SA Field Sport Hunting Guidelines - S A Veld / Field Sport

SA Field Sport

NATIONAL HUNTING ACTIVITY GUIDELINES

( Affective from 15 January 2018 )

All guidelines covered in this documentation will be applicable to SA Field Sport National hunting activities. It is suggested that regions apply the same guidelines in their regions

SA Field Sport Hunting Activities covers:

Rifle Hunting (Distance 10 – 400 m )
Bow Hunting (Compound bow, Crossbow & Traditional bow) (Distance 10m – 45m )
Handgun Hunting (Distance 10 – 70m )
Big Bore Air Rifle Hunting ( Licensed .357 – .50 Cal ) (Distance 10 – 70m )
Black Powder Hunting (Distance 10 – 70m )

and
Wing Shooting ( Shotgun-hunting )

A Short Summary

All antelope hunts count out of a 150 score.
On a Qualifying level, a minimum of 2 hunters, where one must be an adjudicator, can take part in a qualifying hunt.
All hunters need 2 antelope scored, from a maximum of the first 5 antelope scored per hunting season, with an average score of 93.80 for the each of the top 2 antelope on a Qualifying level. Species is not a requirement anywhere.
On Most Competent Hunter level 2 antelope out of a maximum of 3 antelope scored over 2 hunting days. Species is not a requirement anywhere.

Hunting season

All Hunting activities are from 15 January until 30 November each year No hunting will take place between 1 December and 14 January every year.

The following will always apply and in this order:

Fire Arms Act 60 of 2000 or modified
National Hunting Ordinance
Provincial Hunting Ordinance
Land Owners/Farmers Rules
SAFS National Hunting Guidelines

Content

A) Introduction to SAFS hunting

B) Hunting Guidelines

Who can be an Adjudicator
Which Specific species apply
What Method of hunting is acceptable
Score allocation earned in three (3) categories
1. Cartridges/Arrows or Bullets used
2. Shot placement
3. Horn length/mass for the competition species
4. General guidelines
Most Competent Hunter, Hunting Events
Booking a Hunting Events

C) Responsibilities of role players in a hunt

D) National Team manager during International Hunts

HUNTING

A) INTRODUCTION

SA Field Sport practises hunting as a scoring sport.

The hunters’ hunting skills and ability are tested according to strict ethical codes and under similar veld conditions. All hunts consist of an adjudicator ensuring that a number of hunters in a given area attempts within a given time to kill a predetermined species with a perfect shot. Through this, the hunter earns scores that are determined in three categories. The hunter with the highest score wins that specific hunt.

The first twelve – forty (12 – 40) hunters with the highest average scores (scoring the top 2 antelope from a maximum of the first 5 antelope scored) in the Qualifying ranking on the SA Field Sport website are eligible for participation in the next years Most Competent Hunter, Hunting Event for the applicable hunting type. These hunters will be invited by EXCO for the Most Competent Hunter, Hunting Event before 15 February each year by email and notified by SMS as well.

The first three hunters with the highest scores from 2 antelope out of a possible 3 antelope during the Most Competent Hunter, 2 day Hunting Event will receive SA Field Sport Colours.

All members are entered independently for the Most Competent Hunter, Hunting Event, members may qualify for regional colours only if they rank among the top twenty five percent (25%) of hunters participating at the Most Competent Hunter, Hunting Event in the specific hunting division.

Qualifying Hunts are arranged beforehand and the responsibility of registration to participate in a qualifying hunt lies with the participating member.

In order to host these hunts, SA Field Sport use an infrastructure comprises of the EXCO, the SA Field Sport Board, the Administrative Staff, Adjudicators and the Hunting Coordinators who make it possible for members to participate.

The Most Competent Hunter, Hunting Events should take place annually between the first weekend of May and the last weekend in August or the most suitable weekend between these weekends taking the moon into consideration.

B) GUIDELINES

1. ADJUDICATOR

The SAFS Board will nominate the adjudicators for all the SA Field Sport Most Competent Hunter, and International hunts. SA Field Sport members will then Vote for the adjudicators for the events. The Adjudicators will be appointed according to the most votes received by members.

1.1 In order to be eligible to be appointed, the aspiring adjudicator must have successfully completed the prescribed examination and practical evaluation for adjudicators of SA Field Sport, and be nominated by the Board as possible adjudicator.

1.2 The adjudicator may NOT participate in the hunt for which he is the adjudicator on a Most Competent Hunter, and International level but may participate in qualifying hunts provided all the participants to that hunt have already been placed in their camps.

