Herds of Special Interest

The Game Animal Council Act 2013 provides for Herds of Special Interest (HOSI) to be designated by the Minister of Conservation and the Game Animal Council.

All the Minister’s powers regarding management of HOSI may be delegated to the Game Animal Council, except for the powers to capture, convey, or liberate animals that are part of a HOSI.

Supporting the Minister to designate HOSI is a key goal of the GAC. We believe HOSI are an opportunity to apply hunter-led management to specific game animal herds for the benefit of hunters while providing more intensive management that will lead to better conservation outcomes.

The GAC is currently working with DOC to put in place a formal process to develop best practice templates for proposing a HOSI and developing a proposed Herd Management Plan.