Die Bontebok Desember 2022

Welkom

by ons Desember 2022 uitgawe van Die Bontebok.

Kom noem hierdie sommer die Kersfees-/Nuwejaarsuitgawe van Die Bontebok. Ons het heelwat interessante artikels en jagstories.

Op bladsy 18 word vertel van ‘n lekker jagstorie in die Kalahari deur Jan Hanekom, en op bladsy 12 is Schalk van der Merwe se eerste bok storie. Die bekende Jokl Le Roux se atikel oor etiket vir jagters is op bladsy 26. Dit is beslis ‘n artikel om te lees en ter harte te neem. Ons as Kaapjaglede het ‘n verantwoordelikheid teenoor ons mede-lede om altyd die beeld van ons vereniging uit

te dra en deur ons gedrag op die skietbaan of jagveld Kaapjag se naam hoog te hou. Goeie maniere bly maar belangrik. Op bladsy 15 is daar’n artikel oor die SAJSV of Suid Afrikaanse Jaggeweerskietvereniging deur Hein De Swart, hulle voorsitter. Kaapjag beplan om volgende jaar sy bande met SAJSV te versterk en om saam skietkompetisies vir ons lede aan te bied. Alliansievennote soos SAJSV is uiters belangrik vir ‘n vereniging om te groei. Deur ons assosiasie met SAJSV hoop ons om ons lede die geleentheid te gee om Protea-kleure in skiet kan laat verwerf. Daar word nog heelwat sulke vennootskappe beplan vir

volgende jaar. Baie geluk aan Faizel Salie met sy wenfoto vir ons fotogallery. Hy kry ‘n R2 500 geskenkbewys by ons borg, Ivan Volskenck van Ells & Co.

Ons wil julle ‘n geseënde Kerfees en voorspoedige Nuwejaar toewens. Vir die wat op die pad gaan wees in die feestyd, ry versigtig en trek maar af as jy moeg raak.

Skietgroete en lekker lees.

MATT RELIHAN - KAAPJAG CEO KAAPJAG HOOFKANTOOR

HUNTERS PORTAL

Dit is moeilik om te glo dat bykans ‘n volle jaar verloop het sedert die lootsing van Kaapjag se eie aanlyn platform, Hunters Portal, op 1 Desember 2021. Nog moeiliker om te glo dat daar nog lede is wat salig onbewus is van hierdie hulpmiddel! Dit nadat ek verskeie kere daaroor geskryf het in hierdie rubriek, benewens ander komminukasie wat daaroor uitgestuur was.

Geagte en gewaardeerde lid, neem tog asseblief kennis dat Kaapjag nou, soos ander vooraanstaande jagters- en sportskietverenigings ook oor ‘n aanlyn platform, HUNTERS PORTAL, beskik.

Hunters Portal is ‘n digitale platform wat u toegang bied tot alle dienste wat ‘n lid van ‘n jagtersvereniging moontlik kan benodig. Die platform bied u toegang tot ons dienste, enige tyd van die dag of nag, in die gerief van u huis of kantoor, op u selfoon of u rekenaar, sonder om eens die telefoon op te tel en ‘n persoon aan die anderkant te vra vir hulp. Ek het verwag dat lede bly sou wees oor die wonderlike hulpmiddel en die vooruitgang wat gemaak word. Tog is daar sommige lede wat nie gemaklik is daarmee nie. ‘n Mens wonder hoe sulke mense in die moderne eeu hul persoonlike banksake behartig? Hunters Portal is niks meer uitdagend as ‘n aanlyn banktoepassing nie!

Ons besef dat sommige lede nie noodwendig gemaklik is met die digitale omgewing nie en daarom is ek en Mimi steeds gewillig om te help waar hulp benodig word. Die digitale era het egter gekom om te bly en indien Kaapjag nie ook, soos sy konkurrente, aanlyn dienste

aanbied nie sal ons voortbestaan sekerlik van korte duur wees. Stel u voor, ‘n handelsbank wat nie oor digitale dienste beskik nie! Kom ons kyk na ‘n kort opsomming van die dienste wat Hunters Portal bied:

• Hunters Portal is maklik bereikbaar via ons webtuiste www. kaapjag.co.za. Vir u gerief is daar ook ‘n video beskikbaar by die Hunters Portal-icon wat vir u ‘n kort oorsig gee oor hierdie nuwe fasiliteit.

• Hunters Portal sal u herinner wanneer ‘n vuurwapen gaan verval sodat u betyds kan aansoek doen vir die hernuwing daarvan. Al wat dit verg is dat u u vuurwapens moet gaan inpons op Hunters Portal en die vervaldatums, soos wat u lisensies hernu word, aanpas. Dit is veilig en vertroulik.

• Hunters Portal bied u die gerief om enige tyd ‘n bewys van lidmaatskap te bekom. ‘n Digitale lidmaatskapkaartjie is ook beskikbaar en u kan dit aflaai en op u selfoon hou – dan is dit altyd byderhand.

• Hierdie portaal bied aan aspirant toegewyde jagters en -sportskuts die geleentheid om die eksamen aanlyn af te lê en daarvoor aansoek te doen. U kan ook die praktiese skiettoets wat vereis word aanlyn aflaai en weer die foto daarvan oplaai na die platform.

• Lede kan al hul aktiwiteite, jagte en sportskiete op Hunters Portal vaslê soos wat dit plaasvind. Benewens dat Hunters Portal u voldoening vir behoud van u toegewyde status sal toets, is die inligting ook in ‘n gerieflik vorm beskikbaar vir gebruik tydens aansoeke vir nuwe lisensies of hernuwings.

• Hunters Portal bied ‘n endossement-funksie wat soveel makliker is as in die verlede. Boonop is die diens nou gratis.

• Lede het ook die opsie om, indien hulle herhalende aanlyn betalings vir hul ledegelde wil doen, die funksie te gebruik waar hulle hul kaartbesonderhede kan laai en Hunters Portal sal dan outomaties jaarliks op 1 Augustus die ledefooi verhaal.

• U kan ook verandering van u besonderhede soos u eposadres, selfoonnommer en woonadres aanlyn gaan aanbring. Die kantoor word outomaties van hierdie wysiging verwittig.

• Lede kan gesinslede byvoeg deur die Join Us-funksie op ons webtuiste te gebruik. Op hierdie wyse sal die gesinslid aan u gekoppel wees vir die doeleindes van die verlaagde fooi wat vir gesinslede geld.

Kom ons omhels hierdie opwindende nuwe fasiliteit wat daargestel is vir u gerief. Maak gebruik van die funksionaliteit wat Hunters Portal bied en neem beheer oor u unieke en vertroulike profiel by Kaapjag. Die voordeel wat u daaruit kan put lê net ‘n paar rekenaarsleutels ver. Weet ook dat ek en Mimi u deurlopend sal bystaan terwyl u u toer deur Hunters Portal onderneem!

Ek wens u ‘n baie Geseënde Kersfees en voorspoed vir 2023 toe.

Matt Relihan

KAAPJAG PRESIDENT JOHANN STRAUSS

Die lewe sonder inperkings

lekker om sonder inperkings te lewe en te doen waarvoor ’n mens lief is en jou self te kan uitleef in die natuur en op die skietbaan. Ek was vanjaar by sewe van die nege takke van Kaapjag en elke tak is volstoom aan die gang om vir hulle Kaapjag lede die geleentheid te skep om hulle toegewyde status in stand te hou om sodoende hulle vuurwapens te behou. Die ander takke is op my lys.

Hoe

Die aanslae teen ons as jagters en sportskuts raak al hoe meer en ons sal moet keer dat ons nie die stryd verloor nie, so moet saamstaan met ander lidverenigings onder die sambreel van Chasa.

Alle lede weet nie wat Chasa vir die lede op die grond doen nie. Vir R140-00 wat dit ons kos vir elke ingeskrewe lid is dit baie geld vir Kaapjag om te betaal, maar ek dink ’n lid kry meer waarde uit as die geld wat hy betaal. Dink net aan jou vuurwapens waarvoor hulle baklei. Martin Hood is in Chasa se kamp. Stephen Palos wat weer als insit om die reg om te jag vir die lede te behou sodat jy elke jaar jou vleisie kan gaan haal.

Wie het geweet dat die leier van ’n politike party ’n jagter is en glo aan volhoubare benutting? Stephan was nou die dag met hom in gesprek. Dink net wat kan so ’n persoon op daardie vlak vir ons beteken. Chasa kan nie al hulle strategie op die tafel sit nie, anders kan dit die saak vir hulle benadeel. Daar is goed waaroor ons ontevrede is, maar dit kan reg gestel word.

Dit is al weer die laaste uitgawe van die jaar wat gevlieg het. Oor ’n maand is dit Kersfees en die takke maak hulle reg vir hulle afsluit-skiete van die jaar wat altyd een van die lekkerste dae in die jaar is.

Lede, ek weet die tye is moeilik en dit gaan nie aldag maklik nie. Kom ons kyk of elke lid nie ’n nuwe lid kan werf en inskryf nie. Dit sal dit goed gaan met Kaapjag en kan ons nuwe dinge aanpak en dalk die ledegeld minder maak tot almal se voordeel. Wie weet, as jy genoeg lede inskryf wen jy dalk die geweer.

Ek wil aan die tak-voorsitters en hul bestuur dankie sê vir al hul insette en moeite wat hulle doen vir Kaapjag om ’n goeie beeld uit te dra.

Die uitvoerende bestuur: Dankie vir al die tyd wat julle afgestaan het om Kaapjag se belange op die hart te dra en die beste besluite te neem tot voordeel van Kaapjag.

Dan kom ek by die grootste bate van Kaapjag, die kantoor wat altyd hulle bes doen om dinge vlot te laat loop en lede te help, al is dit soms na-ure. Dankie Matt en Miemie.

Dankie aan ons Hemelse Vader vir al die voorregte wat ons kan geniet wat ons as selfsprekend aanvaar, die talente wat ons gekry het en die natuur daar buite.

Die beste terapie is as jy daar in die veld alleen sit en wag vir ’n bok. Jy is weer ’n nuwe mens na die jag.

Geseënde Kerseees aan al ons lede en hul gesinne. Geniet die groot dae.

Kersgroete Johann Strauss

KAAPJAG VOORSITTER

FRANCOIS ROSSOUW

Hulle sê wanneer jy hard werk vlieg die tyd. Ek weet nie waarheen dit vlieg nie, maar hierdie jaar het beslis verby gevlieg. Hier staan ons op die drumpel van 2023. ‘n Nuwe jaar met nuwe geleenthede. Dit is inderdaad interessante en uitdagende tye waarin ons leef. Mens wens soms jy het ‘n kristalbal gehad om te weet wat vir jou voorlê in die nuwe jaar. As dit nie ‘n pandemie is nie, dan sit jy in die donker met kragtekorte, of Rusland besluit dat die Oekraïne darem nou te grootmeneer is en gaan op die oorlogspad. Ek dink nie President Putin het in sy kristalbal gesien dat hy 10 maande later nog steeds gaan oorlog maak met dié klein landjie nie. Dalk Putin se fout, maar kyk net waar sit ons vêr weg in SuidAfrika met hemelhoë branstofpryse wat ‘n invloed het op al ons ander verbruikersprodukte. Die impak word nog verder gevoel omdat amper alles per padvervoer moet beweeg aangesien ons treine nie juis meer ry nie. Al hierdie faktore raak sonder

twyfel ons Kaapjag-lede ook. Wapens en ammunisie is duurder. Om te ry na ‘n jag word nou ‘n groot uitgawe. Persoonlike inkomstes en uitgawes moet nou elke maand haarfyn beplan word. Begrotings word opgestel, geskrap en weer opgestel. Ek kom uit ‘n familie van boekhouers en my pa het my al vroeg geleer dat jy planne kan maak soos jy wil, maar as jou somme nie klop nie, dan moet jy maar ander planne gaan maak. My ma se wysheid was dat ”Charity begins at home”. By Kaapjag moet ons ook planne maak vir ons vereniging se voorbestaan en om moontlike aanslae teen ons reg om vuurwapens te bekom, te besit en dan ook te behou. Dit voel of daar gereeld nuwe hindernisse in ons pad geplaas word om ons as vuurwapeneienaars aan bande te lê. Ek wil ons Kaapjag-lede verseker dat ons as Kaapjag-bestuur gefokus is daarop om ons lede se belange te beskerm en die organisasie op die mees koste-effektiewe wyse te bestuur waar moontlik. Die bestuur is

‘n kundige groep manne wat Kaapjaglede se belange op die hart dra. Matt Relihan se ondervinding en kennis is van onskatbare waarde, soos die lede weet wat al met hom te doen gekry het. Sy deur is altyd oop en hy help waar hy kan. Dit is egter ook ons lede se eie verantwoordelikheid om hulle kant te bring om aan al die vereistes soos deur die SAPS gestel te voldoen. Sorg dus dat julle jul toegeweide status op datum hou. Sorg ook dat jou vuurwapen(s) altyd in veilige bewaring, of onder jou toesig is.Ken jou vuurwapenwette en reëls. Moenie ‘n statistiek word nie. Wees veilig en bewus van jou omgewing, waar jy jouself ookal bevind.

