Our free online NZ hunting course and hunting resources
The GAC run Better Hunting, New Zealand’s premier free online hunter education platform. On Better Hunting, you’ll find:
Comprehensive hunter training programmes
Hunting Essentials, Firearm Essentials and our Introduction to Pig Hunting are perfect for new and self or informally taught hunters. They include New Zealand specific outdoor and hunter safety and skills, with everything from weather forecasting, navigation, river crossing, first aid, preparation, access, game animal management and more.
Tools and resources, including:
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- Multi-map – click a topographic map once and find links to the same location across the dozen+ online maps and forecast websites useful for hunt planning.
- Intentions tool – save trips, friends and emergency contact details to create quick and easy emails of trip intentions for your emergency contacts. Take the hassle out of sharing hunting trip intentions.
- Ballot calendar – quickly see when both public and private land ballots across New Zealand are due for applications and operating.
- Hunting community map – find the clubs, ranges, hunting competitions, meat donations and scientific research work of the New Zealand hunting sector to help you get more involved.
- Sign identification games and animal sign gallery – to help you recognise what you find in the hills.
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Testimonials
“The ease of use and plentiful information and resources, all in one place, is essential and exactly what’s needed. This not only provides all the information needed, but also gives you the confidence to pursue hunting in a safe, responsible and respectful manner.”
“The content is really well put together and covers off everything”
“I’m still working through the course at a steady pace, and find it even more interesting and engaging the further I go.”
“‘Better Hunting’ is possibly the best education improvement made for the hunting sector and can be completed at your own pace, as freely as you choose.”
“A goldmine of info for anyone starting out and also for anyone wanting to refresh their memory.”
“A fantastic resource for those new to the sport.”
“Certainly leaves the average Uni / Poly / PTE standing in the dust”
“What can I say??? That is the most useful educational tool I have seen in years & years. Bloody well done !!!!”
“A game changer for young hunters coming through”
“Very relatable, humorous, and user-friendly, fantastic work.”
“The breadth and depth of the program modules are impressive.”
“A good balance of encouraging learning of key points, using positive reinforcement/humour, without diluting the important content with unnecessary waffle.”
Available on desktop, mobile, or offline via the app
The platform saves your progress as you go, so you can dip in and out as often as you like, whenever and where-ever you are.
Check out the short preview video below:
Guides to getting the most out of Better Hunting
Check out some handy guides to using Better Hunting courses, tools and resources. These guides were originally published in the NZ Hunter magazine: