New Zealand Hunting & Wildlife - 183 - Summer 2014

SUMMER IssUE 183 - JANUARY TO MARCH 2014
NE W ZEALAND
& WILDLIFE
Editorial Working with Communities T he Gold Card Buck Jeremys year
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CONTENTS
FEATURES
Sights on imported airguns and military style rearms in new gun laws.....................3 Media Release NZDA commends Politicians..........................................................13 The Gold Card Buck by Ray Webb.......................................................................10 The Big Day Caelan OHagan (Young Hunter Story)............................................14 New Zealand Mountain Safety Council Member Prole Nicole McKee................18 Safety Tips NZMSC..............................................................................................19 Jeremys Year Roger Stokes (Young Hunter Story)...........................................22 And the Deer Came Running Chaz Forsyth......................................................30 Jaymes First Goat (Young Hunter Story)..................................................................37 Eddies Goat Hunting Weekend (Young Hunter Story)...............................................37 My First Tahr Ruby Young (Young Hunter Story) ..............................................14
CoVER PHoTo
My patch William (Bill) Wallace, Bush Branch, entry in the Game Animal Section, photographic competitions 2013.
ISSUE 182 OCToBER DECEMBER 2013
An ofcial publication of the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association Incorporated

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Presidents Report Tim McCarthy......................................................................2 Editorial Working with communities - Tim McCarthy..........................................3 Letters to the Editor.................................................................................. 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 HUNTS Report Bill OLeary The warrant cards are out.......................................6 COLFO Report.........................................................................................................13 Take me hunting Kids page win a free Kilwell prize.............................................15 DOC Update Ian Cooksley National Hunting Advisor........................................16 Habitat Cattle Ridge Hut Tony Macklin..........................................................17 Tip Offs Guide to composing photos when rearms comprise part of the Subject Mac McMullen.....................................................................................................20 Shooting Calendar...................................................................................................31 Blast From the Past Pariax Paradise O R A........................................................34 Swazi Junior Shoot Thames Valley Branch............................................................37 Heritage Updates Trevor Dyke.........................................................................38 Places to Hunt West Coast Hunting.......................................................................40 Poem Blazing Trail Greg Caigou....................................................................43 On Target various shooting event results and calendars..................................31, 46 Points of Envy 2013 AHT Competition Winners.................................................... 44 Lock, Stock & Barrel Denitely a twentieth century cartridge Chaz Forsyth...26 Bugle news from around the traps........................................................4, 32, 33, 36
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NZ Hunting & Wildlife 183 - Summer 2013
PRESIDENTS REPORT
groups. Unfortunately the planners who wrote the draft CMSs did not themselves propose these obvious ideas and it has fallen to the NZDA to take the initiative. However, we did feel that our ideas generally got a good reception from the hearings panels, which were largely made up of conservation board members. We were also astonished that the future Game Animal Council (GAC) was not mentioned anywhere in the draft CMSs, and pointed out this obvious omission. Legislation creating the long-anticipated GAC is due to be passed within the next few months, and since the CMSs are due to remain in force until 2024, they need to relate with the GAC to provide a new more cooperative era of game animal management. All this is the potential for DOC and the community to work together for shared conservation goals and game animal management. On the upside, the review process with draft CMSs that we submitted on earlier this year has produced a good result for the Auckland region. The rst draft of the Auckland CMS made the Woodhill (South Kaipara) Fallow deer herd sound like a massive conservation threat poised to make rare plants extinct and invade the Waitakere ranges. The CMS did not recognise their recreational value or the Woodhill Fallow Trusts conservation initiatives. We felt the Auckland panel gave NZDA a good hearing and they have signicantly changed the draft so it is much more acceptable. (The Woodhill herd is mostly on land in private ownership so not under DOC management, but there are the usual boundary and other issues to consider.) We just hope to see the same careful consideration and open-mindedness with the review of the latest round of CMSs We have had a few changes in our National Ofce; our CEO Dianne Brown tendered her resignation to the National Executive and consequently is no longer working for the Association. While we work towards a full compliment of staff in the national ofce, it is still operating normally, so it is business as usual. On behalf of the executive and myself, I would like to wish all of our members a safe and happy festive season and remember if you are hunting over the Christmas period there will be a lot of extra people walking the hills so treat everything you hear or see as another human being until you can prove 100% otherwise.
PRESidEnTS REpoRT - SUMMER

Ti m M c C a r t h y N a t i o n a l P r e s i d e n t, N e w Ze a l a n d D e e rs ta l k e rs A ss o c i a t i o n Last issue I touched on the Game Animal Council and the encouraging message from the Minister of Conservation via the Hon Eric Roy at the national conference in Blenheim. We are still waiting to hear when the second reading will happen in parliament. I also encouraged all members of NZDA to up the ante with our minister of conservation the Hon Nick Smith by writing letters in regard to Aerial Assisted Trophy Hunting (AATH). This is seen by all users of the outdoors as an intrusion on their enjoyment whilst utilising public land in regard to the natural quiet that is associated with the great outdoor experience, be it on public conservation land or wilderness areas and national parks. We view this activity as damaging to New Zealands clean green image, a danger to tourists visiting our conservation lands and the fact that this practice has no morals or ethics when used in conjunction with fair chase hunting. While we have no jurisdiction about what happens on private land when we are not stakeholders on that land, we as the public of New Zealand certainly do have a say about what happens on public land. I encourage every New Zealander to put pressure on the minister of conservation to stop this heinous practice, alter legislation, make it illegal on public land and to truly keep our public image clean and green. The NZDA has made submissions on the recent draft Conservation Management Strategies (CMSs) for Canterbury, Otago and Southland, and earlier this year did the same for Northland, Auckland and Waikato. We understand that our written submissions were among the most detailed that DOC received. Also, during October our research ofcer Mike Bradstock and myself presented oral submissions at the three South Island CMS hearings. I think these were well received and know that we made some important points including a couple that had not been picked up by other submitters. In particular, we pointed out differences between the three CMSs on matters that are general policy rather than policy specic to a place. DOCs planners will have to give these serious considerations in preparing nal drafts or the Conservation Boards will not be able to approve them. We also pointed out that hunting had generally been given minimal consideration in the preparation of these plans. As you probably already know DOC has recently suffered some big funding cuts and has responded with talk of much higher community involvement in conservation. We would have thought this was a great opportunity to involve us hunters (ideally under the management of the forthcoming Game Animal Council, and with the NZDA playing a role too) in wild animal and pest control; but this is not even mentioned in any of the CMSs. For example, in Otago where goats are a particular problem, hunters could take part in organised culling operations at negligible cost to DOC, and in all areas there is scope for more pest trapping lines to be operated in conjunction with voluntary hunter
se e n . e b e f Be sa Meat o N r Bet te Mate o N n a th

EDITORIAL
WoRKing wiTH CoMMUniTiES

B y Ti m M c C a r t h y, N a t i o n a l P r e s i d e n t The Department of Conservation (DOC) has recently been talking a lot about a bold new era of greater community involvement in conservation. Policy documents make numerous references to increasing conservation effort by working more with communities, businesses and individuals. This is laudable stuff, but DOC needs to walk the walk as well. Above all, it needs to become a straighter shooter, deliver on its promises, and recognise that it will need to offer communities something in return. The recent opening of the St James Conservation Area to wild animal recovery operations (WARO) is a case in point. An operational plan set in place soon after the former high country run was added to the conservation state in 2008 stated that for the meantime the area would be reserved for recreational hunting, and any heli-hunting would be subject to public notication. The operational plan provided a simple blueprint for the rst few years, saying among other things that well founded justications would need to be developed as part of any future consideration for WARO or heli-hunting activity in St James. What could be a more clear statement that nothing would change without prior study and public consultation? Meanwhile, DOC reports from eld staff clearly indicated that recreational hunters were doing an adequate job of controlling deer numbers and there was no need to even consider WARO. There were also growing expectations that St James might eventually become incorporated into the adjacent Lake Sumner Recreational Hunting Area. It looked like DOC was really doing something that kept our interests at heart. This looked like working with communities in action. We were therefore dismayed when out of the blue DOC issued two WARO permits for the St James last February. It was a big enough shock that this happened without any public consultation, but even worse, the department justied this by saying that its own operational plan actually had no foundation in law. This immediately raised the question why have such a plan in the rst place. We had to wonder what purpose could DOC have in drawing up an operational plan that it knew had no teeth. This did not look like working with communities in action. DOC could have handled this much better. It could have refused those permits or attached all sorts of special conditions to them. Areas easily accessible to shooters on foot could have been excluded or a starting date set for after the roar. Heli operators could have been obliged to shoot more hinds and fewer stags, or to leave stags with more than a certain number of points. But instead, DOC chose a no-compromise, openslather option that could only make existing conicts worse and diminish the condence of the very communities it wants to work with. Things were not improved when the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA) tried to nd out exactly what had happened and why. DOC seemed to make every effort to avoid giving straight answers before nally admitting under duress that it had omitted the public consultation process. DOC could, of course, have consulted with hunters; it knew we were interested, but it chose not to. It seemed to us that DOC was too quick to bow to the demands of commercial interests and too slow to recognise its obligations to the wider public. Sadly, another case of not working with communities. More than ever before, in this new era of community involvement in conservation, DOC needs to get alongside hunters and stop alienating them. There is a great deal we can do to help DOC achieve its aims. We have recently pushed some specic ideas like goat culls and more predator trapping, in our submissions on DOCs Conservation Management Strategies (CMSs). This would save DOC precious dollars for other conservation work, while also forging a closer relationship between the department and hunters. This should be a natural relationship after all, it was hunters who were originally the worlds rst conservationists. In return, DOC could make a few compromises by being less secretive and more open, and strive to recognise better that hunters too are legitimate users of the outdoors. It could also come up with a whole lot of specic suggestions in its CMSs as to what we can all do together, something that is at present lacking. With this in mind, as your President I appeal to members to remain positive and constructive and to keep reminding DOC that were eager to foster community involvement in conservation. Ultimately were all on the same side and despite our differences it is important that we work together. We all love the outdoors and nature and none of us like rats, stoats and possums. What DOC needs to do is to be less secretive and more supportive. That would really be working with communities.
SigHTS on iMpoRTEd aiRgUnS and MiliTaRY STYlE fiREaRMS in nEw gUn lawS
Police are welcoming new laws that place further restrictions on imported airguns and military style rearms that come into effect from this week. From Wednesday 11 December, anyone importing air guns that look like real pistols, restricted weapons or military style rearms will require an import permit from police. The law change also modies the type of pistol grip that will make a semi-automatic rie or shotgun a military style semi-automatic rearm (MSSA). The Arms (Military Style Semi-automatic Firearms and Import Controls) Amendment Act was passed in 2012 and comes into effect on 11 December. "Police welcomes this amendment, which will help to address the proliferation of airguns that look like real pistols, restricted weapons or military style rearms. This includes air soft guns which many people commonly think of as toys although they are anything but. "Police have attended many incidents where these so-called 'toys' have been used to commit violent crime, or have been used to intimidate people." Inspector Joe Green Police Manager for Arms Control says the amendment means that a special reason will be required in order to obtain a permit to import these restricted airguns into New Zealand. Meanwhile, from next week, some A category semi-automatic rearms will become MSSAs because of their free-standing pistol grip. "What this means is that come 11 December,
affected individuals need to either remove the grip and replace it with a stock of the appropriate type; dispose of the weapon through an appropriately licensed person; or apply to Police for an endorsement permitting them to own a MSSA. Police are allowing rearms owners a lead in period until 13 June 2014 to act." Joe said Police had communicated the upcoming changes with gun shop owners, gun clubs, hunting organisations and other stakeholders. More information about the new legal requirement is available from: www.police.govt.nz/
BUGle
CHARGES FOR BALLOTED HUNTING ON PUBliC LANDS

