Hunting in New Zealand

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A memorial on the Lindis Pass erected in 1971 commemorating the release of red deer in Otago in 1871. Lindis Pass Red Deer Monument.JPG
A memorial on the Lindis Pass erected in 1971 commemorating the release of red deer in Otago in 1871.

Hunting is a popular recreational pursuit and a tourist activity in New Zealand with numerous books and magazines published on the topic. Unlike most other developed countries with a hunting tradition, there are no bag-limits or seasons for hunting large game in New Zealand. Hunting in national parks is a permitted activity. The wide variety of game animals and the limited restrictions means hunting is a popular pastime which has resulted in a high level of firearms ownership among civilians.

Contents

Prior to human settlement New Zealand had no land based mammals other than two species of bats, [1] one of which is now extinct, and two species of Otariidae. European settlers introduced a wide range of animals including some specifically for game hunting. Acclimatisation societies were active for a period of 60 years from the 1860s in having introduced animals established in New Zealand. The majority were introduced for food or sport. [2] In the 1980s Recreational Hunting Areas (RHA's) were set up to support recreational hunting on conservation land. The RHA's are administered by the Department of Conservation. [3]

Guided or independent hunting is open to non-resident hunters with a firearms licence and permit issued by the Department of Conservation. Because of the number of large game species and varied terrain available, New Zealand is a popular destination for hunting-based tourism. [4]

Government sanctioned deer culling

By the 1950s red deer were recognised as an animal pest which damaged the natural environment and the government began employing hunters to cull the deer population to prevent this damage. Networks of tracks with bridges and huts were set up to gain easy access into the backcountry. These tracks and huts, now maintained by the Department of Conservation, are popular for tramping.

Types of hunting

Chamois

Chamois is a goat-antelope native to Europe. Alpine chamois arrived in New Zealand in 1907 as a gift from the Austrian Emperor, Franz Joseph I. The first surviving releases were made in the Aoraki / Mount Cook region and these animals gradually spread over much of the South Island. [5] [6] They are often referred to colloquially as "chamy" (pronounced "shamy").

In New Zealand, hunting of chamois is unrestricted and even encouraged by the Department of Conservation to limit the animal's impact on New Zealand's native alpine flora. [6] [7]

Deer

Fallow deer (Dama dama)

A smaller species of deer in New Zealand. Various genotypes exist with differing colour phases: (i) common, (ii) melanistic, (iii) menil and (iv) white. They are often found in bush closer to pasture/farmland, as they prefer grazing on grasses.[ citation needed ] Major herds are found in the North and South Islands of New Zealand.[ citation needed ]

Red deer (Cervus elaphus scoticus)

The red deer in New Zealand produce very large antlers and are regarded as amongst the best in the world by hunters.[ citation needed ] Along with the other introduced deer species they are however regarded as a pest by the Department of Conservation and have at times been heavily culled using professional hunters. Additionally many hunters and outdoors enthusiasts class deer in NZ as a resource, for both food, hobbies, and an economic (tourist attraction). Ongoing issues over their pest status continue to be debated between parties.

Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis)

A shy and challenging deer to find in New Zealand. Larger populations are found in Te Urewera National Park. Very elusive.[ citation needed ]

Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor)

A large bodied deer, antlers of 6 points are standard for mature stags.[ citation needed ] They are hunted on public and private land in the North Island of New Zealand.

Sika deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika deer were confined to the Kaweka and Kaimanawa Ranges but have been discovered in the Tararua and in Coromandel Ranges. It is thought that they had been transferred by recreational hunters. [8] In 2009 it was discovered that they had been illegally released in the Toatoa Valley. [9] Sika deer are one of the most sought after deer species to hunt in New Zealand. They are smart, beautiful animals and very cunning. Found in the central North Island, many hunters and tourists enjoy chasing these noisy (have a squeak/squeal as an alarm call), elusive animals. The Department of Conservation have been working with hunters to target mainly hinds, which ensures stags can develop to trophy potential and allow hunters (and tourists) the chance to secure a lifetime trophy.

