By Corina Jordan, Chief Executive, NZ Game Animal Council

Summer is a chance for many of us to slow down and enjoy time in the backcountry, however the fundamentals of safe and ethical hunting don’t take a holiday.

Weather in the backcountry can change quickly, even on blue-sky days so check the long-range forecast, take the right clothing and be prepared. Leave detailed intentions with someone you trust and carry an emergency communication device such as a personal locator beacon.

If you haven’t been out for a while, I also recommend jumping onto the Better Hunting online hunter training platform to refresh your knowledge on everything from trip planning to safety to weather and navigation. It’s totally free at www.betterhunting.nz

Holiday periods are also busy, with more families, trampers, mountain bikers and other hunters sharing the backcountry. Be friendly, communicate your plans and ensure you keep your hunting well away from huts and tracks, so everyone has a safe and enjoyable time.

Summer holidays often involve travelling with your firearms. Please ensure you follow the rules, including:

  • Keep firearms unloaded, concealed from view, and made inoperable (remove bolt or use a trigger lock).
  • Store ammunition separately and also concealed.
  • Remove firearms to a secure location if leaving your vehicle unattended for more than 60 minutes.
  • Lock windows and take keys if leaving your vehicle on a ferry deck.

The Firearms Safety Authority has a guide to secure storage and Better Hunting also includes safety modules on storage and transportation so you can quickly remind yourself of best practice before you hit the road – www.betterhunting.nz

Summer hunting is also about doing the right thing in terms of animal welfare and helping manage New Zealand’s game animals. In summer, hinds have fawns at foot and nannies will have kids. Ethical hunting means leaving mums and babies at this time of year. It may also be too early to know whether that young stag you come across has the genetics to become a future trophy, so it would be a shame not to give him a chance.

Instead, focus your harvest on female yearlings if you’re after meat, that way you can have an impact on herd numbers while not affecting future quality roar hunting.

Enjoy your summer and look after each other out there.

All the best,

Corina