FAQs
How can we help you?
GENERAL QUESTIONS
How do I Enter my Personal Natshoot Profile Page
1. Login to your Personal Natshoot Member Portal – see Top Right of Natshoot website Home Page
2. Cell phone number you have with us in top line (no spaces between numbers)
3. Your full ID or own Password which you created in bottom line (if you use ID – no spaces between numbers)
4. Click Login
4.1 You will land on this page (this is you personal Natshoot Home Page)
MEMBERSHIPS FAQS
The system does not allow me to enrol for a second time, what must I do?
Once you had enter your ID No on the electronic application system, it registers you as a new member and does not automatically allow a second enrolment under the same ID number.
You can send an email to renewals@natshoot.co.za with your ID No. as the subject and include your cellphone no, email address and physical address in the Email in order for NHSA to assist you to complete your second “new” application.
How do I access my Personal Natshoot Member Portal?
1. Login to your Personal Natshoot Member Portal – see Top Right of Natshoot website Home Page
2. Cell phone number you have with us in top line (no spaces between numbers)
3. Your full ID or own Password which you created in bottom line (if you use ID – no spaces between numbers)
4. Click Login
4.1 You will land on this page (this is you personal Natshoot Home Page)
I cannot access my Personal Natshoot Member Portal, what now?
Send Email to admin@natshoot.co.za and give first 6 numbers of ID – say you cannot Log into your Natshoot Member Page
We shall fix any problem and be in contact with you.
Or we shall inform you how to fix the problem yourself.
What is NHSA's membership structure and fees?
What are the benefits of NHSA membership?
The knowledge that you are a member of a firearms owners association, which is also a SAPS Accredited Hunting and Sport Shooting Association which makes your application for firearm licences and the continued legal possession of same, go a little smoother;
Appropriate access to Dedicated Hunter and/or Dedicated Sport-Person courses, which entitles one to legally own more than 4 firearms or a semi-auto rifle or shotgun, or three handguns and more;
Free of charge endorsement of technical applicability of purpose of use of firearms as stated in your motivation for firearm licence applications; be that handguns, rifles, semi-auto rifles/carbines and/or shotguns (issued within 24 hours after electronic application);
Access to free legal advice on firearm licensing and in making the highly technical nature of the Firearms Control Act (2000) easier to understand and to follow (strictly a members only service via our Firearms Helpline – legal@natshoot.co.za );
Regular Topical Newsletters with news of the association and current affairs concerning hunting and sport shooting and current issues in the implementation of the FCA;
Fast and effective electronic communications between members and NHSA, and access to always updated NHSA member documents on a member’s personal Natshoot Member Portal; be that proof of membership or dedicated status certificates or endorsements;
Participation in the NHSA’s In-House Postal Shoots based on the postal shooting exercises of the NRA (USA), which members can participate in when it is most convenient for them (on any public accepted shooting range or on a Natshoot recognised privately shooting range);
Participation in the NHSA`s Annual National Postal Target Shooting Competition – where members can nationally, evaluate their precision target shooting skills against their peers (September every year);
Membership of an Association of which the membership fees are reasonable and affordable without a continuous increase in fees. Although membership fees do have to be adapted from time to time, NHSA′s membership fees have shown a conservative constant since 2005, with minor increases mainly due to VAT implications;
Applicable assistance with examples of successful motivations for firearm licence applications and access to affordable formal legal advice and service re firearms licensing and ownership if members should need such assistance.
At NHSA the only real down-side is that we do not communicate with members through third parties due to our adherence to the stipulations of the PoPI Act (Act 4 of 2013)
What does the NHSA do for me?
As SAPS Accredited Hunting Association, Natshoot is a founding member of the SA Hunters′ Forum and the Hunters-SAPS Consultative Forum. Both bodies consist of all accredited hunting associations and they deal directly with the SAPS (CFR) at regular meetings.
Natshoot is a founding member of the Sport Shooting Forum of South Africa, which consists of all the accredited Sport Shooting Associations in this country. The SSF deals directly with SAPS(CFR) on matters pertaining firearm licensing.