Geseënde Kerfees en ’n voorspoedige Nuwejaar aan al ons Kaapjag-lede. Groete Francois Rossouw

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PHOTOGRAPHS & ARTICLES

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DAAI EERSTE BOK

Einde 2014 ry ‘n twee-jarige bruinoog dogtertjie laatmiddag saam met my en Oupa veld toe. Haar ma is ook by om seker te maak sussie is versorg. Sy het al te veel gesien hoe ons mans se aandag elders afgetrek word en kort voor lank is die kleinding aan haar eie genade oorgelaat. Bea was al verskeie kere saam met ons in die veld, maar hierdie middag sou sy haar eerste jag meemaak. Ek het ‘n blesbok geskiet en Bea kon haar oë nie van die bok afhaal nie. Toe ons als regtrek om gou ‘n foto te neem was Bea eers effe huiwerig om nader te staan, het omtrent soos ‘n apie aan Karlien vasgeklou, maar dit was nie lank nie of sy het ontdooi

By die slagpale het sy opgewonde rondgetrippel en die res van die aand elke nou en dan gepraat oor die jag en die blesbok. Ouma moes die storie oor en oor hoor tot sy daardie aand op ‘n kombers voor die stoof langs die etenstafel uitgepass het. Terug in Somerset-Wes, laat die middag na ons by die huis aangekom het, het ek op die bank voor die TV lê en ontspan. Bea was alom met ‘n stoffer besig wat sy iewers in die kombuiskas beetgekry het en ek het haar gelos om haar eie ding te doen. Die volgende oomblik

het sy langs my gestaan, aan my skouer getik en my gevra om saam met haar kombuis toe te kom. In die kombuis het sy met een van daardie geweer-lighters agter die stoffer wat op die vloer gelê het stelling ingeneem en al ewe gevra, “Pappa, neem my af saam met my blesbok”. Ek was stomgeslaan! Haar eerste jag het duidelik ‘n groot impak op haar gemaak.

Sederdien is ons met die Here se genade omtrent elke tweede maand Beaufort-Wes toe, plaas toe. Vandat Bea groot genoeg was

om die .22 baas te raak is daar met elke besoek aan Losberg geskiet. Aan die begin moes ek of Oupa al die mik- en vashouwerk doen en het Bea en haar nefies eintlik net die sneller getrek. Die oudste nefie, Jean, het ‘n vreeslike uitdaging met die skietery gehad met die dat hy om sy lewe nie een oog kon toehou wanneer hy aanlê nie. Oupa moes later een oog met sy sakdoek toebind sodat die man kon korrel. Jean het kompleet soos ‘n seerower gelyk, maar skiet moes hy skiet. Soos tyd verloop het kon ek en Oupa terugstaan, net raad

Deur: Schalk van der Merwe

gee en ons verwonder aan die kinders se ontwikkeling. Bea het later gegradueer na die gebruik van die .222, ‘n pragtige ou SAKO geweertjie waarmee ek self my eerste bok 29 jaar gelede geskiet het. Gedurende 2019 gee Oupa vir Bea die .222, waarvoor ek toe baie gretig by die polisie aansoek doen om vir haar te bewaar.

Paasnaweek 2022 kuier ons weer op die plaas. Ons skiet op ‘n lui agtermiddag teiken en toe Bea weer die geweer vasvat, die kolf met vertroue in die skouer druk en aanlê soos ‘n ou ervare skut is ek en Oupa eens oor die saak, sy is reg vir haar eerste bok. Julie, die laaste week van die 3-weke skoolvakansie, is ons op Losberg en kry Bea haar kans. Al die voorbereidings is getref, sy moes selfs help patrone laai. Sondag, skemeraand, trek ons Oupa se Nissan plaasbakkie onder by die hek uit en skiet Bea ‘n laaste

paar skote voor haar jag. Op 100m is sy in die kol. Dieselfde aand, na ete, kom kry Bea my alleen waar ek in die kombuis staan en koffie maak. Baie ernstig wil sy by my weet of ek seker is sy is reg om haar eerste bok te skiet. Ek verseker haar ek is doodseker, maar dat ons niks sal doen as alles nie uitwerk soos ek vertrou dit sal nie.

Die volgende oggend is ek so net na 7 uit die vere en maak altwee meisiekinders wakker. Karla, Bea se sussie, het gesê sy mis hierdie jag vir niks in die wye wêreld nie. Pap geëet en als reggekry, koffiekis agterop die bakkie gelaai, is ons veld toe. Dit was ‘n beeldskone winters-oggend met so ‘n ligte briesie wat roer. Ons is anderkant Sonpomp deur die wildskamp se hek veld in. Ons kry ons eerste bokke net anderkant die rivierloop voor jy afsak Skilpadpos toe. Ons volg hulle in die rigting van

Vanvoorskop, maar kom nie reg nie. Op hierdie draai spring ‘n rooi-jakkals voor die bakkie uit en, tot Oupa se ontsteltenis, verdwyn in die eerste rivierloop in sonder om kans te gee of weer kop uit te steek. Bea lê twee keer op ramme aan, maar skiet nie. Albei kanse wat sy gehad het was redelik ver vir die .222-tjie en met die windjie wat by tye aan ons baadjies gepluk het was ek effe verlig toe sy aandui dat sy nie met die skote gemaklik is nie. Dit het vir my baie beteken. Aan die einde van die dag berus die onus van die skoot op die skut en dit het vir my van volwassenheid getuig dat Bea haar eerste twee geleenthede van die hand gewys het. Dit was ook vir ons belangrik dat sy nie enige druk moes ervaar om die sneller te moes trek met die eerste of enige geleentheid nie.

Ons is af Skilpadpos toe en in ‘n deel van die plaas wat ons

Augrabies noem. Daar is ‘n krans wat spoel elke keer as dit behoorlik reën. Bo Augrabies het ons weer ‘n klompie bokke gekry. Op so 120m het Oupa die bakkie gestop en Bea het aangelê. Ek het beduie watter een om op te mik en dit was nie 5 tellings nie toe loop die skoot. Daar voor op die ram se blad het die skoot mooi “toef” gemaak en hom laat swik. Raak!!!...het Oupa van voor uit die bakkie uitgeroep, terwyl die ram so entjie vorentoe draf. Van agterop die bakkie het ons die bok dopgehou. Hy het gestaan, so paar maal sy kop geskud, by sy maats aangesluit waarna die spulletjie ‘n half-maan om ons gedraf het. Oupa het die bakkie aangeskakel en stadig agter die troppie bokke aangery. Die ram met die skoot agter die blad het van die troppie weggeswaai, af in ‘n duik bo Augrabies in. Ons het hom eers gelos en agter die ander bokke gehou tot so ver as Skilpadpos voor ons teruggedraai het Augrabies toe. Aan die bokant van die klofie waar Bea se bok in verdwyn het, het ons van die bakkie afgeklim en die ram so 30m duik-in onder ‘n bos gekry. Bea se skootjie was netjies in die bruin streep, maar so ‘n duim of twee te ver agter die blad. Met

die slagwerk kon ons sien sy het die longe gemis, maar die lewer getref. Hoe dit ookal sy, Bea het die oggend net een skoot met haar .222-tjie nodig gehad om haar eerste bok op die grond te hê. Ons het haar gesig met die ram se bloed gesmeer en haar as volwaardige jagter ingelyf. Ons was so voorspoedig en Bea so vol selfvertroue dat Karla, een wat gewoonlik die slagpale vermy, ook toe sommer ‘n bok wou skiet. Ek en Oupa moes net briek aandraai, haar verduidelik dat sy nog ‘n bietjie werk nodig het tot sy as gereed verklaar kan word.

Ons het die oggend se suksesvolle jag gevier deur ‘n vuurtjie te maak in ‘n rivierloop op pad terug huis toe. Daar het ons wors gebraai, die blikbekers nader getrek en ‘n ketel gekook vir swart koffie. Ek het ‘n deel van Bea se bok se lewer wat onbeskadig was uitgesny, afgewas, gesout en oor die kole gebraai. Die lewer, saam met vye-konfyt op die broodjies wat Ouma vir ons in die koffie-kis saamgestuur het, was koningskos.

Wat ‘n ongelooflik oggend en ervaring wat vir my as Pa die res van my lewe sal bybly. Ek vertrou vir my dogter ook.

South African Hunting Rifle Shooting Association

The South African Hunting Rifle Shooting Association is a member of the national South African Sport Shooting Association, the umbrella organisation for sportsshooting at the South African Sports and Olympics governing body. The South African Hunting Rifle Shooting Association discipline has existed since 1992, originating in Bloemfontein in the Free State. There are many shooting disciplines, because the weapons available are so diverse. The hunting rifle sport shooting originated from the need for hunters to practice in a practical and realistic environment, making them better shooters and developing them as more effective and ethical hunters.

However, it has also built a platform for those shooters who do not necessarily want to hunt but who want to participate in an exciting shooting sport whereby they can perform to the highest level of representing the country as Protea shooters. It has developed in such a way that it is no longer a hunting or blood sports organisation, but a pure sportsshooting organisation that simulates hunting conditions.

Nationally there are about 400 registered league shooters who take part in about 20 provincial and district tournaments annually, with visitors also welcome. Annual events are held nationally in all provinces and the major league events are located in: Cape Town (WP), Cape Winelands Eden (SWD), West Coast, Eastern Cape KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, North West (Bushveld), Northern Cape Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo

What is the structure?

The feeder source of the SAHRSA (SAJSV – Suid Afrikaans Jaggeweerskietvereniging) is usually the local clubs and shooting associations from all over the country who in one form or another practice the sport of ‘Veldskiet’ as a shooting discipline.

From these ranks we then draw most of the shooters for tournaments, and also register them in the national field shooting league so they can participate in the “Super League”.

Who may join?

Hunting rifle shooting is open to all age groups, both men and women. There are no restrictions apart from utilising the equipment as prescribed by the association.

New rifle class

There has also been a new rifle class in our shooting discipline added over the past few years. This is for off-the-shelf standard .223 calibre shooting with a telescope that may not be larger than 14 x magnification. The total weight of the weapon may not exceed 6.5 kg. This affords novice shooters a relatively cheap entry level.

What does a SAHRSA tournament consist of? This shooting tournament takes place on a ‘popup’ shooting range usually set up on a farm in the outdoors. Our rules state that shooting is not allowed on a measured shooting range. The tournament is shot over six rounds of five shots, hence 30 shots in total.

Lanes switch between:

1. Life-size paper targets (Blesbok, Springbok, Rooibok/Impala, Bobbejaan, Vlakvark and Silwer Jakkals).

2. Iron plates of 20 cm in circumference called

‘Gongs’ that ring like a bell when hit, which the participants find very exciting.

What distances are shot?

The distances vary between 60 m and 350 m and are not announced in advance. It is part of the challenge to learn distance and wind direction. No distance or wind measuring devices may be used as an aid. The time limit ranges from 60 to 120 seconds. What equipment may be used?

Any centrefire hunting rifle of any calibre with any magnification telescope, but which cannot automatically (that is, electronically) determine distance, may be used. The most popular and effective calibres in the sport usually range between 6 mm and 7.65 mm, but there are shooters who do very well with lighter and heavier calibres. As already mentioned, the .223 class has certain limitations.

Basic shooting positions

We shoot from various positions and with various aids or freehand. The idea is to simulate and test many practical conditions. We use sticks, bales, anthills, unused vehicles, trees and crates. You name it and it can be done. For competition purposes, the position is adjusted according to the circumstances so as to provide a good practical challenge for the shooter, even if the terrain does not allow for longer shooting distances. Of course, the weather plays its unpredictable role, with wind, rain, temperature fluctuations and air pressure above sea level all needing to be factored in.

Shooting classes

Categories shooters can participate in: Penkoppe (13 years and under) Juniors (18 years and under)

Ladies Open Class, Seniors (50-59)

Veterans (60+)

Overall, all shooters except for ‘Penkoppe’ participate in the Open Class, meaning anyone can win. Furthermore, there are also three additional performance class categories, namely Bronze, Silver and Gold for league shooters and a non-member class for non-league shooters. District tournaments and competitions Nationally, there are now more than sixteen open class tournaments and ten .223 tournaments where a shooter can try to achieve ranking points.

Inter-district team competitions

The Western Cape has some of the top shooters in the country, with stiff competition between the districts. An inter-district team challenge known as the Western Cape Inter-District Challenge Series has also been established. The four Western Cape registered-district

Hein de Swardt WPJSV Chairman

teams compete over four tournaments to determine the final championship Western Cape district team.

