New Zealand Hunting & Wildlife | 170 - Spring 2010

2010 Competition results

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spring issue 170 - oCtober to DeCember 2010

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Issue 170 OctOber – December 2010An official publication of the New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association Incorporated

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Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is given in good faith and has been derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, neither NZDA nor any person involved in the preparation of this publication accepts any form of liability whatsoever for its contents including opinions, advice or information or any consequences from it use. Articles and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association Inc.

cOver PhOtO Puketoi stag photographed by William Wallace, Bush Branch. Winner of Taupo Branch Trophy for Game Animals and the Athol Hood Memorial Trophy, New Zealand Hunting & Wildlife cover, 2010.

FeAturesRobert (Bob) Badland QSM, M St J, National Life Member ..................................... 8

A Mothers Story – 10 days at Ruggedy Hut, Stewart Island .................................. 10

Outstanding Deerstalker of the year ................................................................................... 12

National Antler Horn and Tusk Competitions 2010 ..................................................... 14

DOC Update – National Hunting Advisor Brent Bevan ............................................... 16

Young Hunter – Panekiri Station – Goat Shoot ............................................................. 18

Blast from the Past – Fiordland Part 6 – Alby Frampton ......................................... 20

Special and Literary Awards 2010 ....................................................................................... 23

National Photographic Competitions 2010 ...................................................................... 24

Habitat – Fiordland Wapiti Foundation .............................................................................. 26

Firearms and Hunter Training Programmes – Mike Spray ...................................... 28

Swamp King Sambar – Stephen Howl ............................................................................... 30

Lock, Stock & Barrell – Shotgun in the vines – Nils Anderson ............................ 34

Stalkers’ Table – Send in your recipes and win a prize ............................................ 36

Poetry – Arawata Apple Pies – Fran Allcock .................................................................. 43

Points of Envy – First of the 2010 competition winners .......................................... 44

reGuLArsPresident’s Report – Alec McIver ........................................................................................... 2

Editorial – Hon Kate Wilkinson ................................................................................................. 4

HUNTS Report – Bill O’leary – The power of two or more ........................................ 6

Letters to the Editor ....................................................................................................................... 7

Tip Offs – Jeff Banke – Creating quality hunting photos .......................................... 9

‘take me hunting’ – Kids’ Page – win a free Kilwell prize pack ......................... 19

Bush Telegraph – News from around the traps ............................................................ 32

SWAZI junior shoots .................................................................................................................... 37

Heritage – Steele Creek Bivvy rebuild ............................................................................... 38

Hunting Spots – Where to hunt ............................................................................................. 40

Book & DVD Reviews .................................................................................................................. 42

On Target – Shooting Results and news ........................................................................... 46

Classifieds and buy sell & swap ............................................................................................ 48

FEATURES

CONTENTS

1NZ Hunting & Wildlife 170 - Spring 2010

Hi all and welcome to our latest issue.

Life has been very busy for many of us

since our last issue – we held conference

in Palmerston North – an event cohosted by

both Manawatu and Taihape Branches.

Congratulations go to both branches for an

extremely well run and slickly organised

event. I’m sure that everybody in attendance

got a lot out of it.

Of most importance at this year’s conference/

AGM was the appointment of two new

members to the national executive and the

recognition of two new national life members.

It was both an honour and a pleasure to

present the life memberships to Bob Badland

and Roger McNaughton. Both of these

fine gentlemen have certainly earned this

recognition and I am delighted to have been

able to present these.

Tim McCarthy from South Canterbury

Branch joins us, along with Snow Hewetson

from Marlborough Branch. Tim has taken

up the role of vice-president, following the

preconference resignation of Roy Sloan. Roy

resigned in order to focus more on the Wapiti

Foundation – an organisation very close to

his heart and one where he can make an

even bigger contribution than he did to NZDA.

Roy has now been appointed president of the

foundation. We, on the national executive

are sad to lose his valuable contributions to

discussions and plans, but we know that he

will be a huge asset to the Wapiti Foundation

and wish both Roy and the foundation every

success. We will of course still maintain

close contact with both so this is not a

goodbye, merely a see you around!

Following our conference, as is always the

case the national executive held a post-

conference meeting. Present as a guest at

this meeting was Charles Smith a member

from South Canterbury. When he was

invited to make comment or contribute to

aspects of our meeting, he provided some

very good points from a young man’s point

of view. After checking the association’s

rules and policy on secondments to the

executive, Charles has now been seconded

as a youth advisor. We look forward to

working with Charles and learning to see

things from a younger perspective in these

challenging times. I have often said that

the association needs some ‘new blood’ on

board and am really excited to have someone

with his background.

You can look forward to reading about

Charles, Tim and Snow in this issues of

the ‘Bugle’.

I would also like to take time now to make

special mention of the antler, horn and tusk

judging panel who officiated at conference.

All of these people give freely of their time to

assist during our annual national competition.

They are usually extremely busy all weekend

and work in difficult circumstances –

sometimes having to make difficult decision

to disqualify an entry. Please, accept my

thanks and that of the national executive. Our

national competition would not be so strong

or so successful without your dedication.

The Game Animal Council continues to move

ahead, with the minister for conservation now

working her way through the draft document

and preparing her response. This response

is due out at the end of September and I am

interested to see what Ms Wilkinson has to

say on it.

I would continue to encourage you all to

write letters to the government, visit your

local MP and put your opinion on this issue

forward, promoting the recognition of our

beloved animals as game not pests. With a

constant and consistent voice we can and will

make this happen.

On a more social note, I have recently

been invited to two events that I thoroughly

enjoyed.

The first was the 60th anniversary prizegiving

dinner of the Bay of Plenty Branch. Dianne

Brown, her husband Neville, Natalie and I

travelled across for what was set to be a

wonderful evening.

Great food, great company and an

entertaining guest speaker or two before

the official event had us set up to enjoy a

great evening. Sadly, the weather did not

cooperate and had been raining cats and

dogs all week before hand. This led to the

PresIDeNt’s rePOrtA l e c M c I v e r - N a t i o n a l P r e s i d e n t

N e w Z e a l a n d D e e r s t a l k e r s ’ A s s o c i a t i o n

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

NZ Hunting & Wildlife 170 - Spring 2010 2

tidal stream beside the clubhouse breaking its banks

and forcing an evacuation by 8.00 pm. Such a shame

for BOP as they had put an enormous amount of work

into the night and it was scotched by hitches that

were out of their control. Never mind – they are

going to reschedule the night and I look forward to

heading over again at a later date to carry on where

we left off.

The second great event was a recent parliamentary

rugby match and game dinner held in Murchison in

late August. Natalie and I met up with Snow Hewetson

and his wife Annette in Blenheim and drove down to

Murchison together.

I was one of the guest speakers on the night and

had spent quite a bit of time organising a PowerPoint

presentation – unfortunately the format it was in

could not be supported by the technology available on

the night and couldn’t be shown, so I had to wing it!

All turned out fine in the end, and I enjoyed having the

time to speak with a lot of the South Island MPs.

Once again, great company, great food and some

really good entertainment, all for a good cause.

The event was hosted in order to raise funds for the

Murchison Emergency Services - fire, ambulance

and police. This little town in the South Island was

a delight – a true reminder of rural heartland New

Zealand and I was really pleased to be there. I am

sure that I will go back some time soon. Not so great

was the staying up to watch the All Blacks thrash

Aussie but then having to head back to Blenheim for

an 8.30 am check in to fly home! Bleary eyes the

next day!

The annual Taupo Sika Show is hitting the city in late

September and the national executive will have a

stand there this year. This is a hugely popular show,

so if you are able to get there make sure you call in.

There is a lot to see and great people to meet. There

will be various members of the executive manning our

stand both days, so come

on up and say hi.

I will leave you all now

with a reminder as we

head into spring hunting

that many of us have been

out there for a while, so

take the time to remind

yourself of the basic

safety rules and have fun!

Alec McIver


Co-founders: Dr G B Orbell MBE, Arthur Hamilton

Patron: Hong Tse

National President: Alec McIver

National Vice President: Tim McCarthy

North Island Members of the National Executive: Steve Corlett, Sandi Curreen South Island Members of the National Executive: Chaz Forsyth, Snow Hewetson

Chief Executive Officer: Dianne Brown

National Treasurer: John Crone

Advisor to the National Executive: Matthew Lark

Youth Liaison to the National Executive: Charles Smith

Honorary Solicitor: Peter Barrett

Auditor: Chris Hurley

LIFe members: R Badland QSM, M St J, J Bamford, D Bruce Banwell, W J I Cowan, M Dunajtschik, A S D Evans MNZM, J B Henderson, J H McKenzie MBE, R McNaughton MNZM, W O’Leary, G Smith, H Tse, I D Wright NZDA recOGNIseD sPONsOrs 2010:Ampro Sales – Tasco, Belmont Ammunition, The Game Butcher, Halcyon Publishing, Kilwell, Hunting & Fishing NZ, Malcolm Perry, NZ Guns & Hunting, NZ Mountain Safety Council, NZ Wines and Spirits, Shooters Word Ltd – Gore, Stoney Creek (NZ) Ltd, Swazi Apparel AFFILIAteD tO: Council of Licensed Firearm Owners (COLFO), NZ Mountain Safety Council (NZMSC), Outdoors New Zealand (ONZ), Sporting Shooters of Australia Association Inc (SSAA), Shooting Sports Pacific Forum (through COLFO), International Hunter Education Association (IHEA)

brANches: Ashburton, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Blue Mountains, Bush, Direct, Eastern Bay of Plenty, Golden Bay, Gore & Districts, Hastings, Hutt Valley, Kapiti, Kaweka, Malvern, Manawatu, Marlborough, Napier, Nelson, North Auckland, North Canterbury, North Otago, Northland, Otago, Palmerston, Porirua, Rakaia, Rotorua, Ruahine, South Auckland, South Canterbury, South Waikato, Southern Lakes, Southland, Taihape, Taranaki, Taupo, Te Awamutu, Thames Valley, Tutira, Upper Clutha, Waikato, Waimarino, Wairarapa, Wairoa & Districts, Wellington, West Coast, Western Southland, Whangarei

All rights reserved – opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the

New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association Inc

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS SERIAL NUMBER977 1171 656 006

‘A particular virtue in wildlife ethics is that the hunter ordinarily has no gallery to applaud or

disapprove of his conduct. Whatever his acts, they are dictated by his conscience.’

Aldo Leopald

New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association Inc, formed July 1937

EDITORIAL

President, Alec McIver, Executive members, Club representatives and hunters.

Thank you for the opportunity to address the 2010 Annual Conference of the New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association. It is good to recognise some of the faces from last year’s conference in Oamaru.

First and foremost, I wish to congratulate you. I note that the National Executive recently announced the blue duck as its national conservation project. I also noticed that the blue duck is one of the themes for this year’s conference. With several branch projects already protecting the blue duck, I can’t think of a more appropriate conserva-tion project announcement. What this did highlight to me was how much DOC and NZDA do actually have in common – a desire to see the bush environment preserved is a common goal across both of our organisa-tions. It is a good illustration showing where NZDA and DOC can work together to achieve common goals.

When I reflected back on the speech I gave last year, it struck me that many of the issues facing us are still the same, but also that there has been progress in improving things for hunters. Last year I stated that I was keen to see some progress made on dealing with issues that will reinforce the value of recreational hunting while still

retaining the value in our natural heritage. You may remember at that point I was able to announce that DOC would no longer be targeting bull tahr during culling operations outside of the National Park. Also, DOC had just appointed a National Hunting Advisor and the Game Animal Council establishment committee was funded and began working toward delivery of a plan. The past year held the promise of change, but did it deliver?

The National Hunting Advisor, Brent Beaven, has been on the job for just over a year. Brent has been working on, amongst other things, encouraging DOC Area Offices to en-gage with you, empowering the Area offices to solve local issues, redeveloping the hunt-ing pages on the DOC website and reviewing the hunting permit system. There has been a major benefit in having a dedicated person to advance these issues and act as a key point of contact for NZDA over national issues.

This focus on relationship building has really started to pay dividends. The feedback from liaison group meetings highlighted the value that both hunters and DOC staff put on face to face communication - and it obviously works. As an example, after St Arnaud staff met with local hunters, they were able to agree to opening up some of the Rotoiti Mainland Island area to hunting, which was previously completely closed.

sPeech: mINIster OF cONservAtION, hON KAte WILKINsON9 JuLy 2010, PALmerstON NOrth


This represents a positive move forward - from saying “no”, to looking at new ways of enabling activities.

Other improvements to DOC systems include work on the website and the permit system. The hunting pages on the DOC website have had a major overhaul. It now includes a new homepage for hunters and presents informa-tion in a clearer manner. The web is a tool that has become commonly used in everyday life for many people, so I am pleased to announce the new look hunting web pages will be “live” by the end of this month. As of tomorrow, the new structure and homepage will be in place. That said, it isn’t perfect, but we shouldn’t let this get in the way of it being “better”. Brent will be working to fill the gaps over the next few months and will be working with you to ensure that it meets your needs.

Related to the website, and part of the review of the hunting permit system, I have just approved the creation of an on-line hunting permit facility. This will drive standardisation of permits across the country and mean that you will be able to get a permit for anywhere in New Zealand, at any time, from the comfort of your own home. The Department is working hard to have this in place before the Roar.

These are indeed positive steps forward, but let’s also recognise that there are challenges ahead as well. Issues such as heli-hunting and the use of 1080 will continue to challenge the relationship between the two organisations. While these issues are complicated and often confrontational, they do need to be brought out into the open and discussed. Perhaps it is the way that we discuss these that will define the direction in the coming year. DOC and NZDA will need to find a way for these issues to be ad-dressed in a constructive manner. If confronta-tion leads to entrenchment of views, perhaps a more conciliatory attitude could see a softening of approach. Certainly in regard to heli-hunting, it has been brought out in the open and now, for the first time ever, the public get to submit and shape this activity into the future.

I realise that many deerstalkers are opposed to heli-hunting in any form, but the Department must apply the legislation, General Policies and national park management plans as they currently exist; not as we would wish them to be. From that perspective, heli-hunting is a legal activity and it is possible to find room on the vast conservation estate for it to take place. That said, it will not be in the unregulated form that it has been in for the last 20 years.

I don’t like the aggressive herding of distressed animals. I don’t like that recreational hunters

can spend hours or days stalking an animal and helicopters can swoop in on top of them. That isn’t fair play. We want to see a compromise where these issues are resolved. One of the proposals put forward is a code of ethics for the heli-hunting fraternity. But if we can’t get resolution I will look to change the legislation. As I said earlier, this has been brought out into the open and the time to submit and have your say is coming up – this is a step forward from the situation of a few years ago.

1080 is another topic that will create challenges over the next year. Without re-hashing the pros and cons of 1080, it is safe to say that there is strong support for and strong opposition to its use. There is no easy solution to this issue – you may have read in the Timaru Herald last month that farmers have threatened to refuse NZDA members access to their land if the association continued with its blanket anti-1080 stance. The stakes are high and so is the passion around this issue. I recognise that the opposition from NZDA to aerial 1080 use is for many reasons, not the least of which is the unintended by-kill of the deer that you want to hunt. But, to put this in perspective, last year the combined operations of DOC and the AHB only covered four percent of conservation lands where deer are present. Put another way, 96 percent of the deer range was unaffected by aerial 1080.

Over the last year, this government has intro-duced a new policy on deer repellent. This policy now allows for its more widespread use and last year resulted in over 18,000ha of use, with 80 percent of that use being enabled by the new policy. At eight dollars per hectare, this re-pellent is not cheap and this cost has to be met from somewhere. The decisions are therefore made on a case-by-case basis and the extra cost has to be met by the applicant. In some cases this may mean you.

To be blunt, 1080 is a key tool to combating Tb in our dairy industry and for protecting the health of our native forests. The Government can’t walk away from aerial 1080 until the gap can be filled with another method that is as effective. There is significant investment already in place trying to find such alternatives.

Over the last five years, the Department has in-vested over $2 million on 24 research projects to investigate a range of alternative toxins to 1080 and the development of new traps for possums and rats. Last year, the AHB also applied over $2 million to researching alternatives to aerial 1080 use. The Foundation for Research Science and Technology’s funding for alternatives was approximately $7.8 million last year.

At present, none of these alternatives offer a

substitute to aerially applied 1080 in steep, remote country. Some have the potential to do so in the relatively near future dependent on funding for the completion of research, the out-comes from it proving successful, and product registration and approvals being gained.

Dealing with difficult issues such as these was one of the drivers behind the formation of the Game Animal Council establishment commit-tee. The committee has just recently presented its final report to me. The recommendations in this report have been widely anticipated and I expect many of you will have read these already. I applaud the hard work that the members of the establishment committee put in to produce these recommendations, especially the work of Bill O’Leary who represented the NZDA.

I am slowly working my way through the report and will be doing a fair bit of talking with my colleagues and stakeholders before looking to make any announcements about the Council. As you might expect, there are range of different opinions on what form it should take and what responsibilities it should be bestowed with. It’s fair to say Federated Farmers and Forest and Bird aren’t fully supportive of all the recom-mendations as they stand. It’s important that any establishment of a new body takes into account the views of all parties with an interest in conservation and wildlife management. Not everyone is going to agree and I wouldn’t expect them to.

If we are going to succeed in producing a game management system that is better than the status quo then we have to approach these issues pragmatically and sensibly. I expect the Government will be in a position to announce its formal response by September.

