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NEWS
Diary
  • CHASA Board meeting - 11 Feb, 26th of May and 1st of September 2012
  • Annual Inter Association Shooting Competition - 10th of March 2012 near Bloemfontein.

 
2012 JUNIOR HUNTER / MENTOR HUNTING PHOTO COMPETITION CHASA ANNUAL NATIONAL SHOOTING COMPETITION
It is one of CHASA’s strategic aims to give more attention to the canvassing of junior hunters as well as to promote their involvement in association activities.

Subsequently the Board of CHASA resolved that a Junior Hunter / Mentor Hunting Photo Competition be launched in 2012. This will comprise the following:

  1. Hunting photos (Jumbo size) of the junior hunter and his mentor must be forwarded to the CHASA office.
  2. The photo must be accompanied by a letter from the land owner confirming the place and date of the hunt.
  3. The quality of the photo shall not form the criteria to qualify and the winner will be determined by means of a lucky draw at a CHASA Board Meeting.
  4. The prize is a kudu or impala hunt which has been sponsored by Rob Peachy, a member of BASA (Big Bore Association Southern Africa).
  5. The CHASA Board also decided to sponsor an amount of R5 000.00 towards travelling costs of the junior hunter and his mentor.
  6. The closing date for photo entries is 25 August 2012.
  7. The draw will take place during the September 2012 Board meeting.

Junior Hunters are hereby encouraged to join one of CHASA’s member associations if they would like to participate in the lucky draw.

The CHASA annual Inter Association Shooting Competition has become one of the most important coveted events on the shooting calendar amongst member associations.

Next year 10th of March 2012 is the 10th Annual Shooting Competition and CHASA is aiming to really make this a very special event as this is the biggest inter association shoot in South Africa. The shoot is conducted according to the rules of the South African Hunting Rifle Association, who is an affiliated member of CHASA. [more]

CHASA RAAD SEPT 2011 TOEKENNINGS

L to R: Ronnie Viljoen, President van Kalahari Jagtersvereniging, Gary Bauer, President van CHASA en Jokl Le Roux, Hoofbestuurder Oos- Kaap Wildbestuursgenootskap en vorige Sekretaris van CHASA wat tydens die Dinee vereer is vir hul bydraes tot CHASA.

The Secretary of Police, Jenny Irish-Qhobosheane in discussion with Neil Jones and Gary Bauer, President of CHASA.

The Secretary of Police was invited to address the CHASA Board meeting on Fire Arm related issues and problems currently being experienced by firearm owners.

The Board was very satisfied with the outcome of the discussions and is satisfied that a sound working relationship has been established. Photos and report were taken and drafted by Lynette van Hoven of Game and Hunt magazine.

Twee uitskieters vereer

Chasa het by sy raadsvergadering in September twee uitskieters in die konfederasie en jagterskringe dwarsdeur die land vereer: Ronnie Viljoen van Kalahari Jagtersvereniging (KJV) en Jokl le Roux van die Oos-Kaap Wildbestuursgenootskap (ECGMA).

“Passievol en gemotiveerd tot vandag toe, het Ronnie saam met sy komiteelede ? missie gehad by die Kalahari Jagtersvereniging, wat hy nou nog na 28 jaar kan geniet,” het Chasa-president Gary Bauer gesê tydens die toekenning van die Presidentstoekenning aan hom. Hy is in 1982 as twaalfde lid van die KJV voorgestel, en in 1986 as ondervoorsitter verkies. Hy dien van 1987 tot 2009 as Chasa-raadslid, en neem van 1988 tot 2006 die leisels oor by dr Justice Kruger. Hy ken ook van skiet. Tydens ? Chasa-raadsvergadering in Windhoek neem hy as raadslid aan die ProAmm-groeperingskietkompetisie deel, en wen dit met ? 8 mm-groepering, en as trofeejagter pronk daar 42 trofeë in sy trofeekamer.