1.3 The adjudicator must be trained in the measuring method as set out in the SA Records Book. Training of adjudicators will be done by EXCO board appointed Trainers.

1.4 The adjudicator must be in possession of the following items to act as the adjudicator for a specific competition:

1.4.1 Inch measuring tape of steel, marked in sixteenths of an inch.

1.4.2 Steel cable as required in the measuring course.

1.4.3 A sized scale up to 250 kg if applicable.

1.4.4 Pocket calculator

1.4.5 Pen and permanent marker

1.4.6 The prescribed adjudication form, obtainable from the SAFS website; and

1.4.7 Score Sheet processing tables as prescribed, obtainable from the SAFS website.

1.4.8 This Hunting Guidelines as downloaded from the SAFS website

1.5 The adjudicator must ensure that he is capable of suitably marking the cartridges/arrows or bullets that a hunter is allowed to take with him when participating in a hunt – permanent marker felt-tip pens or similar are suitable.

1.6 The adjudicator must thoroughly familiarise himself beforehand with the rules that the owner of the farm wishes to enforce, as well as all articles and clauses in the provincial ordinances applicable to that farm. The farm owner’s rules may not be contradictory to local provincial ordinances. These rules must be conveyed to participants of a hunt before commencement.

1.7 The adjudicator must divide the farm into hunting areas equal to the number of hunters hunting on the farm. The hunting areas are then numbered and the participants draw to determine in which area he will hunt.

1.8 No alcoholic drink or forbidden substances are used by a participant before or during a hunt.

1.9 The adjudicator has the authority to disqualify a participant from the hunt of which he is the adjudicator, should the participant transgress any guidelines in any way in the opinion of the adjudicator.

1.10 Should a dispute arise on the adjudication of a competition species, the adjudicator may call for the assistance of all participants in order to come to a decision.

The adjudicator must return the completed adjudication form as soon as possible but not later than fourteen (14) days after the hunt to the Admin Staff by facsimile or e-mail, who is then responsible for capturing the scores within seven (7) days after the receiving the score sheet.

2. SPECIFIC SPECIES

All the available species (e.g. impala, warthog, blesbuck, springbok, etc.), hereafter referred to as “the hunted species”, and the gender (male or female) will be agreed upon with the farmer before the hunt and listed on the Hunt Approval Form A. The hunt species will be hunted by the participants and then judged.

3. METHOD OF HUNTING

All hunting must adhere to the Fire Arms Act 60 of 2000 with regards to using a firearm by non-owners of that firearm.

3.1 Each participant is allowed to take six (6) cartridges /arrows or bullets with him to hunt with. These cartridges /arrows or bullets will be marked by the adjudicator in a suitable manner as determined by himself.

3.2 Each participant hunts by foot as ethically as possible or within the rules of the landowner. e.g. using a bakkie or to lay in waiting or driven hunts.

3.3 Physically disabled participants will be provided with assistant aids and an assistant. The adjudicator and participants in the competition may make an ad hoc decision before the commencement of the hunt.

3.4 Each hunter hunts in his hunting area as determined by the luck of draw.

3.5 The guideline for hunting time is from 07:00 to 17:00 or as laid out on the Hunt Approval Form A but no hunting will take place after 17:00.

3.6 The adjudicator will continually, as determined beforehand, move past the drop-off points and in the entire hunting area to meet participants should they wish to change camps or to pick up participants with their hunted species.

3.7 After the hunted species has been shot, only the throat may be slit so that it can bleed out if the judgement of shot placement is not compromised. Any further slaughtering may take place only in the presence of the adjudicator.

3.8 Grace period for the submission of the hunted species to the adjudicator will be no longer than one hour after hunting time. Should it be shot for the first time after 17:00, it will not be considered for adjudication. A hunted species wounded before 17:00 and shot and killed after 17:00 of the same day will still be counted.

3.9 Should a participant wound a hunted species, he may enlist the help of other participants to locate the hunted species, with permission from the adjudicator, and only if the participants’ hunts have been completed.

3.10 Should a participant wound a hunted species and another participant kills it, a maximum of two shots by the second participant will also count against the first participant, in other words, the shots count as his second and third shots if it can be proven beyond any doubt that the first participant had indeed wounded the hunted species.

3.11 Should a hunter shoot a hunted species and afterwards determine that the species had been wounded that same day, the shot will not count against him and after he has informed the adjudicator, he may continue with the hunt.

3.12 If, it cannot be proven who had wounded the hunted species, all participating members will pay for the animal.

3.13 Should a participant hit two or more hunted species with one shot, he will receive the smallest animal’s score for that hunt. He is also responsible for the financial implications thereof, as determined by the owner of the farm.

