Hunters are central to delivering sustainable game animal management so involving them in planning is critical to success. In recent years, hunters have actively sought a greater role in the planning and delivery in game animal management. This is referred to as hunter-led management.
Hunter-led management is where a group or organisation that understands hunting values takes responsibility for managing game animals and hunting. Hunter-led management ensures hunting values are built into management planning — objectives, strategies, and reporting. Respecting these values builds trust and increases hunter support and contributions.
The Game Animal Council is involved in a number of game animal management and conservation initiatives where we encourage hunter-led management of game animals.
Herds of Special Interest (HOSI)
HOSI is a key focus for the Game Animal Council (GAC). It signals the first shift in New Zealand where the value of a game animal herd can be recognised and directly influence how that herd is managed on public conservation land.
Tahr management
Tahr are currently managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) under the Wild Animal Control Act through the Himalayan Thar (sic) Control Plan 1993. DOC prepares a Himalayan Tahr Control Operational Plan annually, to implement the Plan and its associated limits. Read about the policy that governs how tahr are managed in New Zealand.
White-tailed deer
White-tailed deer are found on Stewart Island/Rakiura and at the head of Lake Wakatipu. These are the only herds in the Southern Hemisphere. Learn more about white-tailed deer and some key projects.
Te Ara ki Mua
Read more about Te Ara ki Mua is an adaptive management framework that supports implementation of Te Mana o te Taiao – Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy 2020.