People wanting to hunt small game now have to apply for a new permit from the Department of Conservation.
The new permit is for small unprotected game animals on public conservation land (PCL).
It includes animals such as Canada geese, feral geese, hares and rabbits.
DOC hunting advisor Ian Cooksley says the new permits replace earlier versions and restricts the hunting of unprotected game to specific areas and times.
'You need your own permit, whether you are by yourself or part of a hunting party.”
He says anyone wanting to hunt on conservation land require a hunting permit from DOC. Hunting without a permit is a breach of the Wild Animal Control, Wildlife and Conservation Acts.
Ian says some standard conditions apply and special conditions have been added relating to firearm calibre, ammunition type, dogs and anything else relevant to hunting particular species.
The special conditions reflect the level of public use at a site, its conservation values, management activities, terrain, boundaries, time of year and the interests of neighbouring landowners.
Hunters are reminded that spotlighting or hunting after dark is strictly prohibited on PCL as it is illegal and endangers others.
5 comments
Well Okay Then.
Posted on 22-04-2012 11:13 | By Hector
Mr D.O.C man, these rodents are deemed as pests, so you make sure you control them, and do not let them stray on my land, as along with Pukekos,Black Swans, and Roseallas I will shoot them, they are all called pests and rodents for a reason. Spotlighting and other dangerous activities I can understand, but those are a gun safety issue, I would have thought being the so called Department Of Conservation, you would be encouraging responsible shooters to help our Native Flora and Fauna to flourish, you only have to look at the upper Tauranga Habour, and see the damage that the Black Swans are doing,but what do I know, I am only a "Proud Kiwi" who enjoys being outdoors doing a little shooting and fishing
You are more of a pest than a Pukeko
Posted on 22-04-2012 14:21 | By Olive
Regarding the the news item about new laws for hunting on DOC land and a comment made by Hector. Hector you are everything that is wrong with this country. You refer to yourself as a "Proud Kiwi". So being "Kiwi" is about hunting and shooting and killing animals. You call them pests. Utter crap. I think people of your ilk (and no I don't mean a Elk that you can hunt) will be phased out pretty soon. Watch out the urban folk are coming to get you! To say that Pukekos and Black swans are so much of a pest that they deserve to be slaughtered by drunken boguns for their enjoyment is so beyond the truth it's disgusting and naive. So you can't abide by the Department of Conservation's rules...guess that makes you a criminal then eh.
Pest control
Posted on 22-04-2012 17:01 | By donmac
Olive has got it completely wrong! My guess is that she thinks rats, rabbits, ferrets, weasels and stoats are cute little furries that need our protection. Like hell they do. I lost half the hens in our hen house through a stoat, and I recall seeing the Otago hills move - rabbits everywhere. More power to the likes of Hector. I'd rather lose a rabbit or a rat a day than a single one of out native birds. The day when these dangerous pests cease being regarded as pests will be the day I stop enjoying our native forests and hang up my boots forever.
Thanks Olive
Posted on 23-04-2012 05:32 | By Hector
I guess you should be hanging on a tree, not hugging it!!!, and thanks donmac, if people want to call me a "red neck/ bogan" so be it, but until poeople realise the damage introduced pests into this country are causing, our Native species will continue to be in fenced in properties, and on Islands where average new Zealanders will never get the chance to see some of them, and Olive I would rather be outside as a responsible sportsman than sitting tucked away in front of a computor, or sipping a latte, so get out of your kaftan, and roman sandals, and understand that thankfully not everyone wants to be an "urbanite"
'Olive'
Posted on 23-04-2012 08:37 | By Raptor
I think the comments by 'Olive' are those of a dillusional left-wing pinko, who has no idea about the realities of conservation, hunting, or real-world issues. Far from hunters and shooters being 'phased out', applications for new firearms licenses are steadily increasing, with more and more responsible NZ citizens wanting to experience the fruits and benefits of recreational hunting, as a means of putting food on the table for their families as well as a bonding and educational experience for fathers, sons and daughters. Maybe 'Olive' is at a loss as she perhaps never had the opportunity to see things from a different 'real-world' perspective? With the current economic down-turn the facts are that many families (including in the BOP) are RELYING on recreational hunting and fishing in order to feed them families. The rising costs at the local supermarkets are an additional factor. Her comments amount 'drunken boguns' are grossly untrue, defamatory, and do nothing more than speak volumes about her own character and small-mindedness. Permits from DoC for hunting are free, and are now available on-line, so (at this stage) i don't really see any problem with what has been proposed here with regards to specific permits for hunting of small game. Big game hunting permits for PCL have been in existence from DoC since it formation in 1987.
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