The hunting season for designated game species will officially open on the 1st of next month.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has announced that hunting will be permitted for specified game species on commercial farms measuring no less than 1,000 hectares.

These farms must either be enclosed with registered game-proof fencing or be part of registered conservancies where approved hunting quotas are in place. Hunting on such properties is allowed from the 1st of May to the 31st of August.

On commercial farms of at least 1,000 hectares that are enclosed with standard livestock fencing (not necessarily game-proof), the hunting season will run from the 1st of June to the 31st of July.

Huntable bird species may be hunted with written permission from the farm owner or lessee, provided the land is no smaller than 1,000 hectares and enclosed with at least standard fencing.

The hunting period for birds is determined according to their non-breeding times.

The ministry further noted that there are limits to the number of game animals a single hunter may take. These limits vary depending on the combination of species: a hunter may harvest three large game animals, or two large game and four small game, or one large game and eight small game, or up to twelve small game animals.

For example, no individual may hunt more than one kudu.

Hunting permits will be issued to farm owners, lessees, or conservancy committees at a cost of one hundred dollars.

Permits can be obtained from Ministry offices in the Khomas, //Karas, Hardap, Kunene, Omaheke, Otjozondjupa, Oshikoto, and Erongo regions.