Tydens sy voorvat, raakvat en bymekaarvat by die KJV het baie dinge gebeur, te veel om almal op te noem. Hy het onder meer 33 hektaar bekom vir skietbane en ? klubhuis, waar opleiding en vergaderings kan plaasvind, 22 wildveilings is in eie bomas gehou, waar sowat 10 000 stuks wild oor 22 jaar verkoop is. Skaars spesies is versprei en Kalahari-springbokke en gemsbokke was hoog in aanvraag. Kopers van reg oor die land het belangstelling in die Kalahari-kontreibokke getoon, en so is sterk gene uitgeruil. Junioropleiding vind gereeld diep in die Kalahari-duine plaas, terwyl ? senioropleidingskursus en die SA-meetkursus op sy kerfstok is.

Ronnie is 'n seun van die Kalahari, wat juig as die eerste koue kom, en hy met sy getroue jagvoertuig die witpad kan vat na die sandduine. ? Ware toegewyde jagter, met sy geweer as sy beste maat,” sê huidige KJV-voorsitter Riaan Venter.

Jokl le Roux het 'n toekenning van waardering ontvang vir die meer as 80 artikels wat hy reeds vir vele tydskrifte geskryf het. Hy het reeds talle toekennings van die ECGMA gekry, en het 17 jaar skouer agter die wiel gesit by Chasa, waarvan meer as sewe jaar as sekretaris en tesourier was. “Sy belangrike bydrae by die Sentrale Vuurwapenregister asook in die Jagtersforum word ten seerste gemis word,” het Gary Bauer gesê.

 


Sponsors of CHASA for 2011:

Official site of the Confederation of Hunters Associations of South Africa


Information document outlining the outcome of the court case judgement on the Firearms Control Act can be seen here

 

Media releases and CHASA Board communications

PRESS RELEASE – CHASA ALSO OPPOSES FRACKING IN THE KAROO

CHASA has taken cognisance of the proposed fracking exploration currently under investigation in
the Karoo by Shell Petroleum company. CHASA is opposed to this proposed exploration mainly due
to the lack of scientific proof on the possible implications of such exploration. The following aspects
are most concerning:
  1. One of the main assets of the Karoo is the quiet, placid environment and the exceptional
    beauty of the area. This is furthermore an ecological sensitive area where members of CHASA
    hunt on a regular basis to enjoy nature. Unique vegetation is found in this area which must be
    protected at all costs. It cannot be allowed that the proposed exploration could have negative
    ecological and aesthetic implications on the area.

  2. A large section of the inhabitants in the Karoo are dependant on ground water and
    the influence of the proposed exploration on ground water resources is unknown. It is
    unacceptable that the lifestyle of the inhabitants in the area could be negatively affected
    through fracking activities.
CHASA therefore request that no consideration is given to any further investigations until the above
concerns have been adequately addressed.

PRESS RELEASE – SAGA AND CHASA ENTER INTO A MOU

The Confederation of Hunters Associations of South Africa CHASA takes pleasure in announcing that they have entered into a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the South African Gunowners Association, SAGA.

After a period of discussions the SAGA Trustees and CHASA ExCo formulated the document that was presented to the CHASA Board at their meeting on 12 February 2011 in East London where it was unanimously adopted.

The general consensus of board members was that it was “long overdue” said CHASA Vice Chair Stephen Palos. Hunting associations have spent huge resources in battling gun ownership rights particularly the last dozen years, and real threats still remain in terms of hunting rights. Entrenching the concepts of Conservation through Sustainable Utilisation should be our core function. “By forming such an alliance the Hunters Confederation now have the most capable partner on board to assist with firearm issues which should enable us to focus more on our core business; the ‘Freedom to Hunt’, and of course, to further our conservation ethos.” – said Mr. Palos.

A photo which was taken during the Board Meeting
where the MOU was officially signed

From left to right:  Chas Lotter, Trustee member SAGA and Prof. Pieter van   Niekerk, Chairman of CHASA

 

PERSVERKLARING – SAGA EN CHASA SLUIT MEMORANDUM VAN VERSTANDHOUDING

Dit is vir Die Konfederasie van Jagtersverenigings van Suid Afrika CHASA 'n besondere voorreg om aan te kondig dat ons 'n formele Memorandum van Verstandhouding met die “South African Gunowners Association, SAGA” gesluit het. 