A pattern which has emerged over the past decade is one where recreational hunters are being charged for hunters to participate in a ballot to determine entry opportunities during times of peak hunting interest in Public Conservation Lands (PCL). Linked with this provision are indications that the charges for these ballots arise from the extra work incurred by Departmental staff in administering these measures. Setting aside for the moment the ins and outs of charging for opportunities to hunt public lands, these measures force us to reluctantly consider the adequacy of lands available for recreational hunting in New Zealand: does the demand for some hunting areas (which led to the perceived necessity of balloting to ensure fair access opportunity) reect deciencies of hunting opportunity overall? The need for balloting to determine access to hunting areas is reportedly forced upon the land administrator simply by the amount of hunting interest shown there. This begs the next question then: if a hunter or party pays a fee for a ballot, and gets lucky enough to win a draw for the area, should it have to compete with commercial operators and operations such as WARO, or SAD, or AATH in the same area? And, if a fee is paid, should hunter success be increased over and above the hunter success (however it is dened) in open access hunting areas, where no balloting takes place? If the Game Animal Council Bill proceeds into law, will the change in status of our wild animals, from pest, into valued introduced species lead to more opportunities for charging for access for hunting on public lands? Another question is effectively, do we have enough recreational hunting opportunity for New Zealand hunters? How should these opportunities be measured, if we are to know they are adequate? Yours faithfully, Chaz Forsyth
New Zealand Deerstalkers Association Inc, formed July 1937 Co-founders: Dr G B Orbell MBE, Arthur Hamilton Patron: Ian Wright National President: Tim McCarthy Immediate Past President: Alec McIver National Vice President: Bill O'Leary North Island Members of the National Executive: Steve Corlett, Stephen Shaw South Island Members of the National Executive: Chaz Forsyth, Snow Hewetson Chief Executive Ofcer: National Treasurer: Tony Allen Honorary Solicitor: Peter Barrett Auditor: Signal & Associates
LifE MEMBERS:
HigH Viz
I watched the 60 minutes story last night about the hunter being shot by his mate in the Paeroa ranges. It was a great story showing an unusual side to a tragedy. I must admit to shedding a tear or two during the program. I am from that area and have hunted the same piece of forest where he was shot which made me feel a little sick to be honest. I have shot a boar within a few hundred metres of the tragedy. At the end of the story there was a brief section on a new innovation by a Kiwi company involving bands, special scopes and alarms. My wife and I (who hunts with me) were stunned. At no point in the entire story was the wearing of high viz hunting clothing mentioned. Not even by the police inspector who is a hunter. The poor guy that got shot was even wearing green camo in the photo taken before his death. Never in the years since we began hunting have we missed an animal due to wearing high viz clothing. My wife and our hunting companions will not hunt without it. We have no problem separating as the orange stands out like dogs balls while hunting. The failure of hunters to wear this clothing continues to astound me. During the roar it is common to see hunting parties at the helicopter depot all dressed up in camo clothing. Even the ries are camo for gods sake. Me, my wife and friends just laugh at them and we are all glad we are not in their party. Is there any way the NZDA can start to promote the wearing of high viz. We are not talking reector yellow or anything. Blaze orange works ne. Yours, Dave Adams, Ngakuru
R Badland QSM, M St J, J Bamford, W J I Cowan, M Dunajtschik, A S D Evans MNZM, D Hodder, R McNaughton MNZM, W OLeary, G Smith, I D Wright
NZDA RECogniSEd SponSoRS 2012/13:
Halcyon Publishing, Kilwell, Hunting & Fishing NZ, NZ Guns & Hunting, Stoney Creek (NZ) Ltd, Swazi Apparel
AffiliaTEd To:
Council of Licensed Firearm Owners (COLFO), NZ Mountain Safety Council (NZMSC), Sporting Shooters of Australia Association Inc (SSAA), Shooting Sports Pacic Forum (through COLFO), International Hunter Education Association (IHEA)
BRanCHES:
Ashburton, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Blue Mountains, Bush, Central King Country, Direct, Eastern Bay of Plenty, Golden Bay, Gore & Districts, Hastings, Hutt Valley, Kapiti, Kaweka, Malvern, Manawatu, Marlborough, Napier, Nelson, North Auckland, North Canterbury, North Otago, North Taranaki, Northland, Otago, Palmerston, Porirua, Rakaia, Rotorua, Ruahine, South Auckland, South Canterbury, South Otago, South Waikato, Southern Lakes, Southland, Taihape, Taranaki, Taupo, Te Awamutu, Thames Valley, Tutira, Upper Clutha, Waikato, Waimarino, Wairarapa, Wairoa & Districts, Wellington, West Coast, Western Southland, Whangarei All rights reserved
opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the
New Zealand Deerstalkers Association Inc INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS SERIAL NUMBER 977 1171 656 006
Editors note: The following is an excerpt from our associations guidelines: The New Zealand Deerstalkers Association Incorporated recommends and promotes safe hunting practices, including the wearing of high visibility clothing that contrasts with the environment and the game being hunted. To be effective a responsible hunter should wear sufcient high visibility clothing to ensure immediate recognition by other hunters. This is an important risk management measure designed to minimize the risk of hunters failing to quickly identify other hunters, but does not in any way detract from the primary responsibility of all hunters to positively identify their target. We also operate HUNTS training courses in which the attendees are all given sponsored hi viz orange vests and beanies by way of sponsorship from Stoney Creek.
A particular virtue in wildlife ethics is that the hunter ordinarily has no gallery to applaud or disapprove of his conduct. Whatever his acts, they are dictated by his conscience.
Aldo Leopald
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To Kill oR NoT To Kill

The pull of the wild turns our minds to the hills. Thoughts of stags bellowing across frosty bushclad valleys, thrashing pongas, and cause steam to rise get the excitement up. Yet there are those that argue the killing of animals for sport is morally wrong. They argue that there can be no justication to kill an animal for self gratication. There can be no justication found in hunting to ll the larder, as we can farm animals and kill them humanely in slaughter houses. Any claim that hunting is the fullment of a natural trait is met with a counter that there is now no need for man to act in that way. In short they say we have a duty to conserve and protect all wildlife and not to kill for sport. You, as a reader of this article, are unlikely to agree to these sorts of ethical moral arguments. You probably think that people have become too namby-pamby, too politically correct, and have lost sight of good old-fashioned attributes and values. Pitching yourself against the elements and wily game, taking home a bag of meat for the family, can not be morally wrong. But whatever your view, you do have a moral duty when you kill an animal. Your duty is to kill that animal as quickly and painlessly as possible. This can be done only by taking care in your shot. You must know by learning beforehand where to place your shot in order to hit a vital spot. You must have sufcient shooting skills to ensure that you can hit the vital target. The taking of the shot must be done in a controlled way to ensure that you do hit the target. There is an old saying aim small hit small. If you just throw a dart at a dartboard it is likely to hit anywhere. If you shoot at a deer you will likely hit anywhere. So you aim say for the base of the skull where you will hit brain or spinal column, either causing instant death. If you can not manage that, then perhaps up the front leg into the shoulder and through into the lungs. Not quite as quick but still a fatal shot. What is the point of this article you wonder? The point is that to observe your moral duty to execute a clean killing shot you must know precisely where and what you are aiming at. If you do this you will be looking for and recognise deers eyes, ears, kneecaps and shoulders, not a mass of brown or a blur of movement. In short, you will not kill your mate, or another hunter or tramper. Danny Jacobson (by email) ex Waikato member (many years ago), was a Mountain Safety Council firearms instructor for many years, was a regional adviser for Land SAR in the Waikato, and has been hunting for 45 years (and still at it).
PHoTogRapHiC EXaMplES
I always enjoy reviewing the ne pictures of the hunter posed in the eld with his or her trophy, and in particular those of younger people in competitions. I, like many others learn from these fairly difcult to achieve images and they perhaps showcase our activities to many considering the sport. After a lifetime of hunting and teaching rearm activity, I might nd the pictures you all take a lot more enjoyable if you would please take the time when having your action picky taken in the eld to safely display the rearm used with its action clearly open. Cheers. Sid Duncan, Hut t Valley Branch member (by email)
Editors note: we have taken your suggestion onboard and also produced an article under Tip Offs see page 20
NZDA HUNTS REPORT
HUNTS
B i l l O Le a r y, N a t i o n a l C o o rd i n a t o r, NZDA H UN TS
Ruby Young
THE WaRRanT CaRdS aRE oUT!