There have been improvements over the past year, even though many of the key issues remain. The next year should see an improved permit system, a building of opportunities for the input of hunters into management and on-the-ground involvement, and progress made on the Game Animal Council.

Last year I wanted to see a culture change in both DOC and recreational hunters – the Depart-ment is showing a clear change in being more willing to engage with you. The challenge now is to continue to foster and build a solid working relationship. There is a lot that hunters and DOC have in common. Let’s not lose sight of that. Let’s keep working toward shared goals and let’s keep engaging in discussion over points of disagreement.

Thank you.


The benefits of collaboration The recent announcement of a relationship involving HUNTS and Stoney Creek is exciting and the immediate benefits to both parties are clearly seen.

HUNTS has greater exposure, trainees have material rewards for completing the course and Stoney Creek has aligned itself with the only national hunter training programme in the country. In addition, the safety message that both parties support will receive greater impetus from the collaborative effort of the blaze promotion, and hopefully other projects in the future.

HUNTS already has a track record of involvement in other collaborative projects.

Our decade long partnership with Mountain Safety Council has resulted in the development of a training pathway for HUNTS instructors. The engagement with NZ Police resulted in obtaining rifles for training purposes and support for the

development of standards and qualifications for both HUNTS and range officers.

In entering into these relationships, NZDA has been mindful that each party has wider interests than those directly involving HUNTS. NZDA has been careful to safeguard its control over HUNTS and its brand.

Stoney Creek has made an offer with benefits to NZDA in profiling the organisation and its training programme. Further, it is currently promoting a safety message that is in accord with NZDA’s mission to promote safe hunting practices.

Initial feedback from branches has been totally positive and we have every expectation that the relationship will deliver the goods.

What does Stoney Creek offer?

A retail pack valued at over $100.00 to every HUNTS trainee who completes the course. The pack contains a blaze vest, beanie with an NZDA HUNTS logo and a quality compass along with a gift voucher.

Stoney Creek has committed to promoting the HUNTS programme.

What has NZDA committed to? Basically to include Stoney Creek’s logo on HUNTS promotional material.

Around the branches As I write, Nelson is finishing one course with

another under way. Bay of Plenty should have finished and Thames Valley is due to start as is North Canterbury, South Canterbury, Hutt Valley, Southern Lakes, Auckland, North Auckland and Gisborne.

North Otago has their first course under way, with Upper Clutha also planning its first. A course is due to start in the Wairarapa district and Marlborough is making promising noises. If I have overlooked any one, please excuse me. There is a lot going on.

Keep up the good work.

Bill O’LearyNatioNal CoordiNator, HUNtS

HUNTS REPORTSuccessful graduates

from the first HUNTS course to be run

under the Stoney Creek sponsorship

hosted by the Nelson Fish & Game. Back left-right: Lawson

Davey (Instructor), John Brockway,

Paul Shuker, William Cooper. Front left to right: Kirk Milligan, Mike Page, Thomas

Powell. Absent: Johan Verhage,

Malcolm Marshall

the POWer OF tWO – Or mOre

Bill O’Leary presenting Peter Henderson with his HUNTS

instructor diploma


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

It is with deep regret that we have to inform you that the trustees of the East Taupo Lands Trust have terminated our licence to operate into their private land in the Kaimanawas and Kawekas. As the termination of the licence takes effect at the end of this year, we will not be able to honour the bookings many of you have made with us for 2011.

We want you to know that while we will be doing everything in our power to persuade the trustees to revoke this decision, we suspect there is little hope of success, and want to give you as much advance notice of cancellation of your forward booking as possible.

Air Charter Taupo has operated in this land since about 1980, and Christine and I have owned the business since October 1987. Many of you have been flying with us for a large portion of this period, and we do sincerely value your support.

We have always known that our licence would terminate on 31st December 2010, but as we have had a very good working relationship with the Trust over the years, we were hopeful of an extension to our licence. However, not wanting to presume anything, we first approached the trustees about an extension in April 2009. We asked them to inform us of their decision before the end of last year, due to our normal

practice of accepting bookings well in advance ie for 2011, from 1 January this year.

We continued our negotiations with the Trust during the 2009 year, although we did not succeed in obtaining a formal extension in writing. However, we received verbal assurances that an extension to the licence period would be likely. It was on the strength of this positive response that we took bookings for 2011.

Subsequently, in February of this year, we had a meeting with the trustees and came away feeling very optimistic due to the trustees comments, which were full of praise for our operation on their lands. To our surprise and concern, only a couple of weeks after this meeting we received notice from the Trust that they were going to advertise for expressions of interest from other parties.

We submitted a very generous proposal to the Trust, and also requested that, if the proposal was not accepted, we be granted a short extension to our existing licence to enable us to honour the bookings we had taken for 2011. Unfortunately the trustees neither accepted our proposal nor allowed us time to honour your bookings.

To our knowledge, Christine and I are the only pilots with sufficient experience to train a new pilot(s) to operate these airstrips and provide the required

supervision while they gain experience. It is unique terrain and we believe such training and supervision is essential to ensure the continued safe operation of the airstrips.

We are totally shocked and disappointed with this outcome, as up until several weeks ago we were confident the Trust would realise that granting us a new long term licence was the only viable option. We will be phoning everyone with a forward booking to explain what has happened and refund any deposits, but we deeply regret that there will be many of you we will not be able to personally say goodbye to. You know that so many of you are far more than just clients to us.

Once again, we thank you for your business and loyalty over the years, and hope that our paths may once again cross at some stage in the future.

Arthur & Chris

THE FOLLOWING INFOrMATION HAS BEEN BrOUGHT TO OUr NOTICE:

Helisika and Tongariro Aviation (021 0724782) are advising anyone who has existing bookings with Air Charter Taupo or Lakeland Helicopters to contact them and they will honour these. You have until 1 November to make contact and after that the blocks will be opened up to anyone.

AN OPEN LETTEr FrOM AIr CHArTEr TAUPO

Farewell Friends


NeW NAtIONAL LIFe member

rObert (bOb) bADLAND Qsm m st J

ARTICLE

Robert (Bob) Badland has been hunting since the age of nine with family and has continued hunting over the years since then (65 years). He has hunted and shot rabbits, hares, possums, goats, pigs, Red deer, Fallow, Sika, Whitetail, chamois and tahr all over New Zealand.

Bob was a member of the Hawke’s Bay Central Gun Club for six years (1960 – 1966) and shot ducks during this period.

He has been a volunteer Bushcraft and Firearms instructor with the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (NZMSC) since 1969.

After joining the New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association (NZDA) Upper Hutt branch in 1970, Bob was treasurer for six years and on the

committee for ten years. Since first joining the Association, he has represented the Upper Hutt Branch at 15 national conferences. Bob also represented New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association on the Rimutaka/Haurangi Forest Park Advisory Committee during 1975 – 1977 and the Tararua Forest Park Advisory Committee during 1978 – 1987.

Bob was also treasurer, on the organizing group, and on the transport committee for the 1978 NZDA Exhibition of Hunting. Since 1978, he has compiled the tahr trophy records for the Association.

In 1979, Bob became employed by NZMSC as a Firearms Field Officer, and set up the volunteer firearms instructor system for the New

Zealand Police to instruct first time firearms owners in firearms safety and administer the Police Firearm Safety Test. He also became responsible for, and established, the NZMSC Outdoor First Aid system.

In 1980, Bob was the administrator of the NZ Firearms Symposium and went on to become a member of the Police Project Foresight team in 1983 to bring in the 1983 Arms Act.

1984 saw Bob certifying as a NZDA Douglas Scorer. With this, he attended various Douglas Score seminars and administered several of them.

Bob became assistance director of NZMSC for five years and in 1986, was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) and had it presented by the Queen.

In 1988, Bob was part of the original group including Bob Geck and Rob McMillan to set up the NZDA Hunter Understanding National Training (HUNTS) and firearms programme. Also beginning in 1988, he worked for the Victorian State Government to establish a copy of NZ Firearm Safety Programme into Australia until 1990.

Bob represented New Zealand while attending the Australian Firearms Law and Use Conference in Perth in 1990, as well as being made a life member of the NZDA Upper Hutt Branch.

The New Zealand Police Range Safety Manual was compiled by Bob in 1992 and he subsequently received a Certificate of Appreciation from the New Zealand Police in 2000.

In 1998, Bob joined the board of the NZDA Heritage Trust, later becoming chairperson of the same trust in 2007.

Upon retirement from NZMSC in 2004, Bob received a certificate of appreciation from NZDA and the New Zealand Shooting Federation, as well as a council award and a lifetime award from NZMSC.

More recently in 2007, Bob became a patron member of NZDA’s now Hutt Valley Branch, and was awarded the title of Douglas Score Coordinating Tutor in 2009.

See issue 171 for roger McNaughton, the other person awarded life membership at conference 2010.

Bob Badland, a new national life member

being congratulated by our CEO, Dianne Brown


Every hunter should carry a camera to record their hunting experience, and especially the rare ones when you actually take a deer. The hunting experience should include recording deer sign like scenery, wallows, rub trees, droppings and footprints, your daypack, rifle, and hunting companions in the photo for scale or added interest. Capture wildlife on film or memory card — game, native birds, fauna and flora, etc, all of which add dimension to your hunting experience, and how you can relay that experience to others.

Equipped with your rifle or bow, backpack, knife, binoculars and survival gear, you’re ready to go hunting—well, not quite! A good camera is as important a choice as your rifle and should be given equal consideration and thought. Your camera should be loaded with film or with a large memory card, ready to use and carried at the top of your daypack for easy access. It’s not much use to you if your camera is back in the vehicle or at camp when the trophy is at your feet, or you happen upon a beautiful vista or something unique.

Photography has several purposes. Let’s start with habitat, taking shots of the different terrain you hunt in, not only the huge vistas of mountain ranges, lakes, but of the actual bush you walk through— dry northern slopes, gullies, browse plants and river flats. In this way non-hunters will get a good idea of where you are hunting. Even more importantly, you will have a permanent record of the habitat in which you hunt and the way it changes over time.

Be sure to record the time and place each of the photos were taken, as well as any other significant details such as the names of people in them.

Take shots of your vehicle, not only for historic reasons, but when negotiating river crossings, steep terrain, mud and snow. Get off the track into the bush to get a photo that gives a better idea of the grade or difficulty experienced during the hunt.

Catch your companions unawares doing chores around the camp, cleaning rifles, feeding dogs, eating and drinking, and pointing out sign. Taking photos of everyday mundane hunting actions may seems a bit lame, but 20 years down the track because people change, some old friends or relatives pass on, you will wish you had taken more.

Think of photography as a means of encapsulating a period in time, this becomes a part of you and your genealogy to be passed down through time to your ancestors. Obviously, it is equally important to train your friends in the art of photography, since it will be one of them taking the photograph of you with your trophy.

Trophy recording, not only bulls and bucks, but also cows and does, is usually the first thing that comes to mind for the use of a camera. Take plenty of photographs! Don’t spare the film or memory card! A shot of the animal as it has fallen, close up should be the start, and then move back a little, to show the terrain. A good photograph that depicts the overall scene, is one of the hunter approaching the animal with caution; the rifle lowered but ready, as would normally be the case. Be sure to take plenty of close-ups—just head and shoulders of the animal and hunter as well as the complete animal. Don’t forget presentation—tongues hanging out, blood and entrails, unnatural positions, or surroundings, such as in the back of a pickup truck, hunters with dark glasses, or hats on, can spoil many otherwise good photos.

TIP OFFS

creAtING QuALIty huNtING PhOtOs Is AbOut teLLING A stOry

B y J e f f B a n k e , D i r e c t b r a n c h ( O v e r s e a s )

A nicely presented trophy animal Photo Jeff Banke

It floats, well OK it is just a puddle ! Photo Jeff Banke

COPYrIGHT 2010 ExAMINEr.COM. ALL rIGHTS rESErVED. THIS MATErIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BrOADCAST, rEWrITTEN Or rEDISTrIBUTED.


Eight friends, ten days, one DOC hut, five rifles,

two fishing rods... and our sixteen month old

son. What a challenge! My biggest concern

was how Oliver was going to get enough sleep

in a noisy hut, followed closely by what he was

going to eat. I was also stressing about lots of

other things – how many nappies to take, how

many warm clothes would be needed, getting

him walking in shoes before we went, how

many toys to take... As we were flying in by

helicopter we had to watch the weight of our

gear, and we had a lot of gear!

The day finally arrived, and we flew to Inver-

cargill where we stayed for two nights in a

backpackers, to give us time to organise

everything for the helicopter and buy food.

Then we were off to Bluff for the exciting

helicopter ride to our hut. We had child sized

ear muffs for Oliver – he was a bit nervous

(even grinding his teeth!) but seemed to enjoy

the flight. The port-a-cot arrived in the next

flight an hour or so later, and once it was set

up he went straight off to sleep – even with

everyone moving around, unpacking, banging

and clattering. Amazing!

Craig’s first job was to child-proof the deck

of the hut with some netting and cable ties,

and we found planks of wood over the hut to

block off the ends of the deck. Later that after-

noon I put Oliver in the backpack and we went

for a play in the nearby sand dunes – although

we couldn’t take many toys, we did pack a

bucket and spade and they got played with

every day. Our ‘Littleducks’ overalls and rain

jacket came in very handy for keeping Oliver

dry, warm and relatively free of sand! Some

considerable effort went into finding a supplier

of fluro orange fleece so we could have a hi-vis

jacket made to fit him.

Our amazing wee boy went straight off to sleep

at his usual bedtime, despite ten adults in the

same space noisily washing dishes, having

a few drinks and playing cards until the wee

hours. Unfortunately Oliver woke us all up at

around 5.00am most mornings, but he gener-

ally slept well until then. He always woke once

the heat from the evening fire died down, but

he enjoyed helping his dad light the fire again

every morning.

For our first full day on the island we headed

off for a play on East Ruggedy Beach, which is

about a half hour walk from the hut. Millions of

sandflies of course, but some natural bug spray

on Oliver and away he went. Lots of digging

holes, making (and destroying) sandcastles,

collecting sticks and shells, and trying to eat

snacks with hands covered in sand.

The rest of our stay followed a similar routine

most days – Oliver and Dad up early to get the

fire going (by torch light) and have breakfast,

then by the time everybody else was up Oliver

was about ready for a morning nap. Once he

woke up we’d have a snack, pack a lunch and

head out.

The biggest day out was our walk to West Rug-

gedy Beach, about an hour each way. Oliver

was great in the backpack, even falling asleep

in it when it all got too much. We were usually

back in the hut by around 2.00pm for his after-

noon nap, then took him out again for an hour

or so before dinner and bed.

Oliver ate anything going, including fresh fish,

dried fruit, porridge, spaghetti bolognaise and

venison salami. We took bottled water and

formula for his milk, and he drank around a

litre of water a day which was great. We took

some washable nappies to limit the number of

disposables needed, and natural washing liquid

as I had to do at least some washing every day.

The port-a-cot and backpack were indispen-

sable, as were the bucket and spade. We also

took a ball, a couple of small toys and a couple

of Oliver’s books. He had lots of fun playing

STORY

A mOther’s stOry! (AKA 10 DAys At eAst ruGGeDy hut, steWArt IsLAND)

B y M e l i s s a W i n t e r s , B a y o f P l e n t y B r a n c h

Exploring on West ruggedy Beach

Walk to West ruggedy Beach West ruggedy ‘playground’


in the banana boxes that we used to transport

gear to the hut. Real highlights of the trip were

the kiwis that lived around the hut. We saw

them every day, and Oliver learnt to recognise

their call and ran to be let outside whenever he

heard them.

The first night we were joined by two trampers

who were unfortunately very negative about

‘hunters flying in with big groups and taking

over tramping huts’. We suffered through quite

a lecture the next morning before they left! We

had several other trampers come through on

other nights, and all were most receptive to

having a toddler climb up next to them on the

bench to show off his toys. We took plenty of

extra earplugs to donate to those not used to

early morning wake up calls!

Whilst my main focus was Oliver, Craig was

there to hunt the elusive Whitetail. It was

difficult for him to maintain a balance between

being a Dad and being a hunter, but he shot a

buck on day 8 of the trip and was very happy.

Most days Craig managed some time for

himself to go fishing or hunting, and I got some

time to myself one day to go for a lovely walk

up to a lookout. We spent part of every day

together as a family, which was wonderful.

The trip ended with another thrilling helicopter

ride back to Bluff, then two more nights in

Invercargill before the big flight home. Oliver

was one very excited little boy to see his house,

his toy box and his grandparents again after

two weeks away. We are both amazed at

how adaptable to new situations our son is,

and his social skills developed so much as he

interacted with other adults in the shared living

arrangements.

We are very lucky to have great friends who

all helped us to look after Oliver, played with

him and talked to him. Having a toddler along

changed the usual ‘hunting trip’ experience

for everybody - not always for the better, but I

didn’t hear any grumbling or complaining at all.

(Even at 5.00am!) Even though I got exhausted

with constantly watching Oliver to make sure

that he wasn’t hot, cold, hungry, thirsty, bored,

tired or wet, it was still a fabulous trip and a

marvellous experience for the whole family.

The intrepid crew all packed and ready for the adventure to begin

Two robinsons needed for the job!

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STORY

Sam Currie is a seventeen-year old who

has been a junior member of the Manawatu

Branch for more than two years. During this

time he has been a very active member. Sam

has attended every club hunt, recently shot

an eight-point Sika stag as well as being an

enthusiastic worker on every working bee that

has been held since he joined the branch. He

became a branch committee member in 2009

and is still currently serving on the committee.