National team

The highlight of the shooting calendar is, of course, the South African Open. The previous shooting year concludes with the shoot to determine the Protea team. For the Top 50 Open Class or the Top 30 Ladies or Juniors, the three best rounds from a shooter’s previous year’s competitions are taken into account.

The top 50/30 shooters are then invited to partake in the final, with two rounds shot on a Friday plus a final round on the Saturday. The points earned are then counted along with the year’s tally to determine a shooter’s final ranking. The Top Six shooters and one reserve are selected to represent the sport at international tournaments.

Save the dates

Kaapjag Witzenberg Veldskiet: 11 February 2023

Cape Town Open Veldskiet: 18 February 2023

Sponsorships

SAHRSA has been very privileged to have received good support from industry leaders over the past few years. Safari Outdoor, Wildman, Expert Kloppers, Rudolph Optics and others. Without these valued partnerships, we cannot host successful tournaments.

How to find us?

Our national body, SA HUNTING RIFLE SHOOTING ASSOCIATION, has a web page at www. sahuntingrifle.co.za

E-mail any questions directly to secretary@sahuntingrifle.co.za

KAAPJAG LÈ BESOEK AF BY WILDMAN CAPE GATE

Kaapjag het besoek gaan aflè by Gerhard Van Rensburg, van WILDMAN Hunting and Outdoor Cape Gate Lifestyle Center in Backenfell.

Wildman is een van Kaapjag se grootste borge en ondersteuners en kan gereeld gesien word by ons takke se skietkompetisies. Die afgelope jaar was die 9de jaar wat die Valplaatskiet in Calvinia saam met die Kaapjag Boesmanland- tak aangebied is.

Hulle vier volgende jaar hulle 10de bestaansjaar in die Wes Kaap. Hulle is natuurlik deel van die Wildman Groep van buitelugwinkels wat bestaan uit 19 takke regoor die land. Daar is ook nou ‘n tak in Robertson.

Wildman Hunting and Outdoor spesialiseer in toebehore vir die buitelug entoesias asook in vuurwapens en vuurwapen toerusting. Dit sluit in jagwapens, handwapens en sportskiet vuurwapens. Die twee Wes-Kaap takke het ook onlangs begin om hengeltoerusting te verkoop. Dit sluit ook vars aas in vir die see hengelaars.

Daar word ook vuurwapen opleiding gedoen op die perseel en dienste sluit in ‘n tenvolled toegeruste geweersmidwerkswinkel waar pasmaak wapens gebou kan word. Daar word ook herstelwerk gedoen aan enige vuurwapen.

Daar is ‘n volle reeks buitelugklere

en bykomstighede soos. stapsakke, LED flits ligte, messe en alles wat die natuurmens se hart begeer. Die nuwe reeks WildSpices, wat spesifiek vir die Wildman groep ontwikkel is, is beskibaar by die Gape Gate en Robertson takke.

Besoek gerus vir Gerhard en sy span vir n gratis koppie koffie en vriendelike diens.

Kontak info

Unit LL01A, Cape Gate Lifestyle Centre, Cnr Okavango Road and Belami Ave, Brackenfell, Western Cape Epos: info@wildman-wc.co.za Tel : 27 (0)21 9818180

Gerhard van Rensburg en Francois Rossouw voor die Cape Gate winkel

Geoffery Barreball en Heinz Petersen-vuurwapensmede Gerhard in die klere afdeling van skoene tot camo

‘n Deel van die Wildman span: Geoffery Barreball, Thys Brits, Kyle Coetzee, Olivia Joubert, Gerhard Van Rensburg, Francois Rossouw (Kaapjag Voorsitter) en Jacques Odendal

Kyle Coetzee, hengel afdeling spesialis

Slegs ‘n paar van die groot reeks handwapens wat beskikbaar is

Jacques en Thys demonstreerin Sako S20 geweer aan Aldo Cilliers ‘n Kaapjag lid en kliënt wat ‘n jaggeweer soek

Vuurwapen bevoegdheidsopleining word op die perseel gedoen

‘N KALAHARI JAGSTORIE

Ekgaan nou een dag op ‘n nostalgiese trip deur die picasa photo file op my rekenaar en kom op hierdie foto af wat in 2016 geneem is tydens ‘n jagtrip in die Kalahari.

Om hierdie foto in perspektief te plaas moet die agtergrond wat oor jare aanleiding tot die foto gegee het, geskets word. In 1978 word ek en my vrou, Karin, deur vriende van ons na een van hul ma/ skoonma se plaas in die Kalahari genooi vir ‘n wintervakansie in Namibië. Nouja, Kalahari beteken ‘n paar dinge, maar een daarvan is jag. Op daardie stadium was ek geensins ‘n jagter nie, maar my voorbereiding vir die trip het die koop van ‘n Kershaw mes en die skoonmaak van my kamera beteken. Om ‘n baie lang storie kort te knip … is ek die eerste aand ingelyf met al die seremonie wat met die skiet van jou eerste bok gepaard gaan…

en het so verlief op die Kalahari geword dat ek vir Tannie Petru De Klerk net daar en dan laat belowe het dat sou sy eendag een van haar plase wil verkoop sy tog vir my sal bel om te hoor of ek op daardie stadium daartoe in staat sal wees om te koop. So het ek jaarliks die trip Kalahari toe aangepak en sommer in die veld gebly vir ‘n week of wat. Die een groot punt van bespreking was jaarliks die samestelling van ‘n aankooplys vir kruideniersware … die plaas is ver van die naaste dorp en die geriewe min en my vrou is nie ‘n kookmoeder nie. Vandaar my gelofte aan haar dat sy my gas kan wees wanneer ons in die Kalahari is. In 1994 laat weet Tannie Petru toe dit is sulke tyd en na ‘n baie mooi ander storie word die plaas Sans Souci toe gekoop.

Nouja, ‘n boer moet ‘n bakkie hê en die lot val toe op ‘n derdehandse 1990 Toyota 2.2

Hilux wat ek By Johnny Smook … ‘n legende van die Paarl koop. Die eerste trek met daai bakkie, Kwagga, was iets ysliks, want daar was nie regtig ‘n woonhuis om van te spog op die plaas nie. Die trek het kinders, honde, spaar bande, ‘n houtstoof, matrasse, plastiektafel en stoele, ens agter op die bakkie en in ‘n sleepwa ingesluit. Omdat die kinders baie klein was is ons huishulp, kinderoppasser van daardie tyd, ook ingelaai en saam op hierdie jaarlikse winter vakansie plaas toe geneem. Hierdie tradisie word vandag nog voortgesit en Magda, ons huishulp van 24 jaar, se sitplek is bespreek nog voordat die res sitplek gekry het. So het sy saam met die kinders jaarliks gegroei en die plaas meer en meer geniet. Die seuns het van .22 gevorder na die 25-06 en .270. Die jare se skyfskiet en kwaaddoen om die huis

Deur: Jan Hanekom

wanneer die groot mense jag is deur Magda, wat dan die rol van toesighouer moes vervul, gade geslaan en so nou en dan wanneer die .22 koeëltjies nog volop was het sy ook haar beurt gevat om teiken te skiet. Saans om die vuur (daar is intussen huis gebou en genoeg luukses aangebring) word die dag se jagstories met smaak ingekleur en ou skandes van verlede jaar word gou opgediep om hierdie jaar se skandes en mis skote te versag.

Op ‘n stadium het Magda toe laat blyk dat sy ook graag ‘n skoot met die “groot geweer” op ‘n bok wil waag. Na weke se voorbereiding het die dag toe aangebreek dat Jan-Hendrik, die jongste van die seun,s besluit dat Magda vandag haar beurt moet kry. Die voorbereiding was groot en omdat sy nou die “rookie” jagter was is daar lootjies getrek wie die “back-up gun” gaan wees. Hierdie eer val toe weer vir Jan-Hendrik te beurt.

Met al die voorbereiding en “pep talks” vat die twee toe pad na die jagkamp met Pa Jan wat bestuur en die jagmeester vir die trip is. Soos dit nou maar gaan is die keuse van die bok ‘n groot ding, want Magda se eerste bok moet ‘n mooi size ram wees. Dan is die bok te ver, dan is die bok te klein, dan is die bok se horings nie mooi genoeg nie, dan is dit fout, dan is dat fout en die jagmeester se geduld word al hoe minder en Jan-Hendrik meer senuagtig as normaal, want hy is deeglik bewus van die hoë standaarde wat sy pa aan hulle gestel het. Uiteindelik is alles ewe skielik 100% reg. ‘n Mooi groot ram is sommer hier by hulle en daar word aangelê. Daar ontstaan ‘n fluistergesprek tussen Magda en die “back-up gun” oor waar die skootplasing moet wees, hoeveel tyd daar nog oor is van die drie sekondes, as die bok sy kop so draai gaan hy nou-nou loop. “Jy moet nou skiet” word Magda aangemoedig, half beveel, en

toe klap daar twee skote, want die “back up gun” kon net nie hierdie “sitter” geleentheid laat verbygaan nie. Die bok het net daar in sy spore geval en die natuurlikste vraag wanneer twee skote gelyktydig klap is, wie het waar gemik? Die antwoord kom eerste van Jan-Hendrik. Die nek was Pa, en so ook kondig Magda aan dat haar skoot ook op die nek was waar sy gesê is om te skiet. Nouja, nodeloos om te sê, die skoot is deur die nek, maar hier is waar dit nou weer in ‘n storie vir om die vuur daardie aand ontaard het. Daar was net een skoot deur die bok. En soos dit met enige mooi skoot gaan, dit word deur almal wat ‘n sneller getrek het “ge-claim”.

Daar was ook geen keuse nie en foto’s is geneem van albei skuts by dieselfde bok, wat albei na bewering gejag het. Wie weet miskien was daai 2 skote dalk deur dieselfde gat. Die biltong was nog steeds lekker en die storie om die kampvuur ook.

Jan-Hendrik met sy springbok wat hy geskiet het Magda met dieselde springbok wat sy geskiet het

BY : Dr Kas Hamman

Evolution of the amazing Cat Family

Today carnivores occur on every major landmass around the world in a variety of habitats, ranging from the cold polar regions to the hyper-arid region of the Sahara Desert to the open seas. Carnivores come in many different body forms and shapes and sizes. The Carnivora can be divided into two subclades namely the cat-like Feliformia and the dog-like Caniformia, which are differentiated based on the structure of their ear bones and cranial features. The feliforms include families such as the cats, the hyenas, the mongooses and the civets. The majority of feliform species are found in the Old World, though the cats and one extinct genus of hyena have successfully dispersed and diversified into the Americas. The caniform species include wolves, dogs, bears, raccoons, weasels, and seals. Members of this group are found worldwide with an incredible diversity in their diet, behaviour, and morphology.

Typical felid characteristics

The felids have a diet based on meat proteins and, among all the carnivores,

their morphology is highly specialized in predation, and therefore the skeleton and muscular morphology of felids have evolved with adaptations that allow high speed and extreme agility, associated with great power. The slender but robust limbs support a large thorax, a thin belly, and a highly flexible spine. The hind legs are longer than the front legs and have strong bones to which powerful muscles are attached, especially the thigh muscles which allow these animals to accelerate swiftly and enable extraordinary jumping skills. With the marked exception of the lion, most cats are variably solitary in their behaviour, although cheetah may live in small bachelor groups of brothers or subadults with their mother. Today all living felids are thoroughly cat-like in appearance and behaviour. Most have long tails, sharp and retractable claws, large and pointed canine teeth, and cheek teeth that are largely adapted to eat meat and soft tissues.

We are all familiar with the penetrating and irritating meow-sounds that domestic cats use to communicate at night during mating behaviour. Wild

felids use various vocalisations for communication, especially intra specific. This includes roaring in large felids, meowing and purring, in many small wildcats, hissing, snarling, squealing, snapping, or clicking and grunting. When calling her young, the female cheetah makes chirping sounds. Sounds serve as territorial signals, sexual calls, and as communication signals between partners or between parents and cubs.

The evolution of the Felidae or cat family

Fossil discoveries indicate that the first cats originated in Eurasia (Europe & Asia) where remains of the earliest known small felid known as Proailurus lemanensis was found in French and Mongolian deposits that dates back about 30 million years. The wild cat or Felidae family evolved into eight lineages and 37 living species, with most modern cats appearing during the past five million years. Fossil data indicate that the Felidae arrived in North America around 18.5 million years ago. This is about 20 million years later than the Ursidae (bears) and about 10 million

The Carnivora is an order of placental mammals consisting of the most recent common ancestor of all cat-like and dog-like animals. Members of this group are formally referred to as carnivorans, and have evolved to specialize in eating flesh. The order represents the fifth largest order of mammals, comprising at least 279 species.

years later than the Canidae (wolfs and dog-like animals).