Na samesprekings tussen SAGA Trustees en die Dagbestuur van CHASA oor 'n periode van tyd is 'n dokument geformuleer en aan die Raad van CHASA voorgelê tydens 'n vergadering gehou op 12 Februarie 2011 in Oos Londen waar dit eenparig aanvaar is.

Die algemene konsensus van Raadslede was dat dit 'n kwessie is wat “lank uitstaande” was het die Onder-Voorsitter, Stephen Palos gesê.  Jagtersverenigings het enorme hoeveelhede hulpbronne veral gedurende die laaste twaalf jaar aangewend in die stryd teen vuurwapenregte en-eienaarskap en daar bestaan steeds dreigemente teen opsigte van jagregte.  Verskansing van die konsep van Bewaring deur Volhoubare Benutting moet ons primêre funksie wees.  “Deur die vorming van hierdie vennootskap het die Jagters Federasie nou die beste geskikte vennoot aan boord om hulp te verleen met vuurwapenverwante aangeleenthede wat ons in staat sal stel om meer op ons kernbesigheid te fokus naamlik, die ‘Vryheid om te Jag’ en sekerlik ook om ons bewaringsdoelwitte te bevorder”, het Mnr. Palos gesê.

'n Foto wat geneem was tydens die Raadsvergadering
waar die MOU amptelik geteken was

Van links na regs:  Chas Lotter, Trusteelid van SAGA en Prof. Pieter van Niekerk, Voorsitter van CHASA

COURSE OF ACTION FOR THE CENTRAL FIREARMS REGISTRY ... [more]

Stephen Paolos
CHASA RE-ELECTS VICE CHAIRMAN STEPHEN PALOS FOR A NEXT TERM OF OFFICE


CHASA RE-ELECTS PRESIDENT DR. GARY BAUER FOR A NEXT TERM OF OFFICE

Dedicated Hunter Status, Frequently Asked Questions with regard to Minimum Requirements, Maintaining the Status etc..(PDF - 224Kb)


Invoerpermitte benodig vir Buurlande / Import Permits required for Neighbouring Countries

Bogenoemde aangeleentheid was ook onlangs by ‘n Raadsvergadering bespreek. Aangeheg ter insae is ‘n dokument ontvang van Dr. Richard Burroughs, Direktoraat Veeartsenydienste, Departement van Landbou, Pretoria waarin die voorskrifte uiteengesit word oor die invoer van vleis en vleisprodukte vanuit buurlande.

The above matter was recently discussed at a Board meeting. Attached for information is a document received from Dr. Richard Burroughs, Directorate of Veterinary Services, Department of Agriculture, Pretoria outlining the conditions for the import of meat and meat products from neighbouring countries.

PLEASE CLICK HERE :- DEPT OF AGRICULTURE IMPORT PERMITS.doc
WAAROM JAGTERSVERENIGINGS?

Ons staan aan die begin van ‘n nuwe jaar en dit is daarom miskien goed om net weer die bestaansreg van jagtersverenigings onder die vergrootglas te plaas. Die vraag wat ons moet aanspreek is wat jagtersverenigings vir die individuele lid beteken. Gaan dit oor die reg om vuurwapens te besit? Gaan dit oor opleiding? Gaan dit oor jaggeleenthede wat die vereniging beding? Gaan dit oor skietdae wat aangebied word? Gaan dit oor erkenning aan lede deur toekennings wat gemaak word? Gaan dit oor jagklub vergaderings waar relevante onderwerpe bespreek word en die sosiale interaksie wat daarmee saamgaan? Sekerlik is die bostaande tot ‘n mindere of meerdere mate waar vir lede, afhangende van belangstelling en behoeftes. Maar is dit al waaroor dit gaan? [meer]
LATEST NEWS
 
What are the public's attitudes towards hunting?


It is important for the organised hunting industry to know how much support hunting enjoys amongst the general public. Hunters on the one hand, who realize that the hunting industry is essential to ensure a future for wildlife, and animal-rights activists on the other hand, who strive to close down the hunting industry are at loggerheads regarding the acceptability of hunting. These animal-rights organizations often exert pressure on governments to ban hunting by creating the impression that their point of view enjoys the support of the majority of the public, while hunting associations are supported by only a small number of hunters.

