This insult and threat to American hunters has to be atoned for. It would be nice to have the leadership board to paraphrase William Wallace and present themselves before us and bend over and kiss their own arses, but I don't think that would work over computer. Therefore, the only solution is for the inocent Napha members who are going to suffer over this must rise up and drum these people out of not only their leadership positions, but out of Napha all together. We must know their names and their position must be repudiated. Nothing short of that should satisfy us, American sport hunters.

Some guys in NAPHA are clearly are frustrated about competition and lost revenue and making bad decisions as a result. Right now they are probably in a bunker hoping this blows over. A risky strategy with DSC and SCI coming up in a few weeks.

You have these people selected from a total membership of what maybe 600 or 700 people? Not particularily good odds that they will have a natural ability to lead or be good (or even mediocre) at public relations in there native country, much less in a very sophisticated media savy country like US.

The action that NAPHA has implemented will uterly and completely financially destroy a US Citizen. Legal costs to defend yourself are astronomical. NAPHA has intentionally targeted innocent US Citizens in its terrorist scheme to drive out non-NAPHA PH's because it sees Americans as vulnerable to attack by its own government as opposed to the USG prosecuting NAPHA. NAPHA may be in for a big surprise!

NAPHA has intentionally schemed to damage international sportsmen for its monetary gain NOT conservation. Once it has destroyed non-NAPHA PH's and visiting sportsmen it will then turn on itself.

NAPHA has premeditately planned to wreak havoc on the lives of innocent people for profit and therefore deserve all damages heading NAPHA's way!!

I second the vote to have the names of all NAPHA members that supported this monsterious assualt on the worldwide hunting community publicly listed.

NAPHA intends to string you up for profit. List the names of the NAPHA members that supported this NAPHA act.

Allow us to introduce ourselves. We are a group of stakeholders: AR members, International Hunters, Professional Hunters(NAPHA & Non-NAPHA members), Predator Control Specialists,Commercial Farmers from Namibia(cattle/game), Taxidermists, Shipping Agents that will not tolerate NAPHA's uncalled-for behavior.

This following statement is based on "pure facts" and not like a empty vessel that makes the most noise.


- The Minister of the Ministry of Environmental and Tourism of Namibia (MET) has not stopped hound hunting nor hunting of leopard/cheetah for 2010. NAPHA, who knows why, has falsely sent this message into the world. Before such decisions can be made it must be agreed to in the Cabinet and then it must be gazetted. Neither have been done up to now. It was further said that MET wanted to wait till the end of the hunting season to recognized the status of the quota issue, only then will a decision be made. We quote:

“When I spoke with Beytell (MET’s director of Parks and Wildlife) in late August, neither of NAPHA’S recommendations had been implemented, but the prohibition of hunting with hounds was under serious consideration. Beytell said it was much too early to talk about a moratorium on leopard hunting permits for 2010, as such action may prove unnecessary. He said they were most likely to wait for the end of the hunting season and see how many additional leopards are actually taken” (The Hunting Report, September 2009, Vol 29, No 9)

- NAPHA called on a Special General Meeting on 31st of July(only for NAPHA members) to meet in the middle of our hunting season to cast a vote concerning the issues on leopard/cheetah hunting in Namibia. Less than a 100 members attended this meeting, a vote was casted and NAPHA ran with it to the media. The question everybody is asking: Was that a true indication or implication of all stakeholders involved? Makes one think that this whole issue was carefully planned, but not entirely thought through.

- Monopoly and Jealousy is very active within NAPHA. We are referring to South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe's houndsmen entering Namibia legally, with work permits, using Namibian Safari Operators to conduct their safaris. We have not heard any complaints from those countries associations about Namibian Safaris Operators conducting safaris in their countries. Or are we missing something here?
We also quote Graig Boddington's remark on this issue :

“Certainly in Namibia, the primary emphasis for closing leopard hunting with hounds is not a moral, ethical, or even common sense argument. I believe it is pure outfitter jealousy, those who do not have a pack of hounds available, or choose not to use them, trying to shut down those who do.” (http://www.sportsafield.com/FAQ/Boddingtonbloghounds.htm)