Natshoot is a member of the United Firearms Forum (UFF). The UFF is a forum consisting of accredited hunting associations, accredited sport shooting associations, the accredited private collectors associations and the firearms dealers of South Africa, SAGA and GOSA. The purpose of the UFF is to be in constant conversation with the Parliamentary sub-Committee on Police, the Civilian Secretary of Police and with the CFR re the implemantation of the FCA.
Natshoot personnel have acted as chairperson for the Hunters′ Forum and have been nominated by the Minister of Police to serve on the Task Team which investigated the implementation of the Firearms Control Act and the functioning of the Central Firearms Registry.
Natshoot personnel have actively participated in an oversight role during the implementation of the previous firearms amnesty.
Natshoot personnel have actively participated in 2015/2016 processes of negotiating a Service Delivery Charter with The Central Firearms Registry and has thus taken a leading role in trying to affecting better service delivery from the CFR in line with the stipulations of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act of 2000.
Natshoot supports conservation-based rural development and conservation through sustainable use of renewable natural resources through hunting. In this context we are an active supporter of the True Green Alliance – a NGO seriously in the fight against the international Animal Rights movements.
Natshoot is also an active founding member of the Sustainable Use Coalition – southern Africa – working under auspices of the IWMC World Conservation Trust
At Natshoot we have created an umbrella under which like-minded law abiding firearm owners, hunters, and sport shooters can converge to ascertain their right to possess firearms and to be responsible and accountable in the legal use of firearms. Be that in sport shooting, hunting or for self-protection.
All Natshoot policy positions are transparently conveyed in our constant Newsletters, which are based on fact and not on the emotive over-reactive personal views so frequently expressed on social media platforms.
NHSA is definitely one of the better deals for occasional and/or dedicated hunters, or occasional and/or dedicated sport shooters to consider; and even for single firearm owners in South Africa.
How do I access my personal NHSA documentation ?
1. Login to your Personal Natshoot Member Portal – see Top Right of Natshoot website Home Page
2. Cell phone number you have with us in top line (no spaces between numbers)
3. Your full ID or own Password which you created in bottom line (if you use ID – no spaces between numbers)
4. Click Login
4.1 You will land on this page (this is you personal Natshoot Home Page)
5. Click on Documents
6. Choose – Membership (documents) – Certificates – Endorsements
7. Download the document(s) you need in PDF format
8. Remember all Natshoot documents can be verified for their authenticity – see the QR-code in the bottom right side of all official documents
8.1 This Newsletter explains how the Natshoot QR-code system works – Authenticity of Electronic Generated Official NHSA Documentation.
Does NHSA have Gear I can Buy?
Does NHSA have branches?
1. We only have one head office in Pretoria where we meet members on appointment only (we unfortunately do not have a walk-in office).
2. Our staff work from home as all our administrative work is done electronically – we cannot handle paper in any manner (we just don’t have the capacity).
3. We work with our members as individuals – we have no branches. We have individual members all over the country (and indeed all over the world).
4. Our members do their sport shooting activities at any publicly acknowledged shooting range near them (some of our members shoot in London, UK; while others shoot in Iraq, as examples). Members thus function on their own because of our individual-based focus – see first paragraph on our Home page on the website.
5. We only communicate via email or per telephone – but the advantage is it is direct personal communication – with you our member.
6. Members have their own Personal Natshoot Portal Page where they can upload targets to build up a shooting register for themselves and to upload activities to maintain their dedicated status – all NHSA documents of a member is also always updated and available on the Personal Natshoot Portal.
Please keep in mind that we only communicate with members directly – and definitely not through third parties
Can I claim VAT paid to NHSA?
HOW DO I CLAIM BACK VAT I PAID AT MY ENROLMENT AND WHEN ANNUALLY RENEWING MY MEMBERSHIP ?
If your enrolment or annual membership fees are paid by your company, you may claim back the VAT under that company’s VAT registration number
Please let us have the company’s VAT number and we shall re-issue our invoice in name of that company. Please send Email to renewals@natshoot.co.za in this regard.
