Explore Tasman hunting regions: a blend of beauty and adventure, seasonal hunting schedules and hunter demographics Terrain and natural properties of the region that inspire hunting From the mountain ranges of Kahurangi National Park to the Motueka and Buller river valleys, the Tasman region is renowned for its contrasting landscapes. Mountain ranges with elevations of up to 1800 metres provide ideal conditions for hunting ungulates, while dense forests and alpine meadows provide camouflage and surveillance. A significant part of the territory (about 30 per cent) belongs to protected areas, which guarantees the preservation of ecosystems. The climate is temperate, with warm summers (up to +25°C) and mild winters (up to +5°C), which allows hunting all year round, taking into account seasonal restrictions. Hunter demographics in Tasman According to the 2023 Department of Conservation (DOC) data, there are approximately 1,200 active hunters registered in the region , of which 70% are locals and 30% are tourists. The majority of hunters (65%) focus on harvesting deer, 25% on wild boar, and 10% on birds. The average age of hunters is 35-55 years old, but in recent years there has been a growing interest among young people (18-25 years old) due to the popularisation of ecotourism. Features of hunting in Tasman: tricks that help to win the fight for prey - Predator encounters : there are rare New Zealand eagles in the upper reaches of the rivers, which can attack dogs. - Toxic plants : the poisonous Ongaonga bush causes burns on contact. - Avalanches : in mountainous areas the risk of avalanches remains from June to October. - Alpine stop-and-go : deer hunting in the mountains requires short, intensive treks with frequent stops for observation. Types of hunting and animal species in Tasman - Red deer hunting : the main trophy of the region. The males weigh up to 200kg and their antlers reach 12 horns. - European wild boar hunting : common in forest areas. Individuals weigh 80-150kg. - Bird hunting : quail, ducks and pigeons are allowed. - Safari hunting : organised tours with guides for foreigners. - Hunting with huskies : local guides often use dogs to track wild boars in dense thickets. - Night approaches : wild boars are active at night, so hunting with torches and thermal imaging cameras is popular (permitted with a licence). Seasonal hunting schedules in the Tasman region - Deer : 1 April to 31 August (males), 1 May to 30 September (females). - Wild boar : all year round, but a special licence is required. - Birds : season opens in May (to be specified annually). Associations and clubs that help develop hunters' skills - Tasman Hunting Club : organises group outings and teaches beginners. - Nelson Marlborough Hunting Federation : has 500+ members and organises trophy hunting competitions. - New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association (NZDA) : lobbies for hunters and funds game conservation. Legislation and licences, legal foundations forming the culture of hunting To hunt in Tasman you need: - DOC licence ($50 to $300 per year depending on game species). - A gun permit (police check). - Compliance with limits: e.g., no more than 2 deer per season for residents. - Hunting in national parks is only allowed in certain zones. - Violations are punishable by fines of up to $5000. Hunting traditions in Tasman The region's hunting culture has been shaped over centuries. Indigenous Māori used bows and trapping pits to catch birds, and their rituals included thanksgiving prayers to the spirits of the forest. Today, the traditions have survived in the format: - ‘Hangis’ after the hunt : cooking prey together in an earthen oven. - Trophy artefacts : deer antlers often become decorative elements in local taverns. Engaging hunting highlights in the region - Record trophy : in 2020, a deer with antlers 148 cm long was hunted in Kahurangi. - Ecological contribution : 85% of hunters are involved in shooting possums, an invasive species that threatens endemic birds. - Film connection : Tasman forests were the location for the film ‘The Hobbit’, where elves ‘hunted’ deer. - Hunting museums : the town of Nelson has an exhibition of trophies from the nineteenth and twenty-first centuries, including the guns of early settlers.