In memoriam - Namibian Professional Hunter Volker Grellmann passes away

[C.W. Richter]

I got a text very early this morning from a PH in Zambia that a famed Namibian PH Volker Grellmann had passed away. (My profuse apologies if untrue, writing this based solely upon that text-from a fellow I trusted my life with.) Volker was a pioneer in the Namibian safari industry and a great hunter with a wonderful manner. I believe he was the leader of many important conservation positions over the years and was featured in videos and books written by the famed Hunter/Author Peter Hathaway Capstick. That's how I first learned of Mr. Grellmann, but everytime on safari in Namibia his name was mentioned by at least one of the PHs. If I recall correctly, Volker used to also teach some of the PH training classes? He firmly believed in allowing the native Africans to have a major stake in the process, and above all loved having "Bushmen" (!Kung, San peoples) along on the hunt, as they are among the finest trackers in the world. As I'll never find the video clip of this online, I'll relate a funny Bushman story Volker relayed to Capstick around a fire on an elephant hunt in Namibia: One of his first clients made a less-than-ideal shot on some game animal and they tracked it, and tracked, it and tracked it for miles to no avail. Even hearty Grellmann wanted to give up the effort. And, that's when the Bushman tracker said to Volker "We cannot stop now. The poison has to begin working sometime soon!" (The Bushman thought the hunter was using poison-tipped bullets, like the arrowheads the San used to use for hunting.) All cracked up and the hunt was a bust. No blood. Only tracks...

Anyway, hats off to a superior human being, and one that we should thank every single day for lifelong support "in the trenches" for our passion (safari) which is still very much alive today! While recently in Namibia our driver pointed out the very lovely farm where Volker lived...

 

[C.W. Richter]

 

[C.W. Richter]

 

[C.W. Richter]

From the Namibian press, Informante' - his Obituary...
Iconic Grellmann passes on

Staff Reporter
VOLKER Grellman, founder and long-term President of the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) and one of Namibia’s most experienced and well-known hunters and safari operators have passed on earlier on Monday at the age of 77.
In life Grellmann was one of the stalwarts of the Namibian hunting fraternity and played a pioneering role in the establishment of the professional hunting as an industry in Namibia. The iconic hunter and teacher is widely regarded as the father of professional hunting in Namibia.
He is also a pioneer in the instruction and tuition aspect of hunting, having trained approximately 800 aspiring hunting guides and professional hunters in Namibia. Besides training professional hunter he played a pioneering role in the development of a curriculum for a hunting-guide course for the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, with the assistance of members of the NAPHA Education Committee, he was allotted the 2001 tender to offer a course for the previously disadvantaged Namibians to do courses to gain official recognition and register with the professional association.
According to a statement by NAPHA Grellmann was born in Germany in 1942. He has been resident in Namibia since 1952, acquiring his Namibian Citizenship in 1993. After marrying Anke in 1966, they had two sons. Now 5 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild later, Volker showed very little sign of slowing down on the work front and was as busy as ever despite having hung up his rifle in exchange for a pen and lecturing.
ANVO “Conservation through selective Hunting” realized in 1970 as a Hunting Consultancy/Agency which later became a fully-fledged hunting safari company for overseas clientele with the name ANVO being derived from ANke and VOlker.
In his illustrious lifelong career he was a founding member of the Namibia Professional Hunting Association in 1974, the SWA National Game Committee in 1980, the Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations, the African Professional Hunters Association, the Conservancy Association Namibia, the Namibian Academy/Training in Hospitality and the Namatanga Conservancy.
Grellmann was the proprietor of ANVO Hunting Safaris since 1970, Eagle Rock Hunting School since 1974, Etango Ranch since 1996, “Eagle Rock” Professional Hunting Academy Namibia since 2000 and the Etango Ranch Guest Farm since 2003.
According to the NAPHA statement Grellmann’s latest projects included the compilation of a book which in essence is a memoir. Proceeds from the book, once completed, will go towards the plight of the Bushmen (San people) in Namibia.
He was also instrumental in and supported various nature and wildlife research projects in Namibia like the leopard, cheetah and alien plants research projects and was also involved in the creation of a registry of a Succulent Nursery with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
Before his passing Grellmann was also active in environmental and national planning. He worked and assisted with the development of tourism strategies and policies, marketing, training game guards for anti-poaching units in communal areas as well as addressing the development of previously disadvantaged people and human rights issues.

 

[Nyati]

R.I.P.

 

[cpr0312]

Sounds like he was one of the trail blazers in Namibia's hunting industry. Always unfortunate to loose stalwarts of the hunting community.

Prayers and condolences to his family and friends

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Condolences to his family.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[fourfive8]

Dang it! The older I get the more this seems to be happening. He did live a full and productive life and I really admired his demeanor, attitude and work ethic. My condolences to his family.

 

[sestoppelman]

A well known figure in the industry, RIP.

 

[Wheels]

Thanks for letting us know.

Love the story about the San in the OP.

 

[cagkt3]

Condolences to his family and friends. Sounds like a Namibian legend.

 

[Ridgewalker]

A fine man who left a giant mark on hunting in Namibia!

 

[C.W. Richter]

We can all look forward to his Book!

 

[Foxi]

so sad.
He was the Doyen of the Namibian PH's.
Like Philipp Percival in East Africa once.
the " father of all good hunters ".
In the pic with Max Schmeling,(heavy weight box champion against Joe Lois,also an African hunter).

 

[sierraone]

It appears he worked doing what he loved right up until the end. Can't be said about most people.

 

[grand veneur]

I'm sorry to hear that he died.

I once had the opportunity to meet him and to speak with him after a buffalo hunt in Caprivi Strip.

He was a very friendly person.

 

[C.W. Richter]

'Such a small world, Foxi, as all the neighborhood kids once met "Smokin" Joe Lewis (Schmeling's Boxing Opponent!) eating many hot dogs at a restaurant down the street from where we grew up.... It's the first time I saw autographed signatures written on bicycles, skateboards, and go-karts-along with all the mustard splashes!

 

[johnnyblues]

Rest In Peace, I’m sure he will be sorely missed.

 

[ve7poi]

My condolences to the family
RIP

 

[Major Khan]

I was reading an interview of Mr. Volker Grellmann a few days ago on a magazine named Man Magnum , which l am a digital subscriber of . I have provided it below , as a tribute to this great man and lost icon .
I am intrigued by his use of an A Square .500 calibre rifle . I rarely hear about that 1 being used at all .