Resent research that was conducted amongst the economically active public in Port Elizabeth, showed that the majority of the public (53%) supports hunting, while a mere 26% opposed hunting and 21% had neutral feelings towards hunting. An important finding was that people who oppose hunting can be divided into two categories. The first category was of the opinion that although they personally disapprove of hunting they also felt that other people should have the right to hunt if they want to. Evidently, these people do not pose any serious threat to the hunting industry. The second category was of the opinion that nobody should be allowed to hunt. Although these people represented only 15% of the public, they pose a serious threat to the hunting industry. These results indicate that only a small percentage of the public finds hunting truly socially unacceptable.

As far as demographical factors are concerned, gender has the most significant influence on the public's attitudes towards hunting. Females were much more likely to oppose hunting than males. While 40% of females opposed hunting, only 14% of males opposed it. Similarly, 68% of males supported hunting, while only 35% of females supported it.

The public who opposed hunting was mostly of the opinion that hunting endangered wildlife (54%), that it is morally wrong to kill animals (51%), that hunting inflicts pain on animals (47%), that they love animals (31%), that animals are used to benefit people (27%), that hunters behave badly (19%) and that hunting is a dangerous activity (17%). It is important to realize that these findings show how hunting is viewed through the eyes of those who oppose it.

The majority of the public (78%) were of the opinion that hunting has the potential to be beneficial to wildlife populations if it is done correctly, while only small percentage of the public (12%) were of the opinion that hunting cannot be beneficial to wildlife populations even if it is done correctly. This shows that the public recognizes the potential benefits of hunting to a large extent. Despite this, it was found that 41% of the public belief that hunting endangers wildlife populations. These almost contradicting results show that, although the public recognize the potential benefits of hunting, many are also of the opinion that hunting does not live up to its potential to be beneficial to wildlife, possibly because they belief hunting is done in an irresponsibly or unsustainably manner. This implies that a large proportion of the public is probably not aware of the many contributions hunting makes to conservation. Therefore, the message needs to be conveyed to the public that hunting is done in a responsible and sustainable manner, and the contributions that hunting makes to conservation should be highlighted.

The research also showed that negative attitudes towards hunting are often based on people's incorrect beliefs about hunting. The belief that hunting endangers wildlife was identified as the most significant belief on which people base their negative attitudes towards hunting. People that hold this belief towards hunting was nine times more likely to feel that hunting should be made illegal (36%) than those who felt that hunting does not endanger wildlife (4%). Another incorrect belief, on which negative attitudes towards hunting were often based, is that hunting does not form an important part of wildlife management. People that hold this belief towards hunting was ten times more likely to oppose hunting (71%) than those who believed that hunting was an important part of wildlife management (7%). It is important to realize that people's attitudes towards hunting can be influenced by exposing them to information that may alter their underlying beliefs about hunting. Thus, the public's attitudes towards hunting can be positively influenced by addressing people's incorrect beliefs and by educating the public about the importance of hunting in the management and conservation of wildlife.

Hunters have the potential to positively influence people's attitudes towards hunting. The research showed that the degree of exposure to hunting has a significant influence on a person's attitude towards it. People who have never been directly exposed to hunting were five times more likely to oppose hunting (35%) than those who have been directly exposed to hunting in the past (7%). This is probably because someone who has never been exposed to hunting will be more likely to have an inaccurate perception of it. It was also found that social ties have a significant influence on a person's attitude towards hunting. The research showed that people who have family members or friends who hunt (even if they do not hunt themselves), are much more likely to approve of hunting (66%) than people who do not have any family members or friends who hunt (37%). This is probably because a person who has family members or friends who hunt has been exposed to the hunting mind and is aware of the benefits of hunting. It is thus clear that in order to improve the public's attitudes towards hunting, one must improve the public's understanding of what hunting is all about.
ARTICLE BY VICE CHAIRMAN REGARDING MEMBERSHIP

Are YOU a CHASA Member?

I have found that a lot of members within my own specific association, BASA, are not fully aware that they are indeed CHASA members. Take a look at all the association emblems appearing on this page and you may be surprised to find that your answer to my opening question is YES!

