Take Part to Do Your Part
Updated 22 September 2023
Dear members,
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the highly anticipated National Wild Goat Hunting Competiton, running from 1st August to 26th November!
Be in to win large national spot prizes or enter your local competition to win prizes for biggest head, or most tails. There will also be spot prizes up for grabs at local NZDA ‘Goat Competition Hub’ open days.
It will be a fun and challenging event, all while helping to protect farmlands, and native plants and habitats. For more information visit: DOC WEBSITE
When?
From 1st August to 26th November competitors can enter at a New Zealand Deerstalkers Association branch open day or at an official recording point.
Competition Categories
Every entry at a local competition will count towards the national competition.
National competition categories include:
- NZ Hunter Goat Pursuit: Win an unforgettable filmed wild goat hunting expedition with NZ Hunter. Enter a wild goat head or tail and tell us in two sentences or less why you should win.
- Got Your Goat: Enter a wild goat tail or head and go in the draw to win one of nine epic spot prize packs. One chance to win per competitor.
- The Great Goat Roundup: The more wild goat tails you enter the more entries you get and the greater your chance of winning one of nine prize packs.
- NZDA’s G.O.A.T Hunter: Highest scoring goat head nationwide - based on the Douglas score of goat head entries received at NZDA branches only.
Prizes include hunting clothing and apparel and vouchers from Hunting & Fishing Ltd. and Huntech, a Traeger Ironwood Series Grill & Accessories, Backcountry Cuisine vouchers, Lowa Boots, Personal Locator Beacons and more.
Keep reading for more information like how to enter and DOC goat distribution maps.
Competition Details
Entries close at midnight on Sunday 26 November 2023.
Competitors need to enter at a NZDA branch open day or at an official recording point.
- NZDA branch – enter heads and/or tails.
- Official recording point – enter tails only.
Tails entered and recorded will be kept at the hub and then disposed of by a NZDA member or approved verifier. Goat heads may be kept and disposed of by NZDA volunteers unless the hunter wishes to keep their entry.
All competitors must hunt within the competition rules. Read the National Wild Goat Hunting Competition rules.
Follow the links to the DOC website to see NZDA open dates and times.
November Open Days
North Auckland: 25 November 9am-12pm. 848 Coasteville Riverhead Highway, Riverhead
Auckland: 26 November 1:30pm- 3pm. 7 Target Street, Point Chevalier, Auckland
Waikato: 4 November 1pm-3pm. 975 Wairere Drive, Hamilton
Thames Valley: 26 November 10am-3pm. TVDA Clubrooms and Range, 101 Morrison Road, Paeroa
Te Awamutu: 26 November 10am-2pm. Te Awamutu Smallbore Rifle Clubrooms, Factory Rd, Te Awamutu
Bay of Plenty: 26 November 10.30am-1.30pm. 617 State Highway 29A, Tauriko, Tauranga
Central King Country: 26 November 3pm-5pm. Taumarunui Bowling Club, 33 Turaki Street
Taupo: 26 November 10am-3pm. 62 Mountain Road, Maunganamu, Taupo
North Taranaki: 18 November 10am-1pm. 12a Drake Street, Vogeltown, New Plymouth
Hutt Valley: 26 November 12pm-2pm. Kaitoke Range Complex, Incline Road, Kaitoke, Upper Hutt
Wellington: 14 November 6pm-9.30pm. 3 Collina Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington
Nelson: 26 November 10am-3pm. Nelson NZDA Meeting Room - Fish and Game Rooms, 74 Champion Road, Stoke
Golden Bay: 26 November 1pm-4pm. River Inn, 20 Waitapu Road, Takaka
West Coast: 26 November 12pm-3pm. DOC Office, 19 High Street, Greymouth
Southern Lakes: 26 November 6pm-8pm. 24 Herries Lane, Lake Hayes, Queenstown
Anyone can take their entry to a NZDA branch open day. You do not need to be an NZDA member. If you can't attend a NZDA branch open day, contact the relevant branch below to arrange an alternative time to make your entry.
FAQ's
What are the conditions of entry? Do I need to pay an entry fee?
The competition is free to enter, and pre-registration is not required. To find the competition rules please visit the competition webpage: www.doc.govt.nz/wild-goat-hunting-competition.
Do I need to be a member of the New Zealand Deer stalkers Association?
No, the competition is open to everyone. Talk to your local NZDA branch if you would like to know more about membership.
Do I need a hunting permit?
Yes, depending on where you hunt you will need a permit. If you plan to hunt on public land, you will require authority or a permit from the relevant organisation. The competition can also occur on private land. In this case you will need permission through landowner or land manager consent.
If you plan to hunt wild goats on public conservation land you need a current hunting permit from the Department of Conservation. Find out what you need here: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/things-to-do/hunting/permits-and-licences/hunting-permit/. If you want to hunt on council land, please visit your local council website for information on permit requirements.
Where can I hunt, and where can I find wild goats?
You may hunt anywhere on private and public land if you have the appropriate permissions and permits. Hunters are expected to follow the law and abide by their permit conditions. Wild goats are often seen in places where you are not allowed to hunt like on road edges, train tracks, river, and road reserves. For entry requirements please visit the competition webpage.
Wild goats are found throughout New Zealand in both the North and South Islands. Concentrations of goats can be found in Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, and Otago. For more information on hunting wild goats please visit DOC’s website or NZDA’s website.
Respect the wishes of private landowners when it comes to access arrangements. There is usually a reason why access is denied, such as having arrangements with other hunters, or seasonal farming activities taking place. If you do gain access to private land, ask if it is necessary to notify neighbouring properties so they are not concerned if they hear rifle shots or see hunters.
Where do I take my goat heads and tails?
Places to enter your wild goat heads and tails are detailed on the competition webpage.
How do I support people to hunt on my land?
Get in contact with your local New Zealand Deerstalkers Association branch.
What if somebody trespasses on my land?
Please report the incident to the Police immediately.
What if there is a backcountry or firearms injury or incident?
Please report the incident to the Police immediately.
What if I see an animal welfare incident?
If there is an animal welfare incident or concern to report, call MPI animal welfare hotline (0800 00 83 83). This hotline number can be rung at any time. Alternatively, you can complete this form on their website.
Contact
Key Contact:
Callum Sheridan
NZDA Vice-President
callum.sheridan@deerstalkers.org.nz
Ph: 021 0818 2014