The HUNTS instructor warrant cards were eventually mailed out in late October and the Range Ofcer cards are being processed at this moment mid November. I would never have thought that such a small piece of plastic would have thrown up so many problems that had to be addressed. But at last all the road blocks have been overcome and the warranting system for HUNTS instructors and Range Ofcers is now functioning. Thats not to say that we wont have some minor hiccups and with your patience and our perseverance we will sort out the inevitable typos etc. The period since Conference has been very busy. This time of year and then pre roar are the two major training periods around the branches and the demand for HUNTS courses is continuing to grow. Kapiti, Nelson, North and South Canterbury and Upper Clutha have just nished courses and North Auckland, Rotorua and Manawatu (second course this year) will have completed by the time this column goes to print. The reports both written and informal phone calls give a picture of enthusiastic instructors and very satised trainees. It is always a great wonder to me that the trainees are so incredibly grateful for the course that has been provided given that most instructors are passing on knowledge and teaching skills that is second nature to the instructor and which they enjoy delivering. At Conference it was possible to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of Murray Burns and Malcolm Mitchell (Upper Clutha) who received their tertiary qualication as HUNTS instructors. Gerry Veugelaers (Hutt Valley) received his Diploma at a later date. At this stage over half of our instructors have achieved the qualication developed specically for HUNTS and all newly recruited instructors are on a pathway to achieve it. To assist in this we are moving towards using regionally based senior instructors who can act as mentors and assessors. This will spread the load of national coordination and an anticipated spin off will be greater inter branch cooperation.
RangE MaTTERS
Ranges and range shooting are essential to hone the skills of hunters and it is pleasing to see the efforts put in by branches to provide for the needs of their members. Bay of Plenty and South Canterbury have recently developed new ranges and in November Upper Clutha opened its new range after a long search for a suitable site Rotorua, Taupo and Thames have undergone formal range inspections and are implementing recommended modications. Nelson has started a planning process to meet requirements to host the World Benchrest Championships in 2017. North Canterbury has started a practical rearms course open to members of the public who require tuition in rearm selection, usage and maintenance. GREAT MOVE!!. Recently North Canterbury was also looking at criteria for a Marksmans standard that a competent hunter should be able to meet and also recently eld shooting has been promoted in the central North island. All this is great, as the end result should be safer and more effective shooters and hunters. Congratulations to all instructors, range ofcers and range convenors and all who have contributed to these programs. Best wishes for the holiday season.
Hunt Stewart Island

Scenic Trips Fishing Hunting Diving Tramping
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CHARTERS BLUFF
Bill OLeary National Coordinator, NZDA HUNTS

6 NZ Hunting & Wildlife 183 - Summer 2013
Letter to the editor

(L) Dr Walter Howard; (R) T hane Riney
Jim Monk's float plane on Lake Monk 1957
Lake Monk Expedition I was interested to see in your recent edition a reprint of IWT Munros article about the 1957 Lake Monk Expedition. I was a Forest Service member of that expedition and a coauthor of the DSIR Lake Monk bulletin published subsequently. I know the Forest Service of ficialdom didnt care much for our conclusions. However, I take issue with the footnote saying that the report pret ty well ended Thane Rineys career in New Zealand; I dont think that was the case at all. Like many, he probably just saw greener pastures elsewhere. Sincerely Colin Basset t (by email)
Lake Monk Expedition 1957. (L) Dr Walter Howard; (R) emerging Sharon Watson.
YES: These ARE a pistol grip
IMPORTANT CHANGES TO ARMS ACT Check your rie/shotgun

From 11 December 2013, the Arms (Military Style Semi-automatic Firearms and Import Controls) Amendment Act 2012 comes into effect.
It means any semi-automatic rie or shotgun that has a pistol grip will become a Military Style Semi-automatic rearm (MSSA). If you have a MSSA under the new legislation, you must: Apply to Police for an endorsement specic to that MSSA if you want to keep it Dispose of the grip and replace it with an A-Cat compliant stock Dispose of the MSSA to an endorsed licence holder with a permit to procure.
NO: These are NOT a pistol grip
OR OR
For more information go to:
www.police.govt.nz
NZ Hunting & Wildlife 183 - Summer 2013 7
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
STinging NETTlE
In Hunting & Wildlife, Issue 181 there was an article written about stinging nettle. This prompted me to write about my experience on a hunting trip down the Mohaka River many years ago. After removing our gear from the helicopter we set up camp and then went for a hunt that evening, with myself taking the lead. As is normal the lead person has more eyes for the surroundings than where to put his feet, consequently I grabbed some bushes that happened to be bush nettle. Thinking nothing of it we went to bed, but next morning I awoke with tunnel vision and very unsteady on my feet, my condition prompted my two mates, Brent Hewlett and John Bateman {both deceased} saying for me to stay around the camp and do not go near the river. This weird going on lasted most of the day but was gone next morning; they say that bush nettle can be more toxic than the ordinary nettle. It would have been a long long way to walk out if I had to. After returning to the mad world I heard that another hunter had got stung but was able to y out of the bush, he went to the doctor and ew back in the next day, which sounds like a very expensive exercise. As far as John Bateman is concerned, he was a very young chap and told us on the way in that he had paid his house and business off and was going to get stuck into the bunting. As it turned out his doctor was treating him for a stomach complaint when all the time - it was cancer of the pancreas, that being his last hunt as he died 9 months later. I'm afraid you never know. Ian Mallasch, Life Member, Eastern Bay of Plenty Branch of NZDA
OLD VERSUS NEW WHICH IS BEST

This could be between - Honda 300 Quad and new models, old Hilux and new Hilux but its not, its between the old style Kiwi bloke and the new hunter. I am writing this from a hospital bed with a broken neck and leg. The old style kiwi bloke, who I must add are all legends in their own way, usually brought up in the country and can get ready for a hunt in less time than it takes to make a stiff brew of tea. You know the type. Their gear is sparse.. and an old ute, WOF and rego optional, a rie with baling twine for a sling, enough bullets maybe to ll the mag (of varying brands and grains). A knife that you could get a feed off from the last hunt. Canterbury shorts, thick socks with ventilation holes back and front, Redband gumboots (tread optional) and holey swanny just in case weather turns real nasty. These guys usually have good hunting areas and are bloody good at it. Rangy types, t, can handle themselves and enjoy a beer or 2. The NEW hunter on the other hand normally lives and works near a city and hunting is a passion/hobby. Getting ready for a hunt can be a job in itself. Ries, bullets, binoculars, range nder, bi pod, walkie talkies, spare batteries, personal location beacon, and pillowcases and duvet to keep meat clean. Fresh drinking water, headlight, spotlight etc - not to forget ash ute with quad or rhino. Most of us lay somewhere between the old and the new hunter, but I must confess I am denitely in the new brigade. SOME OF MY FAVOURITE GEAR My Huntech swanny, great pockets and ts good...............Swazi dri back pants, good belt, and y set up and t Ridgeline tee/top with zip pocket Grisport boots Techniex rain coat Huntech day pack with built in meat sack Browning A/bolt Leica binoculars/ range nder......LED lenser H14 headlight...LED lenser XR7 spotlight Yamaha rhino and so on. Rie lost along the way, but Swazi pants did well. My saviour was that I put my knife and walkie talkie in my back pack. Sitting in the creek I can remember getting the walkie talkie out of pack and radioing Gary at top of hill. I NEED HELP. HAVE BROKEN LEG. Gary replied with following message will get assistance. The rest is history, Gary shot back to main farm house whose occupants called for the Westpac Chopper and rallied up staff for a search. You would have thought it would be easy to nd me, but it took approximately one hour, about the same time the chopper arrived. I was conscious throughout, but was in shock. ie: cold, shaking and didnt hear anyone yelling out. The Westpac boys winched me up out of a tricky little spot and ew me to Wellington Hospital.
The two main things that helped me that day were :-
It has taken me 50 years to be able to get these toys and a lot of hard work.
So which is best.... OLD or NEW hunter.
Well a week ago myself and my good mate Gary and our two thirteen year-old boys, Scott and Zane set off for a two-day adventure to a great spot in the Wairarapa, situated on private land with an AWESOME hut to use (some of us are just lucky.) Driving into the hut we spotted a deer laying down on a clearing about one kilometre away. A further investigation with the Leicas revealed several Reds grazing and resting. I decided to leave my mate at the top and sneak down to within 300 yards or so to get a good shot. I only grabbed the basics.. rie, knife as we had not unloaded the ute yet. It was good weather and middle of the day. No need for proper boots, warm clothes, torch, personal location beacon. What should have taken 30 minutes max, turned into a big day/year to come. It had been wet all week and was slippery underfoot. I could have gone down the clear ridge and risked being seen or bush bash through the pig fern etc to get within range. I chose the latter. The bush was tighter than it looked and probably took me 30 minutes to get to my destination. On arrival it was still a long shot approximately 400 yards. Deer were quiet, wind was good, so I decided to cross one more gut to get closer. One slip on a greasy game trail was all it took to send me sliding down a steep wet grassy knob on my butt. I can remember getting up great speed with no scrub when you need it to grab. A 20 metre slide with a 5 metre drop off into a small side creek nished our wee hunt.
1. My mates cool head in getting help before he tried to nd me. 2. Walkie talkie in the day pack without them it would have been a lot longer day. What didnt help me was wrong footwear and no personal location beacon on me (no good in ute). So, whos best old school or new bloke.... NEITHER - the one that has the most fun! I dont expect all you old kiwi hunters to rush out and get all geared up, but show this story to your families. A new personal location beacon from Hunting & Fishing for $600/$700 would be a good Christmas present if only for their peace of mind. You can disguise the modern plastic pouch with an old pair of bulls balls made into a pouch if you are too tough for plastic pouches. Hope to be back on the hill by November. Cheers Richard Thompson P.S. Swazi pants are no match for the Paramedic's scissors!!!!!!!!!.
Letter to the editor
D O U G L A S SC O RE A N D A L L TH A T JAZZ
Pictured are Douglas Score sheets for interesting to younger scorers. Caribou, which I think could be extremely These two pages are part of a supplement handed out by Norman Douglas at an advanced measuring seminar many years Douglas score book.
ago. They were intended to be included in the The supplement included how to properly
measure pig tusks, fallow deer, caribou and others, also alterations to the hand book. Some time ago I was corresponding with the the relevant score sheet for caribou.
head Australian scorer and I mentioned I had His reply was along the lines that they would have to be a forgery as Norman Douglas never had anything to do with caribou. Well here they are. The main thing to take notice of is the measuring of the brow tines. and I'll quote. You will observe in Normans notes "Note As the caribou frequently
have the brow tine modified to one central blade, with the other as a vestigial, then this feature (although
non symmetrical) must be treated as a normal state of af fairs, hence the brows (or brow) do not come under "sum of the two". Both types are thus considered normal." the shorter x2 for score, but rather
So how is that for symmetrical. I hope you find this of interest. Peter Carter Lake Rotoma.
StorY
THE GOLD CARD BUCK

