Namibia: Perfecting the Art of Hunting



New Era (Windhoek)

July 31, 2006
Posted to the web July 31, 2006

Chrispin Inambao
Windhoek

Some 45 kilometres outside Windhoek is located the Omitara Eagle Rock Hunting Academy on Etango Ranch, a neat family-owned farm that offers a series of short courses on how to successfully mount professional hunts.

The courses are conducted by Volker Grellmann, one of Namibia's most famed hunters whose exploits in the bush are as legendary as this bear of a man.

His tale remains untold though his real-life expeditions could make some beastly adventures dreamed in Hollywood look tame by comparison.

But anyway the energetic Grellmann and his wife Anke have been offering hunting courses since 1974 mainly to Namibians though his students include various German and Austrian nationals. Other students were from America, Hungary, Kenya and Tanzania. Those trained were residence permit holders.

The school initially started with daylong and two-day seminars with various presenters and as time went by these were lengthened to several days at various game reserves. Towards the end of the 80s the first 10-day course took root at Omitara Eagle Rock though the school itself was founded in 1978.

Grellmann was quick to point out that since there are many farms that parroted the name of his institution, Omitara Eagle Rock "should not be confused with similar names established at later dates".

"After Independence we bought a farm to also establish a professional school for hunting and environmental matters," he told New Era.

When asked why he established the school, he said: "Well, because I think there was a need for it and the successes proved us right. There are very few hunting professionals that did not go through one of our courses."

Grellmann who has been in the local hunting industry for several decades says matter-of-fact that as far as he knows the school is the only institution that educates and hones the skill of professional hunters.

Students who went through his hands are in the age group 17 to 68.

He developed the curriculum used and in 2000 he adapted it for the Namibian Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) so that the association could accommodate the first intake of Previously Disadvantaged Namibians (PDNs).

"For most game hunting and legislation related subjects I am the principal lecturer, for botanical excursions we do bring in specialists from NAPHA, the Botanical Institute or from the Ministry of Agriculture," he said.

His son Robert offers theoretical shooting lessons and practice.

Courses at the institution run for 10 consecutive days of a duration of eight to ten hours daily non-stop. PDN courses stretch over 12 days plus two days of oral examination.

"We probably have had over 1000 hunting guides and professional hunters on our courses since 1974. PDNs that have successfully passed the examination now stand at 92."

All students counted together have a passing rate of between 75 - 80 % and students allowed to do the oral examination are said to generally fare better.

The medium of instruction is mainly English, except some PDN courses that have been offered in Afrikaans, having been the lingua franca for most students coming from a farm-workers' background.

"Courses are offered in twelve to sixteen students per class - maximum, to be able to give enough attention to the individual learner during theoretical and practical exercises. There is enough equipment for all - a donated beamer will assist with the next courses to include more illustrations in the power point formats," says the man fondly known as "the Beard of the Elephant."


Practical training during the theoretical course is limited to group activities such as valuating and measuring trophies, professional capping and skinning of a trophy animal, safe handling of fire-arms, learning to shoot and sight-in rifles, judging distances, etc. Practical shooting starts with a smaller calibre "to build confidence and ends up with heavy calibre rifle shots."

"Students are even exposed to setting a safari table and serving properly.

During the practical course there will be a complete full stalk of an animal plus all the other components for the practical examination. Most students do some practical exercises after the course under the mentorship of their employer or an experienced professional hunter," Grellmann explained.

quote:

PDN courses stretch over 12 days plus two days of oral examination.

"We probably have had over 1000 hunting guides and professional hunters on our courses since 1974. PDNs that have successfully passed the examination now stand at 92."

What is PDN?

Interresting,is it open for Norwegians????

PDN stands for previously disadvantaged Namibians.What it actually means is the native blacks.

While I think it wonderful that they be allowed to take the course and have a chance to improve their lot in life I find it at the same time despicable that they are held to different standards than their white counterpoints.Man o live, if we are striving for equality, we need to start by putting some equal back into it.