Moose (Alces alces)

Ten moose (known in Britain and most of Europe as "elk") were introduced in Fiordland in 1910 but they were thought to have died off. Nevertheless, there have been reported sightings that were thought to be false until moose hair samples were found by a New Zealand scientist in 2002. [10] Moose have had patchy sightings since the last was shot in 1956. There is still ongoing debate over their existence and likely will be until legitimate footage is taken, or an animal is shot.

Wapiti (Cervus canadensis)

Wapiti, also known as elk, are found in Fiordland National Park. These are large animals, growing very large antlers. Length has exceeded 140 centimetres (55 inches) in historic herds, but interbreeding with red deer has reduced the pure wapiti genetics.[ citation needed ] Antler length and spread often do not exceed 110 cm (45 in).[ citation needed ] Fiordland Wapiti Foundation have been working with Department of Conservation to actively control and protect this historic herd for hunting, through management of the population. This involves culling of red deer through aerial recovery, and also culling of hybrid red/wapiti in selection for pure wapiti type animals. Slowly genetics are becoming more pure wapiti, and antler length/points/span is increasing once again to trophy status.[ citation needed ]

Whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

These deer are found in the lower South Island, but predominantly on Stewart Island. They are challenging and elusive to hunt. They are much smaller in size compared to the American counterparts and do not produce trophy heads as large.[ citation needed ] Often the environment itself is an attraction to hunters, where many native birds are present, including kiwi roaming the forest during the day.

Pigs

They are widespread throughout New Zealand and commonly are hunted using dogs. Pigs range in size and in the wild can exceed 110 kilograms (250 lb).[ citation needed ] They are sought after by hunters as they have a unique free range taste.[ citation needed ] They can cause a large amount of damage to the environment through rooting up of native plants.

Tahr

The Himalayan tahr sculpture unveiled in May 2014 at Lake Pukaki by Henrietta, Dowager Duchess of Bedford Lake Pukaki tahr sculpture 288.JPG
The Himalayan tahr sculpture unveiled in May 2014 at Lake Pukaki by Henrietta, Dowager Duchess of Bedford

Himalayan tahr, often simply known as "tahr", were gifted to the New Zealand government by the 11th Duke of Bedford in 1903; of the three males and three females, five survived the journey from Woburn Abbey and were released near the Hermitage Hotel at Mount Cook Village. He sent a further shipment in 1909 of six males and two females. Himalayan tahr are near-threatened in their native India and Nepal, but are so numerous in New Zealand's Southern Alps that they are hunted recreationally. [11] At their peak in 1970, some 40,000 were in New Zealand. By 1984, the numbers had fallen to between 1,000 and 2,000 due to demand for tahr meat, which triggered a moratorium on commercial harvest. [12] The Department of Conservation controls numbers to below 10,000. [13]

A statue of a Himalayan tahr was unveiled in May 2014 at Lake Pukaki and dedicated by Henrietta, Dowager Duchess of Bedford. [11]

Tahr are sought after by hunters for their meat, horns and skin. During winter bull tahrs develop a heavy mane and coat that is attractive as skin or rugs. Most hunters in New Zealand attempt to gain a trophy through climbing into the area where the tahr roam, upwards of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), although hunting by helicopter has become more common in recent years.

Duck shooting

The duck shooting season opens in the first weekend of May and runs for 3 months.[ citation needed ] A licence must be obtained from Fish and Game New Zealand every season, at a cost of $80NZD (2010 Adult).[ citation needed ] These can be purchased from most outdoor sporting stores. Strict laws govern the number of birds which are allowed to be taken daily and may change between provinces.[ citation needed ] Laws also state that ducks must be shot with a shotgun while on the wing (flying). Although a mercy shot on the ground or water is an ethical responsibility of the hunter should a bird be injured during the initial shooting.[ citation needed ] In 2006 lead shot was banned from use while using 10 or 12 gauge shot on game birds within 200 m of any waterway. Nontoxic shot, mainly steel, is being used as a replacement.[ citation needed ]

Hunters often build blinds known as "maimais" to conceal themselves from ducks, often these are permanent structures besides or on rivers, lakes, lagoons or ponds. They vary in size from small (3x3m), to two storied house sized buildings, complete with running water and electricity. These maimais are then elaborately camouflaged, usually using a combination of live and dead vegetation, camouflaged paint jobs and camouflaged netting. Hunters will also hide in the vegetation near a waterway as a temporary maimai.