3.14 Costs incurred for accommodation on the farm (if any), as well as the price of the hunted species, as predetermined by the owner of the farm, is the hunter’s account.

3.15 Species may be shot at a watering hole/feeding spot if it is a requirement by the landowner for the type of hunt (Rifle, all Bows, Handgun, Black Powder or Big Bore Air Gun).

3.16 Should a wounded competition species not be found on the day of the competition, the normal ethical codes of hunting apply, namely to report it to the owner of the farm and that the specific participant is responsible for the financial implications thereof. The participant will receive no marks for his trophy or shot placement for the day. Should a wounded antelope of a previous day be shot and killed by a hunter, he may claim only the marks and the wounding shot will not count against the second hunter.

3.17 Three (3) antelope may be shot over two (2) days, during which on one of the two (2) days two (2) antelope may be shot. Four (4) antelope may also be shot over a three (3) days, during which on one of the three (3) days two (2) antelope may be shot.

3.18 Should a hunter wish to shoot two (2) antelope on one day, (on a 2 day or longer Hunt) he may continue with the hunt only after his first antelope has been marked, picked up and his number of shots checked.

3.19 Members must qualify for nationals with two (2) regional antelope scored during the previous year and species is not a factor

3.20 For a hunt to be valid, there must be a minimum of two (2) SA Field Sport hunters per hunt, of which one (1) must be a registered adjudicator.

4. SCORING IN THREE (3) CATEGORIES

The adjudicator will judge the hunted species and award scores in 3 categories. The total of the three (3) categories will be the score allocation for the hunter for a specific hunt.

4.1 Cartridges/Arrows or Bullets used

A participant is allowed to take Six (6) cartridges/arrows or bullets when participating. Ten points per cartridge/unused arrow or bullet returned and showed to the adjudicator will be awarded from 50 – 10, no score for no hunt.

6 cartridges/unused arrows or bullets returned = 0 marks

5 cartridges/unused arrows or bullets returned = 50 marks

4 cartridges/unused arrows or bullets returned = 40 marks

3 cartridges/unused arrows or bullets returned = 30 marks

2 cartridges/unused arrows or bullets returned = 20 marks

1 cartridges/unused arrows or bullets returned = 10 mark

0 cartridges/unused arrows or bullets returned = 0 marks

4.2.1 Shot placement Rifle-hunting (Powder burning and Bigbore Air Gun)

The type of shot that the participant killed the competition species count as follows:

Type of shot Marks Description

Headshot = 50 The brain cavity must be broken.

Neck shot = 50 Neck = first 7 vertebrae and the Atlas: The spinal cord must be visibly damaged.

Heart shot = 50 The heart chambers and/or the heart muscle must be penetrated by the bullet or bullet fragments (excluding bone fragments). The aorta forms part of the heart up to 2.5 cm above the heart lobes (anterior heart).

Lung shot = 40 One or both lungs must be penetrated by the bullet or bullet fragments.

Any other place than mentioned above 25 score

When the competition species are hit with more than one shot, only the poorest shot count.

4.2.2 Shot placement for bow-hunting

4.22.1 A shot penetrating the heart obtains five (50) score.

4.22.2 A shot penetrating any lung obtains five (50) score.

4.22.3 Any other place than mentioned above 25

Should the competition species be hit with more than one arrow, only the poorest shot count!

4.3 Trophy, Horn length/mass for the competition species

The length of the longest horn or tooth (tooth still in the cavity) is measured or weight determined. In cases where horn lengths determine the score, a simple calculation is done by using the horn length of the competition species as the numerator and the minimum length to qualify for an entry in the SA Records Book for that specific species as the denominator. The answer is a decimal fraction to be multiplied by fifty (50) and then rounded to two decimal scores.

EXAMPLE 1:

The longest horn of an impala ram measures 22,5”.

Horn length as numerator = 22,5

Minimum for SA Records Book = 23,5

= 0.957 x 50 marks = 47,85 score

In cases where the mass of the carcass determines the mark allocation, the mass of the carcass is taken as the numerator and a predetermined norm as the denominator. The answer is multiplied by fifty (50) marks to obtain a value for the competition species shot.

EXAMPLE 2:

The mass of the carcass of the shot impala is 28 kg.

Mass as numerator = 28

Norm for impala ewe as denominator = 30

= 0933 x 50 marks = 46,65 score

If a hunter were to shoot an impala ram with one shot in the heart and the horn length is 22,5”, his score for the competition is calculated as follows:

Number of cartridges returned to adjudicator = 50 score

Shot placement = 50 score

Horn length = 47,85 score

Total for the competition = 147,85 score out of a possible 150.

