Upper Clutha Branch Inc: New Zealand Deerstalkers Association️ 3 months ago

JOIN Upper Clutha Branch Inc: New Zealand Deerstalkers Association and the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation for their final War On Wapiti Roadshow event right here in Wanaka. WHEN: 25 Sep 6:30PM-10:00PM WHERE: Upper Clutha Rugby Clubrooms MORE INFO & TICKETS: https://events.humanitix.com/war-on-wapiti-the-roadshow-or-wanaka So what's it all about you ask? Hunters have won an important initial victory to save Fiordland’s highly-valued wapiti herd. Forest & Bird and the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation have agreed to pause legal proceedings over how the herd is managed, but the Wapiti Foundation is warning that the win is only the first in what could be a lengthy campaign to safeguard the herd and its future. The crisis erupted in late March when Forest & Bird asked the courts for a judicial review of the present Wapiti Management Agreement between the Department of Conservation (DOC) and the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation. The agreement allows the Wapiti Foundation to control deer numbers, manage the Wapiti herd, and conduct other pest control and conservation work in Fiordland National Park. However, Forest & Bird says that the agreement does not comply with the National Parks Act 1980, which prioritises the protection of indigenous ecosystems over introduced species. The judicial review was due to begin on 6 May, but following behind-the-scenes talks involving Forest & Bird, the Wapiti Foundation and their lawyers, both parties agreed to ask the High Court to temporarily adjourn the proceedings until a later date. The adjournment was granted, and the pause will allow the parties and DOC to investigate a way of managing wapiti that meets both organisations’ interests. The Fiordland Wapiti are the only herd in the Southern Hemisphere and were introduced more than 120 years ago thanks to the donation of a nucleus herd by then United States President Theodore Roosevelt Read the NZDA Hunting and Wildlife article here: https://view.flipdocs.com/?ID=10021715_998450&P=34

Upper Clutha Branch Inc: New Zealand Deerstalkers Association️ 4 months ago

🌿🔫 Hunting Enthusiasts Wanted! Join our beginner's hunter training course in September/October 2024. 🦌 The NZ Deerstalkers Association's Upper Clutha Branch is excited to announce its 15th annual introductory course in hunting. Designed for new and potential hunters (minimum age of 16), this hands-on course offers practical skills and knowledge from experienced local instructors. 🎯 Learn the essentials of hunting, from ethics and wildlife management to firearms safety, navigation, and hunting techniques. The course includes six mid-week evening sessions and four weekend activities, such as rifle range practice, river crossing, camp familiarization, and a weekend hunt for red and fallow deer and pigs. 💰 Course Cost: $500 (Additional costs may apply for weekend activities). Participants must become members of the Upper Clutha Branch and pay a part-year subscription (approx. $100) before the course begins. 📅 Venue: Classroom sessions at Wanaka Fire Station, Ballantyne Road, Wanaka, with firearms training at a local Rifle Range. 🔐 No Firearms Licence required for enrollment, but commitment to obtaining one and actively pursuing recreational hunting in NZ is preferred. Limited spots available (max. 12 trainees) on a first-come, first-served basis. ✍️ To register your interest, email hunts@ucda.org.nz ....or 📞 Contact Scott at 020 438 7968 for more information. Don't miss this opportunity to kickstart your hunting journey! 🌲🌿🦌

Upper Clutha Branch Inc: New Zealand Deerstalkers Association️ 7 months ago

🌟 Antler Horn and Tusk Competition 🌟 It's that time of year again! Every May, we host our Antler Horn and Tusk Competition to find the best trophy animal from our members' hunts over the past 12 months. Whether you've shot, stabbed, or arrowed it, we want to see it! 🗓 This year's event is happening on Sunday, May 26th, at the Wanaka Districts Club from 10am to 2pm. Our team will be using the Douglas Scoring system to measure and judge all entries – big or small. Remember, a “trophy” is in the eye of the beholder! 🔸 Rules for entry: - The animal must have been taken in the past 12 months while the shooter was a financial member of NZDA. - It must have been shot under fair chase conditions. Even if your entry doesn’t meet these criteria, feel free to bring it along for measurement. We're here to satisfy your curiosity too – the more entries, the merrier! 🔹 Important: - All entries must be clean. No stinky or frozen submissions, please! If you can't make it between 10am and 2pm, give me a call to arrange pickup and return. Visitors and spectators are more than welcome to join us. See you there! 📞 Contact me if you need any special arrangements. Let's celebrate our hunting achievements together! 🦌🏆🦏