Zambia Record Book

Introduction – Trophy Records of Zambian Game Animals Recorded By PHAZ Measurers of Professional Hunters’ Association of Zambia Since 1983

It was in 1981 when our Chairman at the time, David Frost, conceived the idea of producing a book to promote Zambia’s Professional Hunters on the world stage. At the time there was only Zambia Safaris Ltd. until the latter part of 1970ies when two other safari companies, namely, Big Game Safaris and Hunters Ltd., had started up and it appeared more would follow.

David Frost and Keith Asherwood were instrumental in forming a Training Programme and an apprenticeship system for up-coming young (and older) Professional Hunters. Zambia Safaris Ltd. had previously developed a system when it was the only safari outfitter in Zambia and it had also encouraged a training programme to help indigenous Zambians to enter into the Safari Hunting world as Professional Hunters but with only limited success, mainly because of the limited background abilities of some of the earlier applicants.

David Frost was, in addition to being a wildlife enthusiast, also a wildlife conservationist but he was also the owner of a leading printing and publishing company in Zambia which proved extremely helpful. When he retired his daughter, Pricilla (known as Cilla) and later his son, Peter, helped with the printing works necessary for both PH Training systems and for the Animal Trophy Record Books.

If my memory serves me correctly, there were only two Roland Ward official measurers in 1982/3, namely, Phil Nel (Zambia) and Robin Hurt (Kenya). Phil was a leading and well- respected Professional Hunter as indeed was Robin but they spent most of their time in the bush. It was therefore decided that I should apply to become registered as a measurer with SCI and Roland Ward. We adopted the SCI measurement system to determine the winners in the CAT and ANTELOPE categories commencing in 1981. Other categories were introduced later.