Hunt to Conserve
WHY RHINO HUNTING?
Devastating losses caused by poaching have left Africa’s rhino population under severe threat of extinction.
Most national parks have failed to combat poaching and are on the brink of losing all of their rhino. However, some private reserves have successfully protected and even grown their populations.
Protecting and managing the remaining rhinos is a dangerous and extremely costly exercise.
Responsible trophy hunting provides a source of financial income for essential rhino security and management. Moreover, it offers positive incentives for rural communities and private landowners to support conservation efforts at large.
African case studies indicate that appropriately managed and regulated legal hunting can reinforce – rather than compromise – species and habitat conservation. Only a tiny percentage of the population is hunted yearly, and greater numbers exist today than when controlled rhino hunting was first introduced in 1972.
Most national parks have failed to combat poaching and are on the brink of losing all of their rhino. However, some private reserves have successfully protected and even grown their populations.
Protecting and managing the remaining rhinos is a dangerous and extremely costly exercise.
Responsible trophy hunting provides a source of financial income for essential rhino security and management. Moreover, it offers positive incentives for rural communities and private landowners to support conservation efforts at large.
African case studies indicate that appropriately managed and regulated legal hunting can reinforce – rather than compromise – species and habitat conservation. Only a tiny percentage of the population is hunted yearly, and greater numbers exist today than when controlled rhino hunting was first introduced in 1972.
400+ RHINOS
Rockwood boasts 400+ White Rhinos in our care and has had 250+ births in the reserve.
COSTS
It costs $1m+ annually to feed, maintain, and protect our rhinos at Rockwood.
You will be hosted by reserve owners, Wicus and Yvette Diedericks, at our five-star luxury lodge.
Rockwood is situated in the sparsely populated and malaria-free Northern Cape Province of South Africa.
This area is known for its historical significance, diamonds, and cultural diversity.
Guests are treated to gourmet local cuisine and outstanding South African wines, whilst experiencing warm local hospitality.
The Rockwood Experience
Limited targeted rhino hunting on our reserve helps to advance demographic and genetic conservation goals, by addressing the problems of excess males, high population densities, and inbreeding.
The additional revenue stream also helps to cover rhino conservation action.
Rockwood gives you the opportunity to join us on the frontline of rhino conservation – becoming part of this proud legacy. If you wish to experience a hunt unlike any other and want to contribute to the cause, then this is the experience for you.
A rhino hunt is truly an experience of a lifetime – with significant conservation value and socio-economic impact.
The additional revenue stream also helps to cover rhino conservation action.
Rockwood gives you the opportunity to join us on the frontline of rhino conservation – becoming part of this proud legacy. If you wish to experience a hunt unlike any other and want to contribute to the cause, then this is the experience for you.
A rhino hunt is truly an experience of a lifetime – with significant conservation value and socio-economic impact.
Rhino Trophy Scoring
We categorize our rhino trophies according to the SCI scoring method. The SCI score is the sum of the length and circumference of both the front and back horns. It gives a much better idea of trophy quality and horn volume / weight than solely relying on front horn length.
The minimum score for an SCI bronze medal is 70, followed by 81 for silver, and 88 for gold.
On our reserve, we only hunt old bulls that score above the SCI minimum. Typically, a bronze bull’s front horn measures between 19 and 23 inches. However, you have the assurance that it will be an old bull with a hard horn, long back horn, and thick bases. In short, the volume and weight of the horns will be substantial.
Many outfitters market so-called 20-inch bulls at cheaper prices, but refrain from telling clients that the trophy will not make the minimum SCI score. This is because these bulls are often too young and the bases of the front and back horns are still thin.
The minimum score for an SCI bronze medal is 70, followed by 81 for silver, and 88 for gold.
On our reserve, we only hunt old bulls that score above the SCI minimum. Typically, a bronze bull’s front horn measures between 19 and 23 inches. However, you have the assurance that it will be an old bull with a hard horn, long back horn, and thick bases. In short, the volume and weight of the horns will be substantial.
Many outfitters market so-called 20-inch bulls at cheaper prices, but refrain from telling clients that the trophy will not make the minimum SCI score. This is because these bulls are often too young and the bases of the front and back horns are still thin.