It is possible to score more than 150 out of a possible 150.

4.3.1 If the mass of the carcass of the competition species determines the mark allocation, all innards must be removed from the carcass, including the gullet, kidneys and rectum after the shot placement has been determined. The head and the feet remain intact and only the innards removed. The hide of the above antelope is not removed when determining weight.

4.3.2 Should the competition species be a warthog, the norm is a tooth length of 10,2/16 (two sixteenths) inches for male and 8,8/16 (eight sixteenths) inches for female, measured from the gums to the tip of the outer bend.

4.3.3 Should a hunt for male animals be published and a female animal is shot during the hunt or vice versa, the hunter will receive a ZERO score for that hunt.

4.3.4 The maximum score that can be obtained for cartridges/Arrows or Bullets returned is a forty (50) score if a hunted species is shot and submitted for adjudication.

4.3.5 Adjudication of a hunted species will take place in the presence of the hunter.

4.4 General

4.4.1 The hunter’s best two (2) antelope scores entered count and the hunter must thus have hunted at least two (2) antelope to be on the list for an invitation to Most Competent Hunter event, species is not applicable.

5. Most Competent Hunter, HUNTING EVENTS

5.1 Participants in hunts of SA Field Sport must have scored at least two (2) antelope to be eligible to be invited to Most Competent Hunter, Hunting Events.

5.2 The participant with the highest marks for a specific hunt wins that hunt. The participant with the second-highest score is second and the participant with the third-highest is third.

5.3 An score of one eight seven point sixty (187.60) or more for the top two (2) antelope is necessary to qualify for invitation.

5.4 On 15 January of each year the best two (2) antelope of the previous hunting season from a maximum of the first five (5) antelope for each participant are chosen by the system. The results are displayed in the Ranking Sheet for that type of hunt, from highest at the top to lowest at the bottom of the list, and published on the SAFS members website.

5.5 The qualifying members will receive an invite by email and SMS and the list of hunters who verified that they accept will be made known at the Board meeting in February.

5.6 The first twelve to forty (12 – 40) participants with a score of one eight seven point sixty (187.60) or more on the Hunting type Ranking sheet are eligible to be selected to represent them self, but only if the farm can accommodate the number of hunters, be it in camps for hunting and/or accommodation.

5.8 The Most Competent Hunter, Hunting Events for all rifle hunting types is decided through a maximum of three (3) antelope over a period of two (2) days, of which the best two (2) antelope will count and that is representative of one or more species.

The Most Competent Hunter, Bow Hunting Events for bow hunting is decided through a maximum of three (3) antelope over a period of three (3) days, of which the best two (2) antelope will count and that is representative of one or more species.

5.9 The individual participant with the highest average score for the best two (2) antelope at the Most Competent Hunter, level will be appointed as the Champion Hunter of the Year for the year in which he obtained the highest average score.

5.10 The six (6) participants with the best average on the SA Field Sport Most Competent Hunter, Event will be eligible for the national team against an international team. The seventh-best member or appointed member is the reserve and may act as team manager.

5.11 Only members that qualify and are invited may participate in the SA Field Sport Most Competent Hunter, Events.

5.12 Only members who have paid the deposit fee for the Most Competent Hunter, the hunt may participate. The deposit will consist of the total accommodation fee for the duration of the SA Field Sport Most Competent Hunter, Events. Half of the deposit of each hunter must be paid in by the end of March and the other half at the end of April. This amount is payable by the participant directly into SAFS bank account. Should a member not have paid his deposit in time that participant may be replaced by the next qualifying member.

6: BOOKING A COMPETITION

6.1 Any member whose membership is Paid In Full may book hunting dates with landowners of their choice in time for the hunting season to hunt a specific species. This booking is confirmed in writing by completing the (Hunting Consent Booking Form A)”. This Hunting Consent Booking Form A must be completed and signed together with the landowner, after which it must be handed or send to SAFS Administration staff. The Hunting Consent Booking Form A is available on the website.

6.2 The dates for available hunts as determined by Hunting Consent Booking Form A, as well as the number of participants that may take part in the hunt and all costs involved will be made available to hunters on the website members area.

6.3 All hunts must be booked at least seven (7) days before commencement of the hunt by the National Administration staff on the website after a completed Hunting Consent Booking Form A has been received.

6.4 Any member who has booked a hunt may cancel a hunt 24 hours before commencement of a hunt with the National Administration staff

6.5 Only hunts published on the SAFS website will be deemed active hunts. Any hunt done that was not registered on the website will be seen as social hunts and will not contribute to the hunter’s official score.

