarna. Met sulke astronomiese verhogings maak dit eenvoudig vir boere sin om proaktief Eskom se impak op die lewensvatbaarheid van hul boerdery te verminder. SONKRAGSTELSELS IS LEWENSVATBAAR Eskom het reeds die eerste stap geneem om boere te help om hul afhanklikheid van Eskom te verminder. Hulle het reeds in Desember 2013 die prosesse en stelsels daargestel en goedgekeur waarvolgens boere wettiglik krag op Eskom se mediumvolt- en groter netwerke kan terugsit. Hierdie terugsit van krag staan in die omgangstaal as “bank” bekend, soos omskryf in Eskom se Beleidnommer 240-70134321. Die feit dat 'n boer deur te bank geen…

Camera: Nikon D810Lens: Nikon 400mm f2.8 & 1.4X converterFocal length (mm): 550mmISO: 800Aperture (fstop): f10Shutter speed (seconds): 1/5000Exposure compensation (EV): -1 1/3 Camera: Nikon D810Lens: Nikon 80 - 400 mm f4.5-5.6Focal length (mm): 400mmISO: 800Aperture (fstop): f10Shutter speed (seconds): 1/8000Exposure compensation (EV): -1 2/3 Camera: Nikon D810 Lens: Nikon 600mm f4.0 & 1.4x converter Focal length (mm): 850mm ISO: 1250 Aperture (fstop): f11 Shutter speed (seconds): 1/2,500 Exposure compensation (EV): -1 1/3 Camera: Nikon D4Lens: Nikon 400mm f2.8Focal length (mm): 400mmISO: 640Aperture (fstop): f10Shutter speed (seconds): 1/4000Exposure compensation (EV): -1 2/3 Digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) can seem intimidating as they come with menus, controls and many customisation options that are designed to make your photography easier. It can unfortunately make it more complicated and confusing to beginners. The easiest…

GATHER WHAT YOU NEED • An ignition source, such as a lighter or matches (firelighters make life much easier, but you won't necessarily always have some at hand). • Tinder, such as dead dry grass, leaves, plants and even newspaper – these will burn easily even with a small spark, getting your fire started. • Kindling, such as dry twigs and pieces of wood – these are more substantial and will sustain your fire. • Wood – it should be completely dry; any moisture left in the wood will make it harder to keep your fire going. NOW BUILD THE FIRE • Clear an area of about 1m in diameter. You can build a ring of stones, which will insulate your fire or dig a fire pit with a shovel. • Pile your…