Most of today’s living cats evolved due to migrations that occurred during the two major ice ages of the past ten million years. During these ice ages the sea levels dropped and land or ice bridges formed between continents - enabling animals to migrate to new territories and environments. During warmer periods these ice bridges or connections melted, the sea levels rose again and migratory animals became isolated from their original or founder populations. Isolated populations adapt over time to new environments and eventually become genetically distinct to the extent they evolve into new species.

Speciation also occurred within continents whenever a group of animals become separated in some way from their founding population. For example, snow leopards evolved as they adapted to low temperatures at high altitudes and sand cats evolved as they adapted to the dry and extreme conditions of desert habitats. Inherently wild cats disperse and adapt readily to new environments, confirming the ability of this family of animals to spread and establish in new territories when such opportunity arise.

The Three Oldest Wild Cat Lineages

The last common ancestor of modern cats was a species of Pseudaelurus that occurred in Asia 9 to 20 million years ago. Using genetics scientists have established that modern cats diverged from this ancient species into eight groups or lineages of closely related species.

The oldest cat lineage is the large roaring cats of the Panthera lineage that split from this common ancestor 10.8 million years ago. Descendants evolved into seven species which occur across all the continents of Asia, North and South America, Europe, and Africa as they migrated to and from Asia over time. The second lineage to branch off was the Bay Cat Lineage at 9.4 million years ago and three species evolved within South East Asia. The Caracal was

the third lineage to branch off at 8.5 million years ago during the first ice age 8 to 10 million years ago, when its ancestors crossed the land bridges at the Red Sea from Asia to Africa where it split into three mid-sized cat species. During the same ice age, the Bering Strait land bridge formed between Asia and North America over which cats and other animals migrated spreading through North America and later into South America. These dispersals gave rise to the remaining five wild cat lineages, that all originated in North America.

Ancestors of the Leopardus or Ocelot lineage originated 8.0 million years ago and initially evolved into two species in North America. Later during the second ice age of 2 - 3 million years ago the Panama land bridge between North and South America formed due to lower sea levels as well as continental shifts. The Leopardus lineage used this land connection to migrate to South America where the group diversified further into the seven species of today.

The Lynx lineage branched off 7.2 million years ago and evolved into the distinctive lynx species with short tails and tufted ears. Two species spread through North America and a further two evolved later in Eurasia from ancestors that migrated back over the Bering Strait during the second ice age. The third lineage to originate in North America was the Puma lineage which appeared 6.7 million years ago. Today the group consists of three very diverse cat species namely the Cheetah, Puma and Jaguarundi. The Puma and Jaguarundi spread to South America during the second ice age, whereas the Cheetah used the Bering Strait to migrate back into Eurasia and ultimately into Africa.

The last two ‘youngest’ lineages arose from ancestors that crossed back to Asia from North America during the second ice age.

The Leopard Cat lineage split off 6.2 million years ago and today the resulting five species mainly occupy Southern and Central Asia.

The Felis lineage, the youngest cat

lineage, branched off about 3.4 million years ago, comprising mostly smaller cats under 10 kgs which in modern times includes the domestic cat. Some of the ancestral cats that moved back to Asia evolved there, whilst others spread into Europe and some even further into Africa.

Concluding remarks

The feline family can be found all over the globe except for the Arctic poles. On Australia, New Zealand, and several isolated coastal islands the domestic cat is an introduced species, which in many cases became irreversibly invasive. Everywhere else, felines have been a part of the natural fauna. Most cats are characterized by supple, lowslung bodies, finely moulded heads, long tails that aid in balance, and specialized teeth and claws that aid in an active hunting life. All felines are strictly carnivorous, remarkably agile, and powerful, and finely coordinated in movement. Unlike canines, cats are much more independent and tend to live a solitary life, meeting only for the reproduction phase of their lives. The well-known exception being the lion who live in groups and work together to hunt and survive.

There are many species within the Felidae family that are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, poaching, and illegal trading. Some are considered vulnerable, with numbers declining alarmingly over the past few decades. The domestic cat, on the other hand, has become a nuisance in some areas due to overpopulation and its ability to survive as feral cats in many areas. Their impact on sensitive species and environments could be substantial.

References

O’Brien, J. S. and Johnson, W. E. (2007). The evolution of cats. Scientific American July 2007: 68-75.

Chart of Felidae Lineages and Genera. www.WildCatFamily.com Mark Hallett and John Harris (2020) On the Prowl - In Search of Big Cat Origins. Columbia University Press. Wikipediae. www.wikipedia.org

GOOD SHOOTING ADVICE

BY JOHN COLEMAN

Most people have slightly different ways of shooting, but the basic principles remain the same. To be an outstanding shot, a person has to have natural ability and aptitude right from the beginning, the same as any top sportsman. Thereafter, practise, practise, practise! If you do not have natural co-ordination, quick reflexes, discipline and determination you will never be an outstanding shot, but with the right attitude and training, most people can become competent, good shots. This applies to both competition target shooting and hunting. I will be mainly covering shooting under hunting conditions.

When choosing a hunting rifle, get a good, reliable brand and make sure that the weapon fits and is not too light for the occasion or too cumbersome and heavy for the person to handle. It should not have such violent recoil that it will make the shooter “gun-shy”, causing flinching and missing or wounding. It should also be of legal calibre for the animals to be hunted. Make sure the feel and balance is right for you. After you get your firearm, learn how it works, handle it (unloaded) extensively and get used to its feel, so that when you point it, it is on target. Also, get used to the trigger pressure by dry firing at imaginary targets. (In doubles and certain old makes of rifles, dry firing causes damage to the action and firing pin, but with modern magazine rifles, it does not do any harm as a rule). When dry firing,

get someone to balance a coin or other small object on edge, on top of the breech or scope when you are aiming. If the coin falls off when you pull the trigger, then you are jerking it.

Make sure the bullets to be used are the right weight and construction to do the job and are readily obtainable. Once you have settled on a suitable bullet weight and brand, do not keep chopping and changing. To set or ”zero” your point of aim, fire some groups of three or four shots from the same position at the same point of aim at a target at 100 metres, using a good rest (or a bench-rest if available). Make sure the fore-end of the stock rests on something soft but firm, like a sandbag or hard cushion. If resting directly on a hard stone, metal or wood surface, the rifle will shoot

high. I do not recommend sighting in at 25 metres (as the “manual” suggests) except to initially centre the point of aim on the scope or iron sights. If the sight is slightly out at this short range, it will be far out at normal shooting distances. In general, the point of impact at 100 metres should be between 15 and 50mm above centre, depending on trajectory and velocity of the bullet. (I prefer to have it dead on at 100m). If it is off-centre, adjust the sight accordingly. If the group is consistently scattered, there could be a problem, such as head spacing on the bolt or bad bedding. (It could also be just bad shooting, so get someone who is a good shot to check it!) If the rifle groups badly, unless you are an expert, get a gunsmith to check this and remedy it. A well-constructed rifle should get groups of between 25 and

50mm at 100 metres. A heavier barrelled rifle generally groups better than a very light one, but in most hunting scenarios this is not very critical because you do not fire more than one or two shots at a time. Always re-set your sights when changing bullet weights or make of cartridge. I prefer to use open iron sights for close-up shooting on big game because they don’t get knocked skew easily and are ideal for quick shooting. With open iron sights on a heavy rifle, I set the sights to hit dead on at fifty yards.

It is of paramount importance to use a good ‘scope and to have it well mounted on the rifle; badly made ‘scopes and loose mounts are a cause of bad shooting. You have to be very careful not to bump the ‘scope hard, as this often puts it out of setting. It is not necessary to get an enormous, “astral telescope” type ‘scope. Big optics help in very bad light and high magnification is ok for spotting, but enormous ‘scopes are cumbersome. For shooting, even at distances up to 300 metres, I do not recommend magnification of more than 7x; most people shoot better with lower power. A reliable make of variable 2x7 is a good choice and for a set ‘scope I recommend 4x. The design of the reticules or cross hairs is quite important and I find that the “dual X” type is best suited for most hunting. Heavy cross hairs or big dots cover the target at distances.

Before you go hunting, make sure your ‘scope is fastened tight and check the point of aim by firing a couple of shots at a target from a good rest and adjust if necessary. Bumpy travel, hard knocks and bad handling can put the alignment out and altitude affects the elevation, especially at longer ranges. If you set your sight at low altitude, it will cause the rifle to shoot high at high altitude and vice-versa, if set at high altitude you will shoot low at low altitude. It is always advisable

to sight-in near the area where you will hunt, but not too close to unduly disturb the game. Always make sure the holding screws on your rifle and scope are tight. Before firing the rifle, swab out the oil from inside the barrel and chamber.

When shooting at a stationary animal or target there is usually enough time to consciously control breathing and trigger pressure. Just get steady, breathe normally, settle on your point of aim, breathe in fully and when you have let out about a quarter of a full breath, squeeze the trigger. When hunting, with snap shooting or on moving targets, you must fire offhand, taking the shot when you can and smoothly pull (not jerk) the trigger as the sight centres on the point of aim.

Shooting at distances over 100 metres, especially with a light rifle, wind direction and strength have to be taken into consideration and, with strong crosswinds, it is advisable, if possible, to manoeuvre into a position where you can shoot directly up-wind or down-wind; otherwise, you have to aim slightly off to one side or the other. It is amazing how far out a bullet can be deflected with a crosswind, particularly with lighter calibre rifles at longer ranges. The “weather” or “mirage” can also put your shot out. This appears as a slight haze running across your vision at longer distances and must be taken into account for deliberate firing. You must aim off, as for crosswind.

Most people close one eye when aiming but, with open iron sights and ‘scopes at shorter ranges, I keep both eyes open, thus seeing better all around. I am right-handed and my right eye is the master eye, so centres on the target. This takes a lot of practise, but can be mastered with perseverance. With target shooting there is no danger and very little adrenaline rush or “buck fever” involved. With hunting, there is the build-up of

excitement whilst stalking, getting into position and picking the right target. Shooting at a live target is a completely different ball game from target shooting. The method of trigger pull is slightly different and, generally, there are no perfect rests or shooting aids when hunting and distances are not pre-set. You must judge the distance and aim accordingly. The military-type competition shoots are more similar to hunting shooting. There is snapshooting, double-tap, moving targets and run-up shooting. In the deliberate “application” or Bisleytype competitions, time must be taken, breathing regulated and the trigger has to be deliberately squeezed until the shot goes off, whereas with snap and moving targets, as with a lot of hunting situations, the trigger must be smoothly and quickly pulled. “Lunging” or pulling down on the fore-end as the trigger is pulled must be avoided.

When aiming, grip firmly with both hands, but not too tightly and, with a rifle that has heavy recoil, pull the stock firmly into your shoulder. Do not fire a heavy rifle from a prone or semi-prone position; it will hurt you if you do! “Buck fever” and flinching are the main causes of bad shooting with most hunters, and people take shots without following correct procedures or cool action; they just lose their heads with excitement, even if they are excellent target shooters. In most cases shots have to be taken quickly and from positions that are not ideal and, quite often, offhand with no rest. Discipline is very important and, with dangerous game, fear and panic cause wounding and tragedies. In dangerous situations, you must keep your nerve. If you cannot control your fear and impulses, do not hunt big game; in fact, you should not hunt at all!

When shooting at an animal or target, always “follow through” after the shot goes off. This will enable you to “call” the shot and

will help eliminate flinching. This means keep looking through the sights and hold your point of aim at the target after you have fired the shot. With a moving target, follow the point of aim, lead that point slightly, fire and keep following, looking through the sights. This takes a lot of practise so do not take running shots unless you need to.

Except in a war, you do not need an automatic or semi-automatic firearm. One or two well-aimed, deliberate shots are far better than a whole magazine of automatic fire. “The more lead you have in the air, the less you hit”; that is a fact! Do not go blasting away as fast as you can; you will not have good results. Do not take chancy shots; if the animal runs, you can follow it up or hunt some more and find another one. The first shot must count, so make it a good one! Do not take impossibly long range shots. In hunting conditions, very few people, apart from professional snipers, can shoot accurately at over 300 metres. Study the ballistics, particularly trajectories of the ammunition you are using so that you know how much drop there will be at various distances and aim accordingly. Another thing,

don’t try to force an extra round into the breech on top of a full magazine; you can jam the rifle that way and you certainly don’t need or have time for more than two or three shots as a rule. Load from the magazine. Always ensure careful handling of firearms and never point them at anyone or anything you do not intend to shoot. Always identify your target before pulling the trigger. Except in a combat situation, before travelling in a vehicle or entering a building, remove the round from the breech, making sure the firearm is not loaded or cocked when you close it. Never let anyone handle your rifle before you remove all ammunition, unless they are about to shoot. Remember, you cannot take back a shooting tragedy!

If someone has a certain style of shooting and gets good results, do not try to change that style. Why change something that works well?

