Hunting alliances and groups, varieties of animals, legislation and seasons in Kahurangi National Park: the secrets of success

Geographical and natural features of the region from a hunting perspective Kahurangi National Park, located in the north-west of New Zealand's South Island, is a hunter's paradise. The park is characterised by a varied topography including mountain ranges up to 1,875 metres high, deep canyons and vast plains. It is important to note that more than 80 per cent of the territory is covered with dense forests, mainly fir and podocarp forests. This creates ideal conditions for wildlife habitat. Climatic conditions are also favourable for hunting: mild winter (average temperature +5°C) and warm summer season (up to +25°C). The annual rainfall is about 2500 mm, which provides rich vegetation - the main forage base for hunting trophies. Demographics and hunting population of the region According to the Department of Conservation (DOC), there are about 2,000 registered hunters actively hunting in the region, most of whom are local residents. However, approximately 30 per cent are tourist hunters from Australia, the United States and European countries. The average age of hunters ranges between 35-55 years old, although there has been an increase in interest among young people in their 20s and 30s. Features of hunting in Kahurangi National Park The territory is characterised by inaccessibility of many areas, which requires good physical fitness from hunters. The need to use special equipment for travelling through the mountainous terrain is a must. Local rangers strongly recommend a satellite phone or radio due to the lack of mobile phones in most areas. Varieties of hunting and target animals in the area The following types of game animals can be found in Kahurangi National Park: - Deer: Red deer Elk Shuttle Deer - Goats - Wild pigs - Tares The most popular types of Kahurangi National Park hunting: - Sport hunting from an approach - Wait-and-see hunting - Hunting with the use of camera traps - Mountain hunting - Hunting with dogs (allowed only for pigs) Hunting seasons in the Kahurangi National Park region Official hunting seasons (according to DOC): - Goats: year-round - Deer: 1 March - 31 August - Pigs: all year round - Tares: 1 May - 31 August Important: some protected areas within the park have additional hunting time restrictions. Kahurangi National Park hunter alliances and groups in the area Main organisations: - New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association (NZDA) - Nelson Branch Membership: about 300 Regular training programmes Safety programmes Environmental initiatives - Kahurangi Hunters Club Focus on preserving traditions Youth programmes Annual competitions Hunting legislation in the Kahurangi National Park region - Basic Requirements: DOC permit (mandatory) NZ Police firearms permit Liability insurance Compliance with harvest limits Strict control over the use of dogs Fines for infringements can be up to $5000 and in some cases there is a suspension of hunting rights for up to 2 years. Traditions of the region in terms of hunting The local community honours long-standing traditions: - ‘Fair Chase’ - the principle of fair hunting - Mandatory use of all prey - Joint outings of older and younger generations - Annual harvest festivals (Hunter's Feast) Captivating hunting details in the region - Historical record: In 1987, the park produced a record-breaking red stag with the largest antlers ever taken, a trophy that is still regarded as one of the best in New Zealand's history. The total weight of the antlers was 23.5kg and they measured 142cm in length. - Unique monitoring system: Kahurangi National Park was the first region in the country to implement an innovative system of electronic prey counting via a mobile app. This has improved the accuracy of animal population data by 40 per cent. - Altitude record: The highest recorded hunt in the park occurred at 1,820 metres above sea level, where a group of hunters managed to capture a rare mountain sheep. - Unusual record: In 2017, a local hunter set a unique record by harvesting three different species of deer (red, fallow and red deer) in one day, while travelling over 40 kilometres over rough terrain.