With the Roar/Rut period coming to an end for our deer species, don’t despair if you didn’t get the stag you wanted. If Himalayan and Austrian mountain goats aren’t your thing, try your hand at getting a winter hunt in for deer – in particular, winter stags. The huts and hills will be less busy, and although in general, the deer will move around less, once you find a warm pocket, you can find a lot of animals. The stags will form small groups until March next year when the competition for hinds will drive these groups apart for the Roar. They’ll also keep their antlers until Sept-Nov depending on the age of the animal; older animals will shed antlers first and younger ones later. Reading the conditions – and in particular, temperature differences – in the terrain you’re hunting will prove fruitful.

The police recently released their initial roll-out of the firearms registry, which comes into force on June 24, 2023. Firearms owners have until August 31, 2028 to register their firearms unless one of the following situations apply, in which case you’ll have to register your firearms within 30 days of the ‘activating circumstance’ occurring:

• You apply for a new licence or renew your old one.

• Your circumstances change, such as a change of address.

• You buy or receive, or sell or supply, a firearm.

This is a basic overview of the most relevant points. Please take the time to familiarise yourselves with the legislation, regardless of how much you may disagree with this clunky, poorly thought-out piece of unnecessary regulation. Time will tell though, team – hopefully the performance indicators, if monitored correctly, will show New Zealanders over time what a colossal waste of time and resources the registry is.

We’ve had another Roar period pass without a hunter misidentification fatality, which indicates the messages from various organisations and the improved firearms licensing training are proving successful. I believe the practical ‘hands on’ part of the licensing is a massive benefit to firearms education and safety.

Unfortunately, Senior Constable Bruce Lamb died whilst hunting in the Ashburton Lakes area. Bruce had been a part of policing our communities for over 45 years; our thoughts are with his family and friends.

With the Sika Show just a few months away, we’re proud to announce entries to the Sika Show/NZRod&Rifle Photographic Competition are open. Enter, and you’ll be in to win some great prizes! The best images will be printed and on display at this year’s Sika Show October 28-29.