Attitude and state of mind. If you are uptight or unwell, you will not shoot at your best. The same applies if you have had much to drink the night before. Under no circumstances go hunting or target shooting when under the influence

of liquor or narcotics; that is asking for trouble! In fact, even one drink the previous night can affect your precision shooting in a competition. Aggression or fear also causes bad shooting and unexpected reaction from big game. Get your mind calm and overcome your fear before approaching. If you are shaky, sit down, contemplate and calm down before getting into a shooting position.

Children should be taught how to shoot and handle firearms responsibly and correctly. Then they will learn what a firearm can do. They will realise the terrible consequences of shooting someone and will not imagine that they can shoot at people without injuring them, as appears to be the case in movies.

Finally, always clean and lightly oil your firearms after shooting and keep them locked in a gunsafe when not in use. If standing unused for long periods, take them out, handle them, clean, and oil them regularly. Take good care of them; this will ensure reliable operation and could save your life in a bad situation.

In a nutshell, practise and discipline will ensure good shooting.

Manners maketh the Man

By: Eddie Pretorius

As a boy my father taught me to offer my seat to any lady or elderly person on the bus. I don’t see this happening today and I ride the train daily. Likewise as a youngster I haunted gun shops and the old-timers behind the counters made sure that that my gun manners were impeccable. Just what are good gun shop manners? As a customer I would expect the sales person to greet me, listen to my queries and give me good advice, talk with me, not at me, and not bullsh** me.

If I am making the wrong decision on a gun, knife, or any other purchase, I expect to be guided and advised, give me the facts and /or benefits and let me make the decision.

As a young man, I worked in retail/ women fashion, wore pretty suits and still haunted gun shops. I did not look like a gun person, if a person could be identified by his or her appearance. I know that in many cases when I went into a gun shop where I was not known, I would get a look of disdain from the younger sales persons. In many of these cases, I had been shooting longer than the sales persons had and my firearm knowledge was better than theirs was, but they judged this book by its cover and spoke at me rather than with me. I have known gunmen to come in all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life. In one instance whilst in a Johannesburg Gun Shop I overheard a youngster telling a customer that the Black Talon 230 grain bullet exits the muzzle at over 1500fps. The look the client gave the youngster said it all. I stepped in and saved his rear end by saying that he had confused the velocity of an Eliminator at 1510fps with that of the Talon. It transpired that this client was not only a gunman but also a very knowledgeable collector. The young sales man almost blew it by giving incorrect information as fact, rather than deferring to someone else in the store or finding out the correct information and giving it to the client. As a customer, it would be considered good manners in a gun shop to ask the salesperson to make a firearm safe

before he gives it to you if he has not done so already. When showing me a firearm I expect him to demonstrate the firearm is safe before giving it to me and not to point me or sweep me with the muzzle

When receiving the firearm don’t grip it with your finger on the trigger but alongside the slide/frame above the trigger guard. Don’t dry fire the firearm unless you have asked the sales person for permission to do so. Dry firing some firearms can damage the firearm’s firing pin rendering the gun out of commission.

If you don’t know to operate the slide release, then ask, rather than rack the slide and push and pull on every other lever and knob. The same applies when removing the bolt from a rifle or taking down a shotgun. When you enter the gun shop as a customer and you wish to hand over your firearm to the sales man, don’t draw it out of the holster and begin unloading and racking the slide. How would you feel if somebody came into your house and started waving a gun around? First ask if you can draw the weapon and then ask in what condition the salesperson would like you to hand it over. I prefer the customer to hand me the firearm with out unloading it. It is much safer for me and the other customers if I can make the firearm safe behind the counter pointing the muzzle in a safe direction.

Good gun manners are an absolutely imperative on a shooting range. Disregarding range rules could not only get you thrown off or banned from the range, and if reported to the SAP, even have your licenses revoked, but could get you killed. On a shooting range, it is your responsibility to ensure you are conversant with the range rules, no matter what your level of expertise. Too often we see people handling firearms on the firing line or at the bench whilst others are patching targets, checking scores out in front of them. We say the devil loads firearms for good reason. Too many people have been shot with an unloaded gun. Good gun manners, safety rules or range rules are there for a reason, to protect you and others like you, whether on the range, in the Gun Shop or in your home. Being a responsible

gun owner and setting a good example to others is as important part of owning a firearm as it is knowing how to use it safely and correctly. Become a responsible gun owner today.

Stopping power

Once again, the myth of stopping power has raised its ugly head. Too often we have clients wanting ammunition that’s top of the stopping power chart and it’s just not available. After all you can’t get a bus into a gun barrel, and it’s only the bus that’s going to stop you in your tracks.

An attacker is stopped in exactly the same way the animals we hunt are stopped or killed, by bullet placement. When hunting the diminutive Springbuck we use high powered rifles with ammunition that generates a great deal more terminal energy than does the puny handgun cartridge that we use to try and stop our attacker. An animal is stopped in one of three ways:

• Brain/ Neck Shot, which switches off the lights with immediate effect taking out the central nervous system.

• Heart/ Lung Shot, which bleeds out the animal quickest thus reducing blood pressure and blood getting to the brain. This will also switch off the lights after a very short while.

Men are no different from animals. Our bodies work exactly the same.

The movies fuel the myth that a bullet is going to pick you up and slam you through a plate glass window, out into the street and under the passing bus. But this is just entertainment worked with pulleys, wires and sugar glass windows. Reality is a very different movie.

Newton’s Third Law of Physics states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Just try and imagine holding onto the gun that fires a projectile that has enough energy to pick a man up and throw him down.

Arnold and Chuck maybe, us mere mortals... hmmm

Have you noticed how little emphasis is placed on manners today?

ETIKET VIR JAGTERS

In hierdie bydrae voltooi ons die deel oor veiligheid, en gaan ons voort met optrede t.o.v. toerusting wat gebruik word en optrede teenoor die prooi.

as jy vinnig moet skiet, neem slegs ‘n sekonde.

Wees en dink altyd nugter wanneer jy ‘n wapen hanteer.

Moenie

staatmaak op jou geweer se veiligheidsknippie nie. Party tipes sluit slegs die sneller aksie, en nie die bewegende dele van die wapen nie. As ‘n oorgehaalde wapen sou val of ‘n harde stamp sou kry, kan ‘n skoot afgaan. Die algemene (onveilige!) praktyk om die grendel op ‘n patroon in die kamer toe te maak met die sneller teruggehou, met die veronderstelling dat dit “veilig” is, het al heelparty noodlottige ongelukke veroorsaak.

Die slagpen is dan direk in kontak met die slagdoppie, en enige harde stamp kan die skoot laat loop. ‘n Oop slot van ‘n grendelaksie geweer, selfs met ‘n patroon in die kamer, is ‘n beter idee, want so ‘n geweer kan nie gevuur word nie. Om die slothandvatsel af te druk

Optrede t.o.v. toerusting wat gebruik word

Toerusting sluit in voertuie en toebehore, persoonlike jagtoerusting soos wapens, ammunisie, messe ensovoorts. Verseker altyd dat die toerusting wat jy in die jagveld gebruik, in ‘n goeie toestand is, en dat jy dit só gebruik dat jy nie ander jagters, gidse of helpers se lewe in gevaar stel of hulle onnodiglik verontrief nie.

Onpadwaardige voertuie kan jou nie net langs die pad of in die veld laat staan nie, maar kan ook jou of jou makkers se lewe kos. Deur voldoende plaasvervangingsonderdele en die nodige gereedskap saam te neem, kan ‘n jagtog wat deur teenspoed in die wiele gery kon word, gered word. Onthou, dis gewoonlik nie net jou eie jagtog wat dalk ontwrig

of afgestel word nie, maar ook die van jou mede-jagters. Die oorgrote meerderheid mense werk hard om op verlof geregtig te wees. Indien dit deur jou nalatigheid as voertuigeienaar /voertuigverskaffer vir die jagtog, vermors word, het dit ‘n effektiewe verlies aan inkomste tot gevolg, wat substansieel kan wees. Boonop is daar die koste van die jagtog self, wat nou verkort of afgelas moet word.

Bestuur versigtig in die veld

Die passasiers wat dalk agterop die bakkie is, het nie soos jy ‘n stuurwiel om aan vas te hou nie, en enige stampe deur slote of oor klippe is baie meer geaksentueer oor die agteras waar hulle sit/staan. Van my benoudste oomblikke in die jagveld was nie die agt treё van ‘n olifantbul af, of die buffel wat aan’t storm was nie (waaroor ek beheer kon neem), maar wel die uiters onverantwoordelike gejaag (waaroor ek op daardie stadiums

Deur : Jokl Le Roux

geen beheer gehad het nie) van ‘n mede-jagter deur die veld of op twee-spoor veldpaadjies. Pas jou spoed in die veld aan by die toestand van die pad/terrein.

Wanneer ‘n wen-as gebruik word om ‘n voertuig wat vasgeval het uit te sleep, of om ‘n groot karkas te laai, moet dit in ‘n goeie toestand wees. Ernstige ongelukke het al plaasgevind wanneer die kabel breek. Wees ook bedag op die hefboom/handvatsel van ‘n donkie-domkrag (“high-lift jack”), veral as die voertuig laat sak word. Daar was al noodlottige gevolge van ‘n hou daarvan teen die kop.

Dis die stomp messe wat gewoonlik snywonde veroorsaak, en verkeerde of foutiewe ammunisie wat ‘n wapen in jou gesig kan laat ontplof, en dikwels ook jou gids of mede-jagter beseer. Moenie toerusting wat vir ‘n spesifieke doel ontwerp is, vir ‘n ander doel probeer aanwend nie, behalwe in noodgevalle. Stel betyds ‘n lys op van toerusting wat jy gaan benodig, en ondersoek en toets kamptoerusting vooraf. Dis nie lekker om in die veld uit te vind dat jy ‘n paal vir jou tent mis, dat jou lugmatras lek of dat jy jou Minus 10 slaapsak by die huis vergeet het. Dit plaas druk op jou konsidererende makkers om van hulle toerusting aan jou af te staan of met jou te deel, wat afbreuk sal doen aan hulle eie kamp ondervinding.

‘n Jagter wat nie ‘n verkyker het nie, is soos ‘n werktuigkundige sonder gereedskap of ‘n rekenmeester sonder som-pompie. As jy nie ‘n waterbottel of ander waterhouer besit en byderhand het nie, is jy myns insiens ‘n vandie-bakkie-af skieter. Ek gaan egter nie hier verder uitbrei oor die voorbereiding wat ‘n jagter behoort te tref om suksesvol te

kan jag nie, maar net die leser verwys na die artikel “Preparing to be fit to Hunt”, wat in die April tot Junie 2013 uitgawes van Wild & Jag verskyn het.

Optrede t.o.v. die prooi

Die prooi van jou suksesvolle jagtog is daardie party wat altyd aan die kortste end trek. Dit kos hom sy lewe!

Die jagter moet altyd sy prooi met die nodige respek behandel, en moet dit altyd nastreef om sy prooi SO VINNIG EN PYNLOOS

AS MOONTLIK TE DOOD (die sogenaamde “First Rule of Ethics”). Dit behoort natuurlik altyd plaas te vind binne die konteks van Billike Agtervolging (“ Fair Chase”) en behoort die norm vir enige jagter te wees, en dit word gewoonlik in stand gehou deur te voet jag te maak op diere wat vry-lewend en selfonderhoudend is op grondoppervlaktes van voldoende grootte, waar hulle van die jagter kan ontsnap. Argumente deur bakkie-skieters, nagskieters of skuts wat hul prooi by die enigste watergat in die omgewing of by ‘n voerplek voorsit, dat dit die effektiefste manier is om ‘n vinnige en pynlose dood teweeg te bring, beïndruk my glad nie. Die “First Rule of Ethics” behoort nie die “Only Rule of Ethics” te word nie. Jagmetodes behoort alle onregverdige voordele vir die jagter te minimaliseer. Nagskiet en skiet van ‘n voertuig af mag dalk noodsaaklik wees as deel van die grondeienaar se wildbestuursprogram, maar kan geensins as jag beskou word nie. Moenie bewustelik jag maak op vroulike diere wat nog afhanklike lammers/kalwers het nie, of wat opsigtelik dragtig is nie. Laasgenoemde kan ‘n tameletjie wees, aangesien dit dikwels noodsaaklik is om ook vroulike diere te verminder as

deel van die betrokke boer se bestuursprogram. Dis selde dat wild wat nie ‘n afhanklike lam/ kalf aan voet het, nie dragtig is nie. Die skiet van diere wat “hans” grootgeword het en hul natuurlike vrees vir die mens verloor het, kan ook nie binne die konteks van jag beskou word nie. ‘n Etiket in ‘n bok se oor behoort die jagter hond-segedagtes te gee of die bok mensgewoond is of nie. Deur wild by ‘n watergat of voer voor te sit en te skiet, het niks met jag te doen nie. In my opinie geld dit ook vir boogjagters, want al wat hy hoef te doen, is om geduldig te kan wag en ‘n goeie skoot te kan skiet. Min ander jagvernuf is hiervoor nodig.