You will then be able to claim back VAT paid to NHSA in the normal manner SARS prescribes.
DEDICATED STATUS FAQS
Dedicated Status – what does that mean?
According to the definitions in the Firearms Control Act (FCA – Act 60 of 2000) a dedicated hunter or sports-person is a person who is a member of an accredited association who passed the relevant training courses of the accredited association s/he belongs to. The person must also regularly participate in hunting and/or sport shooting activities relevant to the dedicated status the person holds with the specific association.
What is an Accredited Association?
An accredited association means an association that has been accredited by SAPS as a hunting and/or as a sport shooting association. This involves meeting quite a list of criteria stipulated in Regulation 4 of the FCA Regulations of 2004, so it is not a simple thing to achieve.
Training course to attain dedicated status?
The training courses (theoretical & practical) as prescribed by the Regulations of the Firearms Control Act (60 of 2000), which a member of an accredited association has to pass before the status of dedicated hunter and/or sports-person can be achieved.
Regular participation is not defined by the legislation so accredited associations all have an own set of “rules” which are largely similar in nature and context. This amounts to a certain number of hunting and/or sport shooting, or hunting and/or sport shooting related, activities a dedicated member must report in a year (NHSA requires three activities of their dedicated members per annum).
Why would I need to become a dedicated hunter and/or sport-person?
The FCA offers certain privileges to dedicated hunters and sports-persons.
As occasional hunter and /or sports-person one may only have a maximum of four firearms for non-dedicated purposes – meaning for occasional hunting or occasional sport shooting and/or for self-defence, combined.
However as dedicated hunter or sports-person there is theoretically no limit to the number of firearms that can be licenced, provided one can motivate the application of each firearm successfully.
As occasional hunter and/or sports-person one may only hold 200 rounds per licenced firearm and no more than 2,400 primers if one reloads
As dedicated hunter and/or sports-person one may hold more than 200 rounds and more than 2,400 primers per firearm licenced under Section 16.
What is Bona-fide hunter or sport-person status?
Bona-fide hunter was a category that existed in the old Arms and Ammunition Act of 1969. To qualify you had to apply directly to the SAPS, and once you had it you did not need to do anything to keep it.
How do I become a dedicated hunter and or sports-person?
Complete the relevant course with NHSA. You will need to, successfully pass the evaluation (practical & theoretical) and then fill in the application form to be awarded dedicated status. At NHSA these processes are concluded on a member’s Personal Natshoot Profile Page after enrolment.
Maintaining dedicated status?
Not all accredited associations have exactly the same requirements. As “active participation” is not defined by the FCA it is up to each association to specify what they require. See how to Maintain Dedicated Status with NHSA because if you cannot comply with those requirements you risk losing your dedicated status; which can have serious consequences for your legal ownership of firearms.
Can I lose my dedicated status?
Yes, you can lose your dedicated status, for a number of reasons:
- Failure to comply with your association’s activity requirements
- Not maintaining your membership
- Your association revoking it as a result of disciplinary measures.
What does all of the above mean?
Failure to comply with NHSA activity requirements:
- NHSA require that their dedicated members participate in three hunting and/or sport shooting related activities in a year.
- At NHSA, these activities are not limited to only NHSA related activities – see Maintaining Dedicated Status with NHSA
Not maintaining membership:
If you do not renew your membership with your association it is surely unreasonable to expect your association to keep you listed as an ordinary member, never mind a dedicated member. Here we must sound a friendly warning, it is your responsibility to inform your association if you change your details such as your address. If your association sends your renewal reminder to your old address and as a result you do not renew your membership that cannot be your association’s fault. Read paragraph 7 of the NHSA policy on maintaining dedicates status in this regard.
Can NHSA revoke dedicated status as a result of disciplinary measures?
If you have been found guilty of some form of misconduct and your membership is terminated you must obviously lose your dedicated status as well. Please take note that if you are found guilty of an offence that involves the FCA, NHSA is obliged to report this to the CFR in their annual report.
What if I cannot go on a hunt or participate in sport shooting this year?