Sam himself organised some working bees

to upgrade Te Ekaou Hut, which the branch

manages on behalf of the Department of

Conservation. He also helped with the rebuild

of the Heritage Lodge. He often helps with the

organising of the monthly meetings preparing

suppers, doing dishes and sweeping up at the

end of the evening.

The branch ran a HUNTS course in 2009 which

Sam took part in and successfully graduated.

His enthusiasm just doesn’t stop with the

branch. The Manawatu Branch of the Mountain

Safety Council, (Palmerston North), has also

benefited from his voluntary work when he

ran the BBQ for their annual meeting and

raised $200.

Sam plays an active role in the Oroua Valley

stoat trapping project, (see H&W 169, p 27),

has helped with organised Fallow hunts in

2008 and 2009 and recently with a branch

Sambar hunt organised through the Sambar

Deer Management Foundation.

To sum up, Sam is an all round decent guy

that the branch congratulates on achieving

this award.

STORY

Sam Currie Fallow – with his beautiful Fallow stag trophy.

STORY

sAm currIe, mANAWAtu brANch

NeWtON mccONOchIe mOst OutstANDING DeerstALKer OF the yeAr

Sam Currie with his eight-point Sika stag.


January 2011Sunday Monday TueSday WedneSday ThurSday Friday SaTurday

30

nra northland Champs, Whangarei.nZda north island. Benchrest, Kaitoke.

31

nZda north islandBenchrest, Kaitoke.

1new year’s day

nZCT new year Shoot, rotorua.Mountains to the Sea art exhibition, nelson starts.

2

nZCT new year Shoot, rotorua. Kid’s Fishing day, hauhora. nra Southern hawke’s Bay Championships, Cheltenham.

3 4new year’s holiday

5 6 7 8

WSra Service Challenge, Trentham.nra 300m nationals, Trentham/Seddon.

9

Kaikohe a&P Show.Charles upham Memorial Shoot, Masterton. nra 300m nationals, Trentham/Seddon.

10

Charles upham Memorial Shoot, Trentham.WSra Service Challenge, Trentham.

11

nra teams north/South islands, Trentham

12

last day payment haast block system, 4pm.nra Champs, Trentham.

13

nra Champs, Trentham

14


15

unclaimed haast blocks available from 9am, 03 750 0809. nra Champs, Trentham.

16

Taranaki a&P Show. Paeroa a&P Show. Wairoa a&P Show.

17

Castlepoint Fishing Competition.Taranaki a&P Show.Wairoa a&P Show.

18

Southland anniversary

19

nra oceania Games, Trentham

20

nra oceania Games, Trentham

21 22

23

dargaville hunting, Shooting & Fishing Show, Kaipara.Tauranga a&P Show.horowhenua a&P Show.

24

Tauranga a&P Show.horowhenua a&P Show.

25

Wellington anniversary

26 27

28 29

nZda north island. Benchrest, Kaitoke

the way it used to be... The combatants photographed by Fred Gillespie

2011 Calendar

Please send me ________ ‘the way it used to be...’ heritage A4 sepia tone

calendar(s) @ $15.00 each including post & packaging

I have enclosed my cheque for $ ________________

Name: ______________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________

Email: _______________________________________________________

Phone: ___________________________________

OrDErS & PAYMENT SHOULD BE POSTED TO:NZDA, PO Box 6514, Marion Square, Wellington, 6141UNDER THE TERMS OF THE PRIVACY ACT 1993, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ARE RETAINING MY NAME FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAILING FURTHER INFORMATION ON NZDA AND RELATED MATTERS.

the way it used to be... NZDA 2011 Calendar

. . . historical photographs from the

glory days of hunting, featuring old

huts, dated camp scenes, bringing

home the trophies by horse pack, big

Red stags, Wapiti bulls and memories

of the 1975 ‘Save our tahr campaign’.

Features NZDA, sporting clay and

NZSR championship shooting dates,

militaria auctions, pig hunts, A&P

shows, hunting ballot dates, national

competition close off dates, and most

important WORLD RUGBY CUP MATCH

SCHEDULES.

NEW CalENdar

January 2011Sunday Monday TueSday WedneSday ThurSday Friday SaTurday

30

nra northland

Champs, Whangarei.

nZda north island.

Benchrest, Kaitoke.

31

nZda north island

Benchrest, Kaitoke.

1new year’s day

nZCT new year Shoot,

rotorua.Mountains to the Sea art

exhibition, nelson starts.

2

nZCT new year Shoot,

rotorua. Kid’s Fishing day, hauhora.

nra Southern hawke’s Bay

Championships, Cheltenham.

3 4new year’s holiday

5 6 7 8

WSra Service

Challenge, Trentham.

nra 300m nationals,

Trentham/Seddon.

9

Kaikohe a&P Show.

Charles upham Memorial

Shoot, Masterton.

nra 300m nationals,

Trentham/Seddon.

10

Charles upham Memorial

Shoot, Trentham.

WSra Service Challenge,

Trentham.

11

nra teams north/South

islands, Trentham

12

last day payment haast

block system, 4pm.

nra Champs, Trentham.

13


14


15

unclaimed haast blocks

available from 9am,

03 750 0809.

nra Champs, Trentham.

16

Taranaki a&P Show.

Paeroa a&P Show.

Wairoa a&P Show.

17

Castlepoint Fishing

Competition.

Taranaki a&P Show.

Wairoa a&P Show.

18

Southland anniversary

19

nra oceania Games,

Trentham

20

nra oceania Games,

Trentham

21 22

23

dargaville hunting, Shooting

& Fishing Show, Kaipara.

Tauranga a&P Show.

horowhenua a&P Show.

24

Tauranga a&P Show.

horowhenua a&P Show.

25

Wellington anniversary

26 27

28 29

nZda north island.

Benchrest, Kaitoke


A.01 MCGOWAN SHIELD – FALLOW DEEr - TOTAL ENTrIES: 4Name Branch Place Taken DS

1st Martin Parsons North Otago Kakanui Mountains

212 7/8

2nd Ben Pitelen Otago Beaumont 210 1/8

3rd Warren McDonald Otago Blue Mountains 208 3/8

A.02 MEL LArrITT TrOPHY – rED DEEr - TOTAL ENTrIES: 9Name Branch Place Taken DS

1st Issac Te Kahika Tutira Wairarapa 369 1/4

2nd Trevor Goodeve Malvern Rakaia 338 3/4

3rd Trevor Dobbs Waikato Kaikoura 329

A.03 SEDDON SHIELD – rUSA DEEr - TOTAL ENTrIES: 3Name Branch Place Taken DS

1st David Coombe Thames Valley Urewera 167 1/4

2nd Murray Rowe Te Awamutu Ohutu 143 5/8

3rd Ben Huxford Taupo Galatea 143 1/4

A.04 HENDErSON TrOPHY – SAMBAr DEEr - TOTAL ENTrIES: 4Name Branch Place Taken DS

1st Daniel Peat Bay of Plenty Hunterville 226 5/8

2nd Jason Ogilvie Taupo Himitangi 191 3/8

A.05 CLIFF MArSHALL MEMOrIAL TrOPHY – SIKA DEEr - TOTAL ENTrIES: 3

Name Branch Place Taken DS1st Dion Patterson Waikato Kaimanawa 160 3/8

A.06 MANAWATU BrANCH TrOPHY – WHITETAIL DEEr - TOTAL ENTrIES: 3

Name Branch Place Taken DS1st Jane Cochrane North

CanterburyDart Valley 132 3/8

2nd Marcus Pinney West Coast Wakatipu 124 1/2

3rd Troy Adamson Nelson Stewart Island 101 1/8

A.07 KEITH SEVErINSON TrOPHY – WAPITI/FIOrDLAND DEEr - TOTAL ENTrIES: 0

A.08 MCCONACHIE SHIELD – CHAMOIS - TOTAL ENTrIES: 3

Name Branch Place Taken DS

1st Vern Pearson Taupo Whataroa 27

2nd Tom Beams Rakaia Waimakariri 26 3/4

3rd Hayden Breakwell Ashburton South Westland 26 1/2

A.09 MOUNT COOK TrOPHY – TAHr - TOTAL ENTrIES: 16


1st Philip Lyver North Canterbury

Mount Cook 45 3/4

2nd Clayton Buckley North Otago Clyde River 45

A.10 COLIN POrTEr TrOPHY – GOAT - TOTAL ENTrIES: 7


1st Mike Morse Auckland Puhoi 114 1/2

2nd Mike Spray Kapiti Ruakaturi 113 1/2

3rd Nick Evans Tutira Tutira 111

A.11 DILLON SHIELD – DrAWN PIG TUSKS - TOTAL ENTrIES: 6


1st Rusty Bird Waikato Port Waikato 26 3/4

2nd John Morris Otago Dunback 25 1/2

3rd Nick Sim North Otago Pig Root 24 3/4

A.12 PUTArUrU BrANCH TrOPHY – UNDrAWN PIG TUSKS - TOTAL ENTrIES: 6


1st Matthew Large Marlborough Awatere Valley 23 3/4

2nd Shane Kingan North Otago Kakanui 20 3/4

3rd George Mills Otago Shag Valley 20 3/8

NAtIONAL ANtLer, hOrN AND tusK cOmPetItIONs 2010

David Eaton and Mark Sarjeant, competition manager

Brian Witton and Vern Pearson

rodney Smith and Andrew Lang Mark Nobilo and Craig Shaw

Len Cubitt, Steve Ticehurst and Bruce Banwell


A.13 TrEVOr CHAPPELL TrOPHY – WILD SHEEP - TOTAL ENTrIES: 5Name Branch Place Taken DS

1st Jimmy Shand North Otago Kuriheka 78 1/2

2nd Mark Nobilo North Auckland

Chatham Island 77 1/2

3rd Frans Laas Otago Pitt Island 75 1/4

A.14 POVErTY BAY BrANCH TrOPHY – BEST GAME ANIMAL SHOT BY A JUNIOr UNDEr 19 - TOTAL ENTrIES: 7

Name Branch Place Taken DS1st Issac Te Kahika Tutira Wairarapa 369.252nd Blake Clinch Waikato Tasman River 313.853rd Nick Evans Tutira Tutira 298.84

A.15 LEITHEN AWArD – BEST NON-TYPICAL – NOT AWArDED

A.16 Z VErONESE CUP – BEST ANTLErED SPECIES TAKEN BY A JUNIOr - TOTAL ENTrIES: 2

Name Branch Species Place Taken

1st Buster Spray Kapiti Red Deer Wairoa

2nd Isaac Te Kahika Tutira Red Deer Wairarapa

A.17 E VErONESE CUP – BEST HOrNED SPECIES TAKEN BY A JUNIOr - TOTAL ENTrIES: 4


1st Blake Clinch Waikato Tahr Tasman River

2nd Nick Evans Tutira Goat Tutira

3rd Dillon Ferguson Bay of Plenty Goat Tauriko

A.18 KAIMANAWA BrANCH TrOPHY – BEST GAME TrOPHY TAKEN BY A LADY - TOTAL ENTrIES: 4


1st Jane Cochrane North Canterbury

Tahr Mount Cook

2nd Jane Cochrane North Canterbury

Whitetail Dart Valley

A.19 NOrMAN DOUGLAS TrOPHY – BEST BrANCH ENTrY – CONSISTING OF ONE SET OF ANTLErS, HOrNS AND TUSKS - TOTAL ENTrIES: BrANCHES

Branch Species DS DS Equiv Total

1st North Otago Drawn tusks 24 3/4 254.77

Fallow 212 7/8 323.93

Tahr 45 342.38 921.08

2nd Waikato Drawn tusks 26 3/4 275.36

Red deer 329 329

Tahr 41 1/4 313.85 918.21

3rd Otago Drawn tusks 25 1/2 262.49

Fallow 208 3/8 317.23

Tahr 43 3/4 332.87 912.59

A.20 OrBELL TrOPHY – BEST HEAD OF ALL DEEr SPECIES


DS DS Equiv

1st Issac Te Kahika

Tutira Red deer

Wairarapa 369 1/4 369.25

2nd Trevor Goodeve

Malvern Red deer

Rakaia 338 3/4 338.75

3rd Daniel Peat

Bay of Plenty

Sambar Hunterville 226 5/8 344.85

A.21 EGMONT TrOPHY – BEST HEAD OF ALL HOrNED SPECIES


DS DS Equiv

1st Philip Lyver

North Canterbury

Tahr Mount Cook

45 3/4 348.09

2nd Clayton Buckley

North Otago

Tahr Clyde River

45 342.38

3rd Keith Cleave

North Otago

Tahr Oteake C P 44 1/2 338.58

A.22 BOW HUNTING JUNIOr - TOTAL ENTrIES: 0

A.23 BOW HUNTING LADIES - TOTAL ENTrIES: 0

A.24 BOW HUNTING SENIOr - TOTAL ENTrIES: 1


1st Corey Geddes Ashburton Tahr Rakaia

AHT MEDALS 2010

Bronze

Jane Cochrane North Canterbury Whitetail 132 3/8

Keith Cleave North Otago Tahr 44 1/2

Trevor Dobbs Waikato Red 329

Matthew Large Marlborough Undrawn tusks 23 3/4

Silver

Trevor Goodeve Malvern Red 338 3/4

Daniel Peat Bay of Plenty Sambar 226 5/8

Gold

Issac Te Kahika Tutira Red 69 1/4

Phillip Lyver North Canterbury Tahr 45 3/4

The competition this year attracted sixty-nine entries. Of those, only seven

were juniors, quite a few down from sixteen in 2009. There were only four

entries from female members and there were four bow hunter entries as

well. All species had entries except for Fiordland deer. The standard of

entries was high once again, and forty-three of these went on to be placed

in the NZ big game record books.

cOmPetItION mANAGer’s cOmmeNts:


After much talk, the new website structure has gone live!! I am very pleased with the result, which brings hunting information together in a clear and easy to find and follow format. The key feature of the new hunting pages is the new ‘Hunting’ homepage, acting as a central portal for accessing all hunting information. This can be accessed directly by typing in the web address www.doc.govt.nz/hunting or by going to the DOC homepage and clicking on ‘Parks and recreation’, and then ‘Hunting’.

The homepage has a number of sections, including ‘Where to hunt’, ‘What to hunt’ and a new section that introduces the basics of hunting for those new to the sport. The ‘Where to hunt’ section will be useful when you are interested in what is available in specific areas. The section leads to information on what hunting opportunities are available in that area, huts, tracks and who to contact. The ‘What to hunt’ section gives information on each of the larger game species that are available to hunt in New Zealand, including tips on how to hunt them and any information that is specific to that species.

A big thank you to everyone who has provided information for this site, especially NZDA. We are aware that there are still a heap of gaps and a few mistakes. That said, we have attached a link to my email so that you can help to get the information right by emailing me comments and suggestions. Already I have had a number of suggestions that will enable us to improve the accuracy of the site over the year. I will continue to keep you up to date as this progresses. It may not be perfect, but it is certainly a heap better!

The next 12 months will see further changes to the site, with all area offices reviewing and improving the information that they have on line. This should ensure that areas that have limited information flesh out what they

have available and other areas check that the information that they do have up is up to date. As well as this, we are still on track to enable hunting permits to be obtained on line via the ‘Hunting’ homepage by the end of this year.

DOc uPDAte

NATIONAL HUNTING ADVISOR

Brent Beaven is DOC’s National Hunting Advisor. This is a new role that is focussed on encouraging hunting and improving the hunting experience. Prior to this, Brent had been DOC’s biodiversity manager on Stewart Island for ten years.

Contact Brent on 027 2664079 or email [email protected]



On Friday 21st May I was all packed up and ready to head off to Panekiri Station for the goat shoot. I met up with the branch members in Tirau at 6.30 pm and the weather was wild. We stopped in Rotorua for dinner, which may not have been such a good idea for some of the boys, as they were sick on the windy metal roads.

We arrived at the shearers’ quarters at 12.10 am with everyone tired and ready for bed. We could barely lift our bags as we piled our gear inside. Everyone sussed out a room and grabbed a musty old mattress, but instead of everyone heading off to bed we suddenly livened up. Dave had a big job on his hands getting us settled, but we decided that it was probably a good idea when Mike told us it was going to be a big walk tomorrow. So we scurried off to bed all excited and ready.

Awake and fresh the next morning we packed our bags, downed our breakfast, made our lunch and jumped onto Mike’s Ute. We met up with one of the station workers named Earnest. We went from there, walking behind the motorbike looking into the horizon, as it easily made its way up the mushy track. The weather seemed to hold up well as we made our way to the top. While we were recovering, the boys spotted a pig. We were only allowed to take on the goats so Earnest

went off to have a crack at it, but the pig got the better of him and scurried off over the creek. We then split up into three groups.

I ended up with Mike, so I knew I had my work cut out for me as we wandered on over to the goats we could see beside a big slip. We crept silently towards the mob we had seen earlier and each peeled off some shots ending up with four, which we were happy about. Up and over another knob and yet another giant mob. So down went Steve to have the first crack at them, smoking one. So we all fired at the rest of them. Next we see Lee, Ryan and Earnest across the valley, so Mike wandered over (it’s scary how fit that man is!) to see what their plan was, as we were going to head off into that direction. We turned around and went the other way.

After an awesome morning shoot we decided to head back to the shearers’ quarters for a small rest and a bite to eat. Lee and Ryan had seen two deer on their travels; it was interesting to hear that venison had been located in the area. Mike got us together again and we decided to go off into the same area while the other group gathered up and went in the opposite direction.

