At our Hunters Association AGM a week ago, we had a presentation from A butterfly specialist, and he asked for the help of all hunters. They are putting together a book similar to the typical bird identification book which will give information on these important insects, and include ranges where they may be found.
This is something sorely lacking in understanding the habits and importance of the butterflies and moths we all take for granted.
They would ask that while we are wandering around in the african veldt, if we get the opportunity to take a photograph of these insects whether in their adult or pupae stage, try and get a GPS bearing and note the closest local town, and when you get back home, log onto http://sabca.adu.org.za/ and give them the relative info. This is a 4 year study, so lets see if we as hunters/conservationists can help.

Excellent! I am gald when this type of work is done....

Just don't hit any of those Karkloof Blues there 500Nitro!

Kayaker, net as hulle my bestorm ( only if they charge me)

Good posting 500nitro.

Lets see if we can do more to help. What can I do? How can I live uo to the claim that "Hunters are the best conservationists!". Yes, I can and will take photos and send detail as requested? OK. Get my hunting clients involved? OK. Distribute request to all my South African email contacts? OK.

Anything else? To help encourage South African PH's and their clients to become more involved I am prepared to give a free single smaller trophy animal (springbuck, blesbuck similar) hunt (two days, in 2009 or later) to the overseas visiting hunter and AR member who can by 31 December 2008 show that he has sent in, and had these accepted for listing, the greatest number of different butterfly records during his hunt in southern Africa. OK?

Is there anything else that I can do? Is there anything else that Y-O-U can do?

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren.