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Assistant Trails Guide Qualification (22 Days)

This is above the BOTA Assistant Walking Guide

This is a FGASA Assistant Trails Guide

Below are the Botswana Training Authority unit standards. For the FGASA unite standards please go to the FGASA website or contact us. This course covers the basic aspects of rifle training from safety to ballistics to weapon drills and practical shooting. There are theory and practical lessons on shot placement. We spend as much time in the field doing practical walking techniques, tracking and approaching of potentially dangerous game as is possible.

The wilderness area of the southern Kwapa is perfect for this training and allows plenty of "big game" exposure. With a growing "walking safari culture" in Botswana this course is extremely popular for local guides as well as international students.

Level 2

Demonstrate knowledge and skills in rifle handling in a wilderness area 

  Credits 4

 

This unit standard is a core requirement for people wanting to work as Assistant nature guides who wish to begin learning to lead walks  and or who wish to carry a rifle in any strand of guiding.They are expected to conduct "limited" tours as a backup guide during animal back rides and or as a back-up during nature walks in “limited” wilderness areas. It may also be a useful requirement for other camp or facility staff and management.

 

People credited with this unit standard are able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of rifles, ammunition and ballistics
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of and apply rifle safety
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of destroying threatening dangeorus animals
  4. Fire a rifle in the context of a quick kill exercise
  5. Fire a rifle in the context of a recovery from a malfunction
  6. Load, chamber, aim and unload a rifle under time pressure

 

Special notes

  1. General Information

 
      1. This is essential for all back-up walking guides and animal back guides in the event the lead guide is incapacitated and or where back-ups are epected to carry rifles.
      2. In this unit standard, “bolt action rifle or firearm” refers to any rifle with a calibre of .375 or any .4 and above calibre. These calibres are the minimum calibres to be used when walking in areas with potentially dangerous animals.
      3. The demonstration of the use of a rifle is to be conducted in controlled range conditions following the shooting range rules and regulations listed below.
      4. In this unit standard emphasis must be placed on not relying on the rifle to get out of situations while in the field, but rather to avoid situations and further to simply to assess whether the candidate is competent in the use of rifle's should the situation require.

 

 

  1. Range statements

 

  1. Portions of some elements are to be assessed through a theoretical exam format, while other portions are to be assessed practically during the shoot.

Elements that make up this Unit Standard are:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of rifles, ammunition and ballistics - theory
  2. Demonstrate knwledge of and apply rifle safety – theory and practical
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of destroying threatening dangeorus animals – theory and practical.
  4. Fire a rifle in the context of a quick kill exercise - practical
  5. Fire a rifle in the context of a recovery from a malfunction - practical
  6. Load, chamber, aim and unload a rifle under time pressure - practical
  1. Prior to assessment commences, Assessor must prepare the candidate for the assessment. This involves the assessor running through the assessment procedures, critical errors and general information. The candidate is to confirm understanding of the procedures and safety rules by signing the pre-assessment confirmation and decleration sheet.
  2. Once this results sheet is completed and assessor has made decision, the results and necessary feedback is to be given to the learner acording to feedback process policy and procedure. This feedback sheet must be signed by both learner and assessor.
  3. For elements 1, 2 and 3 the theoretical assessment portion of knowledge can be in either oral questionng or written test format. A record of the theoretical questions and answers must be provided to BOTA by the assessor. Pass mark for these elements is 75%.
  4. For element 3 the practical assessment portion in terms of the correct choice of brain shots on used targets must be shown. Candidate must point this out to assessor in private and assessor must record this on the score sheet.
  5. For elements 2, 4, 5 & 6, score sheet recording performane of practical application of each candidate must be used to prove competency. Within the score sheets certain perfomrance criteria regarding rifle handling safety, are marked as cr (critcal error). Failure not to adhere to the critical safety criteira shall result in an immediate decisson of not yet competent. In such event, the candidate is to leave the range. A decision on whether the candidate may continue that day is based on whether the candidate is able to show understanding and explanation on which of the critical errors were not adhered to and why?
  6. Learners must prove competent in element 2, in order to comence with the further specified unit standards. Candidates may only have two attempts for this element.
  7. This unit standard, besides those critical performance criteria, must be socred according to a percentage result. The total pass mark = 80%, but each candidate must attain 65% or above for each element 2, 4, 5 & 6 in order to be deemed competent at this level. Each of these elements must be competleted twice. Shlould score above 70% for one attempt and above 55% for the 2nd, then the candidate may choose to be assessed for a 3rd attempt, but only if no critical errors have been made.
  8. For elements 4 & 5, the candidate must as a minimum place a stun shot in order to be deemed competent.
  9. In each element, the drill must be completed within the specified cut off time.
  10. The specified target size is a center circle of 7 cm diameter = Kill shot (brain of lion) and a surrounding circle of 12cm diameter = stun shot (brain of buffalo, stun of lion).

