Hunting in Savannah: Exploring Demographics, Finding Out Types of Game, and Diving Into Local Traditions

The Savannah Region, Ghana’s largest region by land area, is located in the northern part of the country. Known for its expansive grasslands, forests, and wildlife, the Savannah Region has a long history of traditional hunting practices. In this predominantly rural area, hunting continues to play a key role in providing food, supporting livelihoods, and maintaining cultural traditions, even as modern conservation laws and land pressures bring new challenges. Geography and Natural Features of Savannah for Hunting The Savannah Region is dominated by Guinea savanna vegetation, characterized by tall grasses, scattered trees, and seasonal rivers. Major features include Mole National Park, the Gbele Resource Reserve, and rivers like the Black Volta and White Volta. These ecosystems support a wide variety of wildlife species and have historically offered excellent hunting grounds. However, hunting within protected parks like Mole is prohibited, with activities concentrated in surrounding rural areas. Specificities of Hunting in Savannah Hunting in Savannah is primarily subsistence-based, although bushmeat also forms part of the local economy. Hunters employ a combination of traditional methods—including traps, slingshots, bows and arrows—and locally made firearms. Communal hunts, especially during the dry season, are a tradition in many communities, where groups of hunters work together to capture larger game. Hunting also serves important social functions, reinforcing communal ties and marking significant cultural occasions. Hunters and Demographics in Savannah The majority of hunters in the Savannah Region are adult men, often supported by boys who learn skills by accompanying their elders. Women typically participate in the processing, smoking, and selling of bushmeat. Hunting expertise is passed down orally through generations, and in some ethnic groups, hunting prowess confers social prestige and respect. Entire communities may collaborate on larger hunts or organize them in response to pest control needs, such as protecting crops from raiding animals. Types of Game and Hunting in Savannah Large and medium game: Kob, bushbuck, oribi, warthogs, and baboons are common hunting targets outside protected areas. Small game: Grasscutters (cane rats), hares, porcupines, monitor lizards, and various small antelopes. Birds: Guinea fowl, francolins, pigeons, and other savanna birds are widely hunted for meat. Protected species: Elephants, lions, leopards, and some primates are protected by law and hunting them is prohibited, especially within Mole National Park and other reserves. Hunting Seasons in Savannah The Savannah Region follows Ghana’s national hunting framework: Open season: 1st August to 31st December, when hunting of non-protected species is legally permitted. Closed season: 1st January to 31st July, designed to allow breeding and regeneration of wildlife populations. Dry seasons, coinciding with open hunting seasons, are the most active hunting periods, with hunters taking advantage of the dry bush and scarce water sources that concentrate game animals. Hunting Structures and Local Organization in Savannah Hunting activities are often overseen by traditional authorities, including chiefs, elders, and earth priests (Tindanas). Some communities have informal rules governing where, when, and how hunting can take place. Sacred groves and ancestral lands are often protected from hunting due to their spiritual significance. Wildlife Division officers and park rangers monitor protected areas and collaborate with communities to manage hunting activities near reserve boundaries. Hunting Legislation in Savannah Hunting is regulated by Ghana’s Wildlife Conservation Regulations (LI 685) and related laws. These regulations prohibit the hunting of protected species, restrict hunting to open seasons, and ban destructive hunting methods such as poisoning, bush burning, and the use of automatic firearms. In and around protected areas like Mole National Park, law enforcement is stronger, but remote communities often self-regulate hunting through traditional customs and community leadership. Hunting Traditions in Savannah Among the Gonja, Vagla, and Mamprugu peoples, hunting holds deep cultural significance. It is often associated with rites of passage, bravery, and masculinity. Traditional songs, dances, and storytelling celebrate great hunters and memorable hunts. Festivals sometimes include symbolic hunts or demonstrations of hunting skills. Some communities uphold taboos against hunting certain species considered sacred or linked to clan ancestors, helping to protect local biodiversity indirectly. Interesting Facts about Hunting in Savannah Mole National Park, although off-limits to hunting, is surrounded by communities that historically relied on hunting for sustenance. Grasscutter hunting and farming are important alternative livelihoods being promoted across the region. Hunters often use specialized whistles, animal calls, and drum signals during communal hunts. Some sacred groves in areas like Damongo and Sawla are respected as no-hunting zones. Community wildlife scouts are being trained to monitor wildlife and educate hunters on sustainable practices. In Savannah, hunting continues to embody a balance between tradition, survival, and conservation. As rural communities face pressures from land-use changes and wildlife depletion, integrating traditional knowledge with modern conservation will be key to preserving both the region’s cultural heritage and its natural resources. With collaboration, education, and responsible management, hunting in Savannah can continue to thrive sustainably.