By R a y We b b, O ta g o Bra n c h
Nowadays Im a bit reluctant to write hunting stories as we tend to deem them only successful if rewarded by a trophy head. As we all know just being out there doing it brings its own rewards be it some prime game meat, company of some mates, a few photographs or peace in a wonderful environment. Perhaps to get things in perspective there should be more yarns writ ten about the great or not so great trips that dont end up with a trophy. I could sure relate a few. Although I have had some success over the years there would be far more trips away that dont produce antlers or horns than those that do but all are successful in their own way. Sometimes I wonder if the successes I have experienced are due to good at tendance rather than any great hunting skills. However I have chosen to put pen to paper because one of my more recent hunts provided some interesting turns of event that may help a novice hunter improve their stalking skills. And yes, there was a bunch of bones at the end.
Thirteen vehicles parked around the Otago Branch hunting lodge at Beaumont must mean one of two things. An extremely well patronised working bee or the Fallow deer roar is in full swing. Since the place is abuzz at 5.30am it must surely be the latter. The challenge of trying to outwit one of these wily old Blue Mountain bucks that are hunted pretty nearly every day of their lives sets off a strong yearning in the hunters psyche. It was still dark when Al and I were driving down to the Cattle Flat block situated in the lower watershed of the Rankleburn near the southern end of the Blue Mountains. The weather was dismal to say the least with heavy cloud covering the mountain and misty drizzle interspersed with light showers. We were destined for a wet arse today but the anticipation of locating a croaking Fallow buck kept the enthusiasm high. I dropped Al off and drove to the road end. A few weeks earlier we had been on this block and I was making my way down a beech clad ridge covered with scattered regenerating beech
and pepperwood. There was quite a lot of antler thrashed shrubbery in evidence and on pushing my way, not that quietly, through the regeneration I heard several deer bound off. The bush was quite open once out of the tight stuff but the deer were well gone. I did however nd a large scrape that had been recently worked over and a patch of fresh piddle showed up on the dusty earth. Seemed far too early for the rut but perhaps I had just missed out on a crack at a buck through not skirting quietly around the thicket. This ridge was to be the destination for the start of my days hunt. In the preceding weeks I had thought about how to work the ridge and decided my best chance, wind permitting, was to approach the ridge from below. Much of the Blue Mountains is close quarters hunting, particularly parts at the Beaumont end where I learnt my hunting craft. I far prefer hunting uphill as you tend to make less noise with your footsteps, your head is closer to the deck (sometimes too close when you arse up) and therefore can see under the low canopy. Normally the morning thermal will shift the breeze up out of the gullies but today the mist was pretty stationary and if it stayed like that could work in my favour for a change. In the past I have found fog and misty drizzle tends to mufe the games senses and this often enables the hunter to get quite close to animals. I am reluctant to wear a parka because they are bit scratchy pushing through the undergrowth and my Techniex model looks fairly shiny when wet but there was no option today. To break the outline of a
solid block of dark shiny blue and reduce noise I had pulled a blaze vest over the top. The ground was saturated but as long as I could keep my footing would at least reduce the noise of breaking twigs. It is always a trade off in what type of footwear to have on when bush hunting. Light weight boots with a exible sole that tends to roll over twigs without snapping them usually sufce but with conditions as they were today my heavier boots with better grip were more appropriate. There was some buck activity in evidence near the foot of the slope but everything was so wet, age could not be accurately determined. Then there was no guarantee that this buck had not already met his end. If he was still about, and you get lucky, chances are you will only get one crack at a buck. In this environment you only have seconds before they bolt. They dont get to develop trophy antlers by being stupid and you are after all wandering around in their back yard which they are very familiar with. For all that, it is the one time of year that the bucks do sometimes let their guard down in their search for lust and break their normal silent existence with their guttural croaking. This can lead to their downfall. Certainly a change from spending much of their time tucked up in the scrub and ax during daylight hours, so for a couple of weeks of the year they are on the prowl. Even then some of the more cagey bucks will not venture too far from cover during daylight hours. I enjoy the challenge of outwitting a deer in tight bush; you are for ever conscious of wind direction, movement, and sound while moving as quietly as possible. You dont have much
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Inquisitive Rankleburn Fallow doe
control on wind shifts but by keeping to game trails noise can be reduced as there is not so much rubbish to break underfoot. If there is good fresh sign in the area my hunting method is to take a few steps and pause, check out the surroundings, check every movement. Every time you shift position another area comes into view that needs checking out. If coming over a rise there will be heaps of places that will bear checking out but just go far enough so a minimum of you can be seen and stop for that little bit longer. I always remember, many years ago, my younger brother Cliff after a particularly successful day on the hill was bailed up in the Beaumont pub being quizzed as to how he managed to shoot so many deer that day. Cliff had had a few by then and his reply was to look for horishshontal lines! Although these mostly turn out to be fallen logs they occasionally do materialise into the back of a deer. You should also practice looking through the immediate cover and beyond. If you see an animal before it sees you then you have a very good chance of a shot. This method of hunting does require quite intense concentration so if you do start to wander off the task at hand it is best just to sit for a few minutes spell. I was trying to employ all these techniques as I struggled up through the saturated bush. If there was some fresh buck sign about I was prepared to spend all morning climbing this short distance. I eventually arrived at the large scrape that I had encountered several weeks earlier but Huey had more than piddled on it, as it was now like a small pond. Any prints were well washed out. These large scrapes in the open beech tend to be used mostly at night and those further up the ridge and adjacent to cover where a buck only needs to take a couple of steps and he is gone get used during daylight hours. Was my buck further up the ridge or had he already been taken? So as not to make my presence any more obvious, I sneaked up along one side of the open beech ridge and on approaching the rst patch of green I found the rst fresh doe sign. I was slowly working my way through the young beech to a short side ridge when I heard a noise which I initially thought was a bell bird calling. It persisted, yeep, yeep, yeep, and seemed to be moving up hill. I had overheard Terry Arthur and Chappie discussing doe calls while in the Greenstone the previous week and this sure sounded very similar to Terrys rendition of a doe calling. However in all the years of hunting Fallow I have never been able to positively identify a Fallow doe calling. It does not help when you have spent your youth working in an industrial environment with no
ear protection and also thinking a bit of cotton wool stuffed in you lug holes was adequate protection on the rie range. If you want to keep your hearing intact later in life then use the best ear protection you can afford. If there was a doe about and squeaking then perhaps a buck would be in attendance. I snuk over to that side of the ridge and waited. CROAK! There is nothing like the sound of a deer roaring at close quarters to get the adrenaline running through a hunters veins. Just one croak and it appeared to be between me and where the doe last called. I waited, a shower passed and foggy drizzle returned. Apart from rain dripping off trees there was not another sound. Could there have been a wind shift? Had he sighted me and sneaked away? I had been hunting with my parka hood down so as to hear any sounds and my blaze cap was sodden and water was seeping down my neck. Not that pleasant standing around so crossed silently over to the side ridge, passing through a stand of tall open pepper wood. The rst thing I sighted was a scrape with fresh marks all over it. Again I waited. Several minutes past, then above me, croak, croak, croak! If I wasnt keyed up before I certainly was now! I can do a reasonable Fallow grunt but the coughing spasm that usually follows is seldom appreciated. I had a Flambeau grunter slung around my neck that I had modied by removing the bellows section so as to blow directly into the reed chamber. This produced a much longer and more realistic call. One of our most knowledgeable Fallow deer authorities, Ray Lane maintains a doe call is more likely to bring a buck in but I wasnt condent I could pull it off. I gave him three of my best buck croaks and almost immediately in his direction there was an almighty crash and shaking of shrubbery. I almost lled my trolleys! It was a sodden branch that had broken off and fell crashing onto bushes! I waited another ten minutes. It looked a bit tricky pushing through the scrub so sidled back onto the original ridge where I had seen rubbings and a couple of small scrapes on my earlier trip. Although the vegetation was pretty thick a little time spent looking usually reveals a deer trail. I passed a large beech tree with a bough growing out at right angles and the ground underneath was bone dry. My stomach was starting to make a pretty good imitation of a deer grunt so decided to check out this ridge and then head back to this spot for shelter and something to eat. I had only just passed the second scrape when I heard that dreaded call. A doe barked above me. Bugger! Well since that would have put my weights up I ventured over to a patch of
broadleaf in the next gully and received three more barks for my trouble. Having assumed I had blown it I wandered a bit despondently back down to the shelter of the beech tree. With my limited activity and sodden cap I was starting to get cold but fortunately I had a long sleeved thermal tee shirt in my day pack so stripped off and slipped it on. A little warmer, I settled under the shelter and hooked into a sandwich. If I am stopped for a break I will normally try and nd somewhere with a good view over a patch of feed bush or perhaps an open bush face across a gully with my rie at the ready across my knees. I am always amazed how often you see nothing for a mornings hunt then sit down for a spell and a deer appears. Possibly tells something of my stalking ability but more likely the ease of seeing movement when the hunter is stationary. My outlook from under the bough was fairly limited but there was a shallow depression lled with sizeable pepper wood that was in the direction where I had last heard the roaring and I could partially see underneath them. I was halfway through my sandwich when almost as if on queue, a buck came trotting through the dank pepper wood, possibly heading for the does that had barked. He spotted my movement and threw on the anchors. Not breaking eye contact I dropped the sandwich and slowly slid my hand around the tree to where I had propped my rie. Lifting the rie and closing the bolt in the same movement I could scarcely believe he hadnt bolted. Perhaps it was the cramped position I was sitting in that he couldnt quite dene what I or the movement was. My good fortune quickly turned to mild panic as the scope lens was coated with water and I couldnt see a damned thing through it. No chance of digging out some toilet paper. I glanced down the side of the scope and could make him out beyond a couple of brighter branches. It was gloomy enough without the hassle of the distorted lens but then I noticed unusual white hairs around his eyes. I lowered the cross hairs a few inches and squeezed off a shot. The shock wave from the .270 dislodged a shower of water from the surrounding vegetation. When the scene cleared my buck had dropped dead on the spot. He wasnt going far so I casually nished my sandwich having prejudged him from the short distance as an average head. After the rain eased off I wandered the fteen paces to inspect my prize. My rst impression was conrmed (I thought) of a very old buck sporting a rough head that was perhaps on its way back. He had obviously not eaten much for some time as he looked quite emancipated.
11
Probably been too busy engaged in more urgent matters. The white hairs around his eyes, which had possibly led to his down fall, were quite uncommon. The antlers were heavy but didnt look anything special. With about forty-ve years of measuring Fallow I can usually guess to within a few points the Douglas Score of a Fallow head. I certainly didnt pick this one as anything like record book contention and had him lined up with the twenty or thirty other heads I have in my garage that havent quite made the grade. If I had known it was well over 200DS instead of taking shelter from the next shower I would have been up dancing a jig!
406MHZ Personal
When the shower eased off I set about removing as much meat as I could and was puzzled as to why a buck, that looked so thin, had such huge hind quarters. I was in the process of removing the front wheels when I heard something heading down the beech ridge at a fast clip and sounding for all the world like someone talking. This had me completely perplexed as Al would be a good k away from here. I was just about to call out when another buck came trotting through the same opening as the rst and slid to an abrupt stop just a few metres away. I always tell novice hunters, dont even wander into the bush for a call of nature (not usually that politely) without taking their rie. Mine was back out of the rain propped up Locator Beacons against the
beech tree! The buck took one look at his competition hanging up in pieces ready for boning out and a dozy old guy hacking off a front leg before spinning around and hurtling away. He appeared to have good length and spread with promising palms so the local girls would be in good hands. If he had of been a good'n, it would have been me caught with my pants half down! Although it normally takes quite an effort to secure your game, the real graft doesnt start until you come to carry it out. I can assure you that carrying this load of meat and head out was not a lot of fun as staying upright on steep slippery ground these days is a fair challenge not made any easier when my pack strap gave way. It wasnt until I cleaned up the skull and found it was a huge (for the Blue Mountains) 13 inches long that it eventually dawned on me that perhaps this head was much better than I had estimated. This was conrmed when I threw a tape over it.
Kannad, McMurdo, GME, Fastfind Sales and Service
www.beacons.co.nz
These antlers were good enough to win the Marshall Memorial Trophy for best head off the Blue Mountains by a local branch member and the Waikato Branch Trophy (over 65 years) at the national competitions. Not a bad effort for a perceived scrubber that ended up scoring 212 DS!
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ColFo
Please take the time to read the minutes, one of the signicant points we raised was - when regulation is passed it is unrealistic to expect rearm owners to comply immediately. We asked that they allow 6 to 9 months for components to be manufactured and delivered, to ensure that rearm owners can comply with any new regulation. While it is minuted, we hope that it was heard to ensure the rearm owners are given sufcient time to decide and act to be compliant. In the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, President Obama issued a list ofExecutive Orders. Among them, the Centers for Disease Control was given $10 million to research gun violence. Their report has been released as well as another form Harvard Law that do not support the positions they were expected to and can be found at the following links http://www.gunsandammo.com/2013/08/27/ cdc-gun-research-backres-onobama/#ixzz2dBxhObCw http://www.smallgovtimes.com/article/harvardstudy-reveals-gun-control-counterproductive/ While we have not read these reports in full and it needs to be said this are written with in a USA context the high points do make interesting reading. If you have any thoughts or feedback please email me at [email protected]
Dear Members
The Council has not met since my last report; we continue to keep in touch with each other by email. We plan to meet as a council twice a year. By doing this we will keep our cost sustainable relative to our current income. Should the council need to meet more frequently over specic issues we will ask for nancial support from members, if it is required. We met twice, informally, with the police representatives and once with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFaT) to discuss managing any future impact to New Zealand rearm owners as a result of New Zealand signing the Arms Trade Treaty at the United Nations. By now you should have seen the minutes of the inaugural Police Firearms Community Advisory Forum on the 18th June in Wellington. If not please type this link into your browser - http:// www.police.govt.nz /about-us /publication / firearms-community-advisory-forum-minutes18-june-2013 The intent of the forum is for police to invite representative groups to provide feedback on policy they are developing. It gives us the
opportunity to prevent unintended consequences or non-compliance by licence rearm owners as a result of practical issues. As the forum is an attempt to improve police process, it is controlled by police. Once they have established policy wording, it is then forwarded to the Parliamentary Counsel Ofce, for PCO agreement, as draft regulation. The draft regulation is then circulated amongst relevant agencies for consultation, then submitted to Cabinet, after Cabinet approve then it goes to the Governor General for signature. Once signed it is gazetted and comes into effect 28 days later. Through the process we will all need to be vigilant and active to ensure all licence rearm owners are heard as it may be changed at any level. It is worth noting that some members have been lobbying members of Parliament and the council in regard to the Arms Amendment Act, at time of writing the number is over 2000. This is commendable and demonstrates to Parliament that rearm owners are active and have a voice, however it will not stop the Arms Amendment Act progressing as it has already been accepted.
A ll th e b est Ch a ir, COLFO Micha el Dowlin g,