We were following the track for a good hour and a half until we saw our first goat, which ended up getting the better of us. We continued to follow

the fence line until we saw the next mob. Dylan got on the end of his rifle to have a crack. We wandered on for another good 200 metres to see goats scattered everywhere. Shots were flying left right and centre as the boys opened up on them. Not a great deal got away either, which was awesome.

It was another big hike back to the camp. All of us with no energy. We heard that the other group had an awesome time as well which was great to hear. We all got cleaned up and ready for tea which consisted of meatloaf, mashed spuds and peas. We weren’t too long out of bed, which was good news for Dave.

In the morning we packed up early, happy with our weekend’s work. The gear was piled in and we were off, all with great memories. I got some wicked photos of Lake Waikerimoana and the boys even had a stone throwing competition trying to get their stones into the lake from the top of the road. There were even shops in the middle of nowhere. But above all the goat shoot was the highlight of the trip!

YOUNG HUNTER

PANeKIrI stAtION GOAt shOOt

B y D a n i e l C o n d e r , T h a m e s V a l l e y B r a n c h

Piled on the Ute ready to go

This is the kind of country we hunted

A well deserved rest

This little fellow came home with Mike


William George, 7, Hutt Valley Branch, with some small game for the pot.

reuben Kellow, 9, Wanganui, with the results of a successful goat hunt.

Ella Wilson (11) and her young sister Millie Malcolm, with Ella’s first duck for the 2010 season.

Luke Hutchings, 13, Thames Valley Branch managed to get a young billy goat while on a survival camp.

robert Wills, 14, Waikato Branch

managed to get himself a nice Fallow buck.

Sean Hayes, glad to reach the Ute after carrying his 45kg pig.

From 9 February to March 4th 1982, Alby Frampton together with Wayne Hamilton and Dudley King undertook an epic journey from Lake Fraser to the Long Burn Saddle in Fiordland National Park.

See NZ Hunting & Wildlife issues 165, 166, 167, 168 and 169, for the reprints of this epic journey.

In the following interview with Susan Grant, Alby tells his story.

“Butterfly Creek, it was the ultimate in getting away from your parents for the weekend. Two deer, the first I ever saw, were at Butterfly Creek.” Just over the other side of Eastbound, Butterfly Creek was the beginning as far as Alby Frampton is concerned. Kids got to say goodbye to their families and go bush, possum trap, and be with their mates. Have adventures and all that.

Alby Frampton, defying all the odds stacked against those of dignified, suburbanised stature having adventures, still finds his way into the wilderness. It’s all on a bigger scale now, though. Fiordland, albeit some other side of Eastbourne, is an entity to take seriously. It is the reality that has remained with Alby’s dreams. Fiordland, another step up from Butterfly Creek. The land suitable for a man’s adventures, visions nurtured by the boy’s awe at actually seeing two deer the other side of Eastbourne.

A Tickle In The ribs

Three years ago he and two other men walked 180 miles across the backbone of the bloody-minded parcel of land, Fiordland. Their journey, from Long Sound (Lake Widgeon) to Milford was a first, but Alby is not a man to gloat knowingly over one marvelous achievement, sitting on his backside all the while. He wonders about things not done. This year, the vitally fit explorer and deerstalker called in the companionship of Wayne Hamilton and Dudley King to make

another trip into Fiordland, tickling the bad natured wilderness in the ribs this time. They would put boot prints in printless soil during their 80 mile, 17 day journey, which began at West Cape. There was an ulterior motive. The takahe. On his first traverse, Alby had noticed signs of the feathered superstar, and he wanted to return to that particular spot. Just to check. To make sure. He is not a man to be caught with egg on his face.

“Some scientists will stay at home, and will whip down when they hear of something happening, take a butchers, and come home. I think the best experience of the lot is to go down there, and if you find something, you have done it on your own terms.”

“These guys were saying there were no takahe down there, though there had been many years ago. They never bothered to have a look”. The trip of ‘83 was ‘most definitely’ the most interesting one in some respects. Takahe, moose and other things, a deerstalker on the hunt in Fiordland. But not for deer. Seems as though it would take a miracle to make the packing of a rifle worthwhile these days. Deer are as scarce as those “little black bastards, the black jobs in flight” are numerous. Back at Butterfly Creek, when Alby Frampton was a cub, things might have been different. But Fiordland has had its hunters a plenty.

This DA member of some 26 years likes hunting other things as well. He was aware, thanks to years of bush experience and plenty of priming from a friend who knows about these things, that Fiordland could contain other rare, perhaps unique, wildlife.

A New route

Well, when a chap wants to enjoy the bush solely for the game it can yield, there is no way you can interest him in collecting bugs. Alby, like many of his kind, is not like that. He sees life

in third dimension, and he sees all its colours. As a deer is a good find, a rare beetle, weta or fish is just as exciting and worthwhile. They too are part of the adventure. At the beginning of their trek, Messrs Frampton, Hamilton and King walked from their Lake Fraser starting point back the five miles or so to West Cape. “We were so close it was foolish not to go there. How many people do you know have been out to West Cape . . . very few. If they have been to West Cape, how many people have walked along the tops by Dusky Sound to the Long Burn Saddle? So really, it’s a new route. Makes you feel a bit egotistical…done something the old explorer missed doing.”

The trip was not meant to be 80 miles; they had planned it to be much longer. But, who can rely on Fiordland - A fickle lover, beautiful, but mean sometimes. The bush was mean to Alby and his friends this time. “The weather stopped us, right in the middle. We lost five days with bad weather. We had three to four weeks but I under estimated the time it would take us to get from West Cape to the Long Burn Saddle by about eight days. Overall we lost nearly two weeks.” In time - but not experience.

When a mate went bush once, he decided the best way to get rid of sand flies was to let them take over every inch of exposed flesh and have their fill. Alby doesn’t agree. He is far more conservative in his dealings with the little black jobs. But his attitude toward the more exotic of the bug world is more refined. He went bush armed with collecting jars, ready for the unusual. For instance, take the paryphanta snail. He found one which has just been classified as a Resolution Island species; the first to be found on the mainland - palaphanta Fiordlandica.

Supremo Gruesomo

Alby displays an impressive knowledge of these native, carnivorous snails. “There are about

BLAST FROM THE PAST

P A r T S I x B y A l b y F r a m p t o n Reproduced from NZ Wildlife, Volume 9, Issue 82 1982/83

FrAmPtON’s FIOrDLAND – A PAssION FOr LIFe


20 to 30 species, I think. The biggest ones are generally in the South Island - northwest Nelson, there’s the odd scattered tribe here and there. In Fiordland it is not known.” One can’t help asking if Alby has a degree in etymology. No, he has just taken notice.

“Well, put it this way. I’ve been going into the bush for a long time. And, suddenly, all the stuff I’ve seen over 25 to 30 years has come together. In Fiordland, anything that looks different, or suspicious, you grab it. Perhaps noone else has ever seen it. “They eat meat, those snails, dead meat, insects, whatever they come across.” The specimen was given to an expert at the National Museum.

“If I had not brought the paryphanta out, they wouldn’t have known the thing was there.”

Many people would admit to not loving snails, as safe a generalisation as saying wetas are not loved by anyone at all. But Alby had enough knowledge about this supremo gruesome to recognize an odd one when he saw it.

Again he reels off some facts - impressive to someone who has taken absolutely no interest in wetas or their like, preferring to concentrate on the ‘cute and cuddly’ members of our wildlife.

“This one looked different to what I had seen previously, there are cave wetas, and bush wetas and all sorts, but this one had really long legs. and a small body. It went into the bottle.”

As far as is known it cannot be related to any other that has come from that region.

A Never Fail Legend

Ah, cute and cuddly time at last. Alby brought back some feathers, identified as coming from a brown kiwi. “What amazed me this time, I heard kiwis every night just about.”

On the last trip, if he heard one kiwi he would have been surprised.

“It was fantastic, in this little known area, to hear kiwis. You would always hear the two; the male with his high pitched squeal going up an octave each time, and the female with a sort of booming, raspy noise at the other end of the scale.”

Bird life was, however, generally lacking.

They did hear a morepork one evening. That gave them fine weather the following day.

Alby has always believed in that legend, and it has never failed him, by all accounts.

Many stalkers who follow the deer aren’t out there with mind and eyes set on a rack of antlers only. Bush wise, many of them, they have a lot in common with the president of Wellington Branch. Bush is living; evolving, restless, moving silently with much that is unknown. Only the people who spend plenty of

time with it can understand.

Alby feels that deerstalkers have to go out prepared to spend time looking at aspects other than deer - ‘cause let’s face it; the deer don’t exist in the numbers that they used to. Those that are around are a darn sight smarter than those that got shot - and it now takes a patient hunter to get a good kill on foot.

Alby likes to hunt, sure, but he is prepared to broaden his outlook.

“I still want to go into the bush but when the deer aren’t there, what else can I do?”

Stuff All

Young hunters do not travel the distances their predecessors did. Where is the attraction? Twenty odd years ago club members used to go south at the drop of a hat for the tahr and chamois.

Tahr is now an endangered species.

“The Wapiti. Let’s look at the Wapiti. There are stuff all. I’d be surprised if two or three good bulls come out this year. I mean good, not excellent. So really, the attraction for a young hunter to travel long distances for an animal that isn’t there, no longer exists.”

Sika, says Alby will be the ultimate trophy in the next few years because it only grows eight points and grows them by its third or fourth year. An eight-pointer could become an ultimate trophy in New Zealand. Then again, there are more of them because the chopper doesn’t get at the animal so much because it is quicker and lives in the bush.

Faced with a lack of supply young hunters become discouraged, some drop out of the scene quickly. Wellington Branch has quite a turn over in membership. Many newcomers, young and keen, are moved to ask however “Are there any deer left?” It’s the way it is. The older members know it. They have learned to appreciate that conservation is now as important as the hunt, the roar, and a good rack.

“We would all like to see a few deer left rather than none.” A lot use the camera, and many take superb photographs. Trophies too.

Alby will be trekking until he is at least 50. Patagonian icecaps? Perhaps not, but some guy did that at the age of 52.

If you have the energy, youth of mind, make the most of it.”

The interest shown in Alby Frampton’s Fiordland adventure has often been expressed along with the question:

What other Fiordland ventures has he done since this trek? Below is an update from Alby.

It seems like yesterday that I stepped off ‘Water Wings’ float plane into the cold

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uninviting waters of Lake Widgeon and began a trek that is still on going. February, 1980, February, 2010. Thirty years of exploring that great hunk of granite and gneiss1 that is Fiordland. There have been some exciting trips and never a dull moment. Sure, we’ve had days under water, rain, rain and more rain, however, in comparison to the wet, we did have sun and the warmth was invigorating and friendly. We have never given up.

Generally our trips last a minimum of three weeks, occasionally four. We have spent most of our time south of Dusky, exploring that south west corner that’s hard to get to. Planning food drops, packing, fitting into the chopper, and once having a sling to carry extra gear. Richard Hayes knows all the spots we have trekked through. We have flown with him for the last couple of decades. Had some fun looking for food drops that the memory forgot to file, we had great discussions on memory loss until we got the GPS on board. Even proved the sophisticated system in the chopper isn’t as accurate as our’s sometimes.

Our wives call us team Viagra. Brings a laugh when people ask where we are off to next. There is Denys, Roland Pop, Wayne, Dud and myself, all either in our 70s or pushing at the door. We have had our odd trips cut short due to injury or weather, and once coming down from Mount Solitary into Fanny Bay, had to get Richard’s crew to drag each of us up through a hole in the canopy one by one in a cage due to extreme river conditions and land us on Fanny Bay beach. Quite exciting really, swinging under the machine. Also bloody expensive.

February 2010 we began one more major trip, this time down Big River to Lake Hakapoua, a valley with its sometimes hidden tricks that catch seasoned trekkers out. The valley is generally easy until the odd gorge. Better weather than most areas, even a few deer, and one that did not make its escape. The first deer shot since 1980.

We have feasted on cod, crayfish and paua over the years, food that costs heaps if bought in shops. There have been lucky escapes from severe injuries through miss footing on steep slopes and slippery tussock. A rope is a necessary safety item when sheer faces or thick scrub requires packs to be hauled up or lowered. There aren’t many places we have not trekked through, round, up or over or crossed our tracks from previous trips.

Three memorable trips always float to mind: mainly for the time taken and the extremes of geology.

One is the four week trek from Lake Victor to Lake Hakapoua via Mt Solitary and the Longburn Saddle. The second from Cascade Cove in Dusky Sound, up to Mount Bradshaw, down to Edwardson Sound up to Lake Purser in the Oho into the Carrick and out to Islet Cove in Cunaris Sound. The third from Lake Fraser over Mount Bradshaw to Lake Mike, then through to Mount Burnett, across the Darek Cloud Range onto the Longburn Saddle, a snow storm ended that trip, but did we feed up for two days.

We are not yet ready to hang up our packs, but an easier trip is on the boards and by end about January/February 2011, we will all be champing at the bit to head south once again.

And yes! I still see my two mates who started out with me 30 years ago, the then 19-year-old Steve Bruce and the then 17-year-old John McCann.

[1. Gneiss (pronounced /ˈnaˈs/ “nice”) is a common and widely distributed type

of rock formed by high-grade regional metamorphic processes from pre-existing

formations that were originally either igneous or sedimentary rocks.]

The forever inquisitive kea

Mt Irene

Time out for a snack


AWARDS 2010

sPecIAL AWArDs 2010

LIterAry AWArDs 2010

NEWTON MCCONOCHIE AWARD – For the Most Outstanding Young Deerstalker of the Year

Total entries: 5

Sam Currie Manawatu

JOHN MURPHY MEMORIAL AWARD – For Administration Excellence on the Part of Branch Administrators

Tony Herlihy Bush

MORROW TROPHY – For Branch Membership Percentage Increase

1st: Taranaki

2nd: Kapiti

3rd: Rotorua

JOHN T DILLON MEMORIAL TROPHY – For the Branch with the greatest Numerical Increase in Members

1st: Hutt Valley

2nd: Gore & Districts

3rd: North Canterbury

HARVIE MORROW AWARD FOR NZDA RESEARCH

Roy Sloan Southland

NORMAN DOUGLAS MEMORIAL TROPHY – For Promotion of the Douglas Score System

Mark Sarjeant Waikato

MONARCH OF THE GLEN AWARD – For the Member who Performs ‘Above and Beyond’

Maureen Coleman Thames Valley

SECTION A: PHILLIP HOLDEN CUP – For Stories of Approximately 4,000 Words

Total entries: 2

1st: Justin Amor Kapiti Lugar Burn H&W 165

2nd: Rodney Guest Northland South Island Ram Hunt H&W 164

SECTION B: TONY ORMAN SHIELD – For Stories of 1,400 Words

Total entries: 2

1st: Howard Egan Wairarapa Son of Moose

2nd: Bill Davis North Canterbury The Cocky Dog and the Birthday Deer

SECTION C: HALCYON POETRY COMPETITION

Total entries: 2

1st: Fran Allcock Te Awamutu Arawhata Apples

2nd: Bill Davis North Canterbury South Island Ram Hunt H&W 164

ROTORUA BRANCH TROPHY – For Branch Newsletters

1st: North Canterbury

2nd: Bay of Plenty

3rd: South Waikato

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NAtIONAL PhOtOGrAPhIc cOmPetItIONs 2010

SECTION D: FLORA – HARRIS TROPHY

Total entries: 36

1st: Louise Birksoe-Pearson Taupo Frosty Grass

2nd: Paul Lenz Golden Bay Native fungi

3rd: Ray Webb Otago Stink Horn Fungi (aseroe rubra)

HC: Brian Witton Auckland New Life from Old

SECTION E: HUMAN INTEREST – GORE & DISTRICT BRANCH TROPHY

Total entries: 46

1st: Zeff Veronese North Canterbury Hunters in the Making

2nd: Brian Witton Auckland Beside on old Fireplace

3rd: James Alford (Jnr) Waikato Bow hunting Kaimanawas

HC: Graeme Williams Malvern Bush Angel

HC: Greig Cagiou Nelson Pure Delight

vIDeOs 2010TrAINING AND PrOMOTIONAL VIDEO – NOrTH CANTErBUrY BrANCH TrOPHY

Total entries: Nil

HUNTING – rAMSAY TrOPHY

Total entries: 3

1st: Greig Caigou Nelson Fiordland Adventure 2010

2nd Zeff Veronese North Canterbury Fiordland Adventure

3rd: Richard Cash Direct Quest for a Sambar

NEW ZEALAND WILDLIFE – JOHN ANDERSON MEMORIAL TROPHY

Total entries: 3

1st: Richard Cash Direct Quest for a Sambar

2nd: Ricky Rush Auckland Woodhill deer

3rd: Bob Ramsay Taupo Sika stags

cOLOur AND bLAcK AND WhIte PrINts 2010SECTION A: GAME ANIMALS – TAUPO BRANCH TROPHY

Total entries: 46

1st: William Wallace Bush Puketoi Stag

2nd: Corey Geddes Ashburton Mr Stud

3rd: James Pearse (Junior) South Canterbury Chamois Family

HC: William Wallace Bush Sika stag sneaking in for a look

HC: Andrew Lang Rakaia I see ya!

