Hundreds of hunters and fishers are heading out today in search of the biggest stag, boar, trout and pheasant in the first day of the annual Polaris Big Four competition.

More than 80 teams of four are registered to take part in the annual competition organised by the Quarry Community Sports Club.

Hunters and fishers are out searching for the largest prey as the Polaris Big Four starts.

It runs until Saturday, June 29 and sees teams of four compete for a share of $80,000 worth of prizes by bagging the heaviest prey.

The aim for each four-person team is to bag a stag, boar, trout and pheasant, with team prizes based on average weights, and individual prizes for the heaviest animals and fish and the best trout, best antlers and tusks, and best pheasant.

Teams can go hunting and fishing wherever they chose, so long as they are back by weigh-in time on Saturday, says committee member Adam Finlayson.

Adam says the annual event is growing in popularity with this year's event seeing the most registrations since its introduction three years ago.

Every year Adam is impressed by the enthusiasm of competitors and their 'give it a go” attitude.

'It's not an easy thing to do. It's a challenge for four people to get four species. They have to work pretty hard to get them.”

But Adam says by working as a team, a bit of planning and a bit of luck, competitors will surely catch their prey.

The Discovery Channel will be filming competitors, and former All Black Richard Loe will MC the prizegiving at the Top Shot Pub at Te Puna.

The $80,000 worth of prizes include a Polaris Ranger 500, a free 12 month lease of a new Toyota Hilux, and a 2001 4X4 Mazda Bounty donated by Pacific Toyota as a spot prize for all entrants present at the weigh-in.

The weigh-in is popular, with spectators numbering 800 to 1000 people, including competitors, expected to watch the prize giving.