HUNTS 2024

Introduction, enrollment and familiarization day at the Wanaka Fire Station. Meet and greet the tutors and trainees, distribute training materials, and housekeeping. Venue – Wanaka Fire Station Social Room, Ballantyne Road

Ethics, Ecology and Regulations (Chapter 1) – Discuss code of conduct, ethics, behavior, hunting permits, rules of fair chase and wildlife/pest management. Venue – Wanaka Fire Station Social Room, Ballantyne Road commencing 6.30pm

Outdoor Emergencies & Survival (Chapter 9) – know your basic bush and survival skills and how to deal with the fact that you’re lost or disoriented. Threats and hazards in the outdoor environment, basic first aid responses and rescue options. Hunting and Shooting Techniques (Chapter 7) -Deer behavior, where to find them, stalking, bullet placement, wounded game, roaring techniques, movement, sound and colour. Venue – Wanaka Fire Station Social Room, Ballantyne Road commencing 6.30pm

Firearms Safety/Selection/Marksmanship (Chapter 5) – Regulations and safety rules, cause of accident, choosing a firearm, various types and calibers, sights, care and cleaning, carriage and storage, basic ballistics, practice and positions. Instructors will present and demonstrate some of the options available. Venue – Wanaka Fire Station Social Room, Ballantyne Road commencing 6.30pm

(Weather dependent) Marksmanship/Range (Chapter 5)     A morning at the range, firing centrefire, loading and unloading, field shooting positions, zeroing and target shooting. Bring your rifle if you have one. If you need to borrow one of ours there will be a charge for ammo. In the afternoon we adjourn to the Hawea River for a river crossing exercise -theory and practical. See part Chapter 3. Please note you will be required to provide your own lunch, flask etc. You will get wet and cold and will require appropriate equipment and a pack! Commences at the Real Guns Range, Avalon Station at 9am, River Crossing follows in the afternoon. Venue –   Real Guns Rifle Range, Avalon Station, Cardrona Valley and Hawea River

Backcountry travel and Navigation (chapters 3 and 4)- travelling techniques, game trails, navigation, maps and compass work. Venue – Wanaka Fire Station Social Room, Ballantyne Road commencing 6.30pm. Note: UCDA Committee Meeting on 3 October.

Equipment and Food (Chapter 2) – boots, clothes, packs, knives, binoculars, sleeping bags, cookers and food. Venue – Wanaka Fire Station Social Room commencing 6.30pm

Bush-craft, Survival and Navigation (Chapters 3,4 & 9) – a practical session will be held at Glendene Station to demonstrate camp establishment, survival techniques, knife sharpening, wild game spotting etc, practical elements of compass and GPS use. Bring your lunch. Venue –  Glendene Station commencing 9am

Game Animal Species(Chapter 6), Trip Plan for the weekend and Risk Management planning – the animals we hunt, Douglas Scoring, planning a trip and minimising risk. Equipment for the weekend hunt to be finalized. A Risk Management Plan to be confirmed. Venue – Wanaka Fire Station Social Room commencing 6.30pm

Hunt - A weekend hunt at Glendene Station, courtesy of Richard and Sarah Burdon, hiking, camping and cooking under canvas and hunting. Commencing Friday evening setting up camp, two nights on the hill with a day hunt on Saturday and instruction on Sunday  – Meat, Skin and Trophies (Chapter 8)– trophy preparation, head skins, meat care, field dressing, skinning, boning, carrying and preserving. Butchery session at 

Venue –  Glendene Station

Course End, Certificate Presentation and Branch Meeting – the monthly Branch Meeting, general business and a guest speaker followed by the Course wrap-up, review and presentation of Certificates. Venue – Wanaka Districts Club commencing 7:00pm