SECTION B1: OTHER WILDLIFE – BIRDS – NORTH OTAGO BRANCH TROPHY

Total entries: 59

1st: Paul Lenz Golden Bay Native falcon in flight

2nd: Bob Ramsay Taupo Mum Tom Tit

3rd: Louise Birksoe Pearson Taupo Female Rock Wren

SECTION B2: OTHER WILDLIFE – MAMMALS – JOCK MCQUILKEN CUP

Total entries: 28

1st: Beccy Lumsden (Junior) Napier Baby Bunny

SECTION B3: OTHER WILDLIFE – INSECTS, REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS – W H ROBINSON TROPHY

Total entries: 30

1st: Debbie Hartstone Waikato I found my man

2nd: Paul Peychers Nelson Just hatched cicada

3rd: Brad Ramsay Taupo Big Spider

SECTION C: SCENIC – VERONESE TROPHY

Total entries: 52

1st: Brian Witton Auckland Double Image

2nd: Ricky Rush Auckland Morning Sunrise

3rd: Paul Kiuimdjian Bay of Plenty Rocky Thaw

HC: Greig Caigou Nelson Headwall Morning

B3 - DEBBIE HArTSTONE, WAIKATO BrANCH

G - JAMES PEArCE, SOUTH CANTErBUrY BrANCH

B1 - PAUL LENZ, GOLDEN BAY BrANCH


SECTION F: BEST COLOUR OR BLACK AND WHITE PRINT – CARTER CUP

1st: Louise Birksoe-Pearson Taupo Frosty Grass

SECTION G: BEST JUNIOR PRINT – THAMES VALLEY BRANCH TROPHY

Total entries: 30

1st: James Pearse South Canterbury Chamois family

2nd: James Pearse South Canterbury Take off

3rd: Beccy Lumsden Napier Rock Reflection

SECTION H: BEST COLOUR OR BLACK AND WHITE DIGITAL PRINT – WELLINGTON BRANCH TROPHY

Total entries: 19

1st: Brian Witton Auckland An Illusion

2nd: Paul Peychers Nelson Lake Howden reflection

3rd: Tim McCarthy South Canterbury Shades of yesteryear

SECTION I: NEW ZEALAND HUNTING AND WILDLIFE COVER – ATHOL HOOD MEMORIAL TROPHY

1st: William Wallace Bush Puketoi stag

SECTION J: SUPREME BRANCH PHOTOGRAPHIC AWARD – IAN D WRIGHT AWARD

1st: Taupo Branch

2nd Nelson Branch

2nd Auckland Branch

C - BrIAN WITTON, AUCKLAND BrANCH

E - ZEFF VErONESE, NOrTH CANTErBUrY BrANCH

D & F - LOUISE BIrKSOE-PEArSON, TAUPO BrANCH

B2 - BECCY LUMSDEN (JUNIOr), NAPIEr BrANCH

A & I - WILLIAM WALLACE, BUSH BrANCH

H - BrIAN WITTON, AUCKLAND BrANCH


HABITAT

Before I start to explain the habitat study, I would to thank the NZDA and its members for their participation in this study and financial backing. The Fiordland Wapiti Foundation (FWF) habitat study is being done to:

• understand the seasonal movement and home range utilisation patterns of Wapiti family groups and individuals;

• to obtain an understanding of the habitat types and sizes covered by various components of the herd (family groups and bulls); and

• to correlate these with food supply, hence, leading to the greatest trophy growing potential.

Fixing of radio tracking collars via aerial live animal recovery will be used to provide the information required with both bulls and cows being monitored. The structure of Wapiti family groups is believed to be very communal and monitoring individuals of both sexes will supply valuable, but very different data. One middle age cow and one yearling cow will be radio collared and monitored from each of two family groups to study the female group patterns. Spikers from two family groups will also be radio collared and monitored to capture dispersal and subsequent seasonal movement information in relation to the lifecycle of bulls.

Automatic collar fixes will be undertaken at least daily to provide consistent information. This information will be downloaded via internet onto Google Earth. Locations will be overlaid onto maps accordingly. The collars to be used also consist of a normal telemetry transmitter enabling manual tracking 24/7. This information collection programme will provide cost effective data on distances travelled and size of the Wapiti home range, seasonally.

Over a period of seasons, the information collected and mapped will evolve into annual cycles in animal behaviour. By manually tracking family groups the FWF will also gain an understanding of the structure of Wapiti family groups, enabling family group sizes to be optimised in future herd management and environmental concerns to be properly accessed.

The SPOT GPS System collars, to be supplied by KIWITRACK, have a signal life of five years.

Currently, another project that the FWF has been monitoring for two years is the eleven location collars on young bulls in Fiordland; these are older type collars, (as per photos). The problem with these collars is the lack of information received from them. To enable the FWF to download data there is a need to fly over the area the animals may be in and find a signal and mark/GPS them. This does take a lot of time and money, around $6,000 per flight. We try and do seasonal movements, so the cost per year could be as much as $24,000; add the cost of catching these animals and attaching the collars and removing them. It is a very costly project for a limited amount of data, but data that is very vital to managing the affects the deer have on the Wapiti area of Fiordland and understanding the animals themselves so we can improve them for the future of recreational hunters.

The next project is ‘the habitat study’, the family group habitat study, and this is the project NZDA is helping with by the way of sponsorship as explained earlier in my article.

As pointed out previously, six animals from two family groups in different locations within the Fiordland Wapiti area will be fitted with collars. By using the new Kiwi Track collars this will enable more information to be gained and at a much more realistic price.

The costing is as follows:

• To start this project off, six collars will be purchased at a price per collar of $1,500 plus GST, if all six are purchased;

• The annual monitoring data download fee is $150 plus GST per collar per year; and

• The cost to attach the collars is around $1,500 to $2,000 per animal, depending on the location of the animals and how long it takes to capture them.

We need to ensure it is a family group or the programme is doomed before it is started.

Two years ago, when collars were attached to the young bull, these collars would have cost us $5,000 per collar, plus a down load fee of $500 per year, which is why the old type collars were used on the bulls.

The two collar projects will give a fair amount of information on the Wapiti type animals and their activities; however other issues being faced in the Wapiti area, ie Red deer densities and animal quality.

Yes, less and less Red deer is being seen during the recovery, but the question must be asked are the animals getting smarter and avoiding the helicopters, or are we reducing the Red deer numbers. It’s very obvious that animal numbers have been reduced, as in five years over 4,000 deer have been removed, but may have they also learnt to ‘duck’.

To try to assist with this, 15 trail cameras have been installed, with more being adding to these in time. What we are starting to see are undisturbed animals, while slowly building up some knowledge on animal types. Over time it is hoped to see the changes in the types. This is a long term project and involves a good detailed data base. All the information received from

FIOrDLAND WAPItI FOuNDAtION - hAbItAt stuDy AND Other PrOJectsB y r o y S l o a n , P r e s i d e n t , F i o r d l a n d W a p i t i F o u n d a t i o n

One of the spikers from a family group radio collared and monitored to capture dispersal and

subsequent seasonal movement information in relation to the lifecycle of a bull


these cameras is cryptic and only known by a couple of people.

I also talked about the million dollar question, animal densities. We have several vegetation monitoring lines, alpine and bush; these have just been checked and look good. These are good tools if used correctly. There is also an observer on every recovery trip and good data is gained from these trips, animals seen, animals shot, etc. Another good tool is the permit returns. For the 2010 season the FWF asked the hunters to get more involved with the management of the Wapiti area and encouraged them to record certain data. The good thing about this data is that it is recorded at the same

time each year; so apples are being compared with apples, and over time this will build some great information. This year all bar one permit return was returned, and the FWF would like to congratulate all the hunters who hunted the Wapiti area this year.

As you can see each project brings its own different type of information to the table, but collectively it all builds a story and hopefully we can all learn something more about game management in New Zealand. A point I need to make is that all these projects are funded by individual groups of people and none of the funds come from the donations hunters make during the Wapiti ballot. That money is

donated for animal control and is only used for that purpose.

Footnote: A funny thing happened with the collared bulls. We had trouble locating four animals. However when they were found, all four were together in the head of a valley in George Sound. A couple of these bulls had travelled a long way. We would never have guessed this happening, so you can see how great the collar information can be.

Thank you again for your ongoing support and if anyone or any groups are keen to help sponsor one of these projects please contact via our website, www.fwf.net.nz

The problem with these older collars is the lack of information received from them

An example of one of the eleven location collars on young bulls in Fiordland

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MSC ARTICLE

The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (MSC) delivers a firearms safety programme through a network of volunteer firearm safety experts. These expert instructors are a com-munity based firearms safety resource who provide safety training to new firearms licence applicants, schools, clubs and a variety of other interested community groups.

Under Regulation 14 of the Arms Regulations 1992, MSC firearms instructors, who are ap-proved by police, deliver firearms safety training and testing of new licence applicants on their theoretical knowledge of firearms safety. There are 480 firearms safety instructors, delivering out of 147 locations throughout New Zealand

who last year trained and tested 9,909 new firearms

licence applicants and hundreds of other com-munity members.

The number of first time firearms licence appli-cants has increased nearly 100% in the past five years. There are a number of reasons for this in-crease and these vary from region to region. A large number of applicants are getting a firearms licence to hunt game. Over recent years game animal numbers have increased and success on the hunt is likely to happen more readily. Veni-son, wild pork and game birds are all traditional New Zealand game meats and hunters have taken advantage of the good game numbers to keep their freezers full of a lean and inexpensive meat for the dinner table. Other reasons include small run holders who have bought a 10 acre life style block who look to owning a firearm for pest control to keep the populations of rabbits

and possums at bay. In the large grape

growing regions like Marlborough and Nelson, viticulture workers require a firearm to control exotic bird populations in and around the vine-yards so there has been an increase in licensing in these areas. As well, there are a percentage of new applicants gaining a licence for other types of recreational shooting sports like small-bore, pistol and clay bird shooting where these individuals generally join one of the many clubs located in almost every town in the country to spend their Saturday on the range enjoying shooting with family and friends.

The firearms programme is seen by police and the wider community as a successful safety training programme. There are very few non intentional firearms incidents each year in New Zealand when you compare the high participant levels in recreational shooting activities. The firearms safety programme, robust requirements relating to firearms security and the fact that

the vast majority of firearms users in New Zealand are responsible

recreational hunting and shooting sports are healthy activities that bring a positive development of practical skill, personal development and immense enjoyment to thousands of individuals each year.


individuals are seen as primary reasons for the low incident figures.

There are around 218,000 firearms licence holders in New Zealand and 450,000 firearms users (Thorp 1997). The larger number of users is made up of non licensed shooters under the immediate supervision of a licensed person. There are around 40,000 deer hunters (Nugent 1989) and 45,000 game bird shooting licences issued each year (Fish and Game 2009). Taking into account it is not necessary to obtain a game bird licence for family members when shooting

on their private land, this figure does not reflect the true number of game bird shooters, which is probably much higher. The number of small game shooters, hunting rabbits and possums on the back of the farm is incalculable and along with the hundreds of shooters who turn up at shooting clubs on a weekend show that recrea-tional shooting in New Zealand is a significant outdoor activity.

In the past five years there has been an average of 9.4 non intentional incidents per year and included in this average is 1.4 non intentional deaths. It is important to keep low incident percentages in context of high participation levels. No non intentional firearm death or injury is acceptable and MSC firearm safety instructors continue to work hard to bring incident levels down to zero.

MSC also has an interest in a hunter education programme called HUNTS. This programme is delivered by the New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association and is available to new and existing hunters who wish to learn and up-skill on safe and successful hunting in the New Zealand out-doors. Trainees are taught bushcraft skills, safe handling of firearms, safe hunting behaviours, the ethics of fair chase and the principles of managing a sustainable game resource.

MSC’s involvement in the programme is qualifying HUNTS Instructors through its training and

qualification system. The HUNTS Instructor is able to gain a Diploma in Outdoor Recreation – HUNTS, as a tertiary qualification after having been assessed against a set of standards and competencies relating to the delivery of training for HUNTS trainees. Included in the HUNTS diploma is the MSC bush instructors qualifi-cation. In the many regions where HUNTS courses are delivered, MSC instructors work alongside deerstalker members and actively contribute to the delivery of bushcraft, outdoor first aid, safety management and firearms safety for HUNTS trainees.

Recreational hunting and shooting sports are healthy activities that bring a positive develop-ment of practical skill, personal development and immense enjoyment to thousands of individ-uals each year. For the most part recreational firearms use is safe. The firearms and HUNTS programmes play an important role, right across the country in introducing new shooters and hunters to their sport. Shooting activities have a legitimate place in outdoor recreational pursuits in New Zealand.

…testing of new licence applicants on their theoretical knowledge of firearms safety.

MSC firearms instructors, who are approved by police, deliver firearms safety training…


STORY

I first heard about this Sambar over a year ago. Heading north back to Taihape one afternoon I spotted my old boss harvesting a late crop of maize in his brand spanking new John Deere combine. Having driven combines in a previous life I decided to check out his new toy. We caught up on all the news and gossip as we harvested along the field.

As we got closer to a plantation of radiata I noticed, at the eastern end of the crop, a set of tracks between the rows of corn. Before we nosed back into the crop I jumped out to investigate. The size and the depth into the tilled ground could only mean one thing.

This was quite a revelation to me because all the years I had been involved with this block; cropping, fencing, stock work and what have you, I had never seen any deer or sign for that matter. However, it wasn’t until late the following autumn before I had time to investigate whether there were any deer there or not.

The first trip to the block cost me $100.00 after foolishly getting drawn into a bet with one of my visiting brothers. Whilst loading the Hilux with gear and cameras he queried me as to why we weren’t taking any weaponry. I answered that you don’t see Sambar at two in

the afternoon on a hot clear day and that the purpose of today’s trip was to explore the block and set up the spy cameras to see if there was any sign.

‘The things you see when you don’t have a gun’ is a phrase that comes to mind. A young stag and calf sneaking away quietly in the blackberry confirmed the presence of Sambar. Feeling somewhat disgusted with myself I handed $100.00 over to my non-hunting brother who was being anything but stealthy at the time.

I put my cameras out and after twenty-four days they accumulated sixty odd images, including one of a hunter that shouldn’t have been there. Luckily he was only carrying a shotgun and was probably there for the ample pheasants rather than my precious Sambar. The cameras revealed two young stags using a wallow on almost a nightly basis, but out of the twenty-four days of footage ‘The Boss Man’ only stepped in front of it on the one occasion; even then he looked directly at the camera suggesting he knew something was amiss. At least now I had irrefutable proof of this stag’s existence and the hunting stepped up a gear.

Stalking these animals wasn’t working, so playing the waiting game was the new state of

the play. So a blind was set up overlooking a field I had sighted him in on a previous evening.

The first night in the blind I dozed off to sleep. The frost came down hard and by daylight I was stiff as a board and couldn’t have cared less whether or not the deer were going to show up. It’s the Hilux and its heater and then home for a hot shower. I thought I had some pretty good gear on, but obviously not good enough for prolonged periods on the ground.

Back to the blind a few nights later at 3.00am, stalking in by the light of a full moon. By being this early, it gave me plenty of time to get organised and let all the wildlife settle back down if any thing had been disturbed. By 5.00am nothing had shown itself and I was starting to question how conspicuous my blind was; especially when a hare and a couple of possums hopped up out of curiosity to within three metres to investigate what this new structure was on their patch. A series of loud honks from the bottom of the block had me thinking I was in the wrong place. I hadn’t heard a squeak from these animals all this time, but now in the last two weeks of June, the rut was obviously well under way as the hinds had taken to calling back and forth to each other every couple of hours or so. To get the wind right, I detoured through the neighbour’s paddock, past

sWAmP KING sAmbAr

B y S t e p h e n H o w l , T a i h a p e B r a n c h

Steve with his record book Sambar, 2111/4DS


his dozing cattle just as the eastern sky began to show the first signs of dawn. Under the pines it was a different story. The unpruned pines shut out so much light it might as well have been midnight. A good layer of fog added to the gloom. This may have been in my favour as the next deer I saw were unaware of my approach. I saw a pair of eyes in the glow of my headlamp in the swampy depression in the middle of the pines. At a distance of only twelve metres we all stood frozen still; the deer deciding what course of action to take, not knowing what the light was all about. The younger stag was about two-years old, the other possibly four, but already with about half a metre of antler length and well developed tines - one to leave for another few years. Another deer let out a warning honk and the two stags bolted into the toitoi and the hunting was over for another day. Nothing left do to now but check the cameras on the way out and head back to the Hilux. While heading back to the vehicle the heavens opened up; it was about 400 metres to the Hilux with a couple of good climbs thrown in for good measure, or 100 metres back to shelter under some pines.

The decision to wait out the rain was about to completely change my hunting fortunes for the day. I sat down with my back against a tree and got comfortable. From this new possie I could see 300 metres or so of terrace face covered in blackberry and gorse, with a couple of springs offering small patches of open area. I dozed off for ten minutes or so and when I awoke there were three Fallow does crossing the clearing closest to me. They headed into one of the gorse tunnels, completely unaware of my presence only 100 metres away. Further down the block a young buck trotted down the fence heading towards the terrace. He bounded over the fence and disappeared into the gorse and was greeted by a honk from another deer.

The snap of timber being stepped on to the right of the spring had me sitting dead still, eyes trained on the exit to a tunnel out of the gorse. A nose belonging to an adult stag appeared; it sniffed the air briefly then took a couple of steps into the open, revealing the set of antlers responsible for consuming all my spare time in recent months. My heart was thumping real loud and I had a bad case of the shakes. The stag had a good look around to check that the coast was clear and continued across the spring. He took another step and stopped, staring directly at me. Despite me wearing a balaclava and all the camo gear he knew something was different about this scene. Before he could turn to retreat back into the gorse I raised my rifle and the .300wsm spoke.

