Age requirement to hunt in South Africa?

Bsums

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I was curious what the minimum age to hunt dangerous game in Africa is? I'd guess 21 or 18yrs old but google didn't help me. Thanks!
 
Only what common sense and propriety would suggest.

No age limit.
 
good question .Bsums
never even pondered that one .
welcome to AH , enjoy the site.
 
Welcome!!!

And listen to Brickburn on your question. He knows stuff. :)
 
I was curious what the minimum age to hunt dangerous game in Africa is? I'd guess 21 or 18yrs old but google didn't help me. Thanks!

No age limit...however, importing a rifle you have to be 21 in RSA, not to sure about the rest of Africa
 
Took my son when he was 14, he did quite well. Bigger Impala then mine, 3 Warthogs, Kudu, Gemsbock and Zebra.
 
2nd that Listen to Brickburn.
 
Just got back from RSA last week from an impromptu hunt with Wesley van deer Veen of Ultimate Hunting Safaris. Wesley put my nine year old daughter onto her first game: an Impala and a great old Springbuck. We specifically discussed humting age. The answer is that it's left to the sound discretion of the parents and PH. Nine is most likely to young for most, even on plains game, but Wesley knows my daughter (we've been friends for years), he spoke with her about everything and then tested her at the range to determine her capabilities and limitations. BTW, 2 animals on 2 shots. I was a very proud dad!

Dangerous game would be a different issue. More experience required, more rigorous shooting demo, etc, but its not going to come down to whether its technically legal or not. It should and will come down to whether the young hunter is "ready" from an experience, competency, shooting proficiency and maturity perspective. Many will recall the catastrophe of Britney Boddington's lack of experience before hunting a leopard with hounds. While many things went wrong in that instance, a 14 yr old hunting DG, and being there in a wounded cat situation, nearly cost several lives, and while Pukie servived, his life is forever altered in a negative way.

Only you, your PH and son/daughter can make the call (with mom's input no doubt) As to when its time for DG. My free advice is, dont rush it, build up plenty of experience, and start hunting DG only when your son/daughter is intellectually mature enough, and calm enough, to handle the responsibility of DG hunting. And when you're ready, good luck and enjoy it, if you're anythingnlike me, there is nothing better than hunting with our kids. Hunting DG with my kids will be the pinnacle of my hunting career, and I am envious that you are almost, or actually, there. Good luck and straight shootin!!
 
Hi Bsums

I don't think there is a minimum age requirement with regards to hunting DG in most African countries.

However I would like to say that as a PH I would prefer hunting DG with a client of 18 year or older.

My reason behind this is simple, he would be able to truly appreciate each situation dangerous or not, and most importantly at that age it would be a memory that would not fade with time.

We have quite a number of families hunting with us and I would say it would personally be a great honour for me to hunt DG with their boy's/girls once they have gone trough the hoops so to speak and started on plain game, a certain level of trust is built on a hunt and the more you hunt with someone the higher level of trust is obtained.

Trust and an understanding of each other that could prove to be vital in a DG situation.

Just me opinion....

Best Regards
Louis van Bergen
 
A person must be 21 years of age to import firearm(s) and ammunition into South Africa. It is possible for someone under the age of 21 to do a hunting safari in South Africa, however another hunter/person over the age limit must import a firearm for their use or they can rent/borrow one from the hunting outfitter.
 
I have had 9 yr olds hunt with me , helping dad with his package .:)

I like to see what they can do at the range and if they can shoot from the stix etc. you'll be surpised how well some of the younger hunters do.
 
As far a my knowledge goes there is no age limit registered in any of the hunting laws of South Africa, however I had an 18 year old client wanting to shoot a Leopard with me. He already had an Elephant, Lion, and Buffalo. For his 18th birthday we would do the Leopard.

The permit was issued on his name to legally hunt the Leopard, well three days later one (stupid) person in Nature Conservation's office called me and said he wants the permit back because of the age of the client. Claiming the client should be 21 years of age to hunt any of the Big 5.

I then apposed, but he carried on anyway and issued the permit for the father to hunt the Leopard. And..................................................................... the cat was dead.

There is no age limit as to what a client may hunt or not. Nowhere is it written in any legislation or under any conditions.

It all comes back to what your own personal feelings, likes and dislikes would be.
My son is 6 years old now and he hunts with me, this is the environment we are in.
He likes it now but maybe one day he might change his mind and I will never force him to do something he does not like.
I will take him on his first Buffalo the day he can shoot three rounds with a 375 H&H at 50 yards and do it well.
He is prity good with the 7x57 Mauser now at the age of 6, although I did fit a silencer to reduce the recoil and sound.
DSCF5865-400x600.jpg


DJ_Rooibok-600x451.jpg

The 7x57 Mauser before it was redone.
DSCF6068.JPG

The 7x57 Mauser after it has been redone.
 
I think it comes down to knowing your kid.My son took his first animal at 11 years old a 6x6 bull elk.Took his first dangerous game at 15 this year.I myself was not worried about if he could handle it and he even did better then I thought on the lioness.Stood his ground after she charged taking the first shot and 80 yds and dying not 25 yds away from him taking two more shoots from him at see charged.

Must also have a PH you can trust.Pieter was right with him and other ph next to him.

GEDC1005.JPG
 
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