Simulated shooting range preperation and safety rules

  1. The 15 golden rules for safe weapon handling and the range safety rules must be discussed before learners enter onto the range.

Shooting range minimum requirment rules:

  1. Targets must be placed in area with a suitable back stop such as sand,

termite mound, river bank etc… The height must be higher than the
highest target.

  1. Behind the targets there should be no possibilities of people or animals

within a 6 km distance covering a 180 degree angle from the shooting line.

  1. No persons are allowed in front of the shooting line, unless the assessor

has confirmed this and all weapons are down and declared safe.

  1. A safe weapon is a weapon with out any live or dummy rounds in the

magazine and chamber, secondly the blt must be open and in the full
backdrop position or, removed and stored next to the weapon.

  1. Any other candidates present, must be at least 50 m behind the shooting

line. No persons are to move outside of 90 degree, radiating in a rearward
position from the shooting point.

  1. Live rounds are only to be issued to learners and used in any drills under

supervision of assessor, trainer and only by previously qualified weapon
handler under strict instruction by assessor or trainer.

  1. For elements 4 & 5, specified targets must be used as well as set out at specified distances. Life like animal targets must be used in order for canidates to be assessed in choosing the lethal brain shot through quick decision in a simulated charge situation. As a minimum, through out the shooting assessments, targets of lion, buffalo and elephant must be used and for candidates working in areas with Hippo and Rhino, these targets should also be used.

The asessor is to mark off the position of the brain in front of candidate after the candidate has chosen the correct positioning.

 

  1. Definitions
  1. Limited tours as used, refers to present legislation for Assistant Guides in relation to the fact that they are only licensed to conduct day tours from set camps or lodge facilities and may not conduct overnight camping tours, may not lead walks and may not lead animal back tours unaccompanied by a Professional Guide.
  2. Limited wilderness areas as used, refers to a significant land area such as northern, eastern and central Botswana including the Okavango Delta, Chobe and Linaynti , Central Kalahari, Nxai and Mkgadikgadi Pans (area 1) and south eastern and western Botswana including any Reserves or Sancturaries in thlisted  areas such as the Kgalakgadi, Tuli Game Reserve and Block (area 2) inwhich the candidate was assessed
  3. To prepare rifle for carry mode means to load cartridges in the magazine, close and lock the bolt without chambering the top cartridge. An extra safety check by placing the finger up the chamber before closing the bolt is to be carried out. The bolt is to be locked with the firning pin de-cocked (main spring in relaxed postion)
  4. To cycle cartridges means to load all live carry cartridges into the magazine, chamber each while locking the bolt and then extracting and ejecting each. During ejection no cartridges are to fall out and on the ground
  5. To off load live cartridges accordingly is to unlock and open the bolt, push bolt forward stripping and partially feeding the cartridges into the chamber, until the extractor claw takes hold of the extractor groove of the cartridge. then to slide the bolt to its back stop, placing a finger over the breech to prevent the cartidge from ejecting out and falling on the ground. This is known as a "controlled ejection".
  6. To make a rifle safe, the bolt is opend, any cartidges are off loaded, a finger is placed into the chamber to check for cartridge and the bolt is left open.

 

 

  1. Legislation and references
      1. Performance for this standard is benchmarked against those of The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa’s unit standard of Advanced Rilfe Handling.
  1. Performance of the elements of this unit standard must be in accordance with world best industry standard of service, and with the following acts and regulations (and any subsequent amendments): Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Act No 28 of 1992, National Parks and Game Reserve Regulations, Tourism Act No 22 of 1992, Tourism Policy and Regulations, Arms and Ammunition Act, Road and Traffic Act (section on public service vehicles) and all Council Bye-laws.

 

Quality assurance requirements

BOTA has established a system for moderating the assessment of candidates against this standard. Assessors of this standard must comply with the requirements of that system. For details contact BOTA (attention Assessment and Certification Division).


Elements and Performance Criteria

 

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of  rifles, ammunition and ballistics

Performance criteria

 

  1. The  parts  of a rifle are named and identified listing its function.
  2. Trigger types are described in terms of action.
  3.  Relevant calibres and bullet constructions  are described in terms of components.
  4. The three principles of ballistics are named and described in terms of definitions only.
  5. The choice of weapon make, calibre and ammunition type is described in terms of reliability, stopping and killing power, t and manageability.
  6. Cleaning and maintenance points for a game rifle are described in accordance with manufacturers specificatons and established practice.
  7.  
  8. Demonstrate knowledge of and apply rifle safety.

