I think we who make up the hunting fraternity in South Africa are aware of the linkages between our beloved pastime and biodiversity conservation. We are all also aware that the South African conservation model has undergone numerous paradigm shifts in the 20th century. In a nutshell, these would be the various shifts from a reductionist approach to a systems or holistic approach.
Paradigm shift
The greatest paradigm shift in recent times, which gave impetus to our substantial game industry, was of course the inspired decision by the conservation authorities to give control of wildlife to private landowners. This, in turn, cascaded into financial value of animals and an income stream for the landowners.
This model is one in which we as hunters play a role by funding the income to landowners in our hunting pursuits. Hunters have always been concerned that their pastime with its well-established economic domino effect in