If you are unable to actually go on a hunt or participate in a sport shooting activity in a specific year all is not lost. There are many legitimate reasons why a dedicated member may not be able to participate; financial reasons, being out of the country, medical condition etc. You may then enter a non-Active report but there are some prerequisites to this. You should approach NHSA the moment you realise you will be in this position (read HERE)
What happens if I lose my dedicated status?
This can have very serious consequences for your retention of legally owned firearms
If you have used your dedicated status as motivation for your firearm licences, and you then lose that dedicated status it follows that the basis for you owning those firearms is potentially gone (meaning those that are more than 4).
NHSA gives a report to the CFR at the end of the year of all members who have lost their dedicated status, you can expect the CFR to investigate whether you should still be entitled to keep your hunting firearms.
Section 26 of the Act also requires you to report to the Registrar (CFR) within 30 days if any of your circumstances have changed, losing your dedicated status would surely qualify as changed circumstances. In other words, if you have not notified the CFR about your change of status and they only find out about it from your association’s annual report you face being prosecuted for not reporting your change in circumstances as well as losing all your firearms. This is a very serious matter.
Can’t I just join another accredited association?
The various accredited associations have agreed to share names of those members who have lost their dedicated status with each other, so it won’t be quite that easy. You may well have to explain to the new association why you were in trouble with your previous association.
What if I want to leave my current association for another?
That can certainly be done.
The mechanism would depend on which association you are moving to. You will need to contact the new association and ask them to recognise your dedicated status with your current association. It is likely that there will probably be a charge for this to cover the admin costs involved.
How to Enrol for a NHSA Dedicated Course?
1. As required by Law, you must complete a relevant Dedicated Status Course before the status can be awarded to you by NHSA
2. After having successfully enrolled as new member you will be notified that you may apply to enrol for the Dedicated Status Course(s) you would want to complete.
3. Existing members who would want to enrol for the courses or who want to complete an additional dedicated hunter and/or dedicated sports-person course, follow the same procedures.
To apply to enrol for the dedicated status course(s), do the following:
Step 1: Click on Login (top right of Natshoot Website frame)
Step 2: Enter cell phone number in the Top (no spaces between the numbers) and enter full ID number in bottom line (no spaces between the numbers)
Step 3: Click on Dedicated Status Icon (blue)
Step 4: Click on + Apply for Dedicated Course – blue icon to the right.
Step 5: Read text from top of screen all the way to the bottom of the page and enter the required information in each field
Step 6: Choose the format in which you would want to receive the study-material (either Download version, or in hard copy printed format) – this determines the cost of the specific course(s).
Step 7: Make the necessary payment into the account indicated on the page – Card payments or EFT
Step 8: Upload the proof of the EFT payment at the Browse button at the bottom of the page if you have not made a card payment
Step 9: Click on the Submit button – this will enter your application to the office
You will be notified by Email, of the acceptance of your application to enrol for the Dedicated Status Course(s). The Email contains all relevant requirements you have to comply with to successfully complete the course(s).
Please diligently read the Email in order to ascertain that there are no misunderstandings between you and NHSA re the requirements to complete the course(s)
The waybill number of the package being couriered to you (Manual), will display on your Personal Natshoot Portal (you will also be contacted by the courier via Email or per cell phone). Courier cost of study material is included in cost for the course(s)
I have Dedicated Status with another association - does NHSA acknowledge that?
APPLY TO BE AWARDED DEDICATED STATUS BY WAY OF RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL)
One of the corner stones of learner and certification systems worldwide is that prior learning and embedded expertise are formally recognised. This is dependant on documentary evidence of prior learning claimed, because of liabilities associated with the legal right to award dedicated hunter or sport-person certification as NHSA is legally authorised to award.