Media Release
NEw ZEaland DEERSTalKERS ASSoCiaTion CoMMEndS PoliTiCianS.

The New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA) National President, Tim McCarthy, has commended politicians who voted today to pass the Game Animal Council Act. The new Act nally sees the establishment of a statutory body to manage deer, chamois, tahr and wild pigs. It is the culmination of a long process to revise the status of game animals that have hitherto been widely treated as pests despite their high recreational, cultural and commercial value, he said. The Act was welcomed by NZDA which since 1937 had advocated for a management regime in which hunters had some say. Mr McCarthy said that after many years of frustration, there was now a way forward for a coordinated approach to the management of valued game animals. With the establishment of a statutory body, recreational, commercial and conservation interests will now be able to nd solutions to long-standing differences based on entrenched positions.
The NZDA also looks forward to the development of agreed national standards for hunting activities and collaboration with conservation interests, the police, Federated Farmers, land owners and the game industry to address issues of mutual interest such as trespass, poaching, biodiversity conservation and the crossover between recreational and commercial game interests. The Game Animal Council will not deliver everything hunters had wanted but will be a step forward from where we have been for so many frustrating years. However, Mr McCarthy said it was particularly pleasing to see a last-minute amendment to the Act providing for the establishment of new stricter regulations governing helicopter hunting. He added that NZDA commended the successive governments and Ministers of Conservation who had overseen the process that preceded the announcement. We acknowledge the key role of Mr Peter Dunne (United Future) who
has consistently championed the new law via his condence and supply agreement with successive governments. The roles of successive Ministers of Conservation in arriving at this decision indicate that conservation values will not be lost sight of when developing management strategies for game animals. NZDA strongly supports the GAC and looks forward to working with Council partners, government and other interests to promote safe and ethical hunting practices and proper management of the game animal resource. The NZDA is New Zealands largest and longestestablished organisation of recreational hunters. With a membership of more than 10,000 throughout New Zealand it represents the interests of all recreational hunters and has long advocated for hunting as an integral part of our heritage and recreation.
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YOUNG HUNTER
THE Big DaY

By C a e l a n OH a g a n , 7 y e a rs, H u t t Va l l e y Bra n c h
On 27/12/12 I woke up at 4:57am and knowing what to do I jumped into the Terrano and found Dad waiting. We took off to pick up Rowan then, zoomed away. When we got there Dad talked about safety but at the same time Rowan saw a deer so it sounded like, OK well just talk about a few safety things so Rowan you go in the front and Ill go in the back and Caelan you go in the BOOM! When I heard the gun I was very excited so I accidentally shouted, yes! We ran up to the deer and gutted it. Soon we took off.
T h e Tr i p
We had a very steep climb so we stopped for a break. After the break we took off again (for the slips) when we got there I was very tired because it took a very long time and also a long way up so I was exhausted so Dad gave me some jelly beans. I was on lookout to look for goats and deer but I had no luck when suddenly I heard a BOOM! I was very excited but this time I remembered to stay quiet. I followed Dad and Rowan and found two goats. We gutted the goats and carried them back to the deer. I asked Dad to get the truck and bring it across the river so when he did me and Rowan put the deer and goats in the boot, hopped in and drove across the river. It was funny on the other side because we got stuck. When we got out of the soft ground we went home.
MY fiRST TaHR
By Ru b y Yo u n g
I am on the HUNTS course with dads trainee's. At 5:30am Dad got me out of bed. I think I was already awake even though I never get up that early. We drove up, down and through creeks and over gravel untill we came to our section. We left the truck on the at and split up. I ended up with Dad and James with his dad. We saw some tahr and talked about the best way to confront them. At last we started to climb the hill to get to them. My hunting shoes were just a bit too big and every time I stepped up the hill they would slip off (very annoying). When we got to the side of the ridge we could see the group of tahr. They were basking on the rough rock face. Upon looking around we saw there was a nanny quite close to us just standing there. We groped around to nd a good position. At James' rst shot, which echoed round the hills and valleys, a nanny rolled off a steep rock slide into a gully full of sharp scrub. I spotted my target. Lying down, I sighted on the nanny tahr and pulled the trigger. My ears were ringing and adrenaline was pumping through my body. The shot tahr was still dgeting around but dad quickly put an end to that. Then more tahr popped up over the other side of the hill. My ngers were itching to down them but we had already got ours. We made our way over to the tahr where dad rolled it down the hill through the thick scrub. We skinned and gutted it before pulling it in to the truck to go home. I really enjoyed being with the other HUNTS students on this day but I was very tired by the time we got home late that night.
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Hamish Sinclair with a 100 pound Otago sow
Reuben Cook age 5 from Nelson Branch,on his first pig hunt with a 90lb sow after a big walk up the native ridge
Jayden Parahi (T VDA) with his first goat taken on our club trip
Olly Higgins, 14yrs, Upper Clutha Branch with her wallaby.
Harry McAllister, 13-years-old with his first goats that he shot with his mission menace bow in the back blocks of Kaeo
LL PRIZE PACK OF T HE KILLWE
WINNER
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NATIONAL HUNTING ADVISOR
DOC UpdaTE
By Ian Cooksley, National Hunting Advisor/Community Relations
Contact details: Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai Telephone: 06 350 9705 E mail: [email protected] Manawatu Rangitikei Area Private Bag 11010 Palmerston North 4442 717 Tremaine Avenue, Palmerston North 4414
WHY iS THE anSwER SoMETiMES no.

An often asked question is can I hunt in this area?; and if not, why not?. The Department in balancing the aspirations of a multitude of varying groups or individuals inevitably has to make a decision as to the appropriateness of a certain activity. In assessing an activities appropriateness all activities start of (unless prohibited in statue) on a level footing and through the assessment process are deemed appropriate or not e.g. hunting is as appropriate as any other activity until assessment deems otherwise. Generally it is the activity that is being assessed and not the person unless there is a history of misconduct etc. Most assessments are for a particular activity at a particular site taking into account local conditions, so because an activity is not being permitted at one site doesnt mean it might not be at another. Assessment procedure: The following elements are relevant in assessing the appropriateness of hunting at a particular site. Safety: Here the assessment is not so much the safety of the hunter but of other people utilising the same area. Relevant to this is policy 9.3(b) of the Conservation General Policy Recreational activities that create hazards for other people should be managed to reduce the risk of harm. Assisting the safety assessment is the Departments Visitor Risk Management, Standard Operating Procedure which provides a comprehensive approach to managing risk to visitors on all land managed by the Department of Conservation. It describes a visitor risk assessment process, provides information on when the procedure applies, what to do and how to do it. The purpose of this procedure is to ensure a consistent approach is taken in the identication, evaluation and treatment of risk associated with new and existing visitor hazards, on all land managed by the Department. It aims to ensure a balance is struck between the need to manage risk associated with these hazards and ensuring the experience visitors are seeking from a site is preserved. Risk is evaluated through the following: Likelihood: Identifying the probability or frequency of an event occurring. Usually involves high use areas such as roadends, campgrounds and great walks etc where the likelihood of interaction between hunters and other groups is the highest. Consequences: Identifying the outcome should an event occur. It is this element that is of major concern to hunting as despite an often low likelihood rearms accidents can have tragic consequences. Ability to manage: Identifying actions that can be taken to mitigate each risk . For hunting this often involves awareness (signage, pamphlets, specic programmes during roar) or separation with no hunting zones (e.g. 500 m of a Great Walk) and nally prohibition of hunting in a block altogether. Legal Agreements etc: Whilst not a major element and often temporary, there are instances where legal agreements or other arrangements preclude the use or carriage of rearms. Leased or licensed grazing areas: Most grazing leases prohibit public hunting due to stock disturbance or no game animals being present. Grazing licenses on the other hand may permit public access and in some cases hunting. When the Department assesses whether to lease or license an area any impact on recreational use is considered, including hunting. Accesses: Occasionally an access agreement across private land can only be reached if the carriage or use of rearms is prohibited. The Department endeavours to include all recreation uses in an access agreement and in most cases this is achieved. Research Areas: Not a common occurrence but an area may be closed on a temporary basis to enable research to be undertaken without being compromised by hunting
Whilst the majority of land administered by the Department is available to hunting, as can be seen from the above in some areas hunting is deemed inappropriate. The decision to exclude hunting from an area should be the result of a robust and transparent assessment. So next time you ask the question can I hunt in this area and the answer is no (presumably for very good reasons), by all means seek an explanation as by asking you will help to keep hunting to the forefront of management decisions.
s an d the New Yea r, All the bes t for Chr ist ma Ian .
16
Habitat
CATTLE RIDGE HUT