6.6 All hunting results will be published on the website.

6.7 It is the responsibility of SAFS to motivate the members to find sufficient hunts and to book for the season or arrange regional hunts so that there is sufficient opportunity for each member to participate in his hunting type.

6.8 A member’s membership fee must be paid in full for the specific year in which he wishes to book hunts before he may participate in a hunt.

6.9 All costs in respect of the hunt must be carefully determined beforehand for publication. Care must be taken against hidden costs that eventually escalate the price of the hunting species to more than what was budgeted for by each participant.

6.10 Any National Hunting Event is deemed completed after the prize-giving has taken place, if applicable. Clearing up camp is a joint task for all participants in a hunt. Where applicable participants must arrive the evening before the event.

6.11 Any paid in full member may obtain the information from the website:

6.11.1 Hunting Consent Booking Form A: The booking of a hunt with the farm owner.

6.11.2 Score Card for hunting scores will be emailed to the adjudicator by the National Administration staff.

6.11.3 Record of social hunts for member profile will be captured by the member self.

6.11.4 SAFS Meat transport permit

6.12 Steps to book a Regional hunt:

6.12.1 Download the blank Hunting Consent Booking Form A from the member’s website and take it to the landowner/farm manager, who must sign with all the details of the hunt, species available, prices of species and all additional costs and the owner’s rules.

6.12.2 The member takes/send the Hunting Consent Booking Form A to the National Administration staff, who registers the hunt on the website.

6.12.3 Any member may view the hunt on the member’s website. All hunts can be seen (the hunt, type of hunt, place, date, etc.). The available spaces for the hunt can also be seen.

6.12.4 The name of the coordinator with his cell phone number will also be displayed at the top of each hunt.

6.12.5 The hunter wishing to participate in the hunt and whose membership fees have been paid up for the year may contact the relevant coordinator for booking participation.

6.12.6 A hunter who does not show up for a booked hunt is responsible for the payment of his deposit (if applicable).

6.12.7 Any hunter’s name may be added to or removed from participation in the hunt up to 24 hours before commencement of the hunt.

6.12.8 Up until the day of the hunt, all applicable documentation may be obtained from the member’s website.

6.12.9 After completion of the hunt the adjudicator will judge the hunted species of each hunter indicated on the Score Sheet, after which the hunter will sign the Score Sheet as evidence that he accepts the adjudication.

6.12.10 The adjudicator submits the Score Sheet within fourteen (14) days of to the National Administration Manager, who will place it on the website within the next seven (7) days.

6.12.11 The system automatically processes the scores on the national database and places the hunter in position on the national ranking system.

6.12.12 All scores for hunts will be displayed on the member’s website.

Any paid in full member may view the scores and the scores are arranged from highest to lowest.

C) RESPONSIBILITIES

1. NATIONAL HUNTING MANAGER

1.1 The task of the hunting manager is to manage the national team, i.e. he must enable the members of the team to concentrate on what they are supposed to do in the team: To shoot a competition species with a perfect shot. Thus it is necessary for the team manager to know exactly what is expected of him.

1.2 The National Hunting manager is appointed by the EXCO Management Board.

1.3 It is imperative that he knows exactly who the members of the team are that he manages and where they come from.

1.4 As far as possible be must be aware of their physical abilities such as hunting expertise, fitness, permanent ailments, etc.

1.5 He must ensure that their accommodation is comfortable, that they do not use excessive alcohol the night before the hunt, that each member of the team has the right accessories for the competition, such as rifles, cartridges, knife, binoculars, etc.

1.6 He is responsible for the collecting of his team members’ fees and paying it to the coordinator of the competition.

1.7 Should any dispute arise it is his task to resolve it on behalf of his members.

1.8 He must be present during the adjudication of his team members.

1.9 Lastly, it is his main task to motivate the members of this team and to develop a healthy team spirit.

2. COORDINATOR

2.1 The hunts must run smoothly so that the participants may concentrate on the hunt and the adjudicator on judging. It is thus of the utmost importance that the hunts are organised to the finest detail.

2.2 The organiser is the person who organises the hunt with the landowner.

2.4 It is his responsibility to continually ensure during the period before the hunt that the correct number of participants that have booked for the hunt are still available and will show up for the hunt.

2.5 He must ensure that each participant knows exactly where the farm is situated, where the hunt will take place by e.g. sending roadmaps to members to indicate the route to the farm.