Ken jou skootplasing vir een-skoot doodskote, en moet dit nie eens oorweeg om in ‘n trop in te skiet om te sien “wat bly lê” nie! Maak eers seker voor jy die skoot laat loop in digbegroeide areas. Dis maklik om ‘n ander bok agter jou prooi mis te kyk, en moderne ammunisie se penetrasie-vermoë kan maak dat jy ‘n ander dier kwes deurdat die koeël dwarsdeur jou prooi penetreer. Om deur enige plantegroei, hoe gering ook al, op ‘n dier te skiet is uiters riskant, maak nie saak watse kaliber jy gebruik nie. Projektiel defleksie is feitlik ‘n gegewe. Vermy skote op hardlopende wild, behalwe as jy baie ervaring daarin het. Verseker dat die kaliber en lading wat jy vir ‘n bepaalde spesie wil gebruik, effektief daarvoor is. Weermagoorsprong skerp-punt ammunisie (“solids”) is bv. nie geskik vir gewone jagdoeleindes nie, en ‘n .243 Win is bv. normaalweg nie geskik vir koedoebulle nie. Knap jou kennis oor basiese ballistiek en kalibers op, sodat jy wyse keuses kan maak waarmee om wat te jag.

Oefen gereeld sodat jy onder veldtoestande doodskote kan skiet, en doen alles in jou vermoë

om ‘n gekweste dier so vinnig moontlik op te spoor en te dood, al beteken dit dat jy vir ‘n dag of twee op sy spoor moet bly of hulp moet inroep. Weerhou jou daarvan om op enige ander dier te skiet terwyl jy nog na die gekweste dier soek, maak nie saak hoe ‘n fantastiese trofee dit dalk is nie.

Moet nooit disrespek aan die gestorwe dier toon deur dit bv. ongeërg te skop, of met die stewel om te rol nie. Wanneer foto’s van die dier geneem word, vertoon dit altyd in die beste moontlike, lewensgetroue opstelling. Was alle bloed af of verbloem dit deur sand daarop te strooi, prop uithangende tonge terug in hul bekke of sny dit af, en steek die uitgangswond en moontlike gebreekte bene weg indien moontlik. Moenie met jou voet bo-op die dier staan of daarop sit nie. By groot diere soos olifante of seekoeie kan laasgenoemde dalk aanvaarbaar wees, waar die jagter dan bloot as skaal dien om die dier se buitengewone grootte aan te dui. Verwyder maar daardie sigaret uit jou mond, en moenie kos of drank by die dier wys nie.

Jy het nie die reg om teleurstelling oor ‘n dier wat jy suksesvol gejag het, uit te spreek nie. As die trofee-gehalte nie is wat jy gehoop het dit moes wees nie (dalk net-net korter as die minimum Rowland Ward standaard), is dit jou eie skuld dat jy nie beter oordeel aan die dag gelê het nie. As die kondisie van die dier jou ook teleurstel, hou dit vir jouself. Jy het die dier geskiet. Die dier het geen beloftes t.o.v. horinglengte of kondisie aan jou gemaak nie, maar tog sy lewe verloor deur jou toedoen. Benut alles wat jy gejag het ten volle. Ek het ‘n klompie jare gelede al my respek vir ‘n mede-jagter (nogal ‘n hoogaangeskrewe naam in die jagbedryf!) verloor toe hy, ná hy ‘n elandbul na ‘n lang bekruippoging doodgeskiet het, al die sondes genoem in hierdie paragraaf gepleeg het. Hy was so teleurgesteld oor die karkas se maer kondisie dat hy dit geskop het, en met ‘n paar swetse gedreig het om die karkas in die veld te laat. Eers toe die grondeienaar die karkas verniet vir hom aangebied het, het hy beter begin voel en het op die ou end 240 kilogram vleis

wat heel geskik was vir biltong en wors-maak doeleindes, verniet gekry. Ongelukkig het hy my en ‘n paar ander jong jagters se respek vir sy gebrek aan etiket, deur met disrespek teenoor die dier op te tree, vir altyd verloor.

In gesprekke om kampvure van Suid Afrikaanse jagters gaan dit ongelukkig meestal oor die skiet van die dier, en nie die jag daarvan nie. Daar word gespog met 300m plus skote, wat slegs ‘n aanduiding is van die skut se skietvermoë, nie sy jagvermoë nie. Die grootte en aantal diere wat geskiet is kry baie aandag, maar dis selde dat daar met ontsag van die dier, sy besonderse lewensgewoontes, die omgewing waarin hy gejag is en prag gepraat word. Ons kan gerus by die Europeërs, veral dié van Germaanse afkoms, gaan leer oor eerbiedvertoning aan die prooi en hul eeue-oue jagtradisies waar die prooi die middelpunt van hul belangstelling en eerbied is, maar dis ‘n artikel vir ‘n ander dag.

MURIEL BLAAUW - SEBRAMERRIE, GEJAG OP IMBAMBAL DISTRIK MOSSELBAAI MET HUSQVARNA 30-06 MET HORNADY 180GR BTSP

ANEL BLAAUW - BLESBOKOOI, GEJAG BY ZASTRON MET SAKO .243 WIN MET HORNADY 100GR PUNTE

JUANITA STEENKAMP - SPRINBOK GEJAG KEETMANSHOOP, KARAS DISTRIK, NAMIBIË, PLAAS: SPTIZKOPPE-OST, GEWEER: 6.5 PRC SAUER S100 FIELDSHOOT MET 143GR

COBUS LA GRANGE - SPRINBOK GEJAG IN VICTORIA WES DISTRIK MET MY .243 MUSGRAVE GELAAI MET 87GR HORNADY VMAX PUNTE

Personal Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Awareness As

we head into our Festive Season, here is some general good practices to prevent you from being scammed, hacked & loss of valuable data. Don’t ever say, “It won’t happen to me.”

Keep software up to date

Software companies typically provide software updates for 3 reasons: to add new features, fix known bugs, and upgrade security. Always install the latest security and antivirus updates for your devices

Use anti-virus and anti-malware

As long as you’re connected to the web, it’s impossible to have complete and total protection from malware. However, you can significantly reduce your vulnerability by ensuring you have an anti-virus and at least one anti-malware installed on your computers.

Clicking Without Thinking Is Reckless

If an email looks suspicious, don’t open it because it might be a phishing scam. Someone might be impersonating another individual or company to gain access to your personal information. Sometimes the emails may also include attachments or links that can infect your devices.

Don’t be lazy with your passwords!

Create a Difficult Passwords that include numbers, symbols, and both uppercase and lowercase letters. Never Use Obvious Words or Numbers for Passwords Change your passwords on a regular basis and 2-Step

verification is a proven way to prevent widespread cyberattacks.

Remove adware from your devices

- Adware collects information about you to serve you more targeted ads. It’s best to rid your computer of all forms of adware to maintain your privacy.

Double check for HTTPS on websites

- When you’re on a website that isn’t using HTTPS, there’s no guarantee that the transfer of information between you and the site’s server is secure. Doublecheck that a site’s using HTTPS before you give away personal or private information.

Avoid using public networks

When you connect to a public network, you’re sharing the network with everyone who is also connected. Any information you send or retrieve on the network is vulnerable. Stay away from public networks or use a VPN when you’re connected to one

Be smart about social media

Did you know that the information you post to your Facebook profile, your Twitter feed or your Instagram account could be used to steal your identity or hack into your online accounts? We’re so used to sharing things online that we don’t really think about it anymore. Everyone knows your pet’s name, where you went to school, where you work, and even when you’re away on holiday. Unfortunately, this window into your life not only lets your friends and family know what you’re up to, it also gives cyber

ISMAIL KAJEE KAAPJAG IT MANAGER & IT SECURITY SPECIALIST

criminals information that they can use to access your data or steal your identity.

Check the privacy controls on your social media accounts. Set them so only your friends and family can see your full details. Lock it when you leave or not in use It takes only a few seconds to secure your computer and help protect it from unauthorized access. Lock down your computer every time you leave your desk. “Windows Key + L” Disable Bluetooth when not required.

Lost Devices and Backups

Get an external hard drive and do an ‘offline’ or ‘cold’ backup or sign up to a cloud based service and do a cloud backup.

Leverage Find my iPhone or the Android Device Manager to prevent loss or theft.

Remember a well-protected device cannot be accessed when lost or stolen

Unless you’re completely isolated from the rest of the world, there’s no such thing as being “secure enough.” With these practices in place, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of hackings, data breaches, and other cyberattacks. Of course, cybersecurity issues can still happen, but by following this advice, you won’t come in blind.

Ismail Kajee – IT Manager Kaapjag – it@kaapjag.co.za

NEW TO CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING?

Which

Don't get bogged down in the detail

It's very easy to get "paralysis from analysis" and to confuse oneself with too many variables. There are many different styles of shotguns, different loads of cartridges, differ ent tightness of chokes - not to men tion the different styles of shooting. You can ask a dozen different people about where to start and you may end up with a dozen different pieces of advice.

Let's simplify the whole process

The first step is to choose the disci pline that you enjoy the most and to take it from there. My advice to the new shooter is to look at either the ATA or DTL Trap disciplines or NSSA Skeet. The reason for this is that ATA and DTL are the founda tion disciplines for the more difficult disciplines of Olympic Trap/Olympic Double-Trap and Universal Trench, and NSSA Skeet is the foundation discipline for Olympic Skeet and the Sporting disciplines.

If you are a keen bird shooter then I would recommend that you start with NSSA Skeet. This is because

you will learn to shoot a wider vari ety of targets compared with ATA/ DTL Trap. NSSA Skeet presents targets that are crossing, going away and coming towards you. Plus you will learn to shoot 'doubles', i.e. two targets thrown together.

Choosing a shotgun

One of the wonderful things about Clay Target Shooting is that it is NOT an equipment race!! Yes, you can spend lots of hard-earned cash on very fancy shotguns with beautiful engraving - but they won't make you shoot that much better. You might get a psychological advantage because you will be able to look adoringly at the gorgeous wood and intricate hand-engraving and take pride in your possession, but this is not necessary in the beginning.

Depending upon your budget, you might even want to buy a second hand shotgun. This is a very good idea in the beginning because - as is often the case - many people change their minds about which discipline they will end up pursuing or they simply take it more seriously and want to invest in a new shotgun.

By: Sarah Kalell

Second hand shotguns that are in good condition tend to hold their value well and therefore allow for relatively easy future upgrades.

Clay Target Shooting is best shot with a 12 gauge over-and-under. The reason for this is because the clay itself is so small, a side-by-side would be too wide for optimum accuracy. This is not to say that you can't use a side-by-side because you can definitely have a lot of fun with one! But in order to really get the best out of the sport, either an over-and-under is the best shot gun or a semi-automatic. A semiautomatic shotgun is great for those who are very young, very old or for someone who doesn't like too much recoil. There is virtually zero recoil with a semi-automatic so it's a very comfortable shotgun with which to shoot. Just bear in mind that the firearms legislation requires you to be a Dedicated Sportshooter in order to get a licence for a semiautomatic shotgun.

ATA or DTL Trap

Under the heading of Trap, we shoot ATA Trap, DTL Trap and ATA

shotgun should I buy? Which cartridge should I use? Which discipline should I shoot? What chokes should I use?! These are all questions that arise when we start shooting Clay Targets for the first time. And very important questions they are too!

Trap Doubles. The type of shotgun required here is generally a longer barrelled shotgun (30” to 32” or even 34”) with tight chokes (half through to full).

The reason for the longer barrels is to give "pointability" and to prevent over-swinging on a target. Targets are thrown to a maximum of ap proximately 45 metres/50 yards so most Trap shooters tend to go for tighter chokes (this means that the pattern of lead shot stays together for a further distance).

The stock is generally of a higher shooting nature than that of the other disciplines. This is because the shooter will stand with the shot gun in his/her shoulder as he/she calls “pull!” and needs to see the target more clearly over the barrel. A trap shotgun would tend to also have a high rib. A useful - but not vi tal - type of stock is one that has an adjustable comb (the top part of the stock that touches the face/cheek). This can be a blessing or a curse as some shooters tend to fiddle with the height of the comb depending upon the last score shot as opposed to a change in the physical dimen sions of the shooter.

NSSA Skeet

The targets in NSSA Skeet are set much closer than in Trap. The targets are set to travel a maximum of 60 yards (54m) but the crossing point on the actual skeet range is 21 yards (19m). Generally speaking, one shoots NSSA Skeet targets at roughly 20 to 30m. Therefore, the type of shotgun requires less choke constriction and shorter barrels (to allow for a quicker swing). Having said that, there is a trend in Europe to opt for tight chokes! But it really is not necessary and unless you shoot thousands upon thousands of rounds a year, I would not recom mend opting for anything tighter than ¼/¼. A Skeet choke is slightly tighter than true cylinder and is a great start to any budding Skeet shooter's career. A Skeet "special ist" shooter would often choose a shotgun with 26" barrels, as op posed to either 30" or 32" barrels. This allows for quicker gun mount ing and improved swing.