To aid luring ducks in, a variety of decoy ducks and duck callers can be purchased commercially, although some hunters prefer to make their own.

Duck species which may be legally hunted are the mallard (and hybrids thereof), Pacific black duck (known as grey ducks), paradise shelduck, and Australasian shoveller. [14]

Most hunters use specially trained dogs to retrieve ducks which land on the water, and many discussions are held about the best breed for the job, although most will agree that almost any breed can be trained to retrieve.

Game birds in New Zealand are managed by Fish and Game New Zealand, previously the acclimatisation societies of New Zealand.

Legislation

The Wild Animal Control Act 1977 regulates commercial and recreation hunting, and established the RHA's.

In 2012 the Game Animal Council Bill was opened up for submissions with the primary aim of establishing a Big Game Hunting Council as part of a national wild game management strategy. [15] The bill is part of a support agreement between United Future and the National Party.

Organisations

The Conservation Act 1987 established Fish and Game New Zealand as a statutory body to advocate for recreational hunting and fishing in New Zealand. It has statutory responsibility for the sports of freshwater sport-fishing and gamebird hunting. They are funded predominantly from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses.

The New Zealand Deerstalkers Association was established in 1937 to promote the interests of hunters in New Zealand. [16]

Outdoor Recreation New Zealand lobbies for the hunting and fishing community. From 2002 to 2007 it functioned as a registered political party.

In 2011 the New Zealand government established the Game Animal Council to manage game animals. As well as managing tahr, chamois, deer and pig the council will promote hunters' safety and improve hunting opportunities. [17] The New Zealand Deerstalkers Association and Tourism Industry Association welcomed the formation of the Game Animal Council but Forest and Bird, a large nationwide conservation organisation, sees it as an impediment to recreational hunters. [18]

The New Zealand Game Industry Board is a statutory marketing authority established by regulations made under the Primary Products Marketing Act 1953.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moose</span> Largest species of deer

The moose or elk is the world's tallest, largest and heaviest extant species of deer and the only species in the genus Alces. It is also the tallest, and the second-largest, land animal in North America, falling short only of the American bison in body mass. Most adult male moose have broad, palmate antlers; other members of the deer family have pointed antlers with a dendritic ("twig-like") configuration. Moose inhabit the circumpolar boreal forests or temperate broadleaf and mixed forests of the Northern Hemisphere, thriving in cooler, temperate areas as well as subarctic climates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hunting</span> Searching, pursuing, and killing wild animals

Hunting is the human practice of seeking, pursuing, capturing, or killing wildlife or feral animals. The most common reasons for humans to hunt are to exploit the animal's body for meat and useful animal products, for recreation/taxidermy, although it may also be done for non-exploitative reasons such as removing predators dangerous to humans or domestic animals, to eliminate pests and nuisance animals that damage crops/livestock/poultry or spread diseases, for trade/tourism, or for ecological conservation against overpopulation and invasive species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Himalayan tahr</span> Species of even-toed ungulate

The Himalayan tahr is a large even-toed ungulate native to the Himalayas in southern Tibet, northern India, western Bhutan and Nepal. It is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, as the population is declining due to hunting and habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chamois</span> Species of antelope

The chamois or Alpine chamois is a species of goat-antelope native to the mountains in Southern Europe, from the Pyrenees, the Alps, the Apennines, the Dinarides, the Tatra to the Carpathian Mountains, the Balkan Mountains, the Rila–Rhodope massif, Pindus, the northeastern mountains of Turkey, and the Caucasus. It has also been introduced to the South Island of New Zealand. Some subspecies of chamois are strictly protected in the EU under the European Habitats Directive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sika deer</span> Species of deer native to much of East Asia