2.6 He must complete Hunting Consent Booking Form A and thus inform each participant of all information regarding the circumstances on the farm, such as:

2.6.1 Provincial hunting permits, if necessary

2.6.2 The price of the competition species hunted

2.6.3 The day tariff

2.6.4 The overnight accommodation and tariff

2.6.5 Costs for using a hunting vehicle

2.6.6 Availability of slaughterers and the tariff

2.6.7 The tariff for misses

2.6.8 Cooking amenities

2.6.9 The availability of a shooting range to calibrate rifles

2.7 He is responsible for the collecting of all fees payable by the participants for that specific hunt, as well as the transfer of fees to the owner/manager of the farm, if he is present during the hunt.

2.8 The coordinator may participate in the hunt.

2.9 The coordinator is in control of the camp clean-up and must ensure that the camp terrain is left neat and tidy.

2.10 The coordinator must assist the adjudicator in dividing the hunting area into camps and to get participants to the drop-off score.

2.11 Should the coordinator not be present during the hunt, it is his responsibility to arrange with the adjudicator to take over his duties during the hunt.

3. BOWHUNTING ORDINANCE

Provincial bow hunting ordinances will be discussed with the hunters by the chief adjudicator. The format and distances will be set by the landowner.

4. BOWHUNTING TECHNIQUES

4.1 Minimum tension for bows as well as other hunting aids and techniques are always subject to the hunting ordinances applicable in that province.

4.2 Upon commencement of each hunt the adjudicators will ensure that the participants go to the veld with a maximum of six (6) arrows each.

4.3 Each arrow must be fitted with a new point and/or otherwise the adjudicator must indicate the various participants’ arrow details (point, weight, make, colour, etc.) on the scoresheet as well as Hunting Consent Booking Form A. A specific mark for each day must also be put on the wing of the arrow by the adjudicator.

4.4 Using smell lures, calls, varmint calling and antelope models and decoys are unacceptable (excluding game licks as set out by the landowner).

5. BOW-HUNTING GENERAL

Bow hunting is divided into three (3) group, Compound Bowhunters, Crossbow Hunters and Traditional Bowhunters. Any bowhunter may take part in any of the groups at any time but must take into account that at National Level there is only one Bow Hunting national over 3 days and the hunter can only take part in one group at national level

5.1 Where more than one arrow is shot, the poorest one counts. Long-distance deadly shots executed by a farmer with a rifle will count as a shot against the hunter.

5.2 Should a wounded antelope be found and killed by another participant in his demarcated area, that antelope still counts for the first participant, if ownership can be proven.

5.3 Mark allocation takes place according to the poorest shot and the extra arrow(s) used by a second participant are held against the first participant.

5.4 The first arrow used by the second participant to kill the wounded antelope will not count against him. Any more arrows will, however, count against him.

HUNTING DISTANCES

6.1 Rifle Hunting (10 m – 400m)

6.2 Bow Hunting (Compound bow, Crossbow & Traditional bow) (10m – 45m)

6.3 Handgun Hunting (10m – 65m)

6.4 Big Bore Air Rifle Hunting ( Licensed .30 – .50 Cal ) (10 m – 65m)

6.5 Black Powder Hunting (10m – 65m)

6.6 Long Range Hunting ( 500 meters plus )

WING SHOOTING

Contents

1. Introduction

2. General rules

3. Procedure before and after shotgun-hunting

4. Mark allocation

5. Firearms, decoys, game-calling and hunting dogs

6. Grace for the recovering of birds

7. Claiming birds that have been shot

8. Allocation of hunting positions

9. Format for SA Championship

PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL WING SHOOTING
OF THE SA FIELD SPORT:

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Each hunt consists of an adjudicator ensuring that a number of SAFS hunters (minimum 2 hunters, of which one may be the adjudicator) attempts to kill certain predetermined bird species within a predetermined area within a certain time, maximum time per hunt is 4 hours. Through this, the hunter earns score as set out in paragraph 4.

1.2 The hunter with the highest score wins that specific hunt.

1.3 The two types of hunts that a shotgun hunter may participate in consists of game bird hunts and pigeon hunts.

1.4 To be eligible for Nationals a hunter must have participated in at least three (3) hunts in one hunting season and three (3) hunts must consist of at least two (2) of the above types. The names of the most suitable candidates to be taken up in the national Hunting event will appear on the Wing Shooting Ranking sheet on the SAFS website.

1.5 After completion of the SAFS Nationals the first three (3) hunters with the highest scores are selected for the national team against an international event.

1.6 All wing shooting hunts are booked in the same way as any other hunt and as per the same guidelines with the exception of time before the hunt and the adding of hunters names before the hunt.

