What is HUNTS? The Hunter National Training Scheme.
Below is an article written by Andy Kilgallon. Andy is a HUNTS Instructor on Great Barrier Island who alongside fellow HUNTS Instructor Logan, runs an annual HUNTS course for youth aged 11-14. The Great Barrier course looks a little different than any other course given the age of the participants, the isolation of the island and the fact that all costs are provided by generous sponsors meaning the kids don’t pay anything. Although the course looks different, the values of HUNTS still shines through and is a testament to these two guys for all the time and effort they put into ensuring its success.
The HUNTS course is designed and run by the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA). It aims to equip new hunters with the necessary skills, knowledge, and ethical principles to hunt safely and responsibly.
Over the past four months, six Year 8 students from all three Great Barrier Island schools took part in the Great Barrier Island NZDA HUNTS Course — a hands-on introduction to outdoor skills, bushcraft, conservation, and ethical hunting.
The course was originally set up on the island by local policeman and hunter Roger Bright over 14 years ago. After his retirement the batten was passed to Andy Kilgallon and Logan Golaboski who committed to qualifying as NZDA instructors. No one receives any money for their time and energy, we just believe activities like this are important for our youth in a world of screens and social media. These courses are run all over New Zealand for adults, but a course for kids is unique. Best of all, they don't have to pay to partake, unlike all other NZ participants.
The course was designed to give young islanders confidence, capability, and a deep respect for the outdoors.
The programme ran across multiple weekends, allowing the group to develop skills gradually and apply them in a variety of real-life situations — from compass work and map reading, choosing appropriate clothing and equipment, bushcraft and survival skills through to live-fire shooting and backcountry hunting.
To start with, we focused on what the group was looking forward to, and what they considered would take them outside their comfort zone. A strong emphasis was put on teamwork and supporting each other through the challenges ahead. We covered preparation for the outdoors with correct clothing, equipment, safety plans and how to manage risks. Each participant started to build their own personal survival kits. The students then learnt how to read maps, use compasses, walk on bearings, understand weather patterns, and navigate through unfamiliar terrain.
Bushcraft was a major focus — with practical sessions on shelter building, fire lighting, cooking, and the basics of survival. This was put into practice with an overnight stay in a shelter they constructed themselves. This weekend involved a bush navigation challenge where each participant had to find their food hidden in various locations with only minimal information. The catch? No dinner until you found it! Fortunately, all succeeded — showing impressive accuracy, good compass knowledge and attention to detail.
Throughout the course, the kids weren’t just learning theory — they were applying it.
Teams pitched themselves against one another for a fire making challenge; the fire preparation and use of items from the survival kits made for impressive results!
Firearms Session and the First Shots.
A major milestone for each student was completing the official NZ Firearms Safety Theory Test — the same test adults must pass before applying for a firearms licence. While none of the students were yet eligible to hold a licence, sitting the test taught them responsibility, maturity, and the seriousness of firearm ownership.
The next stage was the highly anticipated live-fire shooting weekend, led with support from Mike Spray from NZDA. Under strict supervision and with detailed safety briefings, the group learned to handle rifles safely, set up shooting positions, and focus on accuracy. Soon they were getting comfortable and competitive. Although supporting each other throughout, competition was mounting for the “Top gun” prize.
For many, this was their first time holding or firing a rifle — and their rapid improvement in safety, confidence, and precision over the weekend was striking. Equally important was learning to communicate, follow range commands, and remain aware of others — skills that translate well beyond the hunting world.
Into the Field: The off island hunt!
The course culminated in a four-day expedition to Piopio on the mainland — a genuine introduction to field hunting.
Here, the young hunters put all their training into practice. Working as a team alongside instructors Andy, Logan and a special appearance from Roger all the way up from Gisborne. This was the real deal!
With groups of 2 hunters to 1 instructor each group had its own block to hunt.
Learning became reality as the stalk began. Now it was time to track animals, move quietly through the bush, make ethical decisions, and work as a team.
The excitement, the concentration and the slight nerves were all very much apparent.
Over the 2 days the groups successfully managed to harvest an impressive 23 goats and 4 rabbits.
For many, this was the first time engaging in a real hunt — and the experience was powerful. From stalking to field dressing and basic butchery, the group saw the full process of food gathering and gained a deep respect for where meat comes from and the responsibility that comes with taking an animal’s life. The kids completed everything; field dressing and carrying out their quarry, then skinning and butchering their kill. They did it all themselves under our instruction. Then after 2 days hunting, it was down to the creek for a much needed wash and swim.
The next day after packing up camp, the group headed to the Sika Show at mystery creek — New Zealand’s biggest hunting and outdoor expo. There, they got to meet high-profile hunters and gear makers, explore the latest technology, and connect with the national hunting community. They even got to meet some of their favourite TV hunting personalities who had lots of time for them and were very supportive of this initiative. A quick interview with The NZ Hunter Show, hanging out with the Red Stag Timber Hunters Club...
Here the kids could see that the skills they’d been learning on Great Barrier Island were part of a much bigger picture. Plus, while doing our bit for conservation and putting food on the plate, the participants got to enter their "tails" into the National goat hunting competition. With an average of 3 entries each, fingers are crossed for the announcements at the end of the month which includes $70,000 of prizes!!
The final night was spent at the Thames Valley NZDA clubrooms, with a wrap-up barbecue (a nice break from dehydrated camp food) and reflection on their journey. It was a chance to relax, eat some of the harvested meat, have a hot shower and celebrate how far they’d come, before flying home to deliver food they were 100% responsible for harvesting to Mum and Dad.
This Great Barrier Island NZDA HUNTS course is more than a hunting programme. It develops resilience, self-reliance, ethics, and environmental awareness. It gave the young participants the confidence to challenge themselves, the knowledge to stay safe outdoors, and the values to treat the land — and life — with respect.
For many, it was also the first time working as a team in such real-world situations — where the outcome relied on their decisions, attitude, and cooperation.
2026 HUNTS Course
Plans are already in motion for next year’s course. And we will be asking our amazing sponsors for their continued support to help us keep growing confident, capable young people through the outdoors.
So the final word is for our amazing sponsors. This course would not be able to continue without the ongoing support of Aotea / Great Barrier Island Local Board, Barrier Air, the ever generous Sanderson family and Bluelight.
Please, if you think this course has value, let them know you appreciate them supporting it!
And if anyone sees this as a positive thing for our youth and would consider supporting us with your sponsorship, please get in contact with us at hunts.gbi@gmail.com
Happy hunting!
Andy Kilgallon
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