Game Management Submissions

Submissions 2011

• Proposed NPS biodiversity with commentary for submission
• National executive submission proposed NPS indigenous biodiversity
• Explanation document for the Proposed NPS on Indigenous Biodiversity

New WARO Permit Framework Consultation - 15 May 2009

Summary:

• Enforcement of WARO conditions.
• Nuisance to recreational hunters and other recreational users from WARO activities.
• Implementation of CMP Policy 4.2 (f) and NPGP and GPNP 4.3 (j) encouraging recreational hunting.
• Exclusion zones and exclusion times.
• Restricted Deer WARO numbers and tendering for blocks.
• NZDA opposes chamois being part of the deer WARO concession.
• Subdividing WARO type concessions.
• Delay the new system for a year to iron out difficulties.

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National Wild Animal Recover Operations Concession Permits

The Wild Animal Recovery Operations (WARO) concession permits issued by the department in 2004 all expire in September 2009. The department is seeking feedback on a draft national WARO concession permit to replace these existing permits.

NZDA branches, members and other hunters should write submissions to support "No WARO" deer areas where they hunt. Otherwise helicopter operators are likely to get more WARO allowed areas for deer recovery and live capture. Some conservancies have done a good job. Others are not good.

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Changes Welcomed for Big Game Animal Management

New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association (NZDA) has welcomed the Minister of Conservation’s release of the Government appointed Game Animal Panel Report to the Minister of Conservation on “Managing the numbers of Deer Tahr, Chamois and wild Pigs”. The Panel recommended working towards greater involvement and inclusion of big game hunters in the Department of Conservation’s (DOC) management of these animals, with three recommendations to this end.

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Minister to Consider Report on Management of Wild Animals

Identified options:

1. Better representation and accommodation of deer, chamois, tahr and wild pig interests within the existing policy and planning framework.

2. Establishment of a Wild Animal Control Advisory Committee to improve wild animal advice and policy.

3. Establishment of a Big Game Hunting Council to co-ordinate and foster hunting and farming interests in deer, chamois, tahr and wild pigs.

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Submission on Behalf of NZDA to the Discussion Document Managing Numbers of Deer, Chamois, Tahr and Pigs

The New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association Incorporated (NZDA) is the largest organization representing recreational hunters, with over 7000 members, and affiliated clubs with an additional 500+ members. Its policies are derived from its membership in a democratic manner after lengthy debate at its annual Conference. While NZDA does not purport to represent all 50,000 – odd recreational big game hunters, it is fair to say that NZDA can provide the most accurate reflection of recreational hunters’ opinions, and hence provide the most accurate response of any organization to the Game Animal Panel.

A copy of NZDA policy is attached to this submission for the Panel’s information. In addition, we attach a copy of a paper to the panel prepared for NZDA by Mr Bill Chisholm dated 7^th July 2007. This paper outlines the principal points of conflict between NZDA policy and current Game Animal management practices.

On request, NZDA can provide further information, references, scientific papers etc on any issues raised in this submission.

Summary of comments made on the discussion document:

• Game animals are a valuable resource, when at or below threshold densities;
• Game animal management will be far more effective when everyone works together in a co-ordinated way, via a Fish & Game-style regime – the Game Hunting Council (GHC);
• This will require changes to the Wildlife Act and Conservation Act, and possibly some changes to the WAC Act and National Parks Act.
• The new GHC should be administered by an independent statutory body, similar to the Fish & Game Councils;
• The GHC should be funded by a combination of taxpayer and hunter contributions.

Click here to download the full document.