B y To n y M a c k l i n , We l l i n g t o n Bra n c h SiTUaTEd:
Map BN34 - 114882, 40 43 793" E, 175 30 202" S, Elevation: 1077m, a S70 design hut. Helipad. Norski toilet. Hut ridge line sits in an east/west conguration. repainting Cattle Ridge Hut. That was on 16th February, 1996 and probably was the last time the hut was painted. Cattle Ridge Hut under the late change become a community hut due to its proximity to Roaring Stag Lodge which is part of the core network of Tararua Huts. The condition of Cattle Ridge Hut came to my notice while on the rebuild of Roaring Stag Lodge in 2005, and also later during other forays into the Tararuas. Wellington Branch members also showed concern at the condition of Cattle Ridge Hut. A deant Cattle Ridge Hut looks east to the distant Wairarapa plains. Deant because it has endured for over ve decades despite the northerly gales that often torment the area and batter the hut and any hapless trampers in the vicinity. For this reason alone it is one of our treasures, a Taonga of the Tararuas. For generations the Tararuas have been a playground for "Wellingtonians" and the greater region. The hut, located in the northern peaks sits high above the bushline surrounded by unforgiving leatherwood that provides no shelter for the hut, although the hut itself is a paradise to a wind weary tramper. And weary they are after the climb to get there. Access, for most trampers, begins I with a pleasant three hour forest tramp from the roadend near Eketahuna to reach the wonderfully named Roaring Stag Lodge surming itself (on a good day) beside the Ruamahanga River. Roaring Stag is one of those splendid, idyllically located new huts, but yet to develop the character and charm that only comes with the years. From the lodge its all uphill. My rst visit to the hut in l99l with my eleven year old son seemed to take a long time but the 700 metre ascent from the river is just a solid two hour "grunt". And grunt it is with a gradient of l/2.57 making it one of the steepest track climbs in the Tararuas.1 But its worth it, with fabulous views down the Ruamahanga River Valley and the Blue Range hills beyond to the northern Wairarapa farm land. Cattle Ridge, for which the hut is named, is very "doable" even for enthusiastic beginners. lt's a safe access to the real Tararua tops complete with all the magic that is offered by tramping
1 Peter Jagger Appendix Three "Tramping in the T3I3I'l1&S 2006
EXiSTing HUT
Cattle Ridge Hut was built in the summer of 1960-1961. A comment from Chris Main to John Rhodes of Greytown was: "Soon after we nished Cattle Ridge Hut we were staying there in the rain and howling wind that was sending spouts of water in through a knot hole in the door; there was no question of going outside! We could not light the re because the top section of the chimney was blown over." On talking to Joe Hansen of DOC Wairarapa the hut on Cattle Ridge was probably build under the control of Athol Geddes. The book Wild Animal Control Huts by Michael Kelly and the Department of Conservation does not list the hut. The book only refers to Mid Waiohine and Manungahuka Huts, when in fact there are others in the area. There are others of the S70 design still existing in the Tararuas today.
over snow grassed ridge tops with glorious views. Folklore has it that the ridge was named for the cattle that once grazed there; wild cattle, before the onslaught of the deer, being common invaders of the range early last century .... But you wont nd any now. One of our great legacies is the network of huts built by the New Zealand Forest Service for cullers engaged to eradicate deer as alarm increased over deer-related erosion. Cattle Ridge is one of these. A classic l960s galvanised, at iron, top and bottom six-bunk "S70"2 hut. Originally it had an open re that evolved into a pot belly stove. Sadly the re and stove was removed by DOC in the l990s owing to their concern about lack of available fuel. On my last visit I noticed trampers, undeterred, had improvised a replace outside the door with ample fuel from dead leatherwood. The hut serves as an excellent launch point for greater expeditions with challenging trips to the main range via Dundas hut, or for the more adventuresome, the Barmister Ridge crossing which enables a classic East-West cross to Levin. Cattle Ridge serves as an important retreat point for such trips given the propensity for unpredictable and severe weather changes in the range. Cattle Ridge needs some TLC and recent question marks on its future have been alleviated thanks to the efforts of Tony Macklin of NZDA. A program to restore the hut with care a joint responsibility of NZDA and DOC is underway assuring this trampers' and hunters' treasure as a heritage hut for future generations.
CaTTlE RidgE HUT HiSToRY

Cattle Ridge was probably named from the 1880s onwards as cattle inltrated the Tararua Ranges. Their presence ls revealed obviously by names like Cow Creek, Cow Saddle and Cattle Ridge. The cattle were exterminated in the 1930s. (Tararua Story by Chris Maclean). Not to be confused with Cattle Ridge in the Orongorongas. Cattle Ridge Hut was built in 1960 (according to Chronology of Tararuas - Kerr). This was at the same time as Dundas on the main range to the west. A photo supplied by John Rhodes shows the original hut as built by Chris Main complete with open replace; a hut of S70 design (plans attached). My rst encounter with Roaring Stag came in the early 1970s which led to Cattle Ridge Hut. This would have been in NZFS (New Zealand Forest Service) days. The hut had a Walmakarere stove in those days and this was removed under the DOC reign. The Wellington branch of NZDA was asked in the early days to be in a caretaker role for the hut. I recall along with Phil Whitelaw and my son Joe going in with Duncan Sutherland and
2 NZFS classication courtesy Joe Hansen (Dept of Conservation) 17
MSC
MEMBER PROFILE
N i c o l e McK e e NZ Mo u n ta i n S a f e t y C o u n c i l
In May 2013 I returned to New Zealand from shooting the South African fullbore championships. I immediately took up my position at Mountain Safety Council (MSC) as Firearms & Hunter Safety Programme Manager. I have been a member of the MSC since 2005 as a Volunteer Firearms Instructor for Wellington Central. I have also enjoyed the role of Firearms Coordinator for Wellington Central until my recent appointment as Programme Manager. I am a member of many rearms and shooting related organisations and hold a variety of signicant positions on committees at a local and national level. Born in Lower Hutt I spent some of my formative years in Rotorua before settling in Wellington. Of Ng Puhi descent my Marae is Maungarongo based in the little settlement of Maungatapere west of Whangarei. I am married with four children who all enjoy recreational rearm use. I have a professional background in law having worked for East Brewster, Barristers & Solicitors in Rotorua and Coubrough & Matthews upon returning to Wellington. I then left the workforce for 8 years to nurture my young family. Steve Collings from Steves Wholesale Limited offered me employment in the munitions industry after our youngest started school. During my time with Steve I have learned a great deal, fostered my passion for all things rearms and developed a network of rearms related contacts around the country. I hand load all of my centrere ammunition which includes hunting and target shooting in .303 and .308 calibres. My involvement with multiple shooting sports is to local and national level and I am a keen meat hunter who enjoys providing food for the family. In April 2013 I represented the New Zealand Ladies Rie Team (as team captain and coach) in the tri-nations matches between South Africa, Australia and New Zealand in Bloemfontein, South Africa. We also competed as individuals in the South African Fullbore Nationals where my success saw me bring home six medals along with the three silver medals won during the Tri Nations matches. The ladies were proud to have beaten Australia in all three Tri-Nations matches. Shooting alongside some of the best fullbore shooters in the world was an experience never to be forgotten. New Zealands rearms community is a proud, staunch and outspoken bunch. Those qualities are what endeared me to the community, the gogetters of our society. It is an honour to be the Programme Manager for volunteers with passions as robust as my own. I am a Wellington Branch NZDA member and am looking forward to working closely with NZDA National Executive to promote safety with rearms and hunting.
Hope to see you on the range (or in a hut).
18
SafETY TipS -
K n ow y o u r l i m it s
h t t p : //m o u n t a i n s a f e t y . o rg . n z /s a f e t y -t i p s / T h e - O u td o o r-S a f e t y - C o d e /K n ow-Yo u r- Li m it s . a sp
According to the Chinese the relationship between risk and the individual can be described as wei-jan meaning opportunity through danger. Your responsibility is to enjoy and maximise the opportunity while reducing and minimising the risk.
Social and psychological factors can create high risk situations. Be aware of the points below: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Too familiar with the situation: The it cant happen to me illusion. Many incidents have been preceded by near misses in the same area. Be aware of familiarity. Dropping your guard: After being familiar with a situation; risks can rise when we stop monitoring our surroundings. Keep alert. Risk shift: We tend to be more brash and riskier in a group. This leads to poor decision making and can extend weaker members of a group too far past their skill levels. Get home-itus: Forgetting to monitor risk once the end is in sight. Many incidents have occurred when people do dangerous things just trying to get home or back to camp. Be alert to the end. Attribution theory: We tend to blame our mistakes on external things (others, gear, etc) and take the credit for good things. In an incident separate blame from responsibility and reduce further risk. Risk homeostasis: Have personal locator beacon (PLB), will travel. With safety gear in hand many people take extra risks. These precautions should be a backup not a licence to roam. What would happen if they failed?
Know your limits: Challenge yourself within your physical limits and experience. Below are DOCs track ratings. Whats your level of challenge?
Short Walk: Easy walking for up to an hour on a well formed tack that is well formed with an even surface with possible steps or
slopes. Suitable for people of most abilities and tness. Stream and rivers crossings are bridged. Walking shoes required.
Easy to moderate walking from a few minutes to a day on a well formed track, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy. Clearly sign posted and all stream and river crossings are bridged. Suitable for people with low to moderate tness and abilities. Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots required.
Walking track:
Track is generally well-formed, may be steep, rough or muddy, suitable for people with moderate tness. Limited backcountry (remote areas) experience required. Track has signs, poles or markers. Major stream and rivers crossings are bridged. Light tramping/hiking boots required.
Great walks/easy tramping:
Tramping: Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking on a track that is mostly unformed with steep, rough or muddy sections.
Suitable for people with good tness. Moderate to high level backcountry skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required. Tracks have markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings. Tramping/hiking boots required.
Route Tracks: Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking on an unformed and natural track, rough, muddy or very steep.
Suitable for people with above average tness with high level backcountry skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required. Complete self-sufciency is required. Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings. Sturdy tramping/hiking boots required.
19
Tip OFFS
GUidE To CoMpoSing PHoToS wHEn FiREaRMS CoMpRiSE PaRT of THE SUBjECT

