New Zealand: features of hunting, game hunting seasons and species of animals in Canterbury Geography and natural features: natural labyrinths for hunting art The region's topography is formed by the Southern Alps, the fertile plains of the Canterbury Lowlands and meandering rivers such as the Raquia and Waimatu. The mountain ranges, covered in scrub and woodland, are ideal grounds for deer and wild boar. The plains and lakes (e.g. Ellesmere and Forest Hill) attract waterfowl. The climate is continental: cold winters and hot summers make for year-round hunting, but require preparation for sudden weather changes. Canterbury hunters, those who make hunting their second profession According to the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC), there are approximately 12,000 registered active hunters in the region (2023), representing ~5% of the population. The majority are locals over 30 years of age, but there is a growing number of tourist hunters, especially from Australia and the USA. The popularity of hunting is due to the availability of licences and the variety of trophies. Features of hunting in Canterbury: hidden secrets of local hunting trails - Terrain and climate : Mountain ranges (such as the Southern Alps) are suitable for high-altitude hunting, while the plains and valleys are suitable for finding ungulates. The climate is temperate, but the mountains can experience sharp temperature changes in winter. - Accessibility : The region is divided into zones with different rules. Hunting in national parks (e.g. Arthur's Pass) requires a special permit. - Safety : Be sure to check maps of hunting zones and regulations on carrying weapons. Local guides often organise tours with instruction and accompaniment. Types of hunting in the Canterbury region and species of animals - Trophy hunting Species: deer with large antlers (red deer, spotted deer, hybrids). Special features: Trophies are evaluated according to the SCI (Safari Club International) system. - Sport hunting for ungulates Species: wild boar, aurochs (ibex), deer. Methods: stalking, use of sound baits. - Bird hunting Species: Cherokee, grey ducks, grouse. Game hunting seasons in the area of Canterbury - Trophy hunting: May-August. - Sport hunting for ungulates: Deer (red deer, spotted deer, hybrids): Red deer : 1 May - 10 August. Spotted deer : 1 May - 31 July. - Bird hunting: May-July. Hunting associations and clubs of Canterbury - Canterbury Hunting Club (CHC) : organises competitions and safety training. - New Zealand Hunters Association (NZDA) : lobbies for hunters, runs environmental programmes. Canterbury's hunting traditions Canterbury is a region where hunting is intertwined with the cultural heritage of the indigenous Maori people. Their traditional methods of bird trapping, such as using loops of tree fern fibres (Maori called it mamaku ), are still immortalised in local museums and mentioned by guides. Modern hunters, especially in remote areas, sometimes use adapted versions of these techniques to catch quail and ducks. Interesting facts about hunting in Canterbury - Record trophy : In 2021, a red deer with antlers 32.5cm long (measured in a straight line from base to tip) was taken in the mountains of the Northern Slopes of the Southern Alps. This is the best officially recorded result in New Zealand. - Hunting as science : DOC has launched a project with the University of Canterbury to GPS monitor wild boar. The data helps predict their migrations and minimise damage to agriculture. - Most expensive trophy : A licence to shoot a rare Sikh deer in private land can cost up to $2000, making it one of the region's most prestigious trophies. - Extreme conditions : In 2019, a group of Australian hunters got stuck in a blizzard near Lake Tekapo. It took 14 hours to rescue them, after which the DOC strengthened equipment requirements for mountain hunting. - Hunting and tourism : 40% of international tourists to Canterbury come specifically for trophy hunting, which generates $12 million annually for the region (according to NZ Tourism Board, 2022).