What exactly is CHASA and how does it fit into the scheme of things? Essentially it can best be described as an umbrella body which fulfils some very specific and essential roles and services for its member associations. One of the more tangible things that the ordinary member would experience is the issuing of Dedicated Status. Although some members of the CHASA family can in fact do so themselves because they have achieved accreditation in their own right, CHASA does this for the bulk of its members.

Behind the scenes CHASA sits on forums and committees that discus, negotiate and influence much of the legislation and policies that affect the hunter-conservationist. The Hunters Forum, The Hunters/SAPS Consultative Forum, HAWASA etc. Here we act in the interests of local hunters specifically and in conjunction with all the other role players within the greater hunting industry.

Through the CERE Trust CHASA fulfils the fundamental hunting obligation of conservation and education, empowering local communities to make land available for sustainable hunting practices and much more.

CHASA has produced top quality hunter training material (for both senior and junior level) as well as shooting-range officer training guides. This is available at no cost to member associations which enables them to substantially increase the quality of service to members at grass roots level.

What really makes CHASA such an outstanding organisation is how efficiently it manages to achieve all this and especially how the structure is such that the very fundamental spirit and culture that exists in each of its various member associations is not interfered with in any manner. This means that the individual member has the benefits of being part of a large and powerful organisation on one hand, but most of his membership fee and ALL the say in how his own association is run vests with him at local level.

CHASA really offers the best of both worlds. With 22 member associations representing a vast array of specific interests & cultures perhaps if your answer was NO then it’s time you do consider contacting one and join the CHASA family!
ENQUIRIES COMPETENCY AND LICENSE APPLICATIONS (NEW AND RENEWALS).
An agreement has been reached between the CFR and the Hunters/SAPS Consultive Forum that applications for new firearms licences and renewals, exceeding a reasonable period of time (3 and 6 months respectively) should be reported to member associations of CHASA in prescribed format. These enquiries shall then be collated and referred to the CFR (Sen. Supt Burger) in Pretoria for investigation and report back.

CHASA’s Board has appointed Mr. Neil Jones as the responsible person to deal with these enquiries and also to represent CHASA on the HUNTERS/SAPS Consultative Forum which meet on a quarterly basis.

Subsequently it was agreed upon that all enquiries must be submitted direct to Mr. Neil Jones at email: neil@tech-unlimited.co.za or fax 011 462 1072. Cell no: 083 655 0348 on the prescribed form attached hereto. This form must be completed by members comprehensively to enable the CFR to do the necessary enquiries.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ENQUIRY FORM (PDF - 12.2Kb)

Should any member encounter any problems or are unsure about certain procedures, please feel free to contact Neil at the above number.

Your co-operation and support in informing you members accordingly will be greatly appreciated.

Hunters greetings
CHASA adopts BEE Policy

The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) has given indications to the hunting industry that it might in future only recognise associations which have a clear policy on black economic empowerment. As the core of what is needed is already CHASA policy, it was not difficult for the CHASA Board to be pro-active and adopt an official policy on this issue. Having this policy will automatically ensure recognition to CHASA’s 21 member associations.

The policy reads:

CHASA supports our country’s constitutional objectives that call for the enhancement of our capacities of the historically disadvantaged and the inculcation of a culture that values diversity.

CHASA further supports the goals of broad-based black economic empowerment.

CHASA, however, is a cultural organisation that belongs to its member base, and is not for gain, and we acknowledge the reality that in order to achieve black economic empowerment, we need to look beyond the facets of shareholding and distributing profit.

CHASA therefore adopts as official policy, the following goals:

  • to, with the aim of speeding up the creation of representative membership, pursue the drafting of new members from historically disadvantaged groups;
  • to, with the aim of uplifting rural communities, actively pursue and fund initiatives to enable communities to live close to or amongst wild animals, to benefit financially or otherwise in a sustainable manner from those animals;
  • to, with the aim of empowering previously disadvantaged individuals, financially support the training of said individuals as conservationists and hunters;
  • to, with the aim of supporting the latter two, establish the CHASA Conservation, Education, Research & Empowerment (CERE) Foundation, and fund that foundation from membership fees.
NUWE KAPASITEIT VIR CHASA
‘n Belangrike uitvloeisel van CHASA se strategiese beplanningsessie wat op Klerksdorp van stapel gestuur is, waarop toe voortgebou is te Kemptonpark en wat uiteindelik aanvaar is in Durban is ‘n nuwe bestuursmodel vir CHASA wat berus op kapasiteitskepping op bestuursvlak, sowel as op die daarstel van ‘n matriks-model van dienslewering wat setel in die toekenning van nasionale konsessies vir spesialis belangegroepe.

