Hunting and Wildlife Magazine - Issue 227 - Summer 2025
Words By: Mayada
As a vegan since childhood, I never thought about going hunting in Iraq, let alone in New Zealand. However, I enrolled in the HUNTS course because I wanted to do something completely different from my daily routine. To give my brain and body a big shake up - to test my limits.
Upon seeing the course advertisement on our work noticeboard, I immediately thought this was a great opportunity and applied the same day. Then I thought, what had I done - what was this course about? Naturally, it's about hunting, but where are we going, where are we staying, and will we stay in the bush and sleep in a small tent? Many questions came to mind, but I knew I was looking forward to making a start - regardless of the outcome. In the end, I said to myself that I could step down if I didn’t like it.
The first theory class was very interesting. I don’t know on which basis they selected us, but we were all balanced by gender, age, character or background. I found it fascinating, especially the manner of the instructors, who were professional and eager to share their experiences and knowledge with us. This convinced me that I was in the right place and would continue.
From the first bush trip, we kept our spirits high despite the lousy weather, which included heavy rain and strong wind. We laughed and enjoyed preparing our dinner in the middle of the darkness in the wet. I never thought that one day, as an Arabic female, I would sleep outside of a normal heated building during winter. That first night in the bush reminded me of the isolation captured so well by Brontë in Wuthering Heights.
It was a challenging night for me, away from my husband and two cats, but I gained experience and new mates. We supported each other in learning and implementing what we had been taught - to survive and thrive in the bush.
After more theory and range training, the final hunting trip was upon us. We started to prepare for it early, dividing into small groups and receiving instruction the night before so we could begin earnestly at daybreak. All of us were ready before sunrise; looking forward to the adventure. With the instructor and my colleague, we walked through the bush, crossed a river, went up to the top of a mountain, and followed the sign of deer - trying to find them. It was hard, but all of us were fit for the mission. When my time came to take the lead, our instructor was close to me, making sure I controlled the situation. We saw an animal, clearly identifying a billy goat amongst the trees before firing. We heard the impact and moved forward to find the animal. He had fallen on the very spot we had seen him. Everyone congratulated me. I had mixed feelings then and was happy that I didn’t waste the instructor’s time and mine to learn.
Thinking of my husband and mother, I am proud that I did this. If she were alive now, what would she be thinking of her daughter? Learning to provide for her family traditionally.
Then I thought about how to carry this heavy animal back to the camp. I was encouraged by the instructor and my colleague to carry the animal out, so I kept going and carried the billy to the last metre. When we arrived back at the camp, everyone had bagged an animal. We celebrated. We couldn’t have achieved our goals without our fantastic instructors and the friendly way they taught us. Rules and lessons are passionately taught to be learned, cherished and implemented.
Finally, if someone asks me, will you do it again? Absolutely - I loved every single minute of this course. I would encourage everyone to attend, even if you have been hunting for a while, you will gain even more knowledge from the instructors. Finally, I must thank the key sponsors, Stoney Creek, Go Native, and Ridgeline, for supporting this wonderful course.
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