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by Neil WaylandOne of Africa’s Master Hunters

Fort Richmond

Safaris

10 Myths About Hunting In South Africa10 Myths About Hunting In South Africa

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Dear Hunter,

You may be considering hunting in South Africa, but have been put off by rumours and speculation. This report is intended to give you factual information that will help you make an informed decision whether to come to South Africa or not.

South Africa is one of the best hunting destinations on this planet. It would be a shame for you to miss out on the experience of a lifetime, because you were ill informed.

Of course, the 10 Myths About Hunting in South Africa will probably answer only some of the questions you have.

Feel free to contact us at any time if you want to find out more about Southern Africa, in general, and hunting in South Africa, in particular.

Kind Regards,

Fort Richmond

Safaris

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Myth 1 – Hunting in South Africa is not accessible to non-Africans .......................................................4

Myth 2 – It is expensive to hunt in South Africa ....................5

Myth 3 – Crime is high in South Africa ..................................6

Myth 4 – Disease is rife in Africa ...........................................7

Myth 5 – Taxidermy is very expensive ..................................8

Myth 6 – Because of the high fences to keep animals in, South Africa is nothing more than a canned hunting facility .................................9

Myth 7 – Game in South Africa is becoming extinct .............10

Myth 8 – You have to have BIG guns to hunt game in South Africa ..............................................11

Myth 9 – Trophy hunting is a waste ......................................12

Myth 10 – It is difficult to bring guns into South Africa .........................................................13

10 Reasons why Fort Richmond Safaris is a plains game hunter’s first choice ...............14

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INDEX

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Myth 1 – Hunting in South Africa is not accessible to non-Africans

That is simply not true. South Africa has first rate airports at all major centres, with most international carriers like Quantas, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirate Airlines, Delta, United and, of course, SAA, travelling to them on a weekly and daily basis. [Daily from Atlanta (Delta) and from Washington, New York (SAA / United).]

Best of all, US and European citizens don’t need a Visa to enter South Africa — unless they’re staying longer than 90 days.

South Africa’s national road infrastructure is outstanding. One does not experience the traffic gridlock of more sophisticated countries, nor the inaccessibility of less sophisticated countries.

If you are a hunter, South Africa is one of those places you absolutely have to visit at least once in a lifetime. Nothing beats the raw passion of the most famous game reserve in the world: the Kruger National Park. Cape Town’s sophistication is a must for every tourist. And, Kimberley, the third most visited spot in South Africa, with its BIG hole — the largest man-made diamond excavation in the world — should be on every tourists list. Fort Richmond Safaris with its 21 415 acres of unspoilt hunting plains are less than 100 kilometres from Kimberley.

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Myth 2 – It is expensive to hunt in South AfricaTo hunt an Elk in Montana could cost you anywhere up to $6 500 for one animal. Here’s the kicker, if you don’t shoot the animal, you still pay $6 500! At Fort Richmond Safaris, you get a 7-day stay at an exclusive hunting lodge for $5 625 per couple.. This includes 4 animals: Springbok, Blesbok, Gemsbok and Wildebeest. If you choose the 10-day package (6 animals) you’ll be able to stay for $7 925 per couple.

Best of all, Fort Richmond Safaris has a “no animal, no pay” policy. So, in the unlikely event of not shooting an animal, you’d be refunded your hunting fee. Excellent value for money, wouldn’t you agree?

And, South Africa’s exchange rate is extremely favourable to USA and European tourists, which means that you get much more bang for your buck.

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Safaris

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Myth 3 – Crime is high in South AfricaThere’s no getting away from it: crime is a problem in major South African cities — as in most other large cities in the world. Tourists, no matter where in the world they are, have to take proper precautions: not to walk around wearing flashy jewellery, not to have cameras dangling off their shoulders, not to handle money in public, and so on.

However, hunting is done in sparsely populated, rural areas where crime is virtually non-existent. Farms are far apart, yet people are keenly aware of their interdependence. In Belmont in the Northern Cape, where Fort Richmond Safaris is based, violent crime is unheard of.

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Myth 4 – Disease is rife in AfricaMost tourists have a concern that they could contract diseases like cholera, yellow fever and malaria. It is true that there are areas in South Africa where there is the possibility of contracting a disease. However, 95% of the landmassin South Africa is disease-free. The Northern Cape, where Fort Richmond Safaris is situated, is also disease-free. This is because of the sparse population and the extremes of temperatures that are a signature of this arid landscape. There are no tick-borne diseases or malaria in these areas.

Also, because Fort Richmond is so far from big industrialised cities, the air is clean and clear, and the water pristine.The chances of contracting malaria are minimised if proper precautions are taken before entering a malaria area in Southern Africa. Fort Richmond is not a malaria area.

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Myth 5 – Taxidermy is very expensiveSouth African taxidermy is competitively priced compared to the rest of the world. In fact, most trophies cost half to a third of what they do in the USA. This is a seriously good reason to have your trophy prepared in South Africa.

South Africa taxidermists are, furthermore, recognised as some of the best in the world. They know the African animals, are masters of their craft and produce fine trophies.

On average it takes about a year for a trophy to be completed. South Africa’s taxidermy complies with world standards so that once the trophy is ready it is relatively painless to get it to you.

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Myth 6 – Because of the high fences to keep animals in, South Africa is nothing more than a canned hunting facilityNothing could be further from the truth. The vastness of most game farms in South Africa ensures that the animals have as much space as if they were out in the ‘wild’. A farm like Fort Richmond, for example, is 21 415 acres (approximately 32 square miles: the size of a small county in the USA). Some hunting lodges in the USA are only 25 acres — you can see clear across the whole terrain.

