CHASA and the Image of Hunters.

Hunters holds the key to conservation in this millennium. Not only because hunting makes an important contribution towards the funding of conservation, but especially because scientific conservation is currently facing its biggest threat. This threat is the emotional outcries of arm chair animal activists. Although being in the minority, they have vast influence in canvassing the opinions and support leader organizations and the wider uninvolved public sector, and given the nature of democracy, the future of hunting lie in the hands of this majority who necessarily do not have a firm opinion about hunting. They, however, do have a strong viewpoint in favour of conservation – especially the conservation of animals, but do not understand the importance of hunting as an instrument for sustainable utilization and will therefore bring out their vote based on their perceptions of hunting and hunters. This image is largely formed by the image which the media reflects to the outside world. Will this image represent the reality of the situation? – it will be based on what the media regards as being newsworthy.

The ten thousand hunting excursions which occur annually is not newsworthy for the media. But because the urban majority are becoming more sensitive when an un-ethical incident occur, they regard it as sensational and it reaches the head lines. Activists then uses these incidents to make hunting socially unacceptable with the wider public. Their ultimate aim is to make hunting illegal and if they should succeed, it will mean the end of our wild life – probably the next generation.

Hunters do have a responsibility towards nature - which we love so much - as well as the heritage of our children to ensure that such incidents are prevented at all costs. The image of hunters should be impeccable at all times: One which testifies of responsible behaviour, an approach of fair chase, respect for nature, respect for the prey and respect for other people and their sensitivities. This CHASA is doing by marketing hunting as an accepted cultural activity by setting a standard for ethical hunting through extensive training and improving the image of the hunter.