Top Northland hunting adventures: Hunting seasons, Game, Laws, and top adventures in New Zealand Geography and nature of Northland hunting: landscape features for hunting trophies Northland hunting regions occupies the northern part of New Zealand's North Island. The region is renowned for its mild climate, with average summer temperatures (December-February) reaching +24°C and winter temperatures rarely dropping below +10°C. This makes hunting comfortable all year round. Hunters and demographics of the Northland region Northland has approximately 12,000 registered active hunters (according to the New Zealand Ministry of Conservation, 2023). The majority are locals aged 30-55, but there is a growing number of tourist hunters from Australia, the US and Europe. Features of Northland Hunting: unique rules of the game between man and nature - Methods : Bowhunting : Archery is allowed in 90% of areas except national parks. Doghunting : Use of dogs to track wild boars (animal certificate required). Night hunting : Only allowed on pigs with torches (DOC permit required). - Infrastructure : 15 licensed tour operators offer ‘hunting + accommodation’ tours. 80% of hunters use their own transport, 20% rent quad bikes. Types of hunting and animals in the Northland region - Trophy hunting : Red Deer : Males with 10+ offspring are considered trophies. The record specimen in 2022 is an antler with 14 offshoots. Black Deer : Rare species, hunting is allowed only with a DOC permit. - Subsidiary hunting : Boars and goats are considered invasive species. Their harvest is encouraged to control the population. - Bird Hunting : Paradise ducks : The limit is 20 birds per day. Pheasants : Numbers are regulated by releasing birds from hatcheries. - Combined hunting : Combination of trophy hunting and fishing in the rivers of the region. Hunting seasons in the region: when nature itself calls to hunt - Deer : Season : March - April (mating period). Limit : 1 trophy per season (under licence). - Boars : Season : All year round. Best time : May-September (low snake activity). - Goats : Season : June to August (moulting season). Limit : 5 animals per day. - Birds : Ducks : 1 May - 31 August. Pheasants : 1 May - 30 September. Northland Hunting legislation - Licences : Basic : $25 (locals), $50 (tourists). Trophy : $150 (deer), $100 (goats). Children under 16 : Free when accompanied by an adult. - Weapons : Rifles are permitted Shooting from moving vehicles is prohibited. - Fines : Hunting without a licence : $500 + trophy confiscation. Violation of seasons: $300 + hunting ban for 2 years. Associations and Clubs: that unite professionals and beginners - NZDA (New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association): 1,200 members in Northland. Runs wilderness survival courses. - Te Runanga o Ngāpuhi: Controls hunting on tribal land and issues special permits. - Northland Hunting Club: Organises night hunts for wild boar with torches (for experienced hunters only). Traditions and Culture that maintain respect for nature - Maori Rituals : Pōwhiri - greeting ceremony before hunting, including exchange of gifts. Tikanga - rules of respect for nature: only what is needed for sustenance is taken. - Contemporary Events : Kerikeri Hunting Festival : Annual in September - shooting competition, trophy exhibition. Hunter's Day : Second Saturday in November - free taxidermy workshops. Interesting facts about Northland Hunting - Record wild boar: In 2021, a 220kg wild boar was hunted and its stuffed animal is kept in the Kerikeri Museum. - Drone Hunting : From 2023, aerial shooting is allowed to search for game, but drone shooting is prohibited. - Ecological contribution: 60% of the licence proceeds go to reforestation and protection of endemics.