- The so called policy to hunt only with NAPHA members is "RIDICULOUS" If 90% of Namibia's Professional Hunters belong to NAPHA then one should hunt with the remaining 10%, because they do not seem to participate in unethical and unlawful practices. We need to recognize that everybody should be dealt with under the ordinance of MET for illegal practices. It is not up to NAPHA to prosecute these individuals, but up to MET. NAPHA can not speculate misconduct in Namibia, spread these roomers across the world without proof. It is law to first charge, prosecute and then find someone guilty. NAPHA's guesswork is sending the wrong message out to the wrong people. They are cutting their nose to spite their face. For that matter, for all of us!

- "THE LACEY ACT" - NAPHA used this as a threat to USA clients, because that is what it was, no matter how you look at it. We do not believe that NAPHA ever considered to follow through with this, but to simply warn Professional Hunters from Namibia, to stop with illegal practices. We have to believe that they addressed the wrong entity and they should post a letter of apology.

All the above statements were "facts" We want to leave all the stakeholders with one conclusion and the only "assumption" throughout this statement.
If NAPHA is suppose to represent most of the Professional Hunters of Namibia, why did they not handle this internally, with proper consideration within Namibia? Why sent a message to the international hunting industry of paranoia?
NAPHA gives us no choice, but to consider that a "animal rights group" has infiltrated within their association.

Please forgive us, but we chose to stay anonymous for the time being, "till our new house is in order"


PINKPANTHERONTRACK

The only way to make a difference here is to stay away from hunting Namibia until this changes. That is, unless you want to take the chance of being victimized yourself and having to possibly defend criminal charges brought against you by the USFWS which would ultimately result in you never being able to hunt ever again anywhere let alone Namibia, if you become a convicted felon under the Lacey Act. Doesn't make any sense for me to take that risk. How about you?

Thanks for the update, PINKPANTHERONTRACK. I knew there had to be someone with commonsense over there, and over there will be the solution.

The email address of NAPHA is: ceo@napha.com.na


Here's a copy of the email that I sent them earlier today:

Dear Sir,

I recently saw the press release that NAPHA issued in regards to how NAPHA will be working with the Namibian government to maintain the highest standards of professionalism in the Namibian hunting industry. While I applaud your goal I take great offense to your threat to hold American hunters responsible for violations of Namibian game laws and the subsequent reporting of such to the US federal government as Lacey Act violations. When I book a hunt in a foreign country I hire a reputable outfitter and I count on them to know the laws of their country and insure that everything that we do is in conformance with such laws. I cannot read all the game laws from every country and interpret them as an attorney or judge located in that country would do.

I saw some of the email responses that NAPHA made to other American hunters telling them that to be informed on Namibia laws and regulations, hunters should attend SCI and other hunting group conventions to learn these laws at seminars. I would ask you if NAPHA will be sending attorneys with specialized knowledge in Namibian game laws and regulations to every safari club show/convention in the United States to explain them? Many of us don't spend the $500 - $1,000 USD to attend these conventions every year and it seems like you are saying that we must to get the information to hunt in Namibia.

I hunted Africa for the first time in 2008 with a very reputable outfitter there in Namibia. I trusted them to know all the game laws and to insure that everything we did was both legal and ethical. With the stance that NAPHA has taking in regards to holding the hunters legally liable for any violations out in the field, I don't believe that I can take the risk of relying on any outfitter/safari company to protect me from any mistakes that could be made in the hunting grounds.

I was planning on returning to hunt in Namibia again in 2011 but in my position I cannot afford to risk having defending myself against a US federal felony warrant for an inadvertent contravention of a Namibian game law because of my own or my Professional Hunter's, lack of detailed legal knowledge

As such, while NAPHA has the present policy(ies) in effect, I can no longer hunt in Namibia.


Respectfully,

Hello All

FWIW Diethelm Metzger wrote me today and said there will be "a clarification on the board by Friday!"


I look forward to it.

Recon ol' Diethelm is catching any hell from back on the home front?