A Good "All-Rounder"

Instead of opting for a specific trap shotgun or a specific skeet shotgun, a really good "all-rounder" shotgun is to get a 28" barrel length for a lady and a 30" barrel length for a gentleman. The stock should come with an adjustable comb and the barrels should be multi-choked. In this way, this type of shotgun can cover both Trap and Skeet targets. The bonus with this type of shotgun is that it can also work for Sporting targets!

The Shooting Stance

As with all sports, the positioning of the body in preparation for the task in hand is absolutely crucial to optimum performance. Different disciplines require different stances but with common principles.

Whether you are a left-handed person or a right-handed person, you will need to adopt a stance that favours your leading foot. If you are right handed, then your left foot becomes your leading foot; if you are left handed, then your right foot becomes your leading foot.

Once you have established your leading foot, then you will naturally begin to have good balance. Your leading foot should be just about one half step in front of you and your weight should be slightly for ward by bending at the waist. The leading leg should be slightly bent at the knee. The non-leading leg can also be slightly bent although some favour keeping this leg straight so that it acts as an 'anchor'. This is just a guide and will vary from shooter to shooter BUT it is crucial that your feet are not too wide apart nor too close together as both these positions will cause various prob lems including rolling of shoulders, toppling over and loss of swing.

For Trap, the position of the shooter will vary slightly from stands 1 to 3 and stands 4 to 5 because the target trajectory varies and one needs to take into account this variation. Barrel hold position can also vary depending upon the weather condi tions and on personal preference.

But one principle remains true for ALL Clay Target Shooting disciplines - and that is never shoot at a blurred

target. If you have brilliant eyesight and you can see the target clearly as it leaves the trap machine, you are a rarity!! For all other mortal creatures, look to see where you can see the target clearly and then look slightly beyond that - that is your eyesight hold position.

For Skeet, there is a lot more to the shooting position than Trap because of the variation in target angles. In essence, a very good guide is to face your belly button to the low house on stands 1 through to 6. You should work around tweaking that position as you learn more about shooting Skeet targets.

Another principle that remains true for Skeet and Sporting targets is that your barrel hold position should always be just below the flight line of a target. Whether you are shooting 'gun-up' or 'gun-down', this principle remains true. The reason for this is that if you start with your barrels above a target, the tendency is to 'chop down' through the target. Once you do that, you lose sight of the target as the barrels pass through the target and once THAT happens, you've lost your natural hand-toeye co-ordination and the target is invariably LOST.

Reach your full potential - take some lessons from a qualified coach As with all new sports, the advice has to be to get some coaching un der your belt so that you can learn to shoot with the correct methods right from the word 'go'. Otherwise you will learn very bad habits which will be very hard to break and you won't reach your full potential.

The CTSASA has a list of accredited coaches which is available on our website.

Most of our coaches are also experi enced in advising on correct gun fit. This is extremely important because unless the gun fits you properly you are not going to extract the maxi mum scores for your efforts!

Whichever discipline you choose, get the maximum enjoyment from it by getting the right shotgun, the right gun fit and some good coach ing!

IPRF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS FRANCE 2022

By: Greg Sykes

Istarted shooting PRS or precision rifle 2 years ago and the exciting format and dynamic nature of the shoots really appealed to me, as a die hard 308 fan, the fact that there is a class limited to 308 ca liber firearms also fell right into my wheelhouse.

During the first national champi onships up in the mountains near Loursensford wine farm, I realized that my previous experience with long range shooting was standing me in good stead and I won the event with a good margin between me and the next competitor. Rob , the then chairman of South African Precision rifle federation called me aside and explained that in 2022 South Africa would be sending a Protea team to France to compete in the first international world champi onships, he explained the qualifying criteria and the path that I would have to follow to make the team. Without boring you with details, it was a fairly grueling 2 years of shooting the circuit and spending tremendous amounts of time on the range and dry firing at home. My other shooting had to stake a breather as I just could not make all the shoots. In February of this year we finally had the results and I had qualified top of the 308 class log and was selected for the team. It was a surreal experience to re ceive the green and gold blazer at a function hosted by the Transvaal Scottish regiment up in Johannes burg. What a proud and exciting experience.

After all the selection stress, it was down to hard work and preparation again, I was averaging 1000 dry fire shots a week with 50 to 100 live fire

shots in practice over the weekend and every month one high pres sure 200 odd round competition.

By the time we flew out to Paris, I was as ready as I could be ……or so I though.

The shoot was hosted by the French precision rifle federation on the military shooting range in the little town of Bitche in north east France. The competition itself was run over 4 days with us limited (308 class) shooters shooting the Monday, then a day off while the Open class and Ladies shot on the Tuesday, Wednes day had us shoot our final 10 stages of the 20 stage competition and the rest finished up on the Thursday.

For those unfamiliar with Precision rifle shooting, it is basically the long rifle equivalent of practical pistol shooting, competitors are given stages where there are obstacles or other terrain features to shoot off, around or from inside at a series of targets that can range in distance from 250m out to 1250m. The majority of targets though are in the 250 to 900m range. A typical stage consists of between 8 to 10 shots fired in a time limit of 90 seconds with moving position and target distances sometimes up to 8 times in one stage. Shooters have to move fast, get steady, find the targets, dial scopes or hold over and make precision shots under a lot of time pressure.

On the morning of the first days shooting we were given our match booklet. This booklet describes the format of each stage and gives the distances and target sizes. How you are going to approach each stage is your own decision. It was here that

I realized that the world champs was a shoot on a completely differ ent level to anything we had shot in South Africa.

All stages we limited to 90- seconds except one stage that had a 180 second time limit, but was a 20 shot stage . There were really interest ing positions and obstacles such as a military tank that you had to climb up into and shoot out of and a Marriot line of defensive “ trenches” that you had to get into and out of as you moved ( nice for my six foot 4 frame to crouch down into a 50cm high tunnel). All the time firearm safety is closely monitored and any infringement will get you a stage disqualification. The real kicker of the contest was the target sizes. Plates ranges in size from 1.1 MOA to maximum 2.6 MOA and distances were at the closest 270m and maxi mum of 950m for this shoot. In real terms this meant we were shooting 100mm plates out at 325m from unsteady positions and under time pressure. Similar sized targets were the norm and I remember having a bit of a chuckle where on one stage we had a 100mm plate at 270m and we all though, “ok that’s a give-me plate” so we can count on that and really focus on the difficult ones. August meant that it was late sum mer in Europe and the region in France where we shot had been ex periencing a drought. Temperatures climbed to the mid thirties with a strong dry frontal wind of between 8 and 16 miles per hour blowing the whole time. Those of you who shoot rifle know that the worst wind to shoot in is a frontal or tail wind. They tend to fishtail and if you miss the switch, you end up with

a double error and a harsh silence from the range officer ( only hits are called).

There were over 250 competi tions from 26 countries, so it was a logistical challenge to get everybody through the stages. We moved in squads of 12 people. One of the best parts of the competition was the spirit amongst the shooters, with each squad made up so that you did not have a team mate from your own country with you. We were all forced to meet new people and by the end of the shoot those strangers had become friends. The rules are clear that there is no coaching al lowed while a shooter is on the line and this was strictly enforced, how ever while waiting your turn or after you had shot, you were welcome to discuss conditions with your fellow competitors. We all ended up chat ting about the difficult wind, heat, mirage and other challenges and there was a general atmosphere of close camaraderie.

When My name was called for my first stage, I was expecting to be super tense and under pressure, but I think the huge amount of prepara tion paid off and when the buzzer went , I was calm and confident. I shot really well on day one and was in the top 20 finishers in tacti cal class for the day. The second

day of shooting started well, but by the time I got to my third stage of the day, I had a little hiccup when the range officer took the chamber flag out of my rifle. He must have scraped it against the side of the chamber or a bit of debris must have gotten into the chamber. On the wall of the stage, when I tried to cham ber the round, the bolt would not close. I ejected the round and flung the blot forward onto a new round, again it would not close. The clock was running as I pulled the round out, inspected it to see if it had a problem, could not see anything wrong and tried to force a third round into the chamber…………… again no go. All too soon the buzzer went and with my head hanging I had to leave the stage with a zero. There are no reshoots in PRS. If you have a problem tough luck. I im mediately went to my gear bag and scrubbed the chamber and barrel with a bronze brush. I would not test the rifle and had to wait a tense half hour before I was on the next stage to see if my cleaning has solved the problem. Luckily for me as I slid the bolt forward it chambered the round and closed smoothly as always. OK, focus, forget the past stage, follow my processes and ensure hits……… back on track.

By the end of the second day I

had finished 12th in my class, an achievement which I am really proud of.

The competition was closed off by the prize giving where the American teams dominated the top spots. America has been shooting PRS style events for the past 15 years and the depth of experience showed. What was even more rewarding was how these top shooters were all really nice people, free with advice and going out of their way to assist where they could. A nice bunch of shooters, as were the shooters from the rest of the countries as well.

It was the most amazing experience, tough shooting, but really reward ing. I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to compete. As with all competitions, the time behind the trigger also pays off in other disci plines. Myself, I only started com petitive shooting to improve myself for the hunting fields.

If you would like to know more about precision rifle, drop in on the SAPRF webpage or let’s chat on the range. It is a dynamic and fun sport and goes a long way in improving general shooting skills.

The South African team members

Boesmanland-tak

Die Bakkie-klas was gewen deur AJ Botha (jnr) wat tot op 800m gevorder het. Standaard klas is op 900m gewen deur Evan Lategan, en die Ope klas is deur Johan Kühn verower op 900m.

deur middel van gelukkige trekking gewen kon word, daarom dat die skiet alombekend staan as ons “3-geweer-skiet”.

Boesmanlandjag se jaarlikse valplaat skiet is op 12 November 2022 aangebied op ‘n koel en winderinge Ramskop Skietbaan. Ongeveer 80 skuts het die uitdaging aangedurf om te bepaal wie op die verste afstand op teiken kan bly. Die beginsel is eenvoudig; elke deelnemer het 3 skote waarmee hy 3 valplate op elke gegewe afstand moet omskiet. Skuts was in een van 3 kategorieë ingedeel volgens hul wapen, nl. “bakkie”-, standaard- of opeklas.

Die wind het veroorsaak dat heelwat deelnemers reeds vroegdag uitgeval het, maar die suksesvolle skuts het aanbeweeg tot op onderskeidelik 800m en 900m. Ons jongste deelnemer op die dag was Andre Hanekom (12 jaar) wat gevorder het tot op die 700m merk!

Na die skiet het deelnemers na die klubhuis beweeg vir ‘n gelukstrekking van pryse geborg deur Wildman, Wes-Kaap. Hierdie is reeds die negende jaar wat Gerhard van Rensburg (eienaar van Wildman Cape Gate) ons valplaatskiet borg en bywoon. Oudergewoonte was drie vuurwapens deel van die pryse wat

Die Remington .308-geweer is gewen deur Rossouw van Eeden, die Remington .243 deur Johan Nothnagel, en die Taurus 9mm pistool is gewen deur Wicus du Preez.

Na afloop van die prysuitdeling is daar heerlik saamgekuier rondom die spitbraai, wat geborg en beman is deur Cois Nel van plaaslike restaurant Ciela’s.

Anthony Swift - Voorsitter

Vuurwapen wenners vlnr: Anthony Swift (Voorsitter) Wicus de Preez, Johan Nothnagel, Rossouw van Eeden, ons borg van die skiet - Gerhard van Rensburg (Wildman)

Die jaarlikse valplaat skiet is op 12 November gehou by Ramskop Skietbaan, geborg deur Wildman

Boesmanland-tak

VELDBLOMSKIET

OpSaterdag, 20 September, het Boesmanland Jag hul jaarlikse gewilde Veldblomskiet op die Ram skop Skietbaan aangebied en altesaam 49 skuts het uit die Wes-Kaap en Noord-Kaap opgedaag. Die manne van Kuruman het selfs hul gekamoe fleerde drag verruil vir vrolike geblom de hempde. ‘n Ghongbaan, jakkals en 3 ander teikens wat werklik ‘n uitdag ing was, is opgestel. Veral die teiken wat soos ‘n skaakbord gelyk het, het heelwat skuts in skaakmat gesit en in die minus tellings laat eindig. Maar

soos wyle Gert Lombard, jarelange bestuurslid van Boesmanland Jag en aan wie die dag opgedra is, altyd gesê het: “As mens by ‘n Veldblomskiet wegstap sonder ‘n minus, was jy die daar nie.” ‘n Spankompetisie is ook gehou. Spanne het R100,00 per span betaal vir die wenspan om als te vat. ‘n Plof bare teiken op 200 meter moes eers raak geskiet word voor die res van die span op ‘n seekoei kon losbrand, als binne een minuut. Die span wat 2de laaste geïndig het, het almal ‘n

rol dubbellaag toiletpapier gekry wat darem hul amper neerlaag versag het teenoor die span wat laaste geëindig het, se “single ply”.

