Everything you need to know for hunting: associations and clubs, laws, season, wild landscapes and geography in Kaimanawa Ranges

Geography and natural features: wild landscapes for extreme hunting The Kaimanawa Ranges is a 70 kilometre long mountain range stretching from Lake Taupo to the Rangipo Desert. The peaks reach up to 1,400 metres in height and the sharp difference in altitude creates a diverse ecosystem: - Forests : The southern slopes are covered with dense mixed forests with an undergrowth of ferns. - Alpine zones : In the north, open plateaus with sparse vegetation, home to goats and deer. - Rivers : The Moawhango and Tongariro rivers are sources of water for game. The climate is continental, with temperatures dropping to -5°C in winter and rising to +25°C in summer. The variations make hunting more difficult, but make the trophies more valuable. Hunters of the Kaimanawa region No exact figures are available for the number of hunters in Kaimanawa, but the Department of Conservation (DOC) issues 500-700 licences each year. The majority are locals from Taupo and Turangi, as well as tourists from Australia and the USA. 70% of hunters are men 30-50 years old, 30% - women and teenagers (from 16 years old hunting with a companion is allowed). Hunting peculiarities in Kaimanawa Ranges - Licences : Compulsory for everyone, even locals. Cost ranges from $20 (daily) to $200 (seasonal). - Restrictions : Hunting is prohibited within 500 metres of trails and roads. - Weapons : Rifles of at least .243 calibre are permitted. - Difficulties: No trails or towers - you have to navigate by GPS. Risk of encountering wild Kaimanawa horses (hunting them is prohibited). Trophies: - Red deer : Antlers up to 12 antlers. - Alpine goat : Body weight up to 80kg. - Wild boar : Fangs up to 15 cm long. Types of Kaimanawa hunting and game - Trophy hunting : Red deer Alpine goats - Commercial hunting : Wild boars - Guided safaris : Travel agencies offer 3-5 day tours ($1500-$3000). Hunting seasons: when hunters hit the trail - Red deer : March-June (rutting season). - Goats : May-August (wool is at its best). - Wild boars : All year round, but packs are more active in autumn. Associations and clubs that support the spirit of true hunting - Kaimanawa Hunters Association : Assistance in obtaining licences, trail maps. - Taupo Hunting Club : Organises group outings and survival training. Legislation ensuring the safety of hunting Prohibits the use of dogs without a licence. Quotas : 1 trophy per season for deer. Fines : Up to $5000 for hunting in prohibited areas. Traditions : Māori and modern rituals - Māori considered Kaimanawa a sacred place. Today, hunters observe ‘tihi’ - silence before shooting. After taking a trophy, it is customary to leave some of the meat in the forest as an offering to the spirits. - Tupapa ritual : Before hunting, some Māori guides perform a cleansing ritual using local herbs. - Tropical Souvenir : Hunters often take wild boar tusks as talismans. Interesting facts in the region - Kaimanawa is home to the rare kārearea bird (New Zealand falcon), which is not allowed to be hunted. - ‘Ghost of Kaimanawa’ : Locals believe that a giant moa (an extinct bird) roams the forests, although scientists refute this. - Spoils of War : In the Waiouru area, you may come across rusty tanks, remnants of a 1980s exercise. - Film History : In 1993, Kaimanawa was used to film scenes for The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise. - In the 1880s, British settlers brought deer to Kaimanawa for ‘sport hunting’. Today, their genes have been mixed with local species to create a unique population.