1.7 No hunts may take place without an adjudicator present. For this purpose, the duty sheet of the adjudicator is also given in this Guideline.

1.8 The hunting season is from 15 January to 30 November every year for pigeons, and subject to the ordinances of each province for game birds.

2. GENERAL RULES

2.1 A member’s membership fees must be paid before he may participate in any hunt.

2.2 Should hunts take place around different dams, rivers or in fields, all hunters will exchange areas on a rotational basis.

2.3 A simple lottery will determine which hunters take part in which area first.

2.4 The participants will hunt a predetermined species over a certain period of time but not longer than 4 hours.

2.5 Adjudicators will record marks on the prerequisite score sheet, where every shooter will sign after completion of the competition.

2.6 Should a dispute on the mark allocation arise, it will be solved by means of a consensus among the adjudicators and the participants.

2.7 Hunting sessions per day are determined by the type of hunt, terrain and ordinances.

2.8 Each hunting session is a hunting event and may not exceed 4 hours. All the hunting sessions must be completed in daylight.

2.9 The SAFS website will indicate members with the highest scores. Only members indicated on the website may be considered for the National Wing Shooting event.

2.10 The annual shotgun-hunting championship must take place during May – June depending on availability of water or the most suitable weekend thereafter.

3. PROCEDURES BEFORE AND AFTER SHOTGUN-HUNTING

3.1 The National Admin Staff must register a wing shooting event 24 hours before the hunt on the SAFS website.

3.2 After each hunt the names and results must be recorded on the score sheet and participants must sign the score sheets. The results must be submitted within fourteen (14) days by the adjudicator to the National Admin Staff, who will load it onto the SAFS website within seven (7) days after the receiving it.

3.3 The results of all the participants will appear on the wing shooting ranking on the SAFS website from highest to lowest.

3.4 The participants’ personal profiles will be automatically updated after the hunting results have been added to the website.

4. SCORE ALLOCATION

4.1 Only 25 rounds per hunting session are allowed, which will be marked in a suitable manner by the adjudicator.

4.2 Score calculation per bird:

All birds count five (5) marks, regardless of species.
Only species as on Hunting Consent Booking Form A may be hunted.
Faulty species will be penalised as set out in paragraph 4.5.

4.3 Half a score will be awarded for each unused round returned. One (1) mark will be subtracted for each used cap not returned.

4.4 Bonus score will be obtained in each separate division, namely:

0-19% hit rate No bonus score
19-33% hit rate 10 bonus score
34-66% hit rate 15 bonus score
>66% hit rate 25 bonus score

4.5 Penalty marks are also given or participants may even be disqualified under the following circumstances:

Poaching – i.e. if a participant shoots outside of his section, in other words outside an arc of 45° in front or behind him – penalised with six (6) minus score.
Dangerous and unethical actions are penalised with twelve (12) minus score.
The wrong species is penalised with twenty (20) minus score per bird.
Should a participant in the opinion of the adjudicator or any other participant transgress any guidelines in any way, such a participant may be disqualified after the adjudicator and other participants have reached a consensus that the transgression was not favourable to hunts.

4.6 A bird must be shot dead and be available for adjudication before any marks will be awarded.

5. FIREARMS, DECOYS, GAME-CALLING AND HUNTING DOGS

5.1 Break-action shotguns may be used.

5.2 Semi-automatic, pump-action or automatic shotguns may be used during a competition, provided there are two rounds at most in the firearm at any given time.

5.3 Assisting telescopes such as Quick Point may be used.

5.4 Half and full-body off the shelf decoys may be used during regional wing shooting events of SAFS as well as birds that have been shot during that session may be used as decoys.

5.6 Game-calling is allowed on a regional level.

5.7 Recognised trained hunting dogs such as pointers, retrievers, setters, spaniels, etc. may be used.

All dogs must be taken to the firing front under control at all times, i.e. on a leash or in a cage, if possible or allowed.
Fifteen (15) penalty marks will be given to the hunter (owner) where a dog is a nuisance or the handler must shout to control his dog.
Other dog species trained as hunting dogs that can retrieve, flash or point may be used.

5.8 Each shooter is responsible for the behaviour of the dog he uses.

5.9 Should a shooter use a helper on regional hunts, he may shoot only when the helper is back with him with the hit bird.