Die matriks-model skep ruimte vir tradisionele streeksjagtersverenigings én spesialis belangegroepe om in venootskap diens aan jagters te lewer. Die spesialis belangegroepe, wat nasionaal georganiseerd is, neem volgens hierdie model die verantwoordelikheid om lede van die streeksjagtersverenigings te diens met uitsette binne hul betrokke spesialisveld. CHASA het dan ook nasionale konsessies aan sewe spesialis belangegroepe toegeken, en daarmee word hierdie betrokke verenigings erken as die amptelike nasionale organisasies vir hulle spesialisveld:

  • Probleemdierjag – Problem Animal Control Association of SA (PACASA)
  • Handwapenjag – Handwapen Jagtersvereniging van Suider Afrika
  • Veerwildjag – The African Gamebird Research, Education and Development Trust (AGRED)
  • Grootkaliberjag en –skiet - Big Bore Association of Southern Africa (BASA)
  • Sportjag - SA Sport en Jag Federasie
  • Jaggeweerskiet – SA Jaggeweer Skietvereniging
  • Haelgeweerskiet – Clay Target Shooting Association of SA (CTSASA)

Kapasiteitskepping: Nege bestuursportefeuljes is geskep om deel te vorm van die vergrootte dagbestuur van CHASA. Die nuwe portefeuljes en lede van die bestuurspan lyk soos volg:

  • Bewaring (Conservation) : Hennie Erasmus
  • Navorsing (Research) : Dr. Gary Bauer
  • Opleiding (Training) : John Harris
  • Suid-Kaap Jagters Vereneging
  • Vuurwapeneienaarskap (Firearm Ownership) : Neil Jones
  • Sentrale Vuurwapenregister Skakeling (CFR Liaison) : Neil Jones
  • Administratiewe Interneskakeling (Administrative Internal Liaison) – Rory 'O Moore
  • Wildboereskakeling (Game Farming Liason) : Daan Bodenstein
  • Toekennings en erkenning (Awards and Recognition) : Hein Höll
DIE JAGTER AS BEWAARDER

Afhangende vanuit watter hoek jy daarna kyk, word die jagter of as “vernietiger” van die omgewing voorgehou of as iemand wat ‘n “belangrike” (selfs “kritiese”) rol speel as bewaarder van die omgewing. Hierdie debat (dit kan selfs as ‘n konflik voorgehou word) is een van die belangrike debatte van ons tyd en verdien bepaald meer aandag.

Onlangs by ‘n CHASA Raadsvergadering het die organisasie homself verbind tot die konsep van “Blou aarde” waarin die jagter as ‘n bewaarder voorgestel word en dat hierdie konsep die ideologiese grondslag moet verskaf vir die bevordering van die beeld van die jagter en om ook ‘n trust hiervoor in die lewe te roep. Dit is veral om ‘n ideologiese teenvoeter te vind vir die Groenbeweging en sy aktiwiteite wat wêreldwyd besig is om toe te neem en in momentum op te bou. Die Groenes bedreig nie net die beeld van die jagter as bewaarder nie, maar is ook regstreeks of onregstreeks deel van die kontensieuse gesprek oor wapens en wapenbesit wat baie jagters wêreldwyd rooi onder die boordjie het. Ten einde die debat (konflik) in oënskou te neem, moet ‘n rekonstruksie van die Groendenke eers gemaak word.

Vir volledige inligting klik hier...
National Regulations for Threatened and Protected Species
as applicable to hunters
The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has, under authority of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (NEMBA) published the mentioned regulations to be effective from 1 June 2007...[more]