The sika deer, also known as the Northernspotted deer or the Japanese deer, is a species of deer native to much of East Asia and introduced to other parts of the world. Previously found from northern Vietnam in the south to the Russian Far East in the north, it is an uncommon species that has been extirpated in most areas of its native range, except in Japan, where it is overabundant and present in very large numbers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiordland National Park</span> National park on South Island of New Zealand

Fiordland National Park is a national park in the south-west corner of South Island of New Zealand. It is the largest of the 13 national parks in New Zealand, with an area covering 12,607 km2 (4,868 sq mi), and a major part of the Te Wāhipounamu a UNESCO World Heritage Site established in 1990. The park is administered by the Department of Conservation. The southern ranges of the Southern Alps cover most of Fiordland National Park, combined with the deep glacier-carved valleys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian wood duck</span> Species of bird

The Australian wood duck, maned duck or maned goose is a dabbling duck found throughout much of Australia. It is the only living species in the genus Chenonetta. Traditionally placed in the subfamily Anatinae, it might belong to the subfamily Tadorninae (shelducks); the ringed teal may be its closest living relative.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game (hunting)</span> Wild animals under pursuit or taken in hunting

Game or quarry is any wild animal hunted for animal products, for recreation ("sporting"), or for trophies. The species of animals hunted as game varies in different parts of the world and by different local jurisdictions, though most are terrestrial mammals and birds. Fish caught non-commercially are also referred to as game fish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red deer</span> Species of hoofed mammal

The red deer is one of the largest deer species. A male red deer is called a stag or hart, and a female is called a doe or hind. The red deer inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Anatolia, Iran, and parts of western Asia. It also inhabits the Atlas Mountains of Northern Africa; being the only living species of deer to inhabit Africa. Red deer have been introduced to other areas, including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Peru, Uruguay, Chile and Argentina. In many parts of the world, the meat (venison) from red deer is used as a food source.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sambar deer</span> Species of deer

The sambar is a large deer native to the Indian subcontinent, South China and Southeast Asia that is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List since 2008. Populations have declined substantially due to severe hunting, local insurgency, and industrial exploitation of habitat.

Helicopter hunting of deer has occurred in the Fiordland area of New Zealand since the 1960s. As long ago as the 1920s, introduced European deer plagued the Fiordland National Park to the detriment of the native New Zealand flora and fauna. The New Zealand government placed a bounty on the deer, paying local hunters for each animal removed from the park. With the market for venison and deerskin, by the 1960s this had proved a lucrative enough business for several hunters to invest in helicopters, to travel fast through the rugged landscape.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife management</span> Management and control of wildlife populations

Wildlife management is the management process influencing interactions among and between wildlife, its habitats and people to achieve predefined impacts. It attempts to balance the needs of wildlife with the needs of people using the best available science. Wildlife management can include wildlife conservation, gamekeeping and pest control. Wildlife management draws on disciplines such as mathematics, chemistry, biology, ecology, climatology and geography to gain the best results.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culling</span> Process of segregating organisms in biology

Culling is the process of segregating organisms from a group according to desired or undesired characteristics. In animal breeding, it is removing or segregating animals from a breeding stock based on a specific trait. This is done to exaggerate desirable characteristics, or to remove undesirable characteristics by altering the genetic makeup of the population. For livestock and wildlife, culling often refers to killing removed animals based on their characteristics, such as their sex or species membership, or as a means of preventing infectious disease transmission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elk</span> Large antlered species of Cervid from North America and East Asia

