Ethics
The Trophy Ethics Programme gives game farms age, habitat and fair-chase records for fallow and red deer bred at Karoo Edge.
Why farmers choose it
Lodges, chefs and farmers choose this programme because it puts ethical handling and fair-chase at the centre of every decision. We give full age and habitat records so you can share authentic stories with your guests or clients.
| Focus | Ethics |
|---|---|
| Briefings | Fair chase |
| Records | Age class |
| Habitat | Logged |
| Visit | Limpopo office |
Our Trophy Ethics Programme draws from our fallow and red deer herds, managed in the veld camps of Karoo Edge and select partner farms in Limpopo and the Free State. These herds come from our main breeding lines, known for healthy age structure and veld adaptation.
We focus on clear age classing, careful tracking of animal movements, and recording each animal’s history within its natural camp. Trophy animals are selected after detailed assessment, with respect for the animal and the land. Each year, fair-chase days run from July to September, after the rut and before calving.
The programme is coordinated from Karoo Edge, and our office near Polokwane keeps the age-class sheets for the Limpopo partner farms. All visits or briefings are by appointment only.
Our herd husbandry manager oversees handling, ensuring calm movement between veld camps and kraals, using only low-stress methods. Habitat condition and shade are checked weekly, especially through the hot El Niño seasons, when boreholes and backup water tanks come into play.
Our veterinary liaison officer books local game veterinarians for health checks and routine inspections. We never rush selection: animals are observed in their natural group before any decisions. Age is verified through stud records, with our stud records lead maintaining a clear pedigree and movement log for each animal considered for the programme.
Records also cover pasture use and drought buffers, with our pasture and forage manager monitoring forage and camp rotation. We fit electric fences with backup batteries or solar so power cuts don’t risk welfare or containment. Every animal moving between farms is checked for signs of disease as part of biosecurity.
This programme suits game farms, hunting lodges and managers who value ethical practice and want to show age, habitat and provenance notes to guests or buyers. We welcome queries from farmers looking to refresh or diversify their herds with animals that have full records and have lived under veld conditions.
Each buyer or lodge receives a pack with the animal’s age class, habitat notes, and a fair-chase briefing written by our team. We provide guidance on presenting these records to your guests, so guests hear the animal’s age, history and habitat along with its measurements.
Buyers also receive support from our venison provenance manager on transport and cold chain if the animal is being processed for venison, and from our farm visits coordinator for education days or visits. We explain every rule openly to partners and guests, and no step is skipped.
Because fallow and red deer are Category 2 invasive species, all movements require a valid permit from the environment department. We only sell live animals to buyers with the right permit or those applying for one. Fencing standards must meet both legal and animal welfare duties, our team supplies advice on camp layout and checking for veld readiness.
Game farms near an FMD outbreak zone will need the state veterinarian’s written approval before animals can leave or arrive. We advise checking current FMD notices and arranging movement well in advance.
Animals are selected from the age-class records before the fair-chase days begin. Forage checks and water security come first in El Niño years, so we recommend booking visits or selection well before the hottest months.
To enquire or book a briefing, send us a message through our contact form. We are happy to provide references for good fencing and veld management.
Buyers and partners
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