My Thoughts …

With the appointment of Todd McClay as the minister for the newly created Hunting and Fishing portfolio comes a monumental shift in the protection of our right to hunt and gather in NZ. The Game Animal Council, which is our only statutory body, was previously the largest voice we had in the realm of the government, apart from the combined voices of over a million Kiwis who hunt and fish. Our valued game animals (VGA), for all the progress we’ve made, still come under the remit of the Wild Animal Control Act, which is administered by the Department of Conservation. The Act is almost fifty years old, and I would argue not fit for purpose and leaves our VGA vulnerable to future damage or destruction depending on the government at the time. Hopefully, it’s time to enshrine these incredible creatures that add such an amazing benefit to the public of NZ, not just hunters. I challenge anyone in NZ to watch a bull tahr standing on a snow-covered bluff with the wind howling through its winter coat and mane and tell me they aren’t in awe of these majestic animals.

This issue of NZRod&Rifle has its fair share of hunting adventures. It’s good to see Brad Ramsay back in the magazine with a great article on sika hunting – some fantastic tips and some great photography. As always, the backbone of the magazine, Kevin Whitelaw’s series on Hunting Legends provides the backdrop and comparison between modern hunters and the toughness and stoicism of our forebears. It strikes me that there are also incredible experiences being had every day, all around this amazing country of ours. In every patch of public land and forest, there are adventures playing out – epic tales where sometimes our hunter prevails and sometimes the deer goes on to live a long and happy life! Those stories are either in your own family history, personal memories or on your wall; sometimes they’re encapsulated in one of our magazines.

When I look back at my own adventures, I treasure the experiences I’ve had whilst hunting and out with friends and family. I wouldn’t trade those memories and experiences for anything – they’re taonga or sacred to who I am as a person. With my son turning seven this year, we’ve started our journey to getting him his first deer. It may take a few years, but it’s opened a whole raft of new memories to treasure and milestones to achieve.

With the Roar fast approaching, I wish you all the richest experiences, either on your own or with good hunting mates or family. I hope you’re successful in building your own memories, whether that includes a stag on the deck or not, because at the end of the day, the experience is the goal and memories are the real treasure.

Stay safe and shoot straight!
– Dave Benfell