The elk, or wapiti, is the second largest species within the deer family, Cervidae, and one of the largest terrestrial mammals in its native range of North America and Central and East Asia. The word "elk" originally referred to the European variety of the moose, Alces alces, but was transferred to Cervus canadensis by North American colonists. The name "wapiti" derives from a Shawnee and Cree word meaning "white rump" for the distinctive light fur in the rear region, just like the Bighorn Sheep.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deer hunting</span> Practice/activity of hunting deer

Deer hunting is hunting deer for meat and sport, an activity which dates back tens of thousands of years. Venison, the name for deer meat, is a nutritious and natural food source of animal protein that can be obtained through deer hunting. There are many different types of deer around the world that are hunted for their meat. For sport, often hunters try to kill deer with the largest and most antlers to score them using inches. There are two different categories of antlers. They are typical and nontypical. They measure tine length, beam length, and beam mass by each tine. They will add all these measurements up to get a score. This score is the score without deductions. Deductions occur when the opposite tine is not the same length as it is opposite. That score is the deducted score.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deer stalking</span> British term for the stealthy hunting of deer without hounds or horses

Deer stalking, or simply stalking, is a British term for the stealthy pursuit of deer on foot to hunt for meat, leisure, trophy, or to control their numbers. As part of wildlife management, just as with rabbiting and boar hunting, deer stalking aims to reduce crop damage. Additionally, deer stalking has long been considered a pastime sport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife Act 1953</span> Act of Parliament in New Zealand

Wildlife Act 1953 is an Act of Parliament in New Zealand. Under the act, the majority of native New Zealand vertebrate species are protected by law, and may not be hunted, killed, eaten or possessed. Violations may be punished with fines of up to $100,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Professional hunter</span>

A professional hunter is a person who hunts and/or manages game by profession. Some professional hunters work in the private sector or for government agencies and manage species that are considered overabundant, others are self-employed and make a living by selling hides and meat, while still others guide clients on big-game hunts.

Rex Forrester was a recognised New Zealand hunting and fishing specialist. He was known for his deer culling, helicopter hunting, live deer capture, pig hunting and trout fishing within New Zealand and Australia. He was also an outdoor sports author who published nine books.

Australia has a population of about 25 million, with the Commonwealth Government's 2019 survey estimating there are 640,000 recreational hunters in the country. There are around 5.8 million legally owned guns in Australia, ranging from airguns to single-shot, bolt-action, pump-action, lever-action or semi-automatic firearms.

References

  1. "Conservation – Native Animals – Bats". Department of Conservation, New Zealand. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
  2. King, Carolyn (1984). Immigrant Killers. Auckland: Oxford. ISBN   0-19-558121-0.
  3. "Recreational Hunting Areas (RHA): Hunting". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  4. "Permits and licences: Hunting Permit". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  5. A Note on the Chamois in New Zealand at New Zealand Ecological Society
  6. 1 2 Recreational hunting in Nelson/Marlborough – Chamois at the Department of Conservation
  7. Heritage Preservation (p. 40 and 45) at the Department of Conservation
  8. The State of New Zealand,s Environment. Wellington: Ministry for the Environment. 1997. p. 9.31. ISBN   0-478-09000-5. Archived from the original on 9 October 2009. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  9. "Illegal release of sika deer". Department of Conservation. 5 February 2009. Archived from the original on 7 November 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  10. Oldham, Stu (6 October 2005). "Hairs move NZ moose out of realm of Nessie". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  11. 1 2 "Duchess of Bedford to Dedicate Tahr Statue" (Press release). New Zealand: Scoop. 13 March 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  12. Birchfield, Daniel (12 March 2014). "Tahr sculpture marks new bill". The Timaru Herald . Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  13. "Tahr". Department of Conservation . Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  14. http://hunting.fishandgame.org.nz/sites/default/files/GameBird%20NI%202014-15.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  15. "Game Animal Council Bill". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  16. "About the NZ Deerstalkers' Association". New Zealand Deerstalkers Association. 2006. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  17. "Game Animal Council to be established". New Zealand Government. 6 April 2011. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  18. Williams, David (8 April 2011). "New game body deplored, welcomed". The Press . Retrieved 8 April 2011.