In addition to the publicly stated issue of "unethical" hunting practices, there is the not-so-transparent NAPHA vs non-NAPHA battle. But there are more subliminal issues at work here. In almost all business matters in the region there exists the competition between Namibia vs RSA, and German vs Dutch. I've hunted Namibia 3 times and had the matter explained to me from both sides.

You see similair animus in other parts of the world.

Wow! Glad this all came to light prior to the DSC and SCI shows. Was planning to spend considerable time and effort planning another trip to Namibia for '10' or '11'. Not much of a chance now it seems. Can't/don't want to take a chance on dealing with the authorities in charge if something beyond my power is brought down on me by these clowns. If I ever go back to Namibia I will make it a point NOT to go with a NAPHA member. I'll do my own research on people there.

All the good things that have been promoted about Namibia, and it is a great destination, have been flushed down the toilet by a few greedy, holier than thou NAPHA members.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

I'd like to see legal action brought against NAPHA members if they set foot on American soil during SCI and DSC shows.

I was planning Namibia in 2010 but no way will I take the risk of NAPHA business practice. My 2010 safari dollars will be spent elsewhere. I doubt if I would ever safari with a NAPHA member. NAPHA is a treacherous lot. Can you believe what NAPHA did to American sportsmen?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Buliwyf:
I'd like to see legal action brought against NAPHA members if they set foot on American soil during SCI and DSC shows.

[QUOTE]

What legal action would like to see done? This is the USA, and the idea of freedom of speech is encouraged. They haven't broken any US law, oh wait, US law doesn't apply to them anyway. So I would love to know what legal issue you would have brought against them.

Besides the point, above, I've hunted in Namibia twice in the past 2 yrs, had amazing safaris, that were extremely affordable. There are many outifitters in Namibia, that are members of Napha, why, bc thats the only hunting group in their country. It is crazy to send good guys who are members, (people not responsible for these ridiculous threats) to slaughter. If you took the time to call some of these Namibian Ph's, you would find they are as outraged as US hunters.

Buliwyf, I would encourage you to visit Nam, because it is an amazing country, with great people and wonderful trophy hunting. Heck PM and I'll give you the info on my past two safaris. It would be no different if Texas Trophy Hunters Association put out some ridiculus statement about cracking down on deer hunters. You wouldn't lynch your neighbor for being a member and getting the magazine.

MET is in charge, not NAPHA!

quote:

Buliwyf, I would encourage you to visit Nam, because it is an amazing country, with great people and wonderful trophy hunting.

Be that as it may, I see no reason to take the risk to hunt Namibia unless and until this outrageous action is negated. It's now permanently off our list, and that's too bad. We really wanted to go in 2011 after doing Zim, but that's out. No way, baby. No way.

quote:

Originally posted by Buliwyf:
I'd like to see legal action brought against NAPHA members if they set foot on American soil during SCI and DSC shows.

Can I inquire as to the potential charges?

quote:

Originally posted by dla69:

quote:

Originally posted by Buliwyf:
I'd like to see legal action brought against NAPHA members if they set foot on American soil during SCI and DSC shows.

Can I inquire as to the potential charges?

Does stupidity count? Nah, I guess not I see enough of that here on a daily basis as well. I just hope they really get the message we are sendng.

Interestingly the Lacey Act would apply to any PH or outfitter that contributed to the illegal hunting and subsequent importation of an animal hide.

So yes, a visiting PH could potentially be served while at the SCI or DSC shows.

Do we really want to open Pandoras box?

I am afraid it is too late.

That's right JohnHunt. Thanks for the post. I wonder if NAPAH members being arrested in the United States and prosecuted to bankruptcy and then jailed would impact their life? NAPHA deserves maximum punishment!

What NAPHA did is criminal and far beyond belief. Publish the names of NAPAH members that perpetrated the act. Replace the NAPHA board by a true vote of NAPHA members NOW!!

quote:

Originally posted by Buliwyf:


What NAPHA did is criminal

Can you please provide a list of statutes that you believe have been violated?

I don't believe NAPHA! I do believe action should be taken against NAPHA in the form of legal prosecution of NAPHA officials and a true vote of NAPHA members to remove NAPHA perpetrators or else an international financial sanction be implemented against NAPHA.