The 180grain Accubond hit him in the base of the neck but he didn’t even flinch. For a brief moment I thought he was going to get away as he raced towards the other side of the clearing, but he slowed, then got a bit of a wobble on before he fell off the face of the slope and into the bog. I was still shaking as I headed up the slope and into the bog.

With him half buried, and his antlers mostly obscured, I thought for a moment I had shot the wrong stag. I wrenched his antlers out of the bog and there was no question any more as to the trophy that was now mine.

The next task was to try and move this 225 kilogram plus animal into position for some photos; not easy when you’re sinking up to your knees.

The cape was a good one, so Steve Barclay, our local taxidermist has decided to do something special with it for the Sika show display. In the meantime the skull was cleaned up so it could go to the NZDA conference in Palmerston North.

He had been shot after the cut off date for national competitions, but I took him along anyway so the official Douglas Score mearsurers could run a tape over the antlers. He went 211¼ Douglas Score and my first Sambar trophy is good enough for the record books.

I am very grateful and thank Rodney Smith and Mark Nobilo who took time out from the judging

room full of competition trophies to do this for me.

There is still a lot of winter left and another block I haven’t even explored yet, and besides, my trophy might get lonely hanging on the wall all on its lonesome.

The ‘Swamp King’

“I wrenched his antlers out of the bog and there was no question any more as to the trophy that was now mine.”


BUSH TELEGRAPH

Recreational hunters wanting to sell their catch are being reminded to play by the rules.

Reports of an increase in the number of hunters trying to sell game to local butchers has prompted the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) to remind hunters of the risks and why this practice is illegal.

NZFSA senior programme manager Jim Sim says while it is perfectly okay for hunters to share their catch with family, friends and visitors, they are not allowed to exchange wild game meat for money or other goods and services.

“Although it may seem like a good way to make some extra cash, the reality is that wild game shot by recreational hunters is not subject to the same rigorous safety checks as the meat you buy in a supermarket or from a butcher,” Jim says.

“In order to be confident about the safety of food that is offered for sale in New Zealand,

only wild game meat from commercial hunters can be sold in shops and used by restaurants. Commercial hunters have to follow strict procurement procedures and keep records, and processors have to have systems in place to ensure the animals are disease - and poison-free.”

This means that recreational hunters cannot donate, raffle, trade or sell meat. However, they are entitled to trade those parts that are not for human or animal consumption, such as hides, skins, horns and antlers.

The penalties for selling recreational catch are significant: Individuals face fines of up to $100,000 and two years imprisonment, and corporations could be handed fines of up to $500,000.

NZFSA has produced a booklet and DVD to highlight the food safety risks associated with wild game and game birds. These resources aim to help recreational hunters minimise

those risks and make safe decisions about the wild food they catch, store and eat.

Free copies can be ordered by phoning 0800 693 721 or emailing [email protected]

The DVD can also be found on YouTube by searching for NZFSA.

Meanwhile, anyone dreaming of making money from their catch can consider becoming a certified commercial hunter. Commercial hunting of wild animals is regulated to ensure that meat produced from wild animals is fit for human consumption and meets various standards including residue requirements. Hunters have to know where and when poisons are laid and be able to provide evidence that the areas they hunted in were poison-free.

More information about commercial hunting can be found on NZFSA’s website at http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/animalproducts/publications/manualsguides/hunting-wild-game-estate/wild-mammals/index.htm

yOu shOOt It – yOu eAt It


NZ’s FIreArm hOmIcIDe rAte DrOPs, by mIchAeL DIcKIsON – NZ herALD 24 JuLy 2010 Gun killings in New Zealand have declined the most in an international comparison - even though this country has less strict licensing laws than Canada and Australia.

A forthcoming article in the peer-reviewed Journal of Interpersonal Violence, published by United States-based Sage Publications, found New Zealand had ‘the most pronounced decline in firearm homicide over the past two decades’.

The study suggests unemployment rates and the availability of heroin are more significant factors in firearm homicides than gun control.

Over recent times, New Zealand has heard calls to make changes around gun laws after two police officers and their dog were shot in Christchurch and a Feilding farmer was murdered in his driveway with a shotgun.

Last year, Jan Molenaar killed a police officer in Napier with his arsenal of unregistered firearms, prompting many to question whether police should keep closer tabs on guns.

Police association president Greg O’Connor, who advocates arming police officers, said the decline in firearm homicides showed New Zealand had well-balanced gun licensing.

“Particularly in New Zealand, you can go hunting and do your bit for ecology, because you’re mostly hunting pests anyway,” Mr O’Connor said, “I would be very disappointed if as a result of the actions of criminals in New Zealand, there was an encroachment against lawful gun-owning people.”

But even as general firearm homicides declined, more police were getting shot and officers needed protection. “Organised crime and P were likely to be driving up attacks against police,” Mr O’Connor said.

The study’s lead author, Samara McPhedran, said, from an international point of view, New Zealand’s gun laws ‘have been just about right’.

A former director of the United Nations Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, Tsutomu Ishiguri, has voiced similar sentiments, describing New Zealand gun control as ‘world class’.

“A toughening of Australian gun laws in 1996 had no effect on the downward trajectory of gun homicides,” Dr McPhedran said.

The study observed trends for the three countries between 1986 and 2007. A statistical comparison between the countries found per capita rates in Canada and Australia had tracked similar lines.

But New Zealand’s rate had fallen further every year, on average, than either country. This was despite New Zealand being the only country that did not require registration of all firearms.

The study also found that typically between 80 and 90 per cent of homicides were committed using illicitly owned firearms - although it was extremely rare for a stolen firearm to be used.

The findings “indicate dissociation between firearm violence and legislative approaches to firearms ownership,” the study says.

“Legislative reform does not influence the population of individuals who commit firearm violence.”

ADDress tO NZDA cONFereNce, chAIr OF cOLFO, mIchAeL DOWLING, 10th JuLy 2010 My name is Michael Dowling; I am the chair of Council of Licensed Firearm Owners. I am relatively new to the position, taking over in March of this year, previously having only spent a year on the council.

My background is over 20 years experience as an armour in the army, mainly in territorials. I also have 12 years experience as a victim support crisis worker and committee member. I have been a financial adviser for over 20 years, served two terms as president of the AMP adviser business association, and am on my second term as a NZ delegate to the Australian representative executive in Australia. I am a firearms collector.

What this will mean to you? I’ve got extensive experience in dealing with various groups and regulatory bodies protecting the interests of members through industry change.

I joined COLFO as an individual member when it first started, and then got involved recently when there were a lot of questions asked about what COLFO was doing. As a member, I thought I would see for myself, and decided to get involved. I sat for a year as an independent member of the council so I could understand the issues, and then agreed to step in as chair this year.

I am here today to listen to our members. It is my intention to visit all member groups’ annual general meetings over the coming year so we understand the issues.

I believe COLFO’S role is to work with the police and government to ensure that the laws are practical and protect the rights and interests of those who are deemed to be fit and proper firearms licence holders.

I don’t believe COLFO should be the only voice, as this carries too much risk, and we may miss an issue that is important to a particular discipline. One of COLFO’s roles is to deconflict positions for various member groups. For instance, are it may be that one member group is okay with a proposed change to the Arms Act without realising how it completely limits another group’s ability to conduct its discipline, impacting on their members ability to enjoy their sport. We are there to ensure changes made by police and government are not going to impinge on member groups’ enjoyment.

COLFO is also an NGO working with the United Nations. A lot of members question why that’s important; recently, Andre Doyle has returned from a UN meeting where decisions were being made on policies for tracing and marking the firearms. What that means to you is that if you intend to go hunting overseas, you may find the different states want to mark your firearm and register it with a unique number. The more countries you travel the more marking it may get; it would not take long for a competing pistol shooter to find their firearm has run out of space.

We believe that individual states should have the right to manage the risk their location and society represent. The risk associated with New Zealand is vastly different to a country that sits in the middle of a continent in conflict. It is important to feed into this forum as there are a large number of states setting international firearms law who have not had history of proper firearms ownership. The experience of civilian firearms ownership is that of gangs and militia; it is no wonder they are against civilian ownership. Within the UN, New Zealand has the opportunity to promote a system that works based on determining a person is fit and proper.

While Andre was in New York, The World Forum for the future of Sport Shooting Activities released the copy of the symposium that was held in September 2009 on the ecologic in economic benefit of hunting; a copy will be made available to NZDA.

We believe the Arms Amendment Bill 3 will go forward from select committee with some additions; we will ask that COLFO be allowed to review its submission in light of any changes.

I know there are organisations suggesting we should lobby members of parliament for the right to be heard. COLFO supports this, as it is always good to approach your local MPs and remind them that there are keen and responsible firearm owners in their community.

GuN LAWsLicence required NZ: Yes Canada: Yes Australia: Yes

Pump-action shotguns banned?NZ: No Canada: No Australia: Yes

Registration required for all firearms?NZ: No Canada: Yes Australia: Yes

Longarm licence length (years)NZ: 10 Canada: 5 Australia: 5

Change in gun homicide rate (average per year)NZ: -7.7% Canada: -1.7% Australia: -6.6%


There are two types of shotgun shooters in a vineyard plagued with a bird problem over the grape harvesting period; the bird shooter and the bird scarer. Both compliment the gas powered static scare-guns placed strategically in the vine blocks.

Generally the bird scarer takes little interest in shotgun shooting as a skill and associates using a shotgun more as practice for the coming game season. Like the fixed gas powered scare-gun, he only discharges his gun to scare the birds and keep them in flight and off the grapes. He has little interest in guns, chokes, patterns, range or timing. The whole business is usually just a boring chore seen as part of his job as a vineyard worker.

Then there’s the shotgun shooter. He is usually a hunter of game birds, a trap-skeet or competition shooter, with a serious interest in all aspects of the shotgun; its’ style, type, design, and the hunting/shooting application it was intended for. The bird shooting/scaring operation over harvest time in the vineyard, offers him great pre-hunting season practice in honing his gun skills by way of the many variations of shots he will encounter from shooting birds over the vines. His aim is not to just scare birds, but is to stop permanently, the continuous fruit marauding and feeding frenzies over harvest time in the vineyard. It takes a little time, but eventually they begin to realize that it’s not a good practice to over-fly the vines when a shooter is on station.

The combination of vines under nets, the multi-boom of modern rotational direction gas powered scare-guns with continuous shotguns, and shooting patrols mean greatly improved harvest tonnage and fruit quality. The birds come in all types and sizes with speed and flight pattern variations a real challenge to the shot-gunner. For good results, shot-size pattern, choking, and importantly timing, are of prime importance in achieving hit and kill results. The small, sparrow sized, fast darting flight of incomers, usually give me the most problem, and you can just forget about them out in the 40 metre zone. With their darting fast targets I generally hold until they come within 20 metres or so and have found for best results, number 9s out of my 26-inch tubed over and under skeet-gun. For the first couple of weeks I use my semi-auto with an improved

cylinder choke-tube for good hits, but I prefer my little skeet-gun when they are nearly on top of me. Several different shotguns are used over harvest time as the flight characteristics and range, and height and speed of the birds change over the 10 to 12 weeks. Everything from skeet, improved cylinder, ½ , ¾ and full choke being the least used, but nevertheless certainly a requirement for those high, fast swarms of starling, (the prime marauder of the vines), to pluck them out of the sky. But no matter what gun-choke, whether over and under, side by side, auto or pump, as long as you can shoot with it; the most important thing in getting your shot pattern and bird to connect, is timing.

That is, knowing the right lead required for the different birds, their speed and angle of flight, range, and judging the right moment to shoot. Despite the clipping and dancing fast manoeuvring of some of the small birds, it’s all in the timing or knowing just when to shoot to connect with those tricky targets. This type of shooting is probably better suited to the fast shooter with his skeet or imp-cylinder, quick handling the gun, than the slower, more deliberate shooter with his tightly choked or full gun. The fast shooter will get on to his bird quickly and shoot almost immediately, while the slow reaction shooter is still thinking about it; he is more inclined to wait until the range becomes more consistent with the shot-spread of his gun’s tighter choking. The bird may climb high and fast and then level off, and with swing-through to correct lead; he will know the right time to shoot for pattern and bird to connect or, if you like, has got it down to correct timing. With the rising, angling away bird, lead adjustment may be required, at least until he gets out a bit and levels off - then your normal lead will usually smoke him.

The fast shooter with a gun that throws a good close-range pattern-spread is, of course, going to hit more of those fast, close darting and diving targets than the more deliberate, slower acting shooter, whatever his gun’s choking. That has been my observation and experience of many years bird shooting in the vineyard.

Of course there are courses for horses, and shooting the vineyard bird is no exception. Starlings in particular, when flushed from the vines, will invariably head for the nearest cover by

the shortest route; they seem to know instinctively which patch of cover to fly to if disturbed whilst feeding. They can be fast fliers and sometimes hard to get on to correctly, but after exploding into flight and speeding towards cover they will usually throttle back to a wing-spread glide at the last moment, just before entering into their cover. This is a target just made for the tighter choked out-reach gun; it’s that final glide-in faze of his flight that makes for an easier target to hit. But here again, it’s all bound up in timing.

The starling will exhibit the same thing sometimes in a high over-fly of the vines; a sort of stall into that wing-spread glide for just a second or two before accelerating again, and this shot calls for virtually no lead with the tight choked gun pointing under the bird, for pellets and bird to intercept. It’s a bit like watching one of those high-flying bombers of World War II as they go into a straight dive for the ground. Often, with so many targets over the vines, one can experiment a bit with different techniques, guns, chokes, etc. But whether it’s a close flushing bird from cover of the vines, a fast bird crossing, or a 40 metre going away shot, it’s always the timing of your shot that makes the difference in connecting with birds in the vineyard situation. It’s all good practice and the many things learned can be utilised out in the game hunting field.

The impulsive type of shooter will often shoot too quickly, just as a slower shooter might take too long over his shot, both resulting in missing their bird. From what I have observed and experienced of bird-shooting in the vineyard and with all the other factors associated with the use of a gun, it still comes down to the all important timing which, in my opinion, will see more birds dropped in the vineyard per box of shells used. It is said that as a grapevine ages, it produces less fruit, but of far better quality than its first season and my use of the shotgun parallels this. I shoot better now than in my youth and I enjoy my shooting more now because of the quality of results achieved, thanks to the many seasons of harvest spent on bird control in vineyards and orchards. Those three or four weeks spent shooting the vineyard season is, of course, a great run-up to the duck, pheasant and quail game hunting season.

shOtGuN IN the vINes

LOCk, STOCk & BARRELL

B y N i l s A n d e r s o n


Three directional, three shot LPG powered scare-gun that help to keep the birds off the vines ‘for a while’, whereas the shotgun can be more affective.

The side-by-side ½ and ¾ choked gun got a lot of use in both the persimmon orchard and over the grapevines. (Note the ‘line’ is a supporting wire from the next row of fruit trees).

My five gun battery as used in the vineyard and persimmon orchard. L to r Trap-gun with its six choke-tubes versatility; side-by-side ½ and ¾ choked straight-hand side-lock; semi-auto M.1400; over-and-under fast handling skeet-gun and a full choked semi-auto Super-x. Most used were the side-by-sode and the over-and-under skeet gun.

Call 03 688 2126 Visit www.targetproducts.co.nz

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FIsh PAttIes (FrIeD) m a k e s 8 – 1 0 p a t t i e s1 tin fish (sardines, smoked fish, salmon, etc) drained2 medium onions chopped up2 tablespoons mixed vegetables, drained (optional)Pinch mixed herbsSalt and pepper to taste

Mix ingredients together and roll into balls.Dip in flour.Place in very hot fat until a rich golden brown.Canned meat can also be used for this recipe although do not add salt if using meat.

PANcAKes/PIKeLets¾ cup flour1 heaped teaspoon baking powder2 heaped dessertspoons milk powder2 level dessertspoons sugar

Mix with water to a medium paste and drop teaspoonfuls onto a hot greased camp over.Turn over when many bubbles appear (2 or 3 minutes each side).Serve hot with golden syrup or butter.These can be made flatter into pancakes and rolled up with fish, stewed fruit, left over vegetables, etc inside.

FrIcAsseeD eeLCut up a skinned eel into 7.5 centimetre lengths and put them into a billy.Cover with cold water and if available, 4 oz vinegar.Add 1 large cut up onion, 1 large can mixed vegetables and salt/pepper to taste.

Simmer for one hour and thicken either with a flour and water paste or a dried soup powder.

FruIt rOLy POLy PuDDING3 ½ cups flour2 rounded teaspoons baking powder250g butter/marg or drippingPinch salt6 teaspoons sugar4 tablespoons heaped with raisons, dates or sultanas

Mix baking powder, salt and flour.Rub in butter and mix with cold water to make a soft but not sticky dough.Roll out and sprinkle with fruit and sugar.Roll up again; carefully tie a clean floured cloth over the mixture.Place in boiling water in camp oven with lid on.Boil for 3 hours (make sure water does not boil dry).This is also good cold and eaten as cake.

THE STALkERS’ TABLE

orders & payment should be posted to: NZDA, PO Box 6514, Marion Square, Wellington, 6141

Under the terms of the Privacy act 1993, i acknowledge that you are retaining my name for the purpose of mailing further information on NZda and related matters.