NHSA will consider awarding dedicated status on grounds of RPL in the following instances:
1. Submission of documentary proof of Bona fide Hunter and or Sport-shooter Certificate issued by the SAPS in terms of the former Arms and Ammunition Act of 1969;
2. Submission of documentary proof of the successful completion of the CHASA Hunters Proficiency Test only if practical shooting test has been completed (for dedicated hunter status only);
3. Submission of documentary proof of Professional Hunter`s qualification certificate issued by an officially recognised PH training organisation or any Provincial Authority in South Africa (for dedicated hunter status only) (Provincial registration as PH is not acceptable on its own as it does not constitute proof of training in itself);
4. Submission of documentary proof of current and valid Dedicated Hunter certificate as issued by SA Wingshooters, CHASA, or any other hunting association which is accredited with the SAPS as hunting association (so-called Section 16 Letters with signature of Commissioner of Oaths affixed compulsory here);
5. Submission of documentary proof of an European Hunters’ Licence or Certificate issued by a relevant EU government agency, e.g. German Jagdschein or French Hunter`s Licence for dedicated hunter qualification;
6. Submission of documentary proof of not older than 12 months and valid Dedicated Sports-Person certificate (Section 16 letter) issued by any of the accredited sport-shooting associations, or an equivalent international qualification.
NOTE: Only SA Hunters, CHASA and Lowveld Hunters’ Dedicated Sports-Person Certificates and Dedicated Hunter Certificates, (Section 16 letters) will be accepted if the certificate is not dated in at least the preceding year the application for RPL is made in.
A dedicated sport-person certificate from any other accredited sport-shooting association, which is valid for the 12 months prior to application, will be considered for awarding dedicated status on grounds of RPL.
When will my study material for the Dedicated Course be sent to me?
Once we’ve received your application on your personal page for the dedicated COURSE, as well as the proof of payment we will, within 3 business days, send your study material via courier.
Once it has been shipped, you can see the waybill no on your personal page.
Our Courier company will send you emails regarding the status of the parcel from collection to delivery.
They will also send you an email asking if they have the correct delivery address for you to confirm.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT WE CANNOT COURIER TO FARM ADDRESSES, WE WILL APPRECIATE IT IF YOU GIVE US AN ADDRESS OF A FAMILY MEMBER/FRIEND IN YOUR CLOSEST TOWN
What does the Theoretical Section of my Dedicated Course comprise of?
THEORETICAL EVALUATION FOR THE DEDICATED STATUS COURSE(S)
1. After receiving the study material via courier or downloaded the study material, the candidate reads through the study material.
2. The link to the on-line evaluation will only open 2 calendar days after the candidate has received the study material (or have downloaded it onto his/her computer), in order to afford candidates enough time to work trough the study material.
3. Two days after having received the study material (printed or downloaded), the candidate can do the on-line theoretical evaluation by going to the “Dedicated Status” section on his/her Personal Natshoot Member Portal.
4. Start the theoretical online evaluation by clicking on the green link at the bottom of the page.
5. The results of the evaluation will reflect here once the candidate has successfully finished with the on-line theoretical evaluation.
6. Candidates may redo the theoretical evaluation as many times as is necessary to pass (the link will remain green until you have been successful in completing the theoretical evaluation).
7. The theory for the dedicated courses is done by way of an online evaluation of 60 minutes (questionnaire compiled out of an interchangeable battery of 278 multiple choice questions – thus no two candidates can complete the exact same questionnaire) – pass mark = 70% – Please Note that the whole questionnaire must be completed in 60 minutes and that the questionnaire must be completed to the last question.
8. The theoretical evaluation is marked automatically and the result is immediately afterwards visible on the candidate’s Dedicated Course page. At the office the result is logged on the candidate’s personal data sheet.
What does the Practical Section of my Dedicated Course comprise of?
1. The practical evaluation to attain dedicated status consists of shooting one target to attain Dedicated Hunter Status (score 60%) OR shooting one target to attain Dedicated Sport-person status (score 60%).
2. If you do the Dedicated Hunter & Sport-Person Course, you must shoot ONE target for Dedicated Hunter and ONE target for Dedicated Sport-Person (score 60% for each target).
3. You may shoot on any publicly recognized shooting range – you can see which Natshoot Friendly Shooting Ranges are in your area.
