Latest News
Tahr Returns App discontinued
The Tahr Returns App jointly developed by the Game Animal Council and Department of Conservation has been discontinued. Recent developments in tahr management and relatively low uptake of the App have rendered it unsuitable as a tahr management tool. The GAC and DOC continue to work towards greater recreational hunter involvement in the management of tahr, particularly in Management Units 1 and 3.
New hunting competition targeting feral goats
Feral goats across a swathe of the central North Island are the target of a new hunting competition being run by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA)…READ MORE
Hunter education boost from Jobs for Nature
The New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA) and the Game Animal Council (GAC) are welcoming a $700,000 boost for hunter training and education delivered through the Jobs for Nature Community Conservation Fund…READ MORE
Speech to 73rd NZDA Conference
Game Animal Council General Manager Tim Gale addressed the 2021 NZDA Conference. Read his speech HERE.
Proposals for New Regulations Under the Arms Act 1983 (Phase One)
The GAC has submitted advice to Police on proposed regulations intended to give effect to the changes in the Arms Legislation Act 2020 relating to types of dealer activities, conditions on dealers’ licences, security for firearms (including in vehicles), ammunition sales and the secure storage of ammunition and the marking of firearm parts…READ MORE
Impending commencement of Molesworth possum control operation
Vector Free Marlborough Limited (VFML) has provided notification of an upcoming aerial possum control operation in the Molesworth (Bush Gully & Tarndale) project area scheduled to start on 15 May 2021…READ MORE
2021-22 tahr plan reflects pragmatic management approach
The Game Animal Council (GAC) is welcoming the release of the Himalayan Tahr Control Operational Plan 2021-2022 as a pragmatic approach to tahr management but remains committed to developing a long-term management programme for New Zealand’s tahr…READ MORE
Tahr hunters contributing to kea conservation
The NZ Tahr Foundation, Kea Conservation Trust and Game Animal Council have collaborated to develop the Tahr Ballot Kea Sightings Project…READ MORE
Consultation on new firearms regulations
Recently legislated changes to the Arms Act come into force on 24 June 2021 and require a number of regulatory changes to determine how they work in practice. This is your chance to have your say on them…READ MORE
Looking after our game animals and their habitat
The Game Animal Council has launched an online resource to help hunters implement good game animal management practices and achieve beneficial hunting and conservation outcomes…READ MORE
Sika deer project to benefit hunting and conservation
The hunting sector is developing a proposal for a science-based management programme for sika deer in the Kaimanawa and Kaweka Forest Parks that will benefit both hunting and conservation…READ MORE
African Swine Fever
African Swine Fever is spreading around the world and presents a threat to pig hunting in NZ…READ MORE