November National Board Reports

I hope you are all out and making the most of the warmer weather.

NZDA at the Sika Show

Early November saw the NZDA attend the Sika Show, which continues to improve every year. The networking opportunities within the sector are invaluable.

A big thanks goes to the organisers Mike and Natalie Penn and John and Julie Cook, along with the extensive team that creates the platform for it all to come together. This year, the Sika Show also contributed the entry fees from head entries toward the NZDA's Douglas Scoring training manual.

I would also like to thank all the volunteers who helped on the stand and throughout the show, as well as our NZDA Douglas scorers who tirelessly contribute their time to ensure the competition scoring is accurate.

A New Record for Sika

The show featured a new New Zealand all-time record for Sika, with an impressive head boasting 13 points and a Douglas score of 243—an awesome trophy.

Positive Engagement and Productive Outcomes

This year, the positive engagement with the general public, other bodies, and politicians was very evident. We also managed to achieve some productive business during the show.

On Friday night, we were invited to the premiere of Kaimanawa, a collaborative short film between the Sika Foundation and Blood Origins. Keep an eye out for future opportunities to view this film.

SCI Night of the Hunter Fundraising Dinner

On Saturday night, SCI held their Night of the Hunter Fundraising Dinner, which is quickly becoming a must-attend event during the Sika Show weekend. We heard from guest speaker Robbie Kroger, who discussed international hunting, conservation, and the challenges hunters and conservationists face. It was encouraging to hear about the good progress happening, especially here in New Zealand.

Looking Ahead: SCI Convention in Nashville

In January, I will be attending the SCI Convention in Nashville, Tennessee—something I’m really looking forward to. I hope to gain valuable insights into the vast hunting and conservation scene that exists worldwide.

I wish you all the best for the holiday period. Safe and happy hunting!

Taupō Prize Shoot
This month has been a fully packed one for me. It kicked off with me attending the Taupō Prize Shoot. This presented a great opportunity for me to get in front of a good number of Range Shooters and have a few good chats with them regarding some potential new ideas. Thank you Trevor Chappell for the invite. I didn't shoot particularly well, but we don't need to dig any deeper into that! Keep an eye out in the Hunting & Wildlife Magazine for a full report, early next year.

Sika Show
Next up was the Sika Show, which happened to be the same weekend as the Taupō Prize Shoot. This was another good opportunity to discuss all things NZDA with the general public. Our stand seemed to always have people popping in for a chat, and I wasn't there on the busiest day either. I understand we signed up a good number of new members over the weekend.

Whangārei Club Shoot
I managed to attend a Club Shoot at the Whangarei Branch, which is my new club. I'm slowly familiarising myself with the members, and I'm pleased to say that my shooting on that day was much improved from Taupō.

Northland Branches Christmas Shoot
On Sunday 24th I attended the Northland Branches Xmas Shoot. It was a fun day on the range with another branch and it allowed me to meet one of their Provisional HUNTS Instructors who I will be closely working with at the next HUNTS Course up here.

Promoting Shooting Events
If anyone out there has a Shooting Event coming up next year and would like it to be promoted on the National Office platforms, please forward me the information, and if you have a flyer for the event, send that too, and I will do my best to have it promoted. Remember to check the Deerstalkers website for any up and coming shooting matches around the country.

Modernising Deer Silhouette Targets
I'm taking this opportunity to plant this seed, we are considering modernising the Deer Silhouette Targets used for the National Postal Shoots. If you have any feedback on this potential idea, feel free to email it through. Watch this space.

Federated Mountain Clubs “Love Our Huts” Campaign

The Federated Mountain Clubs “Love Our Huts” campaign starts in earnest in less than a week. The idea to remind everybody about the value and need to care for our backcountry infrastructure is very timely. Simply acknowledging your local huts and giving them a spring clean is a great place to start.

Southern Lakes Branch’s Mid-Greenstone Hut Makeover

My recent trip with Southern Lakes branch to the Mid-Greenstone hut was a whole different level of care with a really organised group of people, gear, materials, and plans to give this hut a real makeover. I was amazed at the range of folks who arrived on foot (4.5 hrs walk in) and helicopter to add their skills and energy to the wide range of tasks. Great example of organisation and care.

New guttering goes on along the front of Mid-Greenstone Hut

Back Country Trust Funding Available for Projects

The Back Country Trust notes on its website that they still have funding ($40k) to allocate to worthy projects – it’s just about applying (which can seem like harder work than the actual maintenance I know!). So, if you know a local hut that needs some work, check it out.

Young hunters put finishing touches on restored woodshed - dry would makes for happy times.

DOC’s Panel Session on Permitting Systems

Recently I was able to take part in one of DOC’s panel sessions regarding review of the general and ballot permitting systems run by them. It was an interesting experience and I am certain we will have a better system overall in the future. One perspective that I see as very important is that applying for a permit should be easy on a smartphone, so an app-based process is needed, not a PC website as it is now. Also, open area permits need to have a much longer duration, three months is too short.

Reminder About the Importance of DOC Permits

It’s a good time to remind everybody that it’s a legal requirement to have a permit for DOC land, and there are good reasons to check yours is current or apply if you don’t have one:

1. It’s a legal requirement
2. They are free
3. Each permit tells DOC of a hunter’s interest in hunting the public land of New Zealand – the more interest, the better

Download your permit document to your phone and you’re all set!

Our Board

To learn more about the NZDA Board, follow the link here.

NZDA National Board, photographed at the 76th Conference and AGM in July 2024.