5.10 No helper, dogs, game-calling or decoys may be used at the SAFS National or International Wingshooting events.

6. GRACE FOR THE RECOVERING OF BIRDS

Four (4) minutes will be allowed for the retrieving of birds and the procedure is as follows:

Should the participants use the line-hunting method, the participant who has shot must ask the adjudicator to be granted time.
The adjudicator will give the order that the line stands still for four (4) minutes while the bird is retrieved.
Should the wounded bird fly up in front of or behind another participant during this time, the closest participant may shoot the bird, provided it is safe to do so.
No unwounded bird(s) will be shot at during these four (4) minutes until the shooter is back in line.
The safety of the other participants must be taken into consideration at all times.
Should water birds be hunted from a static position, the participant must give the signal to his closest two opponents that he wishes to retrieve the bird if he has hit it. Should the bird fall close to his opposition, they may keep it for him. Weapon safety must again always be kept in mind. Waterbirds will be retrieved by canoe by the shooter, or by his dog.
During retrieval the shooter may not shoot at another bird.

7. CLAIMING BIRDS THAT HAVE BEEN SHOT

7.1 A general ethical rule stipulates that the participant who shot at a bird first and visibly wounded the bird may lay claim to the bird. Should the second participant have killed the bird, the first participant gives a bullet back to the second participant.

7.2 Should he be convinced that he had missed the bird, he grants the hit to the participant who shot second and claimed the bird.

8. ALLOCATION OF HUNTING POSITIONS

8.1 Hunting positions will be determined and numbered by the adjudicator, bearing safety in mind (a minimum of 60 m between static positions). Participants will then be placed in a hunting position according to a lottery system. A participant may not be placed in the same position for two (2) consecutive hunts.

8.2 The participant with the highest marks for a specific hunt wins that hunt. The participant with the second-highest score is second and the participant with the third-highest is third, etc.

8.3 To determine the ranking of the hunters the best three (3) hunts representative of two (2) types of hunts at a regional level will be taken into consideration. A minimum of 30% hit rate for the above three hunts must be determined to qualify for Nationals.

9. FORMAT FOR SA CHAMPIONSHIP

9.1 During the SAFS Nationals the format will be as follows:

Four (4) hunts over two (2) days, during which two (2) types of hunt must be done each day.

9.2 The three (3) participants with the highest scores at SAFS National form the national team for the next International Hunt.

10. COMPETITION SEASON

The competition season is from 15 January to 30 November. The SAFS Nationals will preferably take place during the second or third weekend in June of each year.
No hunting will take place between 1 December and 14 January in all divisions.

All entrée fees are set in February each year.

Pigeon hunts: Five (5) score per bird:

Rock pigeon
Small ring-necked pigeon
Ring-necked pigeon
Red-eye ring-neck pigeon
Red-crested pigeon
Turtledove

Gamebird hunts (guinea fowl, francolin, geese and duck ): Five (5) score per bird:

Coqui francolin
Crested francolin
Grey-winged francolin
Natal-Francolin
Shelley’s Francolin
Guinea fowl

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Spurwing Geese
Egyptian Geese
Red Bill Duck
Yellow bill Duck
Bleshoender
Cormorant

Norms and Weights 2018/2019

ANIMAL GENDER AREA LENGTH/ WEIGHT

1 Kudu Bull North of Orange River 53″ Bull South of Orange River 43″

Kudu Cow North of Orange River 110 kg Kudu Cow South of Orange River 100kg

Head and feet attached, innards out

2 Impala Impala ram 23 8/16″ Impala ewe 35 kg

Head and feet attached, innards out

3 Waterbuck Waterbuck bull 28″ Waterbuck cow 110kg

Head and feet attached, innards out

4 Blesbuck Blesbuck ram 16 8/16″ Blesbuck ewe 14 8/16”

5 Springbok Springbok ram 13 8/16“ Springbok ewe 10”

6 Gemsbok Gemsbok (bull and cow) 40″

7 Grey reedbuck Grey reedbuck 7 8/16″

8 Mountain reedbuck Mountain reedbuck 7″

9 Reedbuck Reedbuck 14″

10 Bushbuck 15″

11 Red hartebeest Red hartebeest 23″

12 Nyala Nyala 26″

13 Blouwildebeest Blouwildebeest bull 28″ Blouwildebeest cow 22”

14 Swartwildebeest Swartwildebeest bull 25″ Swartwildebeest cow 22”

15 Zebra Zebra 200 kg

Head and feet attached, innards out

16 Eland (Cape and Livingston) Eland bull and cow 32″

17 Warthog Warthog boar 10 2/16” Warthog sow 8 8/16”

18 Bush pig Bush pig boar and sow 6”

19 Duiker Duiker yellowback 5” Duiker southern bush 4 12/16″

20 Fellow Deer Deer ram 25” Deer ewe 25kg

21 Ostrich Male 100kg Female 90kg

Living weight (everything attached, innards, head, feet and feathers)