4. See our list of NHSA Friendly Shooting Ranges where you are welcome to go and shoot (it is not compulsory that you shoot only on the ranges on this list)
5. If you do not have access to a public shooting range but you have access to a private shooting range, i.e. a range on a farm, complete the form here – https://natshoot.co.za/ranges/submit to request permission to shoot there, please.
6. PLEASE NOTE:
6.1 Air Pistols and Air Rifles as well as Black Powder Handguns or Black Powder Rifles MAY NOT be used to shoot the practical section of the dedicated status courses.
6.2 You may use a lever-action rifle but only with the correct calibre on the targets you can download as indicated below.
6.3 The candidate may only shoot the required Target(s) in accordance with the exercise rules printed on the specific Target. For the dedicated hunter course, you may use any rifle to complete the practical section. For the dedicated sports-person course you may use any handgun or rifle for the practical section.
6.4 If you do not yet own a firearm you may use a firearm of a parent, a friend, or hire one from the shooting range – log the firearm as some one else’s on your firearms page on your Natshoot Portal when you enter the scores under Dedicated Courses.
6.5 Original shot Dedicated Practical Targets must be kept by the candidate for at least six months after date of being shot for purposes of verification by the office if the need should arise.
6.6 If original targets are not kept in this manner, and verification cannot be done because the original targets have been lost or thrown away, the candidate will have to re-do the practical section(s) of the dedicated course(s) s/he had enrolled for.
7. WHAT MEMBERS NEED TO DO
7.1 You may not use a target which is not correct for the exercise you want to shoot for the practical of the dedicated course you are completing and for which you want to enter scores, despite other exercises making use of similar looking targets. Shooting ranges may not give you a Natshoot Dedicated Practical target – download your own please.
7.2. NHSA Postal Targets or any Activity Target may not be used for he practical of the dedicated courses.
7.3 You MUST shoot the correct number of shots as per the exercise rules on a specific Practical Target (usually 5 shots). If the correct number of shots are not on a Practical Target the exercise is not valid and the target cannot be accepted for the relevant dedicated course.
7.4. Make sure you read the concise rules for the specific exercise relevant to the practical target you will use. Please make sure you stay within those rules !
7.5. You may print all coloured Natshoot Practical Targets in black and white.
7.6. You may not colour the centre of any Natshoot target (postal, activity, or practical), or paste a colour sticker on the centre of a Natshoot target (be the target in color or in black and white). Such targets will be declined.
7.7 Directly after having shot the practical target(s) make sure you fill out all fields on the target(s):
7.7.1 Member’s Initials and Surname + ID number;
7.7.2. Name of Shooting Range – please let range stamp the target if they have a stamp;
7.7.3 Calibre of firearm used;
7.7.4 Date on which the target was shot;
7.7.5. Complete the Statement Block by signing in the required space on each target;
7.7.6 Score the target in the relevant scoring blocks at the bottom of each target and make sure you write in the number of shots which were fired – see How To Score Targets HERE;
7.7.7 Let a witness sign the target at the inscription “Witness signature, ID number, Cell Phone & Date” – it can be the person in charge of the range where you shoot, or any person on the range at the same time on which the targets are shot (it confirms the statement you sign).
7.7.8 The date on which the witness signs must be the same date on which the target was shot.
7.8 Members must please keep originals of electronically submitted practical targets for at least six months after submission. Please ascertain that you keep documentation which can serve as confirmation that a specific target was shot on a specific range on a specific day for verification purposes should that be required (i.e. receipt, range stamp with the date on target, photo of range register of the day, day shooter sticker issued at clubs, etc.). If it would e required, the office will send a courier to pick up the original target for verification purposes (will be in contact with you in this regard if necessary).
Where can I download the Targets for the Practical Section of my Dedicated Course?
Where must I shoot the Targets for the Practical Section of my Dedicated Course?
1. The practical evaluation to attain dedicated status consists of shooting one target to attain Dedicated Hunter Status (score 60%) OR shooting one target to attain Dedicated Sport-person status (score 60%).
2. If you do the Dedicated Hunter & Sport-Person Course, you must shoot ONE target for Dedicated Hunter and ONE target for Dedicated Sport-Person (score 60% for each target).
