Hunting is a growing recreational activity for all ages, both male and female. As hunters, we are fortunate to live in country where access to hunting areas is within easy reach and we are able to hunt all year round.

New Zealand hosts a diverse range of game birds and animals. Game birds such as duck’s geese, pheasant and quail can be readily harvested. The pursuit of small game such as rabbits, hares, wallabies and possums is popular especially for younger hunters.

There are also a good number of big game animals, as NZ has seven species of deer. These include the majestic Fiordland Wapiti, the common Red deer, the elusive Sambar, the Whitetail on Stewart Island, Rusa in Te Urewera National Park, the very vocal Sika, and the Fallow whose numbers and range have spread over the past few years. In the mountains of the South Island one can readily hunt the Himalayan Tahr and Chamois. Goats and pigs are traditional game and are found throughout the country.

National parks and reserves, managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC), are popular and accessible hunting areas. To hunt game in these areas you will need to get a hunting permit, available at no cost and can be obtained from a DOC office. Shooting game birds, on the other hand, will require a licence from the New Zealand Fish and Game Council (www.fishandgame.org.nz), which will provide detailed information on the regulations.

Game bird shooting is seasonal and begins on the first Saturday of May and closes on varying dates depending on the game species. Many private hunting areas such as farms and forestry blocks are accessible to hunters who take the time to introduce themselves to the land owner and ask permission to hunt in their land. It is extremely important to respect private property to ensure continued access for others.

Hunting enables hunters to reach the remotest of New Zealand’s bush and mountain regions. It can provide the means to explore new country and to view the most amazing of New Zealand’s natural resources. Hunting can teach many skills – all aspects of bushcraft, knowing the unique habits of wild animals, hunting techniques, safe firearms use, and processing game.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable hunt, MSC advises on best-practices to do before, during and after hunting.

Before hunting

• Comply with the ‘Firearms Safety Code’ and observe good hunting behaviour.
• Secure as appropriately a hunting permit for DOC-managed estates, a licence from the NZ Fish and Game Council, or permission from private land owners. Always comply with the bylaws and regulations in your permit or licence.
• Do not take game out of season.
• Take a windproof and waterproof outer garment. Avoid wearing cotton clothing or jeans. Make sure you have enough appropriate clothing for the duration of the hunt (see Hunting gear list).
• Always take a map and compass (GPS optional), and learn how to use them. Ensure that you have a mountain radio and personal locator beacon, available for hire at www.mountainradio.co.nz.
• Get short and long range weather forecasts from the Met Service, www.metservice.co.nz.
• Bring adequate nutritious food and enough water (you could top up your water supply in the streams and lakes).
• Carefully check your firearm. Make sure to sight in your rifle.

During hunting

• Kill pests when you get the opportunity (mustelids, rats, and wild cats), as they prey on New Zealand’s native birds.
• Track wounded animals so they can be dispatched humanely as soon as possible.
• Dispatch animals humanely by aiming for the kill zone of the animal
• Take only enough game that can be carried and used. Do not waste animals or meat.
• Drink plenty of water. Boil water from streams and lakes before you drink it.
• Be careful with stoves and gases in confined spaces when you camp during a hunt. Do not use a camp cooker inside an enclosed tent.
• Always comply with the DOC’s Environment Care Code.

After hunting

• Dispose of offal and carcasses away from streams, tracks and huts.

Emergency precautions

Never underestimate New Zealand’s weather, rivers or wilderness areas. Beware of wasp nests especially from December to April. It’s always better to be prepared for the worst than to be caught unprepared when conditions turn awry.

Leave details of your trip with a responsible person who could sound off the alarm should you be unable to come back as scheduled. Make sure you have an emergency kit (refer to Emergency kit list), spare clothing, spare food, and an emergency exit plan. Know basic first aid.

In the event that you get lost or injured, help searchers look for you by staying where you are. Be assured that people will come looking for you. Be determined to survive.

