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AGRED (The African Gamebird Research Education and Development Trust) has published a new book promoting gamebird management and utilisation in South Africa. Sponsored by Omnia fertilizer, the book, The AGRED Guide to Gamebird Management in South Africa by Aldo Berruti, will be available in English and Afrikaans from October 2011.

AGRED strives to develop ethical and sustainable gamebird shooting based on scientific research. This book, simply written and well-illustrated, describes practical species-specific measures to manage gamebirds. Amongst many issues, the book discusses crops, the impact poisoning and fire, depopulation of farmlands, climate change, role of predators, overshooting, gundogs and field trialling, management of bushveld farms and falconry.

A breakthrough is that this book is based on a farmer-friendly approach – the management advice is built on modern farming practises rather than asking farmers to undertake efforts expensive in time, energy and money or which are contrary to usual farm management. It encourages the landowner to become the expert, describing approaches which allow anyone to become local experts by understanding gamebird biology and using simple research techniques.

A major section describes how to run shoots and generate income from sustainable shooting or to simply add a new social dimension to farm life. Included are the strategies and tactics required to hunt each species of gamebird.

Slightly larger than A5 and 136 pages in length, the book features magnificent full-colour portraits of South African gamebirds. A novel feature is the use of 15 excellent cartoons by Doug Goode, driving home important points in light-hearted fashion. With its easily understood and readable text and format, numerous illustrations, and boxes highlighting important points, the book does not feel like a technical manual whilst still providing much expertise.

The content of this book has relatively little overlap with AGRED’s previous book - AGRED’s Gamebirds of South Africa Field identification and management published in 2005 which has successfully sold over 4400 copies and only a few Afrikaans copies are still available.

At an affordable retail of R195, the book makes a great gift for the wingshooter and the landowner who supports hunting. It will encourage the landowner to manage and conserve gamebirds and help ensure the sustainability of shooting.

To order - www.agred.com, 017-77801299 or agred@netdial.co.za