By M a c Mc Mu l l e n , Wa ira ra p a Bra n c h a n d a pprove d b y I n sp e c t o r J o e G r e e n . N e w Ze a l a n d Po l i c e
The following may be used as a general guideline when composing/taking photos that are intended for display in/on public forums or printed material or digital media. The intent is to clearly demonstrate that the rearm formed part of the function of what the photo is all about whilst ensuring that it cannot ever be construed that the rearm is in an unsafe condition or pointing in a manner or direction that could cause harm or give the wrong impression (particularly important when viewed by an audience that may be ignorant of all to do with rearms or fearful of them).
Ensure t h e:
a. Rie is pointing in a safe direction - clearly not at any person or property (when viewed in the photo remembering parallax may cause it to look like it is). Rie is being held properly: with control, and in a safe manner i.e.: not with hands over muzzle, or by the barrel over the shoulder, or an any other cavalier manner, or with muzzle rested on feet as many clay-target shooters do (in the approved manner) when on the ring station. The bolt (either conventional bolt or slide bold - as in Blazer) is clearly either removed from the rie or is open and fully drawn to the rear (examine the photo to ensure it shows this in the photo). Obviously if a right-hand bolt rie, the right hand side of the rie must be shown, and the reverse for a left-hand bolt rie. Ensure hands/wrist does not obscure the position of the bolt or that the ejection port is open. Action (if a semi-auto rie) is locked fully to the rear and the photo shows it to be. Again, as with the bolt rie, ensure the hands/wrist does not obscure the position of the action and that the ejection port is fully open. Lever is fully lowered if the rie is a lever-action and again the lever (and bolt if the bolt slides to the rear external to the action housing) is clearly visible as being fully open. Rie is broken open if the rie is a break-open action (as in most conventional single and double barrel shotguns). Slide is fully to the rear and the action is clearly seen to be open if the rearm is a pump-action again ensuring the ejection port faces the camera and the hand/wrist does not obscure this area. If the photo composition is not intended to market/display the rie/rearm, then attention should be taken to position the rie to reduce the impact of its presence, eg an option is to not even show the rie if the photo is of an animal/bird and the successful hunter. If the rie/rearm must be included then minimise its presence whilst ensuring its state of safety is clearly visible. (Breech ags are not intended for use in the eld in general hunting conditions these are for use on Rie Shooting Ranges.) If the intent is to photograph through a scope (or view over iron sights), then carefully ensure the exclusion of any background and anking objects/property that could be construed as looking dangerous or threatening eg the shooters view of a rabbit with a farmhouse or farm stock in the background. Under no circumstances project the reticule or sights onto a person the need for this is outside of any sporting hunting reason. Avoid publishing photos of a rearm pointing at the camera particularly if the photo would show the rearm held in the aim by a person. k. Any photos of rearms being transported on/in vehicles, horseback, quads, bikes, etc are clearly well secured and not pointing at people/property regardless of the fact they are locked down. All photos showing the inside of the action are of an action with no round either in the magazine or breech unless the photo is showing technical details or marketing.
b.
l.
c.
m. Any photos of rearms being transferred across fences, gates, or up or down steep terrain are clearly in a safe state and cannot be construed as looking dangerous. (Best to avoid these photos as they are inherently very difcult to avoid looking dangerous.) n. o. Make sure it is clear that the photographer is standing in a safe place If on a range the shooters (and observers) are wearing eyes and ears.
d.
e.
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20
RECOIL JACKET
YoUnG HUnter
JEREMYS YEaR
By R o g e r St o k e s - Ta u p o Bra n c h
One of the greatest pleasures a hunting Dad can have is sharing the stalking adventures with his kids. Certainly this is now true for me. This tale is about the last years hunting my eldest son Jeremy and I have shared. Jeremy came on his rst big game goat hunt with me when he was 6-years-old and just loved it. More goat hunts followed. His rst deer hunt was down to the Wanganui fallow when he was 8-years-old with him doing his share by carrying home the back steaks in his pack. Several more Fallow hunts followed, where he started to show himself to be a pretty good game spotter, loving nothing better than to beat dad to the deer sightings. Jeremy attended the excellent kids shooting nights programme at the Taupo NZDA range where he learnt to shoot my .22 with condence. The night he shot a 10-shot prone 100.5 on the 50 metre range I decided I wouldnt volunteer to shoot a target myself as a parental humiliation was a certainty. I didnt even know my gun could shoot that good! Jeremy was ready to start hunting game. His rst kill was a one-shot possum followed by one-shot rabbit. I now gave a fair bit of thought into what a suitable starter big-game rie would be for him. Im a gun salesmans nightmare, still shooting the same Winchester M70 Featherweight 7x57 I got new nearly 30 years ago as a teenager, but I wondered whether maybe I should get a .223 Remington or .243 Winchester as a starter? The answer however came in the form of a Hardy rie suppressor for my 7x57, this reduced the recoil to a level even an 11-year-old could condently handle and tamed the bothersome muzzle blast, while retaining knock-down power that the light calibres can only dream about. A Remington bipod completed the dress-up of the venerable rie. A Trophy Billy for Jeremy In February 2012 Jeremy and his younger brother Matthew came with me to a pine forest at Awakino in the King Country. This trip was to be special as Jeremy was the great white hunter; I was to be just part of his support crew. We started down a forest rebreak; we hadnt even gone 100 metres before Jeremy spotted a nice billy on a side ridge. A short stalk through the pines closer to the feeding goat soon had Jeremy nestled behind the bipod while a nervous Dad offered advice wait until he stops. At Jeremys shot the billy did a somersault and congratulations were in order when we saw that he had his rst trophy. Further down the rebreak another one-shot kill on a bedded billy had the condence rising. The suppressor was certainly doing its job at reducing game disturbances. Our tally had increased further by the time we found ourselves down the bottom of the forest where it runs into the native bush and
22
Jeremy's first trophy, a 30inch goat Awakino River.
another mob could be seen ahead This time my eyes alit on something special a massive black billy with a set of horns better than any Id ever shot. Jeremy knew enough about trophies to understand that there would be more mana in shooting this one guy than the whole mob that surrounded him. The problem was that this billy had not grown big in such a heavily-hunted area by being careless. Hed immediately cottoned-on to the fact that something wasnt right in the forest and lay down in the pine thinnings with just his head visible looking in our direction while all the other goats fed obliviously around him. It was too risky a shot for a young hunter to chance. Patience was the order for the day for the young lads as the mob slowly fed away from us. Eventually the billy quickly rose to his feet and followed the mob over the next ridge without offering a clear shot through the pines.
4pt sika stag Kaimanawa tops.
The three of us quickly did a loop to bring us around a downwind side ridge. We crawled on our bellies down to get a view of the mob from only 25 metres. The other billies all had their heads down feeding offering the easiest of shots, but Jeremy now wasnt interested in them. After ve minutes had passed, it became clear to us that the clever big boy had split from the mob. An alarm sneeze sounded up behind us, so Mat thew and Roger with Jeremy's first Jeremy and Matt sneaked quietly deer, 8pt fallow from Wanganui herd. back up the ridge, before excitedly crawling back to me to report that Huntech bag the big billy was down the side of like Dads. Within three days Jeremy had his the ridge hiding in the thinnings on the edge of chance to put it through its paces, when we the native. It was really good spotting on the headed off on his rst Sika day-hunt. Being early boys part, so we back-tracked and managed March I knew of a prime feed basin up on the to nd enough of a shooting corridor through Kaimanawa tops that was an absolute magnet the trees to let Jeremy shoot from about 30 for stags. I apologised to Jeremy at the amount metres. The billy slumped on the spot, another of walking I had planned, explaining that when great shot from the young trophy hunter. I was hunting from a public track it was necessary to so proud of him. The 30 inch billy was a great go beyond the average day-stalker if we wanted starter for his trophy collection, taking out the to be sure to get onto a deer. A white ash from best goat at the 2012 Taupo NZDA measuring a hind standing beside the bush section of the night and was the third biggest entered at the track gave Jeremy his rst Sika sighting on the Sika Show. climb up. First Sika Hunt At 2.30pm we sidled around a ridge and a large, Two weeks later and Jeremy had his 12th beautiful well-watered scrubby basin opened birthday, his main present being a 40 litre
Jeremy hunting above Lake Waikaremoana Oct 2012
Gisborne goat hunt 2012 - we shot the 14pt red stag in the forest in the distance to the right of Jeremy.
stare. A young buck had his head down, feeding away from us eighty yards away. Just a perfect set-up for a rst deer!
up below us. I stopped Jeremy and said that our tramp was over; we would now sit and watch. 30 minutes later the sun nally broke through the light cloud that had come from the south. As if on cue a Sika stag stood up on the face opposite us and walked out onto an open pumice pan and lay down in the warming rays of the sun. He started chewing his cud as his eyelids grew heavy. Ah, the satisfaction to have my promise of action vindicated! However the shot on him would have to be at long range as the basin was wide open with little high cover between us. I picked out a rocky outcrop that I was going to make for, while Jeremy sat back with the remains of his lunch and had a grandstand view of the stalk. The rocky outcrop presented me with a 290 yard shot. The bedded stag didnt seem very large through the 9x Swarovski scope, but with six clicks of come-up dialled in I took the shot. He leapt to his feet, spun around and stood there stify in a confused manner. The shot had felt and sounded good, but another shot was quickly on its way; this caused the stag to jump back into the scrub. Jeremy brought my bag down and soon we were shaking hands over the four-point stag telling ourselves what a great hunting team we made. It was a tired young hunter that climbed into the car well after dark that evening so much so that Mum kept him out of school the next day to get over it Im sure Jeremy thought that was an added bonus! More Sika action Two weeks later and Jeremy was now as keen as, so it was arranged for us to join my longtime hunting buddy Ross Tindale on Kaweka over-nighter. Jeremys Huntech bag now got lled with his sleeping bag and extra food. I laboured up the steep DOC track in the baking heat with a near full-sized pack, muttering darkly about next time Id even up the loads a bit more to slow the youngster down. We met up with Ross on the top of the range. Ross had seen eight deer over the morning, but mostly a little out of range and they hadnt stayed in the open long enough to allow him to close to a shootable position. I think he was getting a little frustrated. We moved along the ridge a little further and soon Ross spotted a stag feeling on a steep
scrubby face. As we moved closer we spotted two separate hinds bedded on the same moist south-facing hillside in spots with commanding views. Ross was commissioned with the task of getting the stag, while Jeremy and I sat back to await the results. In the end it turned out pretty tricky for Ross as the stag had gone into a narrow gully, forcing Ross to stalk very close through some noisy scrub while being unsighted most of the time. The stag was waiting for Ross and bolted down the steep gully oor. However Ross was not going to be denied after so much effort and after three shots had echoed out the gully the stag was sprawled on the scree. Jeremy and I watched the two bedded hinds really spin their wheels as they carved direct tracks for the bushline. The stag was a malformed four-pointer, but in very good nick. A worthwhile cull. We split all the venison between us, and nally the young fella was slowed down to near our pace. We watched some more deer come out just before dark on the opposite ridge, while we enjoyed the lovely sunset on the walk back to set up camp. I took a nice photo of Jeremy and Ross on the tops; this came out well and won me the scenic photo cup at the 2012Taupo NZDA competitions. Jeremy had now done his rst real over-nighter, and was keen for more. Jeremy took a break from hunting over the roar as I headed down to hunt the Edith River with my long-time hunting mate Simon Gibson. Jeremys rst helicopter trip followed soon after with a trip in Helisikas R66 into the Repia over Queens Birthday weekend. My mate Garth Johnson and his son Dylan really showed us how to hunt the block, with them getting two Sika. Jeremy however was pleased with catching four possums in three nights with his trap. First deer Four weeks later Jeremy, his eight-year-old brother Matthew and I headed back down to the Wanganui Fallow country where we had rst hunted together four years ago. We set up camp by the car then all sneaked up the old farm track to the top ridge and a bushy face we knew held a strong attraction for deer in winter. Stop, Jeremy hissed, as he pointed along the ridge. Matt and I peered in the direction of his
