Why Namibia Takes a Breath: The Trophy Hunting Pause That Protects Our Wildlife

In Namibia, the official trophy hunting season runs from 1 February to 30 November. In December and January, the door is firmly closed to trophy hunting by law, and this is exactly how it should be. This two-month pause is not an inconvenience. It is an important pillar of ethical, fair chase hunting and long-term wildlife conservation in our country.

At NAPHA, our Code of Conduct and Fair Chase principles require that the animal has a genuine chance to escape, that the environment is respected, and that the long-term health of wildlife populations comes first. Closing the trophy season in the peak rainy and breeding period reflects this commitment. December and January are the heart of the green season in much of Namibia. The veld recovers, water is widely available, and many species are carrying young or raising newborn offspring. To continue hunting trophies in this period would increase disturbance at exactly the time when game should be left in peace to breed and recover.

The issue is not that every species calves in December or January. Wildlife in Namibia follows varied reproductive cycles that depend heavily on food availability, which increases with the arrival of the rains. As fresh grazing and browse emerge, females conceive at different times, resulting in births that occur throughout the year with natural peaks during and after the rainy season. This applies especially to species with long gestation periods, such as giraffe, rhino, elephant, and several antelope, whose calving cannot be confined to a single month. Because of this ecological diversity, a national trophy hunting season cannot realistically track the individual breeding peaks of every species in every region. Namibia therefore applies a consolidated seasonal framework that limits hunting pressure, prevents year-round disturbance, and aligns with the broader recovery cycle of both wildlife and habitat. This approach is internationally recognised as responsible, science-based game management and makes the summer closure a pragmatic and ethical safeguard rather than a species-specific rule.

Ethical hunting needs limits. A legally defined off-season sends a clear signal that states that in Namibia, trophy hunting is a carefully managed conservation tool, not a free-for-all. Our members plan their safaris within the February–November window, respecting both the letter and the spirit of the law.

There are practical reasons too. During the heavy rains, roads become difficult, vegetation is high, and game is widely dispersed. Rather than compromise on animal welfare, professional hunting operators use this time for maintenance, staff training, and planning for the next season.

One could joke that if Namibia opened the trophy season in December and January, we might happily steal a few international hunters away from the European winter. However, the fact that we choose not to do so, and that the law reflects this choice, is exactly what underlines the integrity of conservation hunting in Namibia. Short-term marketing temptation will never outweigh long-term responsibility towards wildlife and habitat.

The seasonal closure is therefore not just a legal detail. It is a visible expression of what NAPHA stands for which is ethical, fair chase hunting that puts conservation first, ensures healthy wildlife populations, and safeguards Namibia’s reputation as a responsible hunting destination for generations to come.

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