Na ‘n baie lekker ete en kuier is die volgende kategoriewenners aangewys: Seniors: Jan Immeman Dames en Bakkieklas: Mariëtta van Rooyen Standaard klas: JG Vlok Dagwenner: Franco Joubert. ‘n Spesiale dank aan ons borge vir die dag: Guns ‘n Bows en OK Grocer.

Boeboe

Morne Fouche met ń spesiale blik S 365 wat hy op veiling vir R600 gewen het

Dames dag wenner van links Mareetha Thiart, Marietta van Rooyen Hendri Guns n Bows borg en Irene Saayman

Louis Coetzee junior wenner. Jaarlikse ondersteuning van ons Kuruman bure in hulgeblemde hemde

Wes Boland-tak

Kobus Van Niekerk - Voorsitter

Sokom ons dan weereens aan die einde van nog ‘n baie besige jaar vol aktiwiteite en daar is ‘n paar dinge wat vir my uitstaan.

Die Tak van die Jaar toekenning bly vir ons die hoogtepunt, maar die gereelde goeie getalle skuts wat ons skietaktiwiteite bywoon maak dit vir ons moontlik om hierdie tak te laat uitstaan en voortleef. Veiligheid bly verseker die belangrikste aspek van enige skietbaan en ek kan met reg sê dat ons baanbeamptes hierdie aspek van skietaktiwiteite baie streng, maar taktvol toepas, en by meer as een geleentheid juis hiervoor gekomplimenteer is deur van die skuts.

Die Pretskiet met ghong bane van 100 tot 1200 meter afstande en die 2 x 4 “Challenge” wat onlangs gehou is was ‘n groot sukses en sal verseker op die nuwe jaarprogram bygevoeg word. Met die 2 x4 “Challenge” word daar oor 300 m 5 skote op ‘n 50 x 100 mm blokkie geskiet vanaf enige rus en die rangorde word bepaal volgens die kleinste groepering binne die 2 x 4 blokkie. Skuts kan by enige amptelike skietaktiwiteit die vasgestelde fooi betaal en die “Challenge” doen en hul posisie op die ranglys probeer verbeter. Die ranglys sal in die klubhuis

opgehang word en aangepas word soos nuwe teikens inkom en skuts wat kwalifiseer sal ‘n materiaal skietbalkie ontvang.

Skuts kan ook voortaan ‘n ekstra geldjie in die sak steek om die koffie waentjie wat by die ingang na die skietbaan sake doen te ondersteun om die innerlike te versterk. Ongelukkig is daar altyd die lastige kwessie van inbraak, diefstal en vandalisme wat aangespreek moet word aangesien die skietbaan langs die N7 is en so is daar dan onlangs besluit om die sekuriteit in en om die klubhuis weereens op te gradeer in ‘n poging om die terrein beter te bekerm en skade aan eiendom tot die minimum te beperk.

Die volgende skietaktiwiteite is

intussen aangebied en was oor die algemeen goed verteenwoordig.......

3 Skoot Groeperingskiet, Chasa Standaard baanskiet, Chasa .22 randslag baanskiet en dan natuurlik die Pretskiet met 2x4 Challenge. Die jaar se aktiwiteite word afgesluit met die Chasa Big Bore en .303 skiet op 19 November met hierdie skiet word almal wat “Vintage” motors het uitgenooi om met hul motors die dag by te woon... die .303 is immers ‘n “Vintage” geweer en dan kan die skuts sommer ook die kans kry om hul motors te vertoon. Die immer gewilde Chasa vlakteskiet op die plaas Remhoogte buite Koringberg word op 10 Desember gehou.

Om al hierdie aktiwitete vir lede moontlik te maak word daar hard

Chasa Standaard Baanskiet wenners

3 Skoot Groepering skiet skuts op die skietpunt met Pa wat lesse gee

gewerk en baie beplanning gedoen agter die skerms, dus wil ek my bestuur wat hul vrye tyd onvoorwaardelik opoffer om elke aktiwiteit ‘n sukses te maak hartlik bedank vir hul bydrae tot ons tak se sukses.

Dankie ook aan Matt en sy span by die Kaapjag kantoor wat altyd bereid is om te help waar hul kan as ons lede navrae het....jul bydrae tot die takke se sukses word nie betwyfel nie. Besoek gerus ons webtuiste by www.wesbolandjag.co.za vir uitslae van skietaktiwiteite en die nuwe jaar se program, wat weereens baie opwindende skiete inhou. Geseënde Kersfees en Voorspoed vir 2023 aan almal van die bestuur van Wes Bolandjag en vir die wat op reis gaan oor die feestyd, wees veilig en kom veilig tuis.

Vriendelike groete uit Moorreesburg Kobus van Niekerk en Bestuur

3 Skoot Groepering skiet wenners met ‘n baie opgewonde klein skut met haar eerste medalje!

Sentraal-tak

Members and staff. They make Kaapjag Central Branch successful and I feel truly honoured to be the chairman of such a dedicated team.

Last, but by no means the least,

thank you to all of our members. I wish you all a Happy Holiday Season, a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. Until next year

Regards

Yaseen Hanware

Weheld our annual Chairman shoot on the 5th of November with 75 competitors for the day. Shooters competed in rifle, handgun and shotgun and the shooter with the best overall score was crowned the winner. Ludy Stark won the Chairman’s floating trophy. A big bore shoot was held on the same day and Greg Sykes won this trophy, the same as last year.

Congratulations to Ludy and Greg and all the other winners of the day. Also, a huge thank you to everybody that attended, all the range officers, and members doing the hard work behind the scenes to once again making it a truly memorable day. Also thank you to our sponsor for the day, Hi-Q. We really appreciate your contribution.

It is that time once again when the end of the year is almost upon us. I’m proud to say when I look back at 2022 that we’ve had a memorable year. All of the shoots and monthly meetings have been very successful. I would like to acknowledge the diligence and hard work of the Committee

Yaseen Hanware - Chairman

Ludy Stark was the winner of the Chairman shoot

Hi-Q sponsor with Greg Sykes the Big Bore winner

Sentraal-tak

CHAIRMAN SHOOT WINNERS

Wynland-tak

Saterdag 17 September 2022 het Wynland-tak die geleentheid gehad om Kaapjag Chasa intertak Ghongeskiet aan te bied.

Op

Die skiet het plaasgevind net buite Robertson op die Wynland skietbaan. Daar is die week voor die skiet baie bespiegel of ons die skiet sou kon aanbied aangesien die weerberigte reën, wind en storms belowe het. Ons het egter bly hoop en vertrou dinge sal uitwerk en het toe ook die formaat na ‘n ghong skiet verander. ‘n Totaal van 77 skuts het die dag aangedurf - ‘n ligte lente briesie met ‘n paar fyn druppels het die oggend van die skiet geval en toe word dit ‘n pragtige skietdag.

Die verskeidenheid skietposisies het dit vir die skuts interessant gehou en skuts moes mooi mik om die ghongs te kon raakskiet. Daar word 4 bane met 5 gongs elk en skuts kon kleiner of groter ghongs kies op bane. Hoe kleiner die ghong hoe meer punte was hy werd. Dankie aan ons borg Gun&Bows vir hul ondersteuning.

Na afloop van die skiet het die skuts lekker gesels en geëet. Ek wil vir Chantel en Hendrik bedank vir die kos wat deur hulle voorberei was, asook die puntetellings. Dankie ook aan die manne wat die baan vroeg kom bou en weer kom afbreek het. Sonder julle sal so ‘n skietdag maar moeilik gaan. Ek wil ook spesiaal dankie sè aan my bestuur vir hulle ondersteuning die jaar. Dis voorwaar ‘n spanpoging om ‘n tak te bestuur. Geseënde Kersfees aan al ons Kaapjaglede en skuts. Sien julle weer volgende jaar.

Skietgroete

Gert Visser

Gert Visser - Voorsitter

Chasa intertakskiet Saterdag 17 September Man Std Klas - 3de J. NEL, 1ste D. Cupido en 2de R

Man Ope Klas - 2de I. Hanekom, 1ste W. White en 3de L. Hanekom

Intertak 2022 Wenspan - Boesmanland J.Strauss, I. Hanekom, L. Hanekom, R. van Wyk en A. Swift

Wynland-Tak

Jnr Std Klas - 2 C. JvRensburg, 3 H. Smit en 1 Handre Smit

Die manne kuier lekker saam na die skiet

Snr Ope Klas - 3de J. Buckle, 2de K. Immelman en 1ste L. Starke

Ghong baan waar jy moes lê Daar is ook uit die vuis op ghongs geskiet

Intertak geborg deur Guns & Bows

Jnr Ope Klas - 3 B. BEUKES, 2 L. JvRensburg en 1 I. Matthyser

Snr Std Klas - 3. A. Basson, 1. A. Duvenhage en 2. T. Theron

Weskusjag-Tak

Op 20 Augustus 2022

het die Weskus tak ‘n nagskiet gehou. Die manne het al vroeg die middag opgedaag vir die nagskiet om alles reg te kry vir hierdie iewat anderste skiet waaraan meestal manne nie gewoond aan was nie.

Die Chasa Senterslag van 10 September 2022 is net deur ‘n paar skuts bygewoon. Dit was ‘n bewolkte dag met so nou en dan ‘n paar druppels wat geval het, maar die skuts kon darem die kompetisie voltooi en daarna die tyd lekker om die braai gekuier.

Weskus groete Marlene Basson

Adri Basson - Voorsitter

Daar is van die sleepwa geskiet na die gongs later die aand

Pieter Engelbrecht (links) was derde Stephan Esterhuyse was tweede

Nagskiet is nie vir sussies nie, dis beslis ‘n ander ervaring

Gideon Engelbrecht: wenner junior skut

Weskusjag-Tak

Gawie Loubser (links) was die wenner en skut van die dag

Die weer het uitstekend saamgespeel en hoewel dit koud was het almal dit geniet en heerlik om die vuur gekuier na die skiet

Daar moes gemik word na die jakkals se kop wat uitloer agter elke kafbaal

Twee skuts moes gelyktydig na die bewegende jakkalse skiet, maklikers gesê as gedoen

Johan Ellis oorhandig trofee aan Johan du Plessis (regs) vir 2de plek

Johan Ellis (regs) ontvang troefee vir derde plek van Christo Esterhuyse

Thys Basson (regs) is die wenner en skut van die dag.

Namakwa-tak

Vanjaar het Namakwa-tak besluit om iets nuuts voor te sit aan sy lede in die vorm van ‘n nuwe baanskiet. Hierdie skiet is genoem die Baan Safari en het die lig gesien op 6 Augustus. Sewe verskillende diere-teikens uit sewe verskillende posisies op sewe verskillende afstande. Drie skote op elke teiken is dan geskiet.

Die skiet is baie geniet deur al die deelnemers, want die gewere is nie so warm geskiet nie en dit was beslis ‘n ander tipe uitdaging.

Wenners was uit ‘n telling van 105:

Op 3 September het ons ‘n Chasa baanskiet aangebied wat baie goed deur die lede bygewoon was.

Evan Lategan - Voorsitter

Namakwa-tak

2. Megan Maritz 430,6

3. Phillip Van Zyl 425,8

Op 10 Oktober het Namakwatak die span ghong skiet aangebied.

Hierdie is beslis een van die tak se hoogtepunte van die jaar. Vanjaar was dit die tweede keer wat dit aangebied was en dit was weer ‘n reuse sukses.

Besoek gerus ons Facebook-blad op Namakwajag, Vredendal vir al die foto’s en volle berig.

Die tellings uit ‘n mootlike 60 was as volg:

1. Team Kudu

Carel Maritz en Johan Kuhn 53

2. Team Vuil Coke

H Oosthuizen en R Lombard 53

3. Team 250-6

L Koch en C Breytenbach 49

4. Team Bullseye

Stiaan van Wyk en Evan Lategan 43

5. Team Boetie Bladskoot

J Dippenaar en P van Wyk 43

Laastens wil ek graag my dank oordra aan almal wat vanjaar ‘n bydrae gemaak het tot ons tak en om ons skiette so suksesvol te maak.

Dankie aan my bestuurslede wat altyd regstaan en ‘n plan maak om dinge gedoen te kry.

‘n Geseënde Kersfees aan ons Namakwa-tak lede en hulle

families. Vir die wat met vakansie gaan, geniet dit en ry assblief veilig. Ons sien julle weer vroeg in 2023 om die reuk van kruit te kom

geniet.

Skiet Groete Evan Lategan

Team Kudu Valplaat kompetisie wenners Carel Maritz en Johan Kuhn saam met die voorsitter Evan Lategan

Skuts en hul families wat Chasa Baanskiet by gewoon het