3. You may shoot on any publicly recognized shooting range – you can see which Natshoot Friendly Shooting Ranges are in your area.
4. See our list of NHSA Friendly Shooting Ranges where you are welcome to go and shoot (it is not compulsory that you shoot only on the ranges on this list)
5. If you do not have access to a public shooting range but you have access to a private shooting range, i.e. a range on a farm, complete the form here – https://natshoot.co.za/ranges/submit to request permission to shoot there, please.
6. PLEASE NOTE:
6.1 Air Pistols and Air Rifles as well as Black Powder Handguns or Black Powder Rifles MAY NOT be used to shoot the practical section of the dedicated status courses.
6.2 You may use a lever-action rifle but only with the correct calibre on the targets you can download as indicated below.
6.3 The candidate may only shoot the required Target(s) in accordance with the exercise rules printed on the specific Target. For the dedicated hunter course, you may use any rifle to complete the practical section. For the dedicated sports-person course you may use any handgun or rifle for the practical section.
6.4 If you do not yet own a firearm you may use a firearm of a parent, a friend, or hire one from the shooting range – log the firearm as some one else’s on your firearms page on your Natshoot Portal when you enter the scores under Dedicated Courses.
6.5 Original shot Dedicated Practical Targets must be kept by the candidate for at least six months after date of being shot for purposes of verification by the office if the need should arise.
6.6 If original targets are not kept in this manner, and verification cannot be done because the original targets have been lost or thrown away, the candidate will have to re-do the practical section(s) of the dedicated course(s) s/he had enrolled for.
7. WHAT MEMBERS NEED TO DO
7.1 You may not use a target which is not correct for the exercise you want to shoot for the practical of the dedicated course you are completing and for which you want to enter scores, despite other exercises making use of similar looking targets. Shooting ranges may not give you a Natshoot Dedicated Practical target – download your own please.
7.2. NHSA Postal Targets or any Activity Target may not be used for he practical of the dedicated courses.
7.3 You MUST shoot the correct number of shots as per the exercise rules on a specific Practical Target (usually 5 shots). If the correct number of shots are not on a Practical Target the exercise is not valid and the target cannot be accepted for the relevant dedicated course.
7.4. Make sure you read the concise rules for the specific exercise relevant to the practical target you will use. Please make sure you stay within those rules !
7.5. You may print all coloured Natshoot Practical Targets in black and white.
7.6. You may not colour the centre of any Natshoot target (postal, activity, or practical), or paste a colour sticker on the centre of a Natshoot target (be the target in color or in black and white). Such targets will be declined.
7.7 Directly after having shot the practical target(s) make sure you fill out all fields on the target(s):
7.7.1 Member’s Initials and Surname + ID number;
7.7.2. Name of Shooting Range – please let range stamp the target if they have a stamp;
7.7.3 Calibre of firearm used;
7.7.4 Date on which the target was shot;
7.7.5. Complete the Statement Block by signing in the required space on each target;
7.7.6 Score the target in the relevant scoring blocks at the bottom of each target and make sure you write in the number of shots which were fired – see How To Score Targets HERE;
7.7.7 Let a witness sign the target at the inscription “Witness signature, ID number, Cell Phone & Date” – it can be the person in charge of the range where you shoot, or any person on the range at the same time on which the targets are shot (it confirms the statement you sign).
7.7.8 The date on which the witness signs must be the same date on which the target was shot.
7.8 Members must please keep originals of electronically submitted practical targets for at least six months after submission. Please ascertain that you keep documentation which can serve as confirmation that a specific target was shot on a specific range on a specific day for verification purposes should that be required (i.e. receipt, range stamp with the date on target, photo of range register of the day, day shooter sticker issued at clubs, etc.). If it would e required, the office will send a courier to pick up the original target for verification purposes (will be in contact with you in this regard if necessary).
What do I do if I cannot shoot the Targets for my Practical at a publicly acknowledged shooting range?