We all lay down and I set the rie up on the bipod. Jeremy put on his earmuffs, settled down behind the butt and got lined up on the deer. I put my hand on him and whispered, wait until he turns side on. The 40 seconds it took for this to happen must have seemed a very long time for Jeremy, but nally his moment came, and the unsuspecting eightpoint buck collapsed right on the spot after a perfect shot behind its shoulder. You beauty! I enthused. Im sure I was even more excited than Jeremy; the rst deer is the big milestone in any young hunters career not to mention a hunting Dads career. After the photos Jeremy had the privilege of triumphantly carrying his rst trophy rack back to the tent and we retold the story a few times over a Milo or two after dinner. A great day indeed. T he 2013 roar I was giving a fair bit of thought to where I could take Jeremy for his rst Red roar. Over the last two decades Id hunted way south most years with my hard-core mates, including eight bugle hunts in Fiordland, Otago, South Westland and North Canterbury Red deer had also been chased around with moderate success. For a change however I decided I would remain in the North Island for the 2013 roar. In November 2012 Jeremy and I were hunting goats between Wairoa and Gisborne in some of the pine forests that have proliferated in the area. We enjoyed good action with the high goat numbers in the area providing more practice for the young hunter. While I was in the area I enquired with the forestry manager about the prospects for a roar hunt. The deer numbers were not high I was told and they were under signicant pressure as public access was permitted when re danger was low, but yes, Jeremy and I were welcome to come for look in the roar. Santa in the guise of my mother-in-law had brought me a Hunting and Fishing voucher for Christmas. A very appropriate gift choice I thought she must have got me sussed out. I had been thinking about how many tens of thousands of pine trees Jeremy and I were going to have to roar around to nd the sparsely scattered stags a recipe for a really hoarse throat I was sure. After a chat with Mike Stent at the Fly and Gun Taupo I exited the shop with a sore throat remedy - one of the new Graf Boys Stag Call.
23
14 point red stag April 2013
instructions and no call was made, so I went over to investigate. When I got to Jeremy he turned to me with wide eyes and said he didnt need to roar - because a stag had roared rst from the gully below. We both waited quietly and sure enough, another unsolicited moan oated up from the base of the native gully below us. Well, there was no way wed be going straight down to him from this angle the steep scrubby bush would hand him all the cards. Our rst optimistic Plan A was to call him up out of the gully below onto our open ridge. The #5 Moan call was selected as a way of us introducing ourselves. He immediately greeted our friendly overture with quite an aggressive bellow that was to set the tone for our future conversations. We responded again and again, slowly selecting some of the more aggressive bellows on the callers repertoire, and cranking the volume up a bit. After about ten minutes it was apparent that staggie was not going to accept our invite to join us on our ridge and I was starting to realise that Plan A was awed as the ckle wind at times would reverse and waft down the gully face. Time to implement Plan B. Plan B, as I outlined to Jeremy, would entail us shutting up for a bit and circling around the head of his gully and coming down a pine ridge directly opposite where we now stood. The benets of this, I explained, would be to ensure that the predominant wind drift was more favourable to us the stalkers. The 18-year-old pines would also hopefully offer us better view shafts to the base of the gully. No mucking around was the order of the day for us and it wasnt too long before we were opposite him and we nally responded to his regular complaints about our presence near his patch with the #1 Location Roar. He bellowed right on top of our rst call and we were all back in business again and resumed our chat from where wed left off. Jeremy and I descended to about 100 metres away from the regular bellowing, which we could now pinpoint as being about 40 metres up from the gully bottom, in some very thick low native bush. Plan B, I elaborated, now required that we sit in the pines and
Fallow fawn from Wanganui herd 2013.
bring the stag down to the gully oor. Any venturing lower would put us at risk of the back-eddy of the wind, and anyway, going down to him in the thick stuff with us doing the moving would hand the initiative to the stag - and most particularly unseen hinds that we should assume to be lurking silently close by. The minutes ticked by and we increased the tempo, using the #2 Aggro and #3 Violence calls at increasing volumes to match his tempo. We had to be patient, but wow, this was sure good stuff for young Jeremy on his rst roar trip! It was a tense stand-off, but after about 15 minutes we were sure he was ever so slowly moving down to the swampy oor. We repositioned ourselves downstream slightly to offer a better view shaft. I readied the rie as he bellowed opposite us, ever so close to the open base. Any moment now.... But concern started to rise as his next bellow was downstream past us. His next reply showed a lot of movement; further downstream but climbing quickly up the face. The sad realisation that Plan B was a failure too was a bitter pill to swallow for the team. No time to sit and post-mortem it yet though. We moved fairly quickly down across the swampy oor where rank stag smell hung in the air. I cranked the caller volume up and our sagging spirits were buoyed again when the stag replied promptly from the next gully. Plan C was now being formed on the y. This, I explained, was just going hard out on his trail as we now had little to lose. Jeremy and I raced up out of the bush gully and back into the pines, over the ridge, and around the downwind face, rapidly closing on his roar which now came from the native bush of another gully oor. We overhauled him quickly, the excitement of the pursuit giving way to the sudden realisation we now less than 50 metres from his irritated roars. As we crossed a steep ferny face just up in the pines we heard the distinct crack of a twig breaking ahead. We froze, caught more in the open than I preferred.
The 5th of April found us in Gisborne collecting permits for four pine blocks scattered around the region. Jeremy and I spent the rst two days dodging rain and strong wind inland from Tolaga Bay. Our efforts yielded sightings of the inevitable goats and two Red hinds. Wed got two stags roaring, but theyd waited until the day was so late that darkness forced us to beat a retreat without being able to close the deal on them. The 8th of April found us inland from Mahia hunting our usual goat spot. This time I again cautioned Jeremy that we had to walk past the all the goats or wed never nd any deer that may be present. Of course this meant we were seeing goats left, right and centre while we tried to get around them incognito. Jeremy had taken charge of the Graf caller, and as we stalked around the ridges hed try the moan or location roars into each new gully that opened up before us. In most cases the ridges were covered in pine trees, with native bush in the gully oors and steep faces. At 2.00pm a black nanny goat took fright at the sight of us and headed northward along a side ridge. I asked Jeremy to follow her and cast a roar out over the valley behind. I was surprised when he hadnt followed
10pt fallow buck eyes us up
H e suddenly sprung sideways from a standing start to leap over the stock fence
24
have to admit that started to get me excited all over again. Dont touch his antlers yet, I called as the stag gave his last twitches last thing we needed was antler holes in junior Mum would be sure to blame me. But soon it was safe for Jeremy to lift the antlers clear of the ground and the icing on our cake was conrmed by a count of seven more tines. A fourteen- pointer! Good spread, timber and strong tines conrmed him as my best Red stag to date. His main fault was his left bay tine being mostly broken off. If I get him mounted one day Ill get the tine repaired, which would give him a Douglas Score in the mid 270s. Jeremy summed the hunt up with the understatement that this was MUCH better than school. The hunt from the moment Jeremy rst heard the stag until now was about an hour and a quarter. We climbed the hill to get our bags and the camera. We found we had cell-phone coverage from the ridge and texted Mum, and sent gloating messages to my good buddies Simon Gibson and Ross Tindale to liven up their afternoons at work. A big photo session followed, Jeremy learned the importance of making sure you set up nice photos of your trophy and how a little extra care taken in this process pays dividends with quality images you will enjoy viewing for life. We were indeed tired but happy chaps as we ferried all four legs individually, plus all the useable meat to the car in the last of the daylight, a total of 65 kilograms. We sure appreciated being able to get the Subaru Forester AWD to within 1 kilometre of the stag. During this carry Jeremy enlightened me with the statistic that hed had to walk past 34 wild goats to nd the stag, but that it had been worth it!
A day of many life-long lessons to be sure. And sometimes the just go for it Plan C is the one that works. By studying the footprints of the deer group we conrmed he had at least two hinds with him, these had obviously lead him away from us earlier just when we thought Plan B was working. Later in April Jeremy shot another Fallow deer, taken with a nice shot at 202 yards. Three Sika from DOC land rounded out a successful roar period for the Stokes family, giving us the great problem of having to ring the neighbours up to ask if we could store meat in their freezer as well. The 14-point stag has since won the 2013 Taupo NZDA Red Stag cup. I encourage all you experienced chaps (and chapesses) out there to get out and pass on your knowledge onto some youngsters, even if you dont currently have kids of your own. I would say most of you dont appreciate how much youve learnt over your hunting career, I know I didnt. They learn quick and their enthusiasm will give your own hunting a lift and a good set of young eyes set a bit lower to the ground will spot deer youd otherwise miss. Jeremys year has been one of the best periods in my hunting career and topping it off with the 14-pointer was a real highlight. I hope I have another life-long hunting buddy now - and hopefully ensured a continuing venison supply for the day when Im too old for the hills...
Jeremy and fallow doe he shot at over 200yards, April 2013.
Another snap and YES hed nally had enough of us and was coming to check us out! I closed the bolt and raised the rie to my eye as I picked the spot 25 metres away where he would emerge around the tall shrubs on our side of the gully. Jeremy stood beside me and got his ngers ready to stick in his ears. A shadowing passed over the light ahead and I knew the stag was standing silently just out of sight, cautiously evaluating the scene. Jeremy and I were riveted to our spot, barely daring to breathe, waiting for him to take the two more steps forward to reveal himself. But no, he was too cunning. He still wanted to see what we were, but he wasnt going to be stepping out where I hoped. He turned uphill a little and back into the shrubs between us. This cut all my options down as there was a high mound of ferns in the way and the rst and probably only glance Id get of him was when he pushed his face out of the cover at less than 15 metres. Now I dont like shooting deer in the head, and what happened next hasnt changed my view on this at all. The face of a Red stag with a multi-pointed set of antlers slowly pushed into sight and looked in our direction. The warning centre of my brain conrmed positive stag ID - cleared for shooting and BOOM the shot was gone, aimed at this head. The empty case arched out into the ferns beside us, but I had eyes only for the stag as he stumbled forward, presenting me a high body shot and without me really thinking about it another shot followed too as the antler rack slumped down behind the ferns about two metres from where hed rst appeared. No way was this stag eluding us again. You beauty! I called out as Jeremy and I exchanged high-ves. