Hunting in New Zealand

Hunting is a popular recreational pursuit and a tourist activity in New Zealand with numerous books and magazines published on the topic.

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.

[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.

The first surviving releases were made in the Aoraki / Mount Cook region and these animals gradually spread over much of the South Island.

Various genotypes exist with differing colour phases: (i) common, (ii) melanistic, (iii) menil and (iv) white.

[citation needed] 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).

Found in the central North Island, many hunters and tourists enjoy chasing these noisy (have a squeak/squeal as an alarm call), elusive animals.

Length has exceeded 140 centimetres (55 inches) in historic herds, but interbreeding with red deer has reduced the pure wapiti genetics.

[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.

[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.

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.

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

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.

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] 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.

As well as managing tahr, chamois, deer and pig the council will promote hunters' safety and improve hunting opportunities.