Performance criteria

  1. The accepted Golden rules for safe rifle handling are applied.
  2. Safety checks required to ensure an operational rifle when taking a rifle out-of-safe, in-the-field, and returning-to-safe are described and demonstrated.
  3. Loading , carry mode and offloading procedures are  demonstrated. 
  4. Procedures for the transport of a rifle in a vehicle are described and followed.
  5. Procedures for cleaning and maintaining a rifle are followed in accordance with establishments requirements.
  6. Procedures for storing a rifle and ammunition within a camp or facility are followed.

 

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of destroying threatening dangerous  animals.

 

Range                        Theory knowledge must cover all potentially dangerous animals
such as elephant, buffalo, lion & leopard, hippo and rhino species,
hyena and crocodile. As a minimum, through out the shooting
assessments, targets of lion, buffalo and elephant must be used
and for candidates working in areas with Hippo and Rhino, these
targets should also be used. Photographs can also be used during
theory assessments.

Performance criteria

 

3.1     Vital organs of dangerous animals and reasons for such shot placements are described and pointed out = charge stop

 

3.2     Lethal shot placements are identified for each animal type according to a
range of confronting circumstances, such as front on, side on and from the
rear. This must include the brain position in charging animals on the
targets placed out for the shoot.

3.3     First actions to be taken are described when a decision to destroy an animal is made

 

3.4    Situations when a lethal brain shot, stun shot and a non lethal shot is
placed  are described  in terms of animal behaviour and net action to be taken.

3.5     The procedures to be followed after an animal has been destroyed must
be described in terms of legislation and established requirements.

3.6    The procedures of how to handle guests in such situations from the
confrontation through to once the animal has been dealt with are            described.

 

  1. Fire a  rifle in the context of a quick kill exercise

Range           This is to simulate a guide walking and suddenly, without warning,
an animal charges from close quarters. Two specified animal
targets with the specified kill and stun zone lightly imprinted are
placed out, one at 15m and the other at 10 m.
Candidate should be wearing relevant equipment as if involved in a
walk e.g. walking backpack, binoculars, hat and sunglasses.
The process is repeated to ensure consistency
The time is recorded from the command go and stopped when the
third cartridge is chambered and rifle aimed with the shooting
finger on the trigger.

Performance criteria

4.1       All live cartridges are checked for condition, correct calibre, appropriate                  bullet construction and cycled through the action in order to check their                feeding and locking function.
4.2       The rifle is prepared for carry mode, with three cartridges in the                                magazine and none in the chamber.
4.3       On the command go, rapid chambering and firing should commence, firing the first at the 15m target and the second at the 10m target.             The third cartridge is chambered and rifle aimed at the10 m target while placing the finger on the trigger but not firing the target.
4.4       For maximum time score the whole process should be completed within 8             seconds with a cut off time of 12 seconds (= 0 score)
4.5       The weapon is then made safe.    
4.6       This process is repeated.
4.7       Bullet placement on the target should be sufficient to kill and or stun a
charging animal.4.8            All safety rules are adhered to.

Element 5     Fire a rifle in the context of a recovery from a malfunction
Range            This is to simulate either a misfire, hangfire or a stoppage whilst an
animal is charging. A specified size target is placed at 10 meters.
Candidate should be wearing relevant equipment as if involved in a
walk e.g. walking backpack, binoculars, hat and sunglasses.
The time is recorded from the command go and stopped when the
third cartridge is chambered and rifle aimed with the shooting finer
on the trigger.

Performance criteria
5.1      Checked live cartridges are cycled in order to check their feeding and                     locking  function.
5.2    The Assessor prepares the rifle for a simulated malfunction  placing three  live cartridges and one dummy cartridge in the magazine. The dummy cartridge can either be placed on top or as the second cartridge in the magazine without the candidate knowing where the dummy is.
5.3    The rifle is placed into carry mode by the learner.
5.4    On the command go, rapid chambering a firing commences, firing two live cartridges at the 10m target.
5.5      The apparent misfired or hang fired cartridge is extracted accordingly and rapid chambering and firing should commence firing one round.
5.6      The second last, or last cartridge is chambered and rifle aimed at the target placing the shooting finger on the trigger.
5.7     For maximum time score the whole process should be completed within 11 seconds with a cut off time of 16 seconds (= 0 score)
5.8    The weapon is then made safe.    
5.9       This process is repeated to prove consistency.
5.10    Bullet placement on the target should be sufficient to kill and or stun a
charging animal.
5.11    All safety rules are adhered to.