NAPHA institued a Schorched Earth Terror Policy against all non-NAPHA PH's. NAPHA's zeal in the wanton commercial slaughter of non-NAPHA PH's included the tactic of destroying the non-NAPHA member "food source"....the foreign sportsman. Mainly Americans. NAPHA pursued its regin of terror against innocent sport hunters without any regard to the complete and utter destruction of lives. NAPHA perpetrators do not want their names publicly listed becuase they fear that the financial destruction they cold-heartedly calculated for non-NAPHA PH's and American clients will now be visited upon them as it will be. NAPHA perpetrators can run, but they can not hide!

quote:

Originally posted by Buliwyf:
I don't believe NAPHA! I do believe action should be taken against NAPHA in the form of legal prosecution of NAPHA officials

You have failed to provide even a single statute that you believe has been violated.

Also, posting the same message 3 times doesn't make it any more meaningful.

quote:

Originally posted by Buliwyf:
I don't believe NAPHA! I do believe action should be taken against NAPHA in the form of legal prosecution of NAPHA officials and a true vote of NAPHA members to remove NAPHA perpetrators or else an international financial sanction be implemented against NAPHA.

NAPHA institued a Schorched Earth Terror Policy against all non-NAPHA PH's. NAPHA's zeal in the wanton commercial slaughter of non-NAPHA PH's included the tactic of destroying the non-NAPHA member "food source"....the foreign sportsman. Mainly Americans. NAPHA pursued its regin of terror against innocent sport hunters without any regard to the complete and utter destruction of lives. NAPHA perpetrators do not want their names publicly listed becuase they fear that the financial destruction they cold-heartedly calculated for non-NAPHA PH's and American clients will now be visited upon them as it will be. NAPHA perpetrators can run, but they can not hide!

Man I would recommend a Thorizine Drip...because you need to relax.. and again I still fail to see, and (I'm not the only one! THANKS DLA69) any violation of US laws...once again I will point out, that Namibian Organizations don't have to abide by USA Laws, BECAUSE THEY ARE IN ANOTHER FREAKING COUNTRY!!!! you must be thick as a Baobab.

You might want to consider that if someone happen to read this forum and see your post, that it might shine poorly on other AR users, because they might assume that all AR users are like you, and completely nuts without knowledge of how the legal process works.

I invite you to redeem yourself, with finding just one, thats right one statute that has been violated by their press release? JUST ONE BULI!

Good Luck, I'm sure this wil be met with more ridiculous rants!

Oryxhunter,

reread the original press release; if that doesn't send a chill up your spine...
You go to Namibia with a PH company you booked with at say, SCI Dallas or Reno. You check their references and everything sounds good. You pony up the $$$, have a good hunt and head back to the states. Upon your return you find some fedguv folks waiting with some beautiful stainless charm bracelets for you and the rest of your hunting party. It seems your PH company decided not to join NAPHA and they ratted you out. It seems you broke some law in Namibia or under the Lacey Act you were unaware of. Even going with a NAPHA member does not insure you broke no laws thru ignorance of their legal code. You spend two to three years and thousands and thousands of dollars with attorney fees and filings...
At the end, you say "I didn't know. I depended on the PH for that...". They decide to cut you a little slack and the five years in federal prison on each count, plus the possibility of a RICO Act conviction (two or more is a conspiracy, and the PH makes two) might be suspended. You did lose your house, you have a felony conviction, so firearms ownership is a thing of the past. Did I miss anything?

I'm sixty, I don't have time for this kind of crap now. Never really did. Hunt somewhere else. You probably know at least one person who has run afoul of the IRS. Ask them if pleading ignorance of some rule in their seventeen pound rule book helped.

Rich

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Oryxhunter,

reread the original press release; if that doesn't send a chill up your spine...
Rich

Rich, I completely see where you are coming from, my comments were merely directed at BULIwyf because he keeps screaming for Prosecution of NAPHA. And that his claims, that "what napha did was criminal" are ridiculous chatter! There hasn't been anything criminal about it. They merely made a statement, which I believe they are regretting right now. But nothing criminal. See, Buli has posted the exact same comments on multiple boards, and if you read, there are others who are tired of his rants.

