Guineafowl and "Partys" legalities

**rboshoff** · 10-01-2012, 17:59

Hi guys,As some of you may have seen I am applying for a .22LR license.Now I have never really been in to any bird hunting and know zilch of the legalities of bird hunting.I have a friend with a farm near Hekpoort (past Hartbeespoort dam, falls under gauteng province) where they plant mielies. During planting season the guineafowl and patryse (francolin?) scratch the seeds out of the ground.Can I use a letter from them as part of my motivation? I.e. Help with pest control.Is there any laws or regulations that forbids the shooting of these birds in the mentioned area or with the .22LR?

**johannvdg** · 10-01-2012, 23:11

Originally Posted by rboshoff

.Is there any laws or regulations that forbids the shooting of these birds in the mentioned area or with the .22LR?

Sadly yes, but I would still get the letter and use it as part of the motivation, because with a special permit it can be done.

**deonh** · 11-01-2012, 07:59

Originally Posted by rboshoff

HIs there any laws or regulations that forbids the shooting of these birds in the mentioned area or with the .22LR?

Well, yes and no. Starting at national legislation, the TOPS Regs does regard "a weapon discharging a rim firing cartridge of .22 of an inch or smaller calibre" as a prohibited method of hunting, unless it is for the management of damage causing animals, which technically speaking you are doing. The TOPS Regs shouldn't apply in your case as neither species (Guineafowl and Francolin / Spurfowl) is TOPS listed. The national "Norms and standards for hunting methods in South Africa" is silent on the whole rim-fire issue and focuses on minimum bullet weight. In the case of feathered game a minimum bullet weight of 35gr is prescribed in these N&S, which would include most decent .22 hunting ammo. So you seem to be in the clear insofar as national legislation is concerned.

At provincial level, most provincial Acts / Ordinances refer to specific hunting methods, which are allowed or prohibited. In the WCP for example, hunting birds with a .22 rim-fire is perfectly legal. This may not be the case in other provinces though. I would, therefore, suggest that you contact your local nature conservation office to verify if hunting Guineafowl and Francolin / Spurfowl with a .22 rim-fire is allowed or not. If it's allowed, ask a conservation official to confirm as such writing and include that letter in your application.

Oh ja, one last thing, most provinces have a hunting season, check if there's a hunting season for these two species and that you are hunting in-season.

**rboshoff** · 11-01-2012, 08:24

Deonh, thanks for the informative post. Ordinances was the word I was looking for! Will definitely get into contact with nature conservation and have a look at the ordinances.

Thanks

**obasch** · 12-01-2012, 07:13

Originally Posted by rboshoff

Deonh, thanks for the informative post. Ordinances was the word I was looking for! Will definitely get into contact with nature conservation and have a look at the ordinances.

Thanks

Good luck with that!

**jws123** · 20-09-2012, 23:06

Any feedback on this?

Thanks

**rboshoff** · 21-09-2012, 06:51

Jws, I got the ordinances from the PHASA website. They weren't very clear.

I used the letter from my mielie farmer friend and my .22 was approved.

**boesman10** · 21-09-2012, 08:13

Except for a rim fire striking the shell on the side and not the center - why would a rim fire be potentially banned and not a center fire rifle of the same caliber? Is it a weaker load or what is the difference?

**rboshoff** · 21-09-2012, 09:02

I think it is aimed specifically to eliminate the .22LR round which is a rather weak round. What does the bullet travel at? 1400fps or something like that? With a soft lead bullet (mostly)? But for birds and such I see no point in not using it for vermin control.

Way back in the early 90's I shot my first 5 springbok with a .22LR but wouldn't recommend it, rather a .223.