Fiordland Wapiti Area Venison Project

The Game Animal Council and Fiordland Wapiti Foundation have partnered with the Department of Conservation (DOC) to provide 18,000kg of free-range wild Fiordland venison to foodbanks and feed thousands of New Zealand families in need.

600 deer are being removed from Fiordland National Park for processing into 18,000 1kg wild venison mince packets that are distributed throughout the country. This results in benefits for the wapiti herd, conservation due to lower deer numbers, provides jobs and employment for local meat processors and helicopter operators.

The project is jointly funded by the Department of Conservation and the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation with the Game Animal Council administering the programme.

A big thanks goes to Safari Club International (NZ), New Zealand Deerstalkers Association, Central North Island Sika Foundation, Tahr Foundation and NZ Hunter Magazine who have come on board and are helping with transportation and promotion.

Southern Lakes Helicopters and Fiordland Helicopters undertook the recovery, Fare Game processed the venison into mince and Bowmont Wholesale Meats provided storage facilities.

You can read more on the project including some great venison mince recipe’s from famous Kiwi chef’s here.

2019 Sika Show

It was fantastic to talk to so many good keen hunters at this year’s Sika Show in Taupo. Our Councillors really value the opportunity to discuss the issues important to hunters as those discussions help us to advocate on your behalf. Popular topics of discussion this year ranged from the Arms Legislation Bill currently going through Parliament to the new Tahr Management Plan and the use of deer repellent. It was also great to catch up with folks from the Sika Foundation, NZDA, FWF and DoC as well as the Minister of Conservation and other sector stakeholders. It was a great event and we are already looking forward to next year.

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