Now concerning what NAPHA said, do I like the idea of it, of course not, do I think anything will come of it, maybe, depends if you're a hunter and decide to do some illegal stuff. I realize that US hunters don't want to shoulder the burden of knowing the laws, but I will tell you, as someone who covers his own ass, I try to be informed as much as possible.

In addition, if you're willing to pony up thousands to go hunting, you better make sure you're hunting with the right people, that you TRUST. TRUST being the key word, I trust the guys I've hunted with my life, so if you can't do that, than maybe you should be concerned this whole NAPHA thing.

I'm not PRO-NAPHA, I'm PRO HUNTING IN NAMIBIA. Especially with the people I've hunted with. SO I think you are mis-understanding my intention. Please respond...

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Oryxhunter,

reread the original press release; if that doesn't send a chill up your spine...
You go to Namibia with a PH company you booked with at say, SCI Dallas or Reno. You check their references and everything sounds good. You pony up the $$$, have a good hunt and head back to the states. Upon your return you find some fedguv folks waiting with some beautiful stainless charm bracelets for you and the rest of your hunting party. It seems your PH company decided not to join NAPHA and they ratted you out. It seems you broke some law in Namibia or under the Lacey Act you were unaware of. Even going with a NAPHA member does not insure you broke no laws thru ignorance of their legal code. You spend two to three years and thousands and thousands of dollars with attorney fees and filings...
At the end, you say "I didn't know. I depended on the PH for that...". They decide to cut you a little slack and the five years in federal prison on each count, plus the possibility of a RICO Act conviction (two or more is a conspiracy, and the PH makes two) might be suspended. You did lose your house, you have a felony conviction, so firearms ownership is a thing of the past. Did I miss anything?

Please consider loosening the tin-foil cap. I think it is cutting off the circulation.

I have no interest in supporting NAPHA. I only know two things about them.

1) My PH belonged to them.
2) They have a decent magazine about hunting in Namibia.

My only reason for responding to any of these NAPHA related posts is that I'd hate to see the vast over reactions (IMO) that have been posted here cause people to avoid hunting in Namibia and thereby be deprived of the great hunting, people and experiences that I recently had.

There are many places to hunt in Africa. Since the Namibian professional hunter organization seems to be convulsing and creating the possibility that me, an American hunter, could get in a world of hurt by hunting there, I will not.

Only a fool would consider exposing himself to such potential danger for the fleeting satisfaction of putting a few bullets into a small variety of plains game or a leopard.

Count me out. And my friends, as well.

Guys, there is a positive here. To the credit of NAPHA they are trying to get a handle on unethical conduct by some operators---both Namibian and South African---with respect to leopard hunting. Leopard hunting with dogs in Namibia has been problematic for several years. It needs to be cleaned up. Good on them.

One of their biggest problems however is that one of their own, the oldest son of a very large name in the business who attends most if not all of the US shows, including Reno, is a chief offender. And there are others.

In the meantime, as I have posted repeatedly on AR, this is an internal matter of NAPHA vs non-NAPHA and German vs Dutch, as described to me by parties on BOTH SIDES. We Americans have been pitched into the pit as pawns.

I have hunted Namibia 3 times. I love Namibia. I want to hunt there again. But not in the immediate future.

Diet Metzeger is the head of NAPHA. By American standards that makes him accountable for this matter. Parties interested in hunting Namibia should hold his feet to the fire for this ill-concieved strategy. He's in charge, he's the guy responsible. Let him explain it.

(Metzeger has hosted and overseen several "Namibia" seminars at SCI Reno, BTW.)

I'll be making it a point to see him in Reno. It'll be interesting to see what he has to say.

I agree and think we should all make a point of seeking out Mr Metzeger.

Saeed:

Would you consider authorizing me to conduct a formal interview of Mr. Metzger, on behalf of Accuratereloading.com, with respect to this issue, at SCI Reno? The results of the interview would be posted on AR. I'd be happy to tape record the interview and submit all notes and drafts to you before posting them on AR. You, Sir, would have final approval of anything posted.

Regards.......TWL