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Later in life he obtained a B.Sc. degree in Agriculture from the University of the Free State, a Honours degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Pretoria and later a Masters degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Pretoria. After his studies he returned to the banks of the Vaal River in 1991 as a third generation farmer, and started his own safari company. With most of his company’s activities taking place on his own land, Fanus’s education and experience culminated in the building of his own lodge, and the management of the game on his properties in such a way as to ensure its utilisation on a sustainable basis.

Needless to say, the game populations are prospering, numbers consistently rising each year. Not the least of reasons being the material benefit and development the local communities are deriving from the onset of commercial wingshooting. A great priority of Fanus is that benefits derived from wingshooting filter through to everybody and everything involved in the gamebird cycle. No more poaching, poisoning or nest raiding. Due to the considerable amount of preparation, work and meticulous planning going into a wild bird shoot, approximately 300 working days are created for the rural community by a single day’s shooting.

As can be expected of a business enterprise based on the love of what you do, it grew from strength to strength. Today Fanus holds concessions throughout Southern Africa and is still expanding, but never letting go of the principles that brought him so far - ethical hunting principles, ethical business principles, honesty and integrity. But above all, a love for the sport and the wondrous creatures we pursue. When not hunting, shooting or fishing with clients his hobbies are, apart from reading, well, hunting, shooting and fishing.