Hi,
Apologies, but I'm just curious as to what the law now stipulates, could you provide some clarity? My understanding is that RSA now has a minimum of .277/7mm for all game above springbok, is this information outdated?
You are correct in your statement.
Below is the requirements regarding minimum calibers etc. that has been Gazetted in 2009 and there has not been any newer version that I am aware of.
A lot will depend on the PH/Outfitter, if she is competent she will get it done and nobody will be on the hunt checking what she will be using.
Minimum calibers for rifle hunting
CHAPTER4
CATEGORIES OF HUNTING
21. The following norms apply to minimum rifle calibers for the hunting of different categories of wild
animals-
( a) .22 or 5.56mm rimfire rifle for the hunting of-
(i) furred game up to and including the size of rock hyrax; and
(ii) feathered game;
(b) .22 or 5.56mm centre fire rifle for the hunting of furred game up to and including the size of
springbok;
(c) .270 or 7mm rifle for the hunting of-
(i) furred game larger than springbuck, up to and including eland, but excluding dangerous
game or giraffe; and
(ii) ostrich; and
(d) .375 H&H Magnum or larger caliber for the hunting of-
(i) giraffe;
(ii) dangerous game; and
(iii) pachyderms, provided that the bullet must be of full metal jacket (solid) or monolithic solid
construction.
Minimum barrel lengths for handgun hunting
22. (1) The following norms apply to minimum barrel lengths of handguns for the purpose of
hunting-
26 No.32798 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 11 DECEMBER 2009
(a) 100mm for-
(i) centre fire single action revolver;
(ii) centre fire double action revolver;
(iii) rimfire single action revolver; and
(iv) rimfire double action revolver.
(b) 150rnm for-
(i) centre fire single action break neck pistol for the hunting of-
(aa) any furred game; and
(bb) feathered game, including ostrich;
(ii) rimfire single action break neck pistol for the hunting of-
(aa) furred game up to and including the size of a rock hyrax; and
(bb) feathered game;
(iii) centre fire bo!t action pistol for the hunting of-
(aa) furred game; and
(bb) feathered game, including an ostrich;
(iv) rimfire bolt action pistol for the hunting of-
(aa) furred game up to and including the size of a rock hyrax; and
(bb) feathered game;
(v) centre fire falling block pistol for the hunting of-
(aa) furred game; and
(bb) feathered game, including an ostrich; and
(vi) rimfire falling block pistol for the hunting of-
(aa) furred game up to and including the size of a rock hyrax; and
(bb) feathered game; and
(c) 125mm for-
(i) centre fire semi-automatic pistol; and
(ii) rimfire semi-automatic pistol.
Minimum calibers for handgun hunting
23. (1) The following norms apply to minimum calibers for revolvers-
(a) a rimfire single or double action revolver for the hunting of-
STAATSKOERANT, 11 DESEMBER 2009 No. 32798 27
(i) furred game up to and including the size of a rock hyrax; and
(ii) feathered game;
(b) a centre fire single or double action revolver of less than .357 magnum caliber for the hunting of
furred game larger than rock hyrax, up to and including the size of a grey duiker; and
(c) a centre fire single or double action revolver of .357 magnum or larger caliber for the hunting of-
(i) furred game larger than grey duiker; and
(ii) ostrich.
(2) The following norms apply to minimum calibers for semi-automatic pistols-
( a) a rimfire semi-automatic pistol for the hunting of-
(i) furred game up to and including the size of a rock hyrax; and
(ii) feathered game;
(b) a centre fire semi-automatic pistol smaller than .357 magnum or 357 Sig for the hunting of furred
game larger than rock hyrax up to and including the size of a grey duiker; and
(c) a centre fire semi-automatic pistol of .357 magnum or 357 Sig or larger for the hunting of-
(i) furred game larger than the size of grey duiker; and
(ii) ostrich.
Inclusion of game birds in provincial hunting proclamations
24. Game birds should meet all of the following criteria for consideration to be included in the provincial
hunting proclamation-
(a) the species belongs to one of the traditional gamebird groups of guinea fowl, francolins, partridges,
doves and pigeons, ducks and geese, quail, sand grouse and snipe;
(b) the species has a high reproductive potential;
(c) the species is common to abundant in at least in one or more biomes;
(d) the population status of the species is stable or increasing in abundance or distribution; and
(e) the species is edible.
Gamebird hunting methods
25. The following are acceptable methods for the hunting of gamebirds-
(a) walk-up shooting;
28 No.32798 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 11 DECEMBER 2009
(b) driven and surround shoots; and
(c) stationary shooting
Permissible bows for bow hunting
26. The following are acceptable types of bows for bow hunting-
( a) longbow;
(b) recurve bow; and
(c) compound bow, excluding a compound crossbow.
Categories of wild animals for bow hunting
27. The following norms apply to the hunting of wild animals with bow and arrow-
( a) small game, including gamebirds, small carnivores, hares, hyraxes, rabbits and pygmy antelope
(Category 1 )-
(i) bow with a minimum draw mass of 40 pounds;
(ii) bow generating a minimum kinetic energy 30ft/lbs; and
(iii) minimum arrow weight of 300 grains;
(b) medium game, including reedbuck, impala, blesbuck, warthog, bushpig, springbuck, and nyala
(Category 2)-
(i) bow with a minimum draw mass of 50 pounds;
(ii) bow generating a minimum kinetic energy 50ft/lbs; and
(iii) minimum arrow weight 400 grains;
(c) large game, including wildebeests, kudu, gemsbuck, zebra, waterbuck, sable, and hartebeests
(Category 3)-
(i) bow with a minimum draw mass of 60 pounds;
(ii) bow generating a minimum kinetic energy of 60ft/lbs; and
(iii) minimum arrow weight of 500 grains;
(d) Cape buffalo (Category 4)-
(i) bow with a minimum draw mass of 80 pounds;
(ii) bow generating a minimum kinetic energy of BOft/lbs; and
(iii) minimum arrow weight of 750 grains; and
(e) giraffe (Category 5)-
STAATSKOERANT, 11 DESEMBER 2009 No.32798 29
(i) bow with a minimum draw mass of 90 pounds;
(ii) bow generating a minimum kinetic energy of 90ft/lbs; and
(iii) minimum arrow weight of 750 grains.
Additional norms for bow hunting equipment
28. Notwithstanding the requirements contemplated in Paragraph 27 the following conditions apply-
(a) in the case of mechanical broad heads 5% additional kinetic energy is required for Category 1, 2
and 3 wild animals;
(b) broad heads must have at least tv.o cutting edges; and
(c) the minimum permitted arrow length is 50cm.
Short title and commencement
29. These norms and standards are called the National Norms and Standards for the Regulation of the
Hunting Industry, 2009, and take effect on a date determined by the Minister in the Gazette.
The whole document can be viewed here:
https://www.environment.gov.za/site...tices/nemba_huntingindustry_g32798gen1614.pdf