If members do not have realistic access to a formally recognised shooting range to participate in In-House Postal Shoots (or to do practice target shooting), they may follow the steps below to apply for permission to use private ranges instead (i.e. a shooting range on a farm)
PLEASE NOTE:
1. The fact that NHSA acknowledges the private range only means we accept targets shot on that range (NHSA relevant targets shot under auspices of the owner). It does not mean NHSA has approved the range as a shooting range (we cannot do that).
2. A private shooting range must at least have a shooting point and a shooting stop which is safe.
3. Safety on a private shooting range is the responsibility of the owner. NHSA has no responsibility towards what happens on such a range and will not get involved in any dispute which might arise from the use of such a shooting range.
4. We advise that private range owners should compile a range register with an indemnity printed on the back of each page. The register must be completed by each person shooting on that range. That is to assist the owner with indemnity claims should anything untoward happen on the range and the owner gets taken to task for that. An example of such a Range Register and Indemnity form can be downloaded HERE
5. It is the owner’s responsibility to ascertain neighbours are informed of the shooting to take place on the range and that they agree thereto. NHSA has nothing to do with this arrangement and will not become involved in any dispute of this nature.
6. The NHSA acceptance of a private shooting range for NHSA targets to be shot on (or practice targets for submission to NHSA) does not mean the range can be used as a “free for all”. NHSA rules re exercises and targets must be strictly adhered to. Any inconsistency or misuse of the range by the owner or any other person shooting there, will cause NHSA to withdraw its recognition of the range immediately.
7. Remember that one may not shoot in a municipal area.
PROCEDURE:
Send an Email to scores@natshoot.co.za
Approval to use a range on a farm or on a private property which is not open to the general public will then be requested from Exco on the member’s behalf.
The following elements must be clearly stated in the Email requesting permission to shoot the In-House Postals or NHSA practice targets on a range other than a publicly recognised range (thus on a private range)
a. Why it is absolutely necessary to shoot the In-House Postals targets or NHSA practice targets on a private range;
b. The name of the place where the range is situated (i.e. a farm name);
c. Closest town, and Province
d. The length of the range;
e. The name, ID number & cell phone number of the person(s) who will act as witness & time keeper if the semi-auto exercises are shot there, and;
f. Two to three photos of the specific range showing that it is a dedicated shooting range and not just an open piece of veld.
This would constitute at least one photo from the perspective of the shooting point – Either a shooting table or ground canvas (preferably with firearms on it, pointed in the shooting direction).
At least one photo of the back stop, with frames / stands (for targets) or gongs. Also indicating that the back stop is safe.
An optional Google Maps photo indicating the range length and positioning on the property.
Any other photos additional to the above to provide perspective.
At NHSA we want our members to shoot as often as they can.
Exco will thus grant permission for the use of private ranges in instances where motivated requests are received.
We do, however, need a paper trail of these requests and approvals in order to be able to protect the integrity of our Postal Shoots at all times.
Can my Shooting Range give me NHSA Targets if I need some for my dedicated course?
Shooting ranges cannot furnish members with official NHSA Targets (Practical course or Postal Targets).
Please make sure you download and print the correct Practical Target(s) before you go to the shooting range – This can be done on your Member Portal under the Dedicated status Heading.
How must I submit my shot targets for my Practical Section of the Dedicated Course?
I have completed the theory & practical sections of my dedicated course.
Once you have successfully completed your online evaluation and your score(s) has been approved for the practical of of your dedicated status, you may now apply to be awarded the relevant Dedicated Status (as is required by Law).
Do the following:
Step 1: Login to your Member Portal.
Step 2: Click on Dedicated Status button
Step 3: Click on Complete Application – finalise few questions required to finalise the dedicated status course
Your status will be updated within 3 business days once you’ve submitted your application for the dedicated status and you will be notified by Email, of the issue of your Dedicated Status Certificates and that these documents as well as your updated electronic membership card can be downloaded from your Certificates page on your Member Portal.
Always download all your updated personal NHSA documentation from your Certificates page on your Member Portal, and attach those to all and any application submitted to SAPS re firearm licenses.