FundraiserNZDA has produced 100 Limited Edition B&W Unframed Prints (to Fit a 16” X 20” frame with matting board) Money raised from the sale of prints will be managed by the National Association to provide funds for research projects. NZDA has commissioned further prints in this big game series, which will also be available as limited editions. The original pencil drawings were created by Wellington artist, Alan Patterson.

Chamois

Bull Tahr

Roaring Red

Please send me ___ prints @ $75.00 each including post & packaging

I have enclosed my cheque for $ __________________

Name: ______________________________________

Address: _____________________________________

Email: _______________________________________

Phone: _______________________________________

Recipes reproduced from issue #24 New Zealand Wild Life autumn 1968 and issue #25 winter 1969, compiled by DM Cowlin and reproduced from Camp Cookery NZFS with the kind permission of the then director general.


T E A W A M U T U B r A N C HSeptember 12th saw seven juniors

gather at the range to take part in

the branch’s Swazi shoot which was shot

in reasonable weather. Our thanks to the Swazi team for the

sponsorship of the prizes; very much appreciated.

P A L M E r S T O N B r A N C HPalmerston branch held their Swazi junior target shoot on the

11th July 2010 with ten juniors taking part on a great day. We

had a lot of parent help at this event which made it an awesome

day and something we will run again The juniors also got to

use high powered guns as well as having a go at trap shooting.

Our thanks to Swazi for sponsoring great prizes that were well

received by the winners.

SWAZI JUNIOR SHOOTS

The winners on the day for the .22Rf target shoot were: 1st: Logan Blair, 12yrs; 2nd: Jordan Blair, 14yrs; 3rd: Joe Corbett, 11yrs.

1st: Cody Bellfield (middle); 2nd: Cloi Bellfield (right); 3rd: Shay Gosnell (left)

LIGHTWEIGHT, SLIM, HIGH-PRECISION

Z5. THE 1 INCH RIFLE SCOPE WITH 5x ZOOM

A wide eld of view or high magni cation for precise long-range shots: The slender Z5 provides both of these and, thanks to its light weight, is the

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HERITAGE

On the 1st of June Andy Pedley, David Rider and Paul were flown into the Steele Creek Bivvy by DOC with the intent of fixing it to a slightly more comfortable shelter. DOC had already flown in the steel cladding and new bunks some weeks before, and with our two loads of gear and personnel dropped off, we waved goodbye to Willy McBeth (DOC facilities ranger) and Jason our chopper pilot, with the intent of seeing them in five days time.

First task was to survey the mess and work out our plan of attack. First priority was to clean up the old girl, get rid of the rubbish that had been piling up for thirty years and make use of the old door to make it easy for us to get in and out. We got this done in a matter of hours and proceeded onto part two. This involved removing the old bunks. Close inspection revealed that rather LARGE nails had been used to join the bunks to the framework of the hut and we reflected that, ‘they don’t make ’em that big any more’. With no metal cutting blades in the sabre saw kit provided by our good friends at DOC, we reverted to the tried and true method of persuasion with a very big hammer.

After a couple of hits it became apparent by the entire hut shifting with each successive hit, that the bunks weren’t nailed to the hut, but the hut was nailed to the bunks. Closer inspection showed the dusty remains of what used to be beech tree poles used as bottom plates and the vertical beech tree studs completely rotten at ground level.

OK, throw out plan one of attack and move onto plan two. Restructure of the hut from the inside out by replacing each post one at a time. First post, no luck due to the existing cladding of fertiliser bags and silver back building paper being nailed to the post with about one hundred nails for every inch of post! Plan three into force now. Strap new posts beside the old ones and where bracing posts are in the way; insert new bracing props and structure to roof line. DOC had kindly included a few miscellaneous lengths of treated timber, which we were able to use as bearing pads for the untreated beech poles so they would not be in contact with the ground and rot out again.

Finally after two days we were able to get the old bunks out and put in the new window, new bunks and a kitchen bench. Andy was banished to the outside for this time to put on as much of the exterior cladding as possible, while Paul and David reworked the internals. Due to the shape of the hut, it was a credit to Andy for only using two cutting discs on the grinder to cut the many panels required (not because he was efficient, but because we only had two).

The first two nights were spent in tents outside, and for those that remember the frosty nights

at that time, it meant that we were camping in -10°C with the inside of the tents white with frost from our frozen breaths.

We even had time for a couple of days hunting, which while unsuccessful, were enjoyable, as there was plenty of sign around. Even the deer had thought it was bloody cold up there. Hunting was challenging as everything was frozen; so determining the age of droppings (except the couple of steamers we found) added a twist to the stalking.

By the last day we had done all we could and had received word that four more volunteers would be flying in on the backload to get us out, so we had to leave something for them to do.

A big thank you to the fantastic four that finished off the last bits.

NOTES: STEELE CrEEK HUT Category: Basic Location: Wakatipu, (Greenstone conservation area) Grid reference: Topo50 map, sheet CB09, E1222335, N5014107 Facilities: 3 bunks and heating

steeLe creeK bIvvy rebuILD

B y D a v i d r i d e r , S o u t h e r n L a k e s B r a n c h

Steele Creek


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PLACES TO HUNT

The Hokitika area is in the centre of the West Coast and lies between Arthurs Pass, Hokitika; the Taramakau River in the north and Waitaha River in the south. SH73 provides the main access from Canterbury to the coast and SH6 traverses the area north and south.

There is about 200,000 ha of public conserva-tion land within this area that includes part of Arthurs Pass National Park, many small reserves and large areas of stewardship land.

Hunting for Red deer and chamois is popular throughout the area.

Road access is extensive around Hokitika. Many secondary roads provide access to road ends and the backcountry. Many hunting areas can be accessed directly off SH6 or SH73 but in some places private or leasehold land must be crossed and permission must be obtained from the landowner.

Hokitika area provides a wide range of hunting opportunities in a scenic landscape. Hunting can be as simple as walking up river flats from your car or more strenuous like a back pack into a remote mountain hut or a helicopter serviced camp in a remote valley.

Conservation areas are mostly forested with many wetlands and lowland hill country areas west of the Alpine fault and larger river systems east of the Alpine fault. Many of these rivers have gorges in their lower reaches and alpine basins in the headwaters. Most valleys have maintained walking track access and there are plenty of backcountry huts but a few remote places do not have tracks, footbridges or huts.

Hunting for Red deer, goats, chamois and feral pigs is popular throughout much of the Area. Most species have a preferred hunting season.

The climate is wet at times with over 3,000 mm of rain each year with westerly winds predominating. In winter several falls of snow can be expected that blanket the tops and upper forests. Spring to autumn is mild with regular spells of fine weather.

Always contact the nearest visitor centre for the latest information about facilities and conditions.

Avoid disturbing stock when crossing farm-land.

Dogs: All conservation land areas are prohibited to dogs except where authorisation has been granted by DOC. People wishing to take a dog into this area should seek authorisation from the area office. To take dogs across private property you must get permission from the landowner.

huNtING hOKItIKAhttp://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/west-coast/hokitika-area/hokitika-hunting/

EDITOr’S NOTE: DISCOUNT FARES FOR NZDA MEMBERS.


THE HOKITIKA AND WHITCOMBE VALLEYS are popular areas for hunters and trampers. The two rivers are linked by a track through Frew Saddle. Toaroha Saddle provides a link to the Mungo and Upper Hokitika Rivers. There are gorges in the lower reaches of both valleys but the middle and upper valleys are more ac-cessible with small river flats in places. There is a good track up the Whitcombe Valley. The middle section of the Hokitika River to Bluff Swingbridge is untracked. These two moder-ate sized catchments have steep forested hillsides, dense alpine scrub near the bush line and tussock tops.

Map information: NZTopo50 BU18, BU19, BW18.

Access Walking: Access into the Whit-combe Valley is straightforward but the upper Hokitika/Mungo can only be reached via the Toaroha or Frew Saddle routes. The Whitcombe Track is reached by following signposts from the Hokitika Gorge access road 25 km from Hokitika. A rough vehicle track through cutover bush leads to a locked gate. Permission and a key is required to drive past this point. The rough track ends at the lower cableway (locked) over the Hokitika River and the walking track starts on a low terrace 500 m walk along the boulder river bed. This is followed for several kilometres to the Hokitika-Whitcombe junction. To get to the Whitcombe Track cross the second cableway to Rapid Creek and follow the marked track. It is three hours to Rapid Creek and six hours to Frews Hut. The track continues up the valley to the Wilkinson River then the Whitcombe Pass. The true left of the Hokitika and Murray Saddle to Doctors Creek can be reached by crossing the Hokitika Gorge swing bridge and travelling up the true left of the river. Access into the upper Hokitika or Mungo valleys is via Frew Saddle or Toaroha Saddle. Alternatively use local helicopter services for access.

Landholders: Vehicle access past the locked gate to the Hokitika-Whitcombe road end requires permission and a key from Don Harcourt phone 03 755 7990. Foot access is allowed.

Hut information: There are several standard or basic DOC huts in the area:

Rapid Creek Hut, Serpentine Hut, Frisco Hut, Poet Hut, Mungo Hut, Sir Robert Hut and Bluff Hut in the Hokitika catchment. Frew Hut, Frews Saddle Bivvy, Price Flat Hut, Price Basin Hut, Wilkinson Hut and Neave Hut in the Whitcombe Valley.

Hunting information: Red deer can be found throughout the area at any time of the year however spring hunting on the Whitcombe River flats and the roar is most popular. There

is some good hunting on the front faces near the road end too. Chamois are found mainly in alpine areas in reasonable numbers. Thar can be found in Prices Basin and the Wilkinson River. Hares are found throughout. Possums are controlled by AHB in the lower parts of the valley. Feral pigs and goats are uncommon.

THE KOKATAHI-TOArOHA VALLEYS are pop-ular areas for hunters and trampers. The two rivers are linked by a track through Zit Saddle and the upper Toaroha has a saddle with the Mungo River. There are gorges in the lower reaches of both valleys but the middle and upper valleys are more accessible with small river flats in places. There is a good track up the Toaroha Valley. The Lower Kokatahi track to Crawford Junction is not maintained and the going is rough. These two moderate sized catchments have steep forested hillsides, dense alpine scrub near the bush line and tussock tops.

Map information: NZTopo50 BV19.

Access: The Kokatahi and Toaroha road end is reached by taking a sign posted right-hand turn off the upper Kokatahi road. The Kokatahi Valley access starts just before the Kokatahi River Bridge is reached. A track through farm-land leads to the river which is followed for several kilometres up until the lower gorge is reach ed and the very rough route starts. The Upper Kokatahi Valley and Crawford Creek Val-ley are accessible by track. Access is via Lathrop or Zit Saddles. Obtain permission from the road end farmer to cross his land. Continue along the road across the Kokatahi River Bridge 2 km to the Toaroha Track car park near some sheds. Follow the track down onto the river flats and the marked track starts at the top end of these flats. It is three hours to Cedar Flats and another three hours to top Toaroha. There are four tracks that provide access to the open tops. Alternatively use local helicopter services for access.

Landholders: The landowner at the Kokatahi road end is Terry Sheridan phone 03 755 7967. Access into the Toaroha Valley passes through farmland but foot access is allowed. Hunters should seek permission from the landowner SM Wallace 03 755 7442.


Boo Boo Hut, Crawford Junction Hut, Top Kokatahi Hut, Top Crawford Hut, Pinnacle Bivvy and Top Crawford Bivvy in the Kokatahi Valley. Cedar Flat Hut, Yeats Ridge Hut, Mul-lins Hut and Top Toaroha Hut, Adventure Ridge Bivvy, Crystal Bivvy and Toaroha Saddle Bivvy in the Toaroha Valley.

Hunting information: Red deer can be found throughout the area at any time of the year

however spring hunting on the grass flats and the roar is most popular. There is some good hunting on the front faces and accessible streams near the road ends. Chamois are found mainly in the alpine areas in reasonable numbers. Hares are found throughout. Possums are controlled by AHB in the lower parts of both valleys. Feral pigs and goats are uncommon.

THE OTIrA, DECEPTION, rOLLESTON AND KELLY CrEEK VALLEYS are very accessible places for hunters. They are all fairly small catchments with generally open river beds, steep forested hillsides and tussock tops. The upper valley of the Deception River is most popular for hunting and is open all year round. It is also a popular tramping route to Canterbury.

Map information: NZTopo50 BV20.

Access: Access to these places is from SH73. There is a footbridge a few km up the road from Aickens corner that provides access across the Otira River to the Deception Valley. The route up the Deception takes you to Goat Pass. There is foot access up the Rolleston, with a track that leads into the head waters. A track up Kelly Creek directly off the highway leads across a low saddle into the upper Hunts Creek. A steep track from Kelly Creek car park takes you to Carroll Hut and the Seven Mile tops and continues into the Taipo Valley.

Note: The Deception River can be dangerous to cross if in flood.

Landholders: There is private land at the mouth of the Deception near Aickens. Phone J and E Evans 03 738 2818 for access permis-sion.


Carroll Hut, Top Deception Hut, Hunts Creek Hut, Pfeiffer Bivvy.

Hunting information: Red deer can be found throughout the area at any time of the year however spring hunting on the grass flats and the roar is most popular.

Chamois are found mainly in the alpine areas in low numbers. Hares are found throughout. Possums are controlled by AHB and DOC in the lower parts of the valley only. Feral pigs and goats are uncommon.

Additional information: Please report any goat sightings in the area to DOC.

For further information contact: Hokitika area office, phone 03 756 9100


Title: North Island Trout Fishing Guide

Author: John Kent

Publisher: Penguin Group

ISBN: 978-0-14-320267-7

rrP: $35.00

Format: 215 x 138mm, 303

pages, colour and black and white

photographs

reviewed by: Jim Bonner

John Kent’s North Island Trout Fishing Guide is a very

informative publication which

provides accurate and up to date

information.

John draws on over 50 years of

experience and a life long passion

of fishing the rivers and lakes

throughout New Zealand.

The author has revised aand

updated this edition of the North Island Trout Fishing Guide which

includes additional rivers and new

photographs.

This guide is ideal for anyone to

carry in the glove box of the car

or in the pack whether they be

an amateur or an experienced

fisherman.

John goes into detail about the

area and access each river and,

lake and in a lot of cases, he also

informs us about the regulations

and limits of fishing these areas.

The guide has been complimented

with photographs by Patti Magnano

Madsen.

bO

OK

Title: A Life on Gorge river. New Zealand’s remotest family

Author: Robert Long

Publisher: Random House

ISBN: 978-1-86979-330-2

rrP: $39.99

Format: 210 x 148 mm, 176 pages, flexi cover,

96 full colour photographs

reviewed by: Annette Dyke

This book is written in a style that is easy to read and will appeal to a wide range of readers; from those that have already experienced this area of New Zealand, as well as those yet to do so.

Robert has a way of describing the areas he is travelling through that makes the reader aware and able to imagine these special places. It is great to be able to look up the map in the front of the book and relate to his progress.

The cooperation between Robert and the people that he meets along his journey shows the comradeship that exists among those that work and live in South Westland. You come to understand the passion for their patch.

Beansprout, as Robert is also known, is a man who was willing to take his life in his own hands and make a living for himself, and then later on, for his family by his own hands, and with the help of those around him. A man who has been lucky to find the genuine love of a place that he wished to make his life in.

So many of us can only experience this type of lifestyle by camping and tramping through these areas while on holidays, but Robert has brought to me, through his writing, memories and long-ings for remote areas that I have been lucky to experience over the years. I have really enjoyed the journey. Thank you Robert!

I consider this book to be a must for my shelf of New Zealand books.

bO

OK

Title: Norma reloading Manual, (2004)

Authors: Kenneth Axelsson, Stewe Holmquist, Christer Larsson, Johan Nordstrom

Published by: Norma Precision AB, Amotfors, Sweden

rrP: Approximately NZ$80 to $85

Format: Hardcover, 432 pages

Summary of Material: Covers 73 rifle calibres, approximately 2,000 loads listed and additional chapters on reloading components and the process of reloading

reviewed by: Chaz Forsyth

As a user of Norma products for most of my hand loading life, it goes without saying that anything by Norma can be relied upon, and just like its NZ agents, (C R Pain and Co Ltd), its products can reliably be used with complete confidence.

All hand loading manuals are different. Some extol their originator’s products, however this one by Norma differs in that they make the whole kit and caboodle – primers, cases, bullets, and have the know-how to prove it.

Norma CEO Torbjˈrn Lindskog suggests this is the first loading manual ever published by Norma. My first copy of the Norma Gunbugs Guide, published in 1961, definitely contains hand loading information, as did their ammunition catalogues of the period. Perhaps he means it is the first dedicated hand loading manual?

Norma has always been very open about their loading data and this manual is no exception. What distinguishes this book are the quality essays written about every aspect of small arms ammunition components. William C Davis Jr’s description of the elements of exterior ballistics is superb, such as the aerodynamic drag, wind deflection, Magnus force, the Coriolis effect and spin-stabilising a projectile. Also covered is powder manufacture and its behaviour under differing burning conditions, a detailed exposition about primers and priming.

Heaps of detail, lots of information including the effect of changes in relative humidity, age and ambient temperature. Hand loaders would do well to read these sections.

