jj are handguns leagal to use where you hun

[Lloyd Smale]

Thanks.

[JJHACK]

Yes handguns are still legal today, right this instant. The permits process is different and needs to be doen way in advance of the arrival. I can arrange a handgun hunt with some restrictions and qualifications but it's getting tough and may very likely be gone sonner then later. If hunting with a handgun is something you desire then you should plan this very soon and with somebody who has done it a lot. Taking your chances with a person who claims to know and then arriving at the permit office without your ducks in a row will require you put that gun in police storage until you depart for home.

The simple answer is absolutely yes right now today. In 6 months or 2 years all bets are off. I'm not saying this to "get a hunter"  or to sell a hunt. Believe what you wish, it's my business to know so thats what I'm telling you.  Do not put off a handgun hunt if it's your dream. Also for reasonable range shooting or stand hunting book only a late May through July time frame. Otherwise you wil have water everyplace and the game will be much less concentrated for close range shots.  The rainy season is over in Mid April to May. It will begin again in the Northern Hemispheres fall season.

[Grumulkin]

I and a friend hunted South Africa with handguns last fall.  My friend showed his handgun and rifle to the South African police at the airport and got his permit except the police "forgot" to put his handgun on the permit.  The moral of the story, check your permit for accuracy.  Fortunately there were no problems resultant from this so the story had a happy ending.

You can't take a handgun into S. Africa for self defense, so it's best if it looks like a hunting weapon with scope, etc.

In my case, after showing them my handgun, it was entered as a "rifle" on the permit.  A question for J. Hack, are handguns ever correctly referred to as rifles in S. Africa?  I had a Thompson Center Contender with a scope a kid referred to as my "tiny rifle."  One of my PHs also called it a rifle once but I thought that was just a mistake.  In any case, I had no problem getting my handgun into or out of S. Africa a few months ago.

[RAC]

Lloyd, if I bring my 500 Linebaugh next time I hunt with Jim I am going to take an old scope with rings attatched and put it in the case with my revolver.  You need to have your paperwork filled out way ahead with Air 2000 so it will be ready when you get there.  Last month in RSA the SAP said "no pistol" when they saw my 500 L but when the guy from Air 2000 showed them the pre-approved paperwork they were happy.  

I am going to go back in'08 or '09 with Jim and we are going to hunt a big bull nyala.   I want to get a video of Sarena shooting plains game.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

thanks for the info Jim and Roger i still want to buy you a big suitcase that i can fit in!!!

[Sverre A.]

"Yes handguns are still legal today, right this instant. The permits process is different and needs to be doen way in advance of the arrival"

My information - from the Passenger Support - is that nothing is new from last year.
I had to fill in SAPS 520 as usual.

Have Passenger Support given me wrong information?

[JJHACK]

The law may not be different in the way it is written, but it is absolutely different in the way it is enforced. If you are hiring an agency to pre-issue your permits and walk you through the process then your fine. If you think your going to do this on your own I strongly suggest you plan for a back-up fiream.

Many get through without a problem................however that will depend quite a lot on the person on staff that day that decides your fate when you show up with a handgun. Having a scope mounted is a very good idea. I would strongly suggest this whether you care to use it or not, Just arrive with a scope or red dot sight mounted to the gun. Take it off when you get to the camp if you like but arrive with it installed!

Several of the SAPs officers have been using the definition of a handgun for hunting on whether or not it's scoped. Don't risk not bringing or having a scope when you arrive. And no semi autos EVER. If you have a meet and greet service to argue your point you're probably going to be OKay but when you are there alone ................you're not going to win that argument!

[Brian T]

I just returned from SA, several members of  the party used handguns.  They had to be SA revolvers or singleshots and all had to have a scope that could be attached.  They did not make them attach the scope but it had to be there.

I HIGHLY recommend you get Air 2000 to help you with your permits.  We had all six of us in and out of the process in less then two hours.  

http://www.hunterssupport.com/permits.htm

[Sverre A.]

Recently came up from SA.

No problems with a handgun at SAPS -just as simple that it has been.
But mine was scoped.

[Sverre A.]

Was in Zimbabwe this month.  No problems with handgun there either.