The Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) will introduce a fee of N$1 200 per entry for its Age Related Trophy (ART) Top 10 listings from 1 September 2026, as the association moves to strengthen the administration and continued development of the programme.
The ART Top 10 listings are exclusively available to NAPHA members and recognise exceptional hunting trophies measured according to the association’s Age Related Trophy Measurement System.
According to NAPHA, the initiative provides hunters with an opportunity to showcase outstanding achievements while highlighting the quality and maturity of trophies harvested in Namibia.
Under the new arrangement, the N$1 200 entry fee will include an official ART Top 10 certificate and medal.
NAPHA said the fee will contribute towards the administration and ongoing development of the ART programme, while ensuring that members who benefit from the recognition and promotional value of a Top 10 listing also contribute towards maintaining the initiative.
Unlike conventional trophy measurement systems that primarily focus on physical trophy size, ART places particular emphasis on the age and maturity of the animal. This approach is intended to recognise mature and past-prime animals, reinforcing the principles of selective and responsible conservation hunting.
The system therefore forms an important part of NAPHA’s efforts to demonstrate the conservation principles underpinning Namibia’s hunting sector.
It said that by giving recognition to animals that have reached an advanced stage of maturity, the ART programme promotes a hunting approach that values the age and biological maturity of wildlife rather than simply pursuing the largest possible trophy.
NAPHA is encouraging members to continue having their trophies professionally measured and to submit qualifying animals for consideration in the ART Top 10. The association says continued participation will help strengthen the ART database while providing valuable recognition to hunters who harvest mature trophies.
The programme also serves as a platform to showcase Namibia’s hunting sector and its emphasis on sustainable wildlife management. Through documenting and recognising mature animals, the ART system seeks to support the broader message that responsible hunting can form part of conservation efforts when conducted according to established principles.
With the introduction of the entry fee, NAPHA expects the ART Top 10 programme to continue developing while maintaining its role as a platform for recognising exceptional, mature trophies.
The association has urged members to make use of the ART measurement system and submit qualifying trophies, helping to expand the database and further promote the conservation principles associated with age-based trophy recognition in Namibia.
