What do we mean when we say “trophy hunting”? The term itself is loaded. For many Africans, it evokes images of wealthy foreigners, mostly white Americans and Europeans, flying into Africa to shoot animals, take their skins and horns, and decorate their homes with them.
By Makena Ngoato, an experienced licensed hunting outfitter and wildlife trader specialising in sustainable wildlife management solutions
Understandably, most Africans recoil from this perception, distancing themselves from what they see as a wasteful sport. But is trophy hunting the right term for what is, in fact, commercial hunting? Words matter, and in this case they shape perceptions that often obscure the truth.
The Paradox of Meat Hunting vs Commercial Hunting
Among black hunters, the identity of the “meat hunter” is strong. Meat hunting is tied to sustenance and community sharing. Trophy hunting, by contrast, is often criticised as being disconnected from traditional values. Yet here lies a paradox: whereas modern meat hunters take only the meat and discard the rest, commercial hunters ensure that every part of the animal is used. Skins, horns, bones and meat all enter value chains, feeding families, becoming ornaments and utensils, supplying butcheries and upholstery businesses, and supporting jobs. The idea that commercial hunting (aka trophy hunting) leaves meat to rot is a fallacy.
Also read: Bird hunters: An undeniable solution for crop and grain farmers
Professional Hunters: Licensed Guides, Not Thrill-seekers
Professional hunters are not thrill-seekers. They are licensed guides who accompany clients, often non-residents, on hunts, earning remuneration for their expertise to support their families and livelihoods. For outfitters and landowners, selling animals is a livelihood. It creates jobs, sustains families and funds education. Like any farmer, they must manage wildlife responsibly, allowing reproduction and selling excess stock at market-related prices.
Despite growing interest, few black hunters pursue hunting as a career. Colonial history restricted access to land and wildlife, leaving lasting scars. Today, barriers remain:
- Limited knowledge about the industry;
- Scarcity of land and capital;
- High costs of infrastructure – lodges, concessions and guiding licences; and
- Restricted market access.
Even those who qualify as professional hunters often seek jobs elsewhere, hesitant to commit fully to commercial hunting, and recipients of game farms frequently convert them into livestock operations that yield lower income than game farming.
The Essential Role of Mentorship and Collective Action
If black hunters are to thrive in this industry, strong will, mentorship and empowerment are essential. Experienced black professional hunters must guide aspiring hunters, teaching practical skills and professional etiquette, as the industry is unforgiving. One mistake can blacklist a newcomer permanently. Associations of black hunters and safari operators could share resources, lobby for transformation and build resilience.
Five Critical Enablers for Success
To unlock this potential, the following enablers are critical:
- Formation of black professional hunting associations to lobby for transformation and collective empowerment;
- Creation of accessible training pipelines to prepare hunters for professional careers;
- Development of tailored policy frameworks with real accountability to enforce transformation; and
- Capital investment to secure funding for land, lodges and logistics.
Narrative change is essential to reframe hunting as an engine of economic growth, job creation, empowerment, conservation and community upliftment.
Also read: Opinion: Transformation in the wildlife sector cannot happen without a collective will
A Call for Recognition and Courage
Africans must move beyond misconceptions and recognise professional and commercial hunting for what it truly is: a livelihood that, when managed responsibly and ethically, sustains communities, conserves wildlife and builds lasting careers.
The real challenge is not readiness, but courage – courage for black hunters to abandon old misconceptions, and courage for the industry to dismantle barriers that have kept them on the margins of Africa’s hunting economy.
Also read: Opinion: Greedy, selfish and corrupt officials prevent transformation in the wildlife industry
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of African Farming.
