My Thoughts …
With the Game Animal Council (GAC) survey results due to be released, we should soon have a comprehensive snapshot of the driving factors and motivations of hunters around New Zealand. Understanding these motivations are key to our advocacy organisations being best able to cater their policies for the overall good of the community, particularly in terms of game animal management. A pure meat hunter whose main drive is to fill the freezer, feed the immediate and extended family and perhaps only hunts a few times a year isn’t going to be too choosy when it comes to animal selection. Whereas a prolific and active hunter, who hunts a lot and sees a lot more animals, can afford to be more selective with the game he or she chooses.
You can see that these descriptions are both of hunters, but their experiences and motivations are very different. Also, hunting is not a cut and dried pastime; any type of hunter can experience a set of conditions or experiences on a hunt that will dictate their best actions at the time.
It’s important that we all support these GAC surveys as the data helps to get the balance right around what’s important to the hunting community. Game animal management will always be tricky; factoring in the sometimes-extreme differences in animal densities, herd make-up and structure, and species in different regions … you can see the complexities that arise.
If I’m honest, I’ve been both selective and indiscriminate in terms of animal selection depending on my family’s needs, the circumstances and animal numbers in the region, and the conditions of the hunt. Looking at the culture overseas, I don’t ever want our ability to fill the freezer to be hampered by the condescending attitude of other Kiwi hunters – there are plenty of anti-hunters around the world more than happy to fill that role.
With the closedown of a lot of waters over the winter, many fishermen hang up the rods for a few months. However, there are numerous wonderful opportunities for winter fishing still available. Fish and Game balances the needs of an area or body of water with the needs of the fisherman and the ecology, protecting what we have yet still allowing access to certain fisheries. It’s a balancing act, but a short search online will help you find some great waters that will still be open. Also, with the main game-bird season coming to an end, keep an eye on your region’s rules. There have been extra seasons added in some regions for paradise ducks, and Canadian geese are now a pest so they can be hunted year-round. Goose hunting from a pop-up blind is great fun, and if the action is slack, it’s a great way to catch up on some sleep!
Stay safe and shoot straight!
– Dave Benfell
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