1.     Treat every firearm as loaded

2.     Always point firearms in a safe direction

3.     Load a firearm only when ready to fire

4.     Identify your target beyond all doubt

5.     Check your firing zone

6.     Store firearms and ammunition safely

7.     Avoid alcohol and drugs when handling firearms

Mountain Safety Council has resources that provide essential information on firearms and hunting safety.

HUNTS Manual

On Target DVD

Firearms Handbook

Packliners, Survival Bags and Pocket Survival Bags

Firearms pamphlet

Trip intentions plan

To Hunt and Return

Personal Gear

• Pack & pack liner
• Day pack
• Ground sheet / fly / tent
• Closed cell foam or “Thermarest” mattress
• Sleeping bag (suitable for conditions)
• Parka
• 2 x light tops
• 2 x long johns
• 2 x pair shorts
• Warm jersey, shirt or jacket
• 2 x pair of socks
• 2 x pair of underpants
• Boots
• Putties/gaiters
• Spare camp footwear (optional)
• Warm hat or cap
• Plate & cup
• Knife, fork and spoon
• Dishwashing liquid and scourer
• Water bottle
• Torch or head light
• Belt with pouches or bum bag
• Skinning knife
• Map and compass
• Rifle and sling
• Ammunition
• Rifle cleaning kit
• Binoculars (optional)
• Soap, toothbrush & toothpaste
• Small towel
• Toilet paper
• Personal first aid kit
• Survival kit

Party Gear

• Tent or tent fly
• Ground sheet
• Length of rope (10 m)
• Meat bags for packs
• Cooking stove(s) and fuel
• Billies / fry pan
• Food
• Salt for skins
• Mesh bag(s) for hanging meat
• Small saw

Additional gear for winter

• Balaclava
• Gloves
• Woolen singlet or fleece vest (mid layer)
• Over trousers

• Parka
• Map
• Compass
• GPS (optional)
• Food for the day
• Water bottle
• Torch/head light
• Skinning knife
• First aid kit
• Emergency shelter
• Survival kit

• Cleaning rod or pull through
• Bore solvent
• Oil
• Cloth patches Small screwdriver (to fit bedding and scope mount screws)

The following is a suggested list of contents for a small party. For larger parties or longer trips a more comprehensive kit may be necessary.

• First aid manual
• Sticking plasters
• Elastoplast® dressing strip
• Sleek® tape
• Sterile pads
• Triangular bandage
• Crepe bandage
• Sterile wound dressing
• Antiseptic cream or powder
• Paracetamol tablets
• Antihistamine tablets
• Safety pins
• Scissors
• Butterfly closures
• Disposable plastic gloves
• Tweezers
• Chiropody felt (for blisters)
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Paper & pencil

You survival kit should be carried AT ALL TIMES when hunting. These items should be carried in a pouch or container, in your bum bag or daypack, you don’t know when you may need them.

• Emergency shelter (small fly or ground sheet, survival blanket or bag, bivvy bag, pack liner, parka, poncho
• Fire lighting equipment (cigarette lighter, waterproof matches, pieces of rubber, candle, fire starters)
• Sharp knife
• Whistle
• Cord (5–10 meters)
• Aluminium foil (to help start fire, cook meat or fish, possibly signalling)
• Small mirror or similar item (for signalling or examining a wound you cannot see)
• Paper & pencil (preferably waterproof paper, to leave notes)
• Food (high energy sweets – these need to be rationed)
• Bright plastic or fabric (survival bag, pack liner or plastic strips for marking location or signalling)
• Spare ammunition to alert searches.

• Metal cup (for water or making a hot drink over fire)
• Food (fruit juice powder, soup powder, Oxo cubes to make drinks)
• Fishhooks and line

• Stay calm, stop and assess the situation carefully
• Stay in one place
• Build a shelter
• Keep warm and dry, start a fire
• Find a water supply
• Ration food
• Conserve energy
• Mark your location
• Try to signal to searchers
• Maintain morale by being determined to survive
• Look after each other, not just yourself
• Always be determined to survive.