The reloading data as supplied provides information only for Norma propellants. However, they are more broad-minded about the bullet data they provide.

bO

OK

REVIEWS


Title: Himalayan Tahr New Zealand’s Mountain Monarchs Understanding Tahr Behaviour

By: Ken Tustin & Stealth Films

running time: 63 Minutes

rrP: $39.95

Format: NTSC

reviewed by: Tim McCarthy

After many years of tahr hunting, this is

the most outstanding footage that I have

seen. It is an excellent description of how

tahr fill in their days amongst some of

the most spectacular landscapes in this

country. The many hours spent up in the

mountains braving the sometimes harsh

elements have certainly paid off for Ken

Tustin with this comprehensive view on

the social behaviour of tahr in their rutting

season and beyond.

I would expect that this DVD would be

of immense value to anyone who is

interested in venturing out to seek these

magnificent animals, either hunters or

photographers. The information in this DVD

is invaluable for identifying age differences

of the mature bull tahr compared to the

juveniles and where to locate them at

different times of the year. The rare footage

of rutting bulls, fighting to dominate is

something most of us never see.

Ken’s narration is easy to follow and

the background music has been very

well selected.

I have rated this DVD highly and consider it

a must in everyone’s hunting library.

The DVD will be distributed to mainstream

DVD stores, The Warehouse, Whitcoulls

and other hunting and fishing outlets from

September 2010. It is also available online

through: www.stealthfilms.co.nz

Dv

D

I took a stroll with my fishing pole Under sunny Arawhata skies

Wandering along with a fishing song When I couldn’t believe my eyes...

A blackberry vine with berries devine

A collectable delectable surprise!

In a flash I thought if no fish were caught I’d make blackberry and apple pies

And so it transpired my fishing retired The juicy fat berries were the prize.

No fish for dinner - didn’t like my spinner P’raps I should’ve taken some flies.

No venison steak my hunter could take `there’s no deer in here you realise!’

Looked in the cupboard like Mother Hubbard To see what we had in supplies...

Then deftly I cooked and if you had looked You’d have seen a million sandflies

I fought them right back, survived the attack While I swiftly peeled apples for pies.

Oh happy tummies, filled with the yummies.. My Arawhata apple pies.

ArAWhAtA APPLe PIes

B y F r a n A l l c o c k ,

T e A w a m u t u B r a n c h

W i n n e r H a l c y o n P o e t r y

A w a r d 2 0 1 0

Title: The ‘How To’ of Deer Hunting in New Zealand

Produced by: Alex Gale

Camera & Editing: Simon Oliver

Directed by: Simon Oliver

running time: Approx 120 mins

rrP: $39.99

reviewed by: Trevor Dyke

Alex Gale, who has written four hunting books including The New Zealand Deer Hunter’s Handbook has now ventured into the audio visual arena and produced a DVD titled, The ‘How To’ of Deer Hunting in New Zealand. The majority of the filming has been done outdoors with Alex and his son Tim making use of their fifty years of combined hunting experiences and professional skills to show others what it takes to become safe and successful hunters.

You will need to set aside about two hours to view the DVD and its contents, which is made up of twenty-four short chapters. Some of the subjects that are covered include deer species, firearms, sighting in, clothing, safety first, a hunt, butchery and cooking, plus several other topics.

Alex and Tim have obviously put a lot of thought, time and effort into putting this DVD together and I believe that they have most probably made a timely release with this DVD. Not because it will be available in time for Christmas, but the fact that it will most probably find and fill a niche market; as a variety of sources indicate that there appears to be an increase in the number of people seeking information and wanting to take up hunting.

The only criticism that I have is that some of the chapters end a bit abruptly cutting off the oral comment but other than that, it is a DVD that I will be happy to add to my library.

The ‘How To’ of Deer Hunting in New Zealand DVD was released at the Sika Show and should be available in most hunting shops, or you can purchase a copy from Alex Gale by emailing [email protected]

Dv

D

POETRY


POINTS OF ENVY

WINNING heADs FrOm the 2010 cOmPetItIONs

Three heads will

feature in each of the

next three issues of

NZ Hunting and Wildlife.

Trophy was taken in the Hunterville district after spooking some hinds in an area with a lot of sign.

I sat and waited for about ten minutes before seeing the stag sneaking from a gully across a terrace to rejoin his hinds.

While slowly stalking up a deer trail in the Dart Valley, Lake Sylvan area, I spotted the buck running towards me.

Bolt closed, rifle up; the buck stopped forty metres away looking at me. Too late - unlucky buck, lucky hunter.

heNDersON trOPhy – sAmbAr DeerW i n n e r : D a n i e l P e a t , B a y o f P l e n t y B r a n c h . D S : 2 2 6 ˈ

mANAWAtu brANch trOPhy – WhItetAIL DeerW i n n e r : J a n e C o c h r a n e , N o r t h C a n t e r b u r y B r a n c h . D S : 1 3 2 ˈ


Having previously seen this goat a number of times from a distance, but unsure of how good he was, I went back with binoculars and

decided he was worth going after. I stalked and shot him in an area of scattered bush and grass in the Puhoi region.

cOLIN POrter trOPhy – GOAtW i n n e r : M i k e M o r s e , A u c k l a n d B r a n c h . D S : 1 1 4 ½

Name Branch Species Locality DS

Vern Pearson Taupo Chamois Whataroa 27

Tom Beams Rakaia Chamois Waimakariri 26 3/4

Chris Palffy Auckland Fallow Muriwai 213

Ben Pitelen Otago Fallow Beaumont 210 1/4

Warren McDonald

Otago Fallow Blue Mountains 208 3/8

Martin Parsons North Otago Fallow Kakanui Mountains

212 7/8

Dillon Ferguson Bay of Plenty Wild goat Tauriko 109 3/4

Ann Oswald Bush Wild goat Bush District 103 1/2

Mike Spray Kapiti Wild goat Ruakaturi 113 1/2

Nick Evans Tutira Wild goat Tutira 111

Mike Morse Auckland Wild goat Puhoi 114 1/2

Chris Palffy Auckland Wild goat Awakino 115 1/2

Glenn Ralston Ashburton Undrawn tusks

Rakaia 24 1/8

George Mills Otago Undrawn tusks

Shag Valley 20 3/4

Matthew Large Marlborough Undrawn tusks

Awatere Valley 23 3/4

Shane Kingan North Otago Undrawn tusks

Kakanui Mountains

20 3/4

Mark Bengston Bush Red deer Bush District 308

Trevor Dobbs Waikato Red deer Kaikoura 329

Issac Te Kahika Tutira Red deer Wairarapa 369 1/4

Dylan Manthey Bush Red deer Bush District 454 3/4 escapee?

Trevor Goodeve Malvern Red deer Rakaia 338 3/4

David Coombe Thames Valley Rusa Urewera 167 1/4

Name Branch Species Locality DS

Daniel Peat Bay of Plenty Sambar Hunterville 226 5/8

Tony Burt Bay of Ple nty Sika Kaweka 198 1/8

Philip Lyver North Canterbury

Tahr Mt Cook 45 3 3/4

Keith Cleave North Otago Tahr Oteake Conservation Park

44 1/2

Jane Cochrane North Canterbury

Tahr Mt Cook 41

Neil Morris Otago Tahr Hopkins Valley 43 3/4

Glenn Ralston Ashburton Tahr Two Thumb Range

43

David Keen South Canterbury

Tahr Two Thumb Range

43 1/4

Grant Walker Rakaia Tahr Two Thumb Range

42 3/4

Murray Shearer Napier Tahr Lambert Westland

43 3/4

Kerry O’Rourke South Canterbury

Tahr Mesopotamia 44

Mark Nobilo North Auckland

Tahr Rangitata 41 1/2

Dion Patterson Waikato Tahr Whataroa 41 1/4

Blake Clinch Waikato Tahr Tasman River 41 1/4

Clayton Buckley North Otago Tahr Clyde River 45

Mark Nobilo North Auckland

Wild sheep Chatham Island 77 1/2

Jimmy Shand North Otago Wild sheep Kuriheka 78 1/2

Allan Brown Wellington Wild sheep Pitt Island 74 1/4

Frans Laas Otago Wild sheep Pitt Island 75 1/2

Marcus Pinney West Coast Whitetail Wakatipu 124 1/2

NEW ZEALAND DEErSTALKErS’ ASSOCIATION ANTLEr, HOrN AND TUSK COMPETITION TrOPHY rECOrD BOOK CErTIFICATES 2010


shOOtING chAmPIONshIPs 2010M a l c o l m P e r r y

WAIKAtO reGIONAL chAmPIONshIPHosted at TSSC Tokoroa, July 17th & 18th 2010, By Malcolm Perry

Weather conditions were very wintery, as might be expected for this time of year; but in spite of that there were some personal bests shot and a couple of records broken:

• The young junior from Taupo, who was attending only his second major shoot, set a new junior aggregate of 527.04, and 7th place, well done Adain.

• Malcolm Perry set a new veteran aggregate 518.05.

Saturday was rimfire day, ten shot 3P @ 50 & 100m (national programme). There were 16 entries.

50M Prone: Colin Curreen (SWAI) 100; Grant Botting (TPO), Mark Poots (TPO), Bryn Blythen (WGRI), Sue Gavin (SWAI) and Ian Williamson (SWAI) all on 99; Brenda Perry (ROT) 97

50m Standing: Brenda Perry 90; Grant Botting 86; Bryn Blythen 85

50m Kneeling: Mark Poots 95, Grant Botting, Brenda Perry all 93; Colin Curreen and Bryn Blythen both 92

50m Short range Aggregate:

Brenda Perry 280; Grant Botting 278; Colin Curreen and Bryn Blythen both on 276

100m Prone: Mark Poots 96.01; Grant Botting 95.03; Colin Curreen and Bryn Blythen (again) both 94.03

100m Standing: Mark Poots 85.01; Brenda Perry 85.00; Grant Botting 84.01

100m Kneeling: Sue Gavin 95.00; Adain Ralfe (junior TPO) 93.01; Grant Botting 93

100m Long range Aggregate:

Grant Botting 272.04; Mark Poots 270.03; Colin Curreen 268.03

Grand Aggregate totals and medal winners:

Gold, Grant Botting 550.04; Silver, Colin Curreen 544.03; Bronze Brenda Perry 541.03

ON TARGET

Grades: B Grade: Bryn Blythen (not for long) 534.04; Jennifer Scott (SWAI) 469.02; Alistair McKay (WGN) 456.02.

C Grade: Bill Seal (TPO) 435.00; Craig Heginbotham 420; Junior Adain Ralfe 527.04

Sunday, and time to get centrefire arms out; similar programme @ 100 & 200m, sitting rather than kneeling @ 200M

100m Prone: Bryn Blythen 100.07; Brenda, Colin Curreen and Mike Bailey (TPO) all on 100.06; Mark Poots and John Stick (NAKLD) both on 100.05; not much room for error there.

100m Standing: Mark Poots 87; Brenda Perry 86; Bryn Blythen 85

100m Kneeling: Grant Botting 97.04; Brenda Perry 97.03; Mark Poots 94.02

100m Short range Aggregate:

Brenda Perry 283.09; Mark Poots 281.08; Colin Curreen 277.08

200m Prone: Brenda 100.05; Mark Poots and Grant Botting both on 99.04; Mike Bailey 99.03

200m Standing: Brenda Perry 90.03; Colin Currren 89.00; Sue Gavin 81.02

200m Sitting: (it is now accepted that those unable to shoot sitting may shoot kneeling and records will be kept for this position) Grant Botting 96,02 (kneeling); Colin Curreen 96.01; Bryn Blythen 95.030

200m Long range Aggregate:

Brenda Perry 285.10; Colin Curreen 282.04; Mark Poots 274.05

Grand Aggregate totals and medal winners:

Gold: Brenda Perry 568.19; Silver: Colin Curreen 559.12; Bronze: Mark Poots 555.013

Grades: B Grade: Alister McKay 487.01; Jennifer Scott 482.05

C Grade: Craig Heginbotham (TPO) 420; Junior Adain Ralfe 469.00

Overall it was a very good shoot in spite of the weather; many thanks to Sandi Curreen for her tireless efforts in the marking room, and to Phil Gardner for his range officer services.


NAtIONAL shOOtING cOmPetItIONs 2010

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

Colin Curreen South Waikato

NEW ZEALAND DEErSTALKErS’ ASSOCIATION BENCHrEST SHOOTEr OF THE YEAr AWArD

Ian Owen Nelson

BrOWN TrOPHY FOr F CLASS COMPETITION

Dean Maisey Bay of Plenty

POstAL shOOtING 2010

J M WILKINSON CUP FOr POSTAL SHOOTING – SENIOrS

TOTAL ENTrIES: 9

1st: Norm Lumsden Napier 118.9

2nd: Cynthia Page Northland 115.10

3rd: James Wakefield Northland 113.5

J M WILKINSON CUP FOr POSTAL SHOOTING – LADIES

TOTAL ENTrIES: 3

1st: Jaimee McCarthy South Canterbury 95

2nd: Cynthia Page Northland 81

3rd: Kerstin Stanley Northland 77

J M WILKINSON CUP FOr POSTAL SHOOTING – JUNIOrS

TOTAL ENTrIES: 1

1st: Jared Muir South Canterbury 73

HAWKES BAY CHALLENGE CUP – JUNIOrS

TOTAL ENTrIES: 1

1st: Jared Muir South Canterbury 70.4

The championships are being held for the first time in New Zealand at the Tokoroa Shooting Sports Complex, Tokoroa.

The first three days will see silhouette matches of air rifle on Monday 15th, heavy rifle Tuesday 16th and light rifle Wednesday 17th.

Benchrest matches commence on Thursday 18th with rimfire, followed by light varmint on Saturday 20th and heavy varmint on Sunday 21st.

The scope rifle NRA rimfire team match will be held on Friday 19th, followed by the individual match on Saturday 20th. The centrefire team/individual matches to be held on Sunday 21st concludes the scoped rifle events.

The championships also include service rifle matches to be held on the NZDA Rotorua Range from Friday 19th – Sunday 21st. The growing interest in this discipline may see a large number of competitors entering the event.

Competitors will be arriving from Australia, New Caledonia and Samoa, as well as our own New Zealand shooting team attending from various parts of the country. Interest has also been shown from Indonesia, Japan, South Africa and the USA.

Special guests have been invited to the opening and closing ceremonies that will be held at the Silveroaks Resort Heritage in Rotorua. Also in attendance during the week will be Bob Green (president SSAA), Bob Cooper (snr vice president SSAA), Kaye McIntyre (national secretary SSAA), Alec McIver (national president NZDA) and Dianne Brown (chief executive officer NZDA).

Partners and family members will have the opportunity of sightseeing, shopping or enjoying a variety of leisure events during their stay. No matter where you are from either abroad or other areas of New Zealand you will be sure to take away unique memories.

Hosting the championship will provide the opportunity of others to see our country and create new friendships.

Pacific regional Shooting Championships15 - 21 November 2010

New Zealand2010


Animal Skin Tanning Services Ltd ...................... 48

Bright Ideas ELB Ltd .......................................... 23

Cameron Sports Imports............. Inside Front Cover

Gunworks Canterbury ........................................ 39

Hunting & Fishing NZ .................................... 27, 39

Interislander ..................................................... 40

Kilwell Sports Ltd .................. Inside Back Cover, 19

Lecia, Lacklands Ltd .......................................... 11

Mainly Hunting .................................................... 3

Mana Charters .................................................. 23

NZ Ammunition Company .................................. 37

NZ Deerstalkers’ Association ........................ 13, 36

New Zealand Police ........................................ 7, 17

Swazi Apparel ................................ Back Cover, 37

Target Products (1978) Ltd ........................... 21, 35

CLASSIFIEDS

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Want a skin Tanned?

Adam Cowie177 Lorn St ,InvercargillHm: 032171269Mob: 0272813026E-mail: [email protected]

www.animalskintanningservices.co.nz

50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association (Hutt Valley Branch) Inc

formerly New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association(Upper Hutt Branch) Inc

SEPTEMBER 25TH 20102.00pm onwards

St Patrick’s College, Silverstream

All past and present members are invited to register their interest in attending by contacting:

.22 LR CaRL WaLtheR RuNNiNg BoaR RifLeAdjustable thumbhole stock, trigger and barrel weight. Very good condition, little use. Offers.

Also a number of custom hunting rifles, most in mint unfired condition, and range rifles,

components together with reloading supplies.

Please phone Russ Mitchell 03 544 0848

Phone: 04 971 3649 (leave your details)Email: [email protected]: PO Box 40226, Upper Hutt 5140

Join us for the afternoon and dinner

3rd Pacific regional Shooting Championships15 - 21 November 2010

This championship is primarily a team event for Pacific countries, with a maximum of three two-person teams from each Pacific country; however, individuals are also invited to participate. For detailed info contact NZDA, Wellington.

Shooting disciplines held at Tokoroa Shooting Sports Complex, Newell road, Tokoroa, New Zealand

Silhouette Matches: Air Rifle Monday 15 November Rifle (Heavy) Tuesday 16 November Rifle (Light) Wednesday 17 November

Scoped rifle Matches: NRA 120 Shot Rimfire Teams Friday 19 November NRA 120 Shot Rimfire Individuals Saturday 20 November 60 Shot Centrefire Individuals & Teams Sunday 21 November

Benchrest Matches: Rimfire Thursday 18 November Light Varmint Saturday 20 November Heavy Varmint Sunday 21 November

Service rifle: Venue to be confirmed Date to be confirmed

Hosted by:New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association PO Box 6514, Marion Square, Wellington, 6141 Phone +64 4 801 7367 Fax +64 4 801 7368 Email [email protected] Website www.deerstalkers.org.nz

New Zealand2010


New Zealand Hunting & Wildlife | 170 - Spring 2010

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