Marlborough hunting areas: environmental and geographical aspects, laws and historical hunting traditions in the region Environmental and geographical aspects of the area Marlborough covers an area of approximately 10,500 km², including the Kauranga mountain ranges, fertile valleys and the Marlborough Sounds sea bays. Forested areas of native trees such as taua and bibi alternate with manuka thickets and open countryside. The Avarua and Wairau Rivers provide ideal habitat for waterfowl. Mountainous areas such as the Urey Valley are popular with deer hunters, while the coastal areas are suitable for duck and wild boar. The climate is temperate, with warm summers and mild winters, making hunting comfortable at any time of year. Population structure and hunters in the region Exact numbers of hunters in the region are not published, but according to Fish & Game New Zealand statistics, Marlborough has about 2,500 registered active hunters (2023). The majority are locals aged 30-60, but the region is popular with tourist hunters, especially from Australia, the US and Europe. Hunting with a licensed guide is compulsory for foreigners, which supports the demand for local guides. Features of hunting in Marlborough: knowledge that only experience and intuition give - Variety of trophies : from trophy deer to exotic argali. - Difficult terrain : mountain trails require good fitness. - Strict controls : DOC (Department of Conservation) permits are required to hunt in protected areas. - Ecological : emphasis on population conservation - after taking a trophy, you must report the result to the authorities. Types of hunting and hunted animals - Trophy hunting : Red deer - Males reach a weight of 200kg, antlers up to 12 horns. Arhar - Introduced to NZ in the 1900s. Season : May-August. - Sport hunting : Wild boar. Mountain goat. - Bird hunting : Ducks (grey duck, teal). Quail. Hunting seasons in Marlborough - Deer : February to June (peak trophy hunting in April). - Wild boar : all year round, but it is recommended to avoid the breeding period (September-November). - Arkhars : May - August. - Birds : May - July (ducks), September - November (quail). Marlborough legislation DOC licence ($25-$150 depending on species) is compulsory for all. Foreigners need a guide ($300-$500 per day). Air guns over 5.5mm calibre are prohibited. Maximum limit of extraction: 2 deer, 1 argali per season. Associations and clubs for hunters in Marlborough - Marlborough Hunting and Fishing Club : organises competitions and safety training. - Marlborough Deerstalkers Association : helps beginners with equipment and route selection. - Fish & Game New Zealand : monitors bird populations and issues licences. Historical hunting traditions in the region - Hunter initiation ritual : young men go hunting for the first time with their fathers or mentors, where they learn to track, camouflage and respect their prey. - Blenheim Autumn Trophy: an annual event in September where hunters display antlers from wild deer and argali. Winners get their name engraved on a plaque in the centre of Blenheim. - ‘Open Campfire Day’ : after a successful hunt, it is customary to gather around a campfire, cook meat over the coals and share stories. This custom symbolises unity with nature and camaraderie. Intriguing hunting information in the region - The oldest deer in New Zealand was harvested in Marlborough in 2021 - an 18-year-old male red deer with 22 antlers. His effigy is on display at the Blenheim Museum. - Immigrant deer: In 1855, the first deer were brought to the region from the English county of Norfolk. Today their descendants inhabit the Kaurangi Game Reserve. - Hunting for science: a project to study the migration of wild boars was launched in Marlborough in 2020. Hunters are helping scientists by placing GPS trackers on wild animals. - Record-breaking argali : In 2018, an Australian tourist harvested a 120kg ram with 110cm long horns - a trophy entered into the New Zealand Book of Records.