A proud 38-year history of ethical, reasonably priced trophy hunting of the highest standard in Namibia has revealed that sustainable utilization of wildlife resources has been a major factor in protecting our game populations. Even depleted game species, which formerly populated areas of Namibia, have been re-introduced through effective game management based on the principle of conservation through selective hunting. NAPHA is therefore convinced that man’s oldest cultural heritage, namely hunting, carried out through sustainable game utilization, is an effective tool to ensure the survival of wildlife and the well-being of local communities. The Namibia Professional Hunting Association was founded in 1974 in order to promote Namibia as a hunting destination internationally and protect the right to hunt locally. Today NAPHA has over 400 Hunting Professionals (Hunting Guides and Professional Hunters) as registered members. The Association has an excellent working relationship with the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism, and is instrumental in forming new legislation. The Association NAPHA strives to achieve its goals through the following sub-committees: Executive Committee Executive Committee is responsible for the overall management of NAPHA. President: Danie Strauss Vice President: Diethelm Metzger Treasurer: Jozef Lamprecht jnr. Members: Winfried DÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚¶rnhÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚¶fer; co-opted, Johann Louw, Disciplinary Committee As the name implies, this committee addresses discipline within NAPHA’s membership. It handles unethical hunting behaviour, client complaints against members, complaints between members, contraventions against NAPHA’s constitution and also advises the government on disciplinary cases of non-members. Chairman: H.Mentzel, Ombudsman: Volker Grellmann, Carnivore Committee This committee negotiates with the government and NGO’s, landowners and communities. Its main objective is to encourage the sustainable utilization of predators in order to combat indiscriminate problem control of predators by farmers. Chairman: TBH Garbade, Bow Hunting Committee Bow hunting in Namibia was legalized during 1998. This committee was instrumental in getting bow hunting approved by the authorities and is now continually fine-tuning this challenging way of hunting. It is also involved in the training of bow hunting guides. Chairman: J.Louw , Tel. +264 67 306292, Email : Education Committee Is responsible for the training of NAPHA member employees in order to ensure a better service and professionalism in the industry. The following training programs are currently in place, Hunting Assistant (trackers, skinners and drivers), Camp Assistant (cleaners, cooks, gardeners, maintenance and camp staff). The Education Committee also embarked upon a program where Previously Disadvantaged People with ample experience in hunting are educated and qualified as Hunting Guides. The Season The Namibian trophy hunting season runs from the 1st February to the 30th November annually. Trophy quality is consistently outstanding due to the decision to aim for exclusivity rather than to commercialize. Records show that 92% of trophies taken over the past 17 years are in the top half of the record books. On average hunting clients take one trophy per day, but no limit is placed on the number of species that you may take during a specific safari period. Some clients have taken as many as 10 species in a 5 day period. Short safaris are, however, not recommended as much of the pleasure of hunting, as well as appreciation of the environment, is lost during a high pressure safari. A minimum period of 10 – 14 days is recommended.