At Fort Richmond, as with most of the ethical game farms in South Africa, we do not buy in animals to be shot (‘put and take’). Our herds are natural herds, thriving and surviving as they did in the harsh African landscape of centuries ago.

We actually sell more game live than we hunt. In fact, we sell breeding groups to help proliferate areas that need them. This helps our conservation authorities balance the South African ecosystem.

All ethical game farms are absolutely against canned hunting. It is an abhorrent and ethically and spiritually deficient practice.

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Myth 7 – Game in South Africa is becoming extinctWith South Africa’s sustainable conservation philosophy, game is actually increasing. Research indicates that there are more animals in South Africa today than there were 50 years ago.

So, no, South African game is not becoming extinct. They’re actually thriving.

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Myth 8 – You have to have BIG guns to hunt in South Africa

It’s an absolute myth that you have to bring cannons like 300 / 375 Magnums to take down the big game in South Africa. Your typical deer-hunting rifle has ample firepower to stop the biggest Wildebeest. It is not the size of the bullet, but where you place it, that makes the difference.

That is why Fort Richmond Safaris suggests that hunters put in some practice at placing their shots before they come to South Africa. This increases their chances of getting it right the first time, without causing undue pain and stress to an animal.

All hunts at Fort Richmond are preceded by an intensive practice session in actual hunting conditions, before the real hunt starts. We make sure that our hunters are absolutely geared to take on an animal ... and that our animals don’t suffer unduly. Fort

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Myth 9 – Trophy hunting is a waste

Each animal that is hunted generates income through a voluntary 10% levy that is paid into a conservation fund. These levies are ploughed back into conservation efforts that will ensure South African game is sustained over the long haul.

Hunting also creates much-needed jobs for the citizens of South Africa. Fort Richmond Safaris, for example, employ 11 people including drivers, cleaners, guides, trackers and skinners.

At Fort Richmond, no part of an animal ever goes to waste. Meat goes to feed the staff and their extended families (approximately 50). Surplus meat is sold and the proceeds go to upgrading facilities for both hunters and staff.

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Myth 10 – It is difficult to bring guns into South Africa

There are strict laws governing the importation of guns into South Africa, as there are with most civilised countries. However, if you follow the correct procedures and go through the correct channels, it is possible to get your guns through without too much fuss.

To ensure a speedy and hassle free registration process with regard to the temporary import of firearms, have the following documentation at hand when you arrive in South Africa:• Proof of ownership of firearm. Registration can be

done at any customs office in the USA.• Proof of export. Some countries do not have such a

document.• Letter of invitation for the hunt. This explains to

authorities where and when and with whom the hunt will take place. It will enable them to close down illegal operators ensuring a better service for you. The letter must be on an official letterhead, complete with contact information. If you hunt with Fort Richmond Safaris, this is just one of the many things we supply to streamline your experience.

• Form SAP 520, filled in, in BLACK INK. Using blue ink will cause delays at the airport. Click here to download this form.

• Have your return air ticket ready, in case they ask for it.

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10 Reasons why Fort Richmond Safaris is a plains game hunter’s first choice1. No animal, no pay. The hunt does not automatically include the cost of the animal.

2. Exclusive, small groups of 4 to 6 people ... friends, couples and families.

3. Wives stay free. Children pay ‘observer’ rates.

4. No charge for arrival and departure dates.

5. Shoot four animals for the price of one in the USA.

6. Tailor-made hunting, birding and photographic safaris ... to ensure that you get the animal encounters of your dreams.

7. Day or night time game viewing on open vehicles or on horseback and, of course, on foot.

8. No time wasted in driving to the next place to hunt. At Fort Richmond Safaris you hunt where you stay: at Fort Richmond in the Northern Cape ... unless, of course, we take you to hunt the Big Five or visit one of the many game reserves elsewhere in Southern Africa.

9. Comfortable, safe accommodation, five-star quality home-cooked meals, transport from Kimberly, transport whilst on safari, 24-hour laundry service, guiding, tracking, skinning and field prep of trophies are all included in the price.

10. Hunt with an experienced, qualified master hunter: Geoffrey Wayland is a member of the Professional Hunters Association of South Africa (PHASA).

Because of the exceptional quality of the hunt and the alluring experience that is Africa, almost 25% of our visitors come back to Fort Richmond to hunt again.

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Book the experience of a lifetime today ... and qualify for these special discounts:

7 day hunt: $5 065 per couple (Normal price: $ 5 625) Includes 4 animals: 1 Springbok, 1 Blesbok, 1 Gemsbok and 1 Wildebeest.

10 day hunt: $7 135 per couple (Normal price: $7 925) Includes 6 animals: 1 Springbok, 1 Blesbok, 1 Gemsbok, 1 Wildebeest, 1 Burchell’s Zebra and 1 Steenbok. Includes: All accommodation, meals, transport from

Kimberly, transport whilst on safari, 24-hour laundry service, guiding, tracking, skinning and field prep of trophies.

Excludes: Airfare, conservation levies or gratuities.

Daily rates and trophies are available on request.

Click here to view all our packages or secure your booking.

Qualify for a further 25% off: Introduce a 2nd couple to hunt with you, and secure your booking with a 25%

deposit to get between $1 266 and $1 783 off the package of your choice.

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Other hunting or photographic safarisIf you want to combine your hunt at Fort Richmond with other excursions into Southern Africa, contact the Fort Richmond Safaris team at: enquiries@fortrichmond.co.za.

Tel: +27 53 204 0021Fax: +27 53 204 0021Cell: +27 83 233 5483Web: www.fortrichmond.co.za

Fort Richmond Safaris,PO Box 18Belmont8720South Africa

Fort Richmond

Safaris