Rules for the culling of game

Highlands Game Culling Rules

“Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail”

Culling Program

  • A detailed culling program must be drafted and sent to the other trustees at least two months before the program starts.
  • Comments made by the other trustees must be taken into consideration; however it must be noted that the trustees appointed to run the game management program will have the final say.
  • The drafted proposal must be so detailed to state the species, number of animals and gender of animals and must include a spreadsheet stating the current estimated numbers and the future numbers of animals to be acquired.
  • An accurate record must kept of all animals culled where the species, gender and number is recorded.

Indemnities and Notices

  • A notice must be placed at the main gate stating the date and times of the selective culling.
  • The notice must also request owners who want to visit their homes during this culling period to refrain from any game drives, cycling or walking as far as possible.
  • The notice must request all construction workers to limit their movements to and from the building sites as far as possible for safety reasons. Builders are to ensure that their employees do not move away from the building site unless it is within the confines of a vehicle.
  • For the duration of the culling process it is a requisite that all people entering the Highlands premises will sign an “Indemnity Form” that will be presented by the guard at the main gate.
  • Where possible the area of the culling will be stated.

Culling Procedures

  • Culling of any animals must be done in the presence of a trustee.
  • Where for reasons beyond his control the appointed trustee cannot be present then he will appoint another trustee or homeowner to witness the event in his absence. o It will be the responsibility of the trustee to indicate the whereabouts of the homes to the professional to ensure that the process is handled in a safe manner.
  • All culling must be carried out by a professional/dedicated hunter. A “cv” of the professional must be available for inspection on request prior to him firing a firearm on the farm.
  • The professional must ensure that his rifle is sighted prior to the cull.
  • No shooting is to be carried out from the back of a vehicle or within 30m from a vehicle besides when the culling is carried out at night.
  • In the event of an animal being wounded then all culling will stop and all the people involved will assist to track down and locate the wounded animal.
  • No empty cartridge cases must be left in the veld
  • No owner shall be allowed to cull or shoot a weapon on the premises of Highlands unless it is in self defense. o No children or unnecessary observers will be allowed.
  • No culling will be carried out on Fridays, Weekends, Public Holidays or any School Holidays.
  • Culling will only be allowed from 06H00 Monday’s to 17H00 on Thursday’s unless specific plans are made to cull at night.
  • Where culling is carried out during the night – it must be stressed that this must always be handled in a very safe manner.
  • Rifle limitations (The Golden Rule is that you can never take a rifle to the veld which is of too large a caliber)
  • Zebra, Eland, Blue Wildebeest, Kudu, Gemsbuck and Waterbuck – rifle shall not be less that .30 caliber
  • The rest of the game will be culled with a rifle of caliber not less than .223
  • The following animals will not be culled unless injured or sick (where a Vet has indicated that no further medical assistance will ensure the recovery of illness).Where the culling of a species requires the creating of a feeding place for the specific animal (such as for the Bush Pigs) then depending on the location the surrounding home owners must be contacted for their permission.
    • Giraffe
    • Steenbok
    • Duiker
    • Klipspringer
    • Mountain Reedbuck
    • Aardvark
    • Porcupine
    • Badger

General

  • Accommodation for professional/dedicated hunter is to be arranged timely.
  • No alcohol is allowed during the hunting or slaughtering process.
  • No littering.
  • Slaughtering facilities are to be kept clean.
  • No meat is to be handled in an unclean and unhygienic manner.
  • The slaughtering facility is to be for the sole purpose of slaughtering of animals.
  • Where the animal is culled in a remote area then the stomach must preferably be removed and left for the carnivores.

Safety

  • Where firearms are concerned safety is of the utmost importance.
  • Always handle a rifle as if it is loaded.
  • No loaded firearms are to be carried on the back or front of a vehicle.
  • All fire arms which are not in use must be kept unloaded.
  • Never point a fire arm at a person unless in self defense.
  • Keep all fire arms out of the reach of children.
  • Make sure that the ammunition is suitable for the fire arm.
  • Always keep the rifle pointed in a safe direction.
  • Never fire the weapon into the air.
  • The location of houses in the firing line must be determined before the shot is taken.
  • Firearms must not be left unattended.
  • A First Aid Kit must be on hand.

“Carry out all Culling with the Respect, Responsibility and Safety”