Element 6     Load, chamber, aim and unload a rifle in under time pressure drills.
Range            The candidate must carry out this task while blind folded. This is to ensure guide is competent and efficient in quick loading of rounds from an ammunition belt when faced with a situation where the initial cartridges in the magazine were exhausted. This could occur when multiple animals charge or if an animal has been stunned or wounded by using up all the cartridges. It is imperative that the candidate does not look at the rifle while quick loading in such a situation, but rather to keep an eye on the animal This element also assesse a guides complete competence and confidence in safe rifle handling skills. Live cartridges should be used to ensure guide’s ability to work with live cartidged  safely, under extreme pressure.
Performance criteria

    1. The rifle is held in one hand with no cartridges in the magazine and bolt  closed as if in carry mode.
    2.     Guide has ammunition pouch on belt carrying three live cartridges.
    3.   On command go, guide opens breech and loads three rounds into magazine, chambers and aims the rifle placing the shooting finger on the trigger.  
      1.   The chambered cartridge must not be fired to ensure control of a cocked rifle.
    4.       For maximum time score the process should be completed within 14           seconds with a cut off time of 18 seconds..
      1.     On the command off load, the chambered cartridge is extracted, ejected under control and placed in the ammo pouch on belt.
    5. The remaining cartridges are off loaded accordingly and placed in the ammo pouch.
    6. All safety rules are adhered to.

 

Level 2

Demonstrate knowledge of how to handle potentially dangerous animal sightings as a back-up walking guide.

  Credits 2

Purpose

This unit standard is a core requirement for people wanting to work as Assistant back-up walking guides.  
People credited with this unit standard are able to:

General Information

  1.  

 

 

Quality assurance requirements
BOTA has established a system for moderating the assessment of candidates against this standard. Assessors of this standard must comply with the requirements of that system. For details contact BOTA (attention Assessment and Moderation Division).


Elements and Performance Criteria

Range           Dangerous animals include Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Hippopotamus and both Rhino species.

                        Evidence must be provided for all in this range.
Performance criteria

 
Range      Each approach, viewing, retreat and emergency situations that occur in the field will be different and all animals are unpredictable. Knowledge for this element should therefore cover what is generally regarded as the accepted protocol for typical situations and behaviours from potentially dangerous animals. As a rule of thumb, the idea of approaching animals on foot is to approach, view and retreat without the animal being alerted to walkers presence.

 

Performance criteria

 

Where a back-up is expected to carry a rifle on the walk, the protocols are described in terms of back-up position on the walk and when the back-up is expected to use the rifle in an emergency situation.        

 

Level 2

Demonstrate knowledge of the role and responsibilities of a back-up walking guide.

  Credits 2

Purpose

This unit standard is a core requirement for qualified Assistant Guides who are pursuing a qualifcation as a Lead walking guide. They are expected to provide back up for walks led by a qualified walker in an areas of operation which poses any of the known potentially dangerous animals. It may also be a useful requirement for other camp or facility staff and management.
People credited with this unit standard are able to:

  1. The knowledge required must cover potential dangers and how to avoid them with regard to health and safety practices.
  2. This standard may be assessed through a theoretical examination in written or oral format, although written format is preferred. The interpretational aspects of this standard are to be assessed during practical assessments in the field.
  3. This unit standard compliments a number of other unit standards in the Tourism Sub-field of Nature Ecology that recognise intermediate knowledge and interpretation in geology, ecology, climate and astronomy of Botswana as well as taxonomy, fungi, flora, birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, invertebrates, fishes and invertebrates prominently found in wilderness areas of Botswana.

 

 

 

Quality assurance requirements
BOTA has established a system for moderating the assessment of candidates against this standard. Assessors of this standard must comply with the requirements of that system. For details contact BOTA (attention Assessment and Moderation Division).


Elements and Performance Criteria

Range      The Key role includes to respect lead guide, understand and follow lead guides instructions and leading guests out of danger. As a minimum an understanding should be shown for all aspects mentioned above.

 

Performance criteria

Element 2 Demonstrate knowledge in the Key responsibilities                      of a back-up walking guide.
Range           The Key responsibilities are dealing with guests effectively,                          assistance in walking preparation, safe and sensitive guest   control, awareness and observation capacities in maintaining   constant awareness for unseen animals            and escape routes,                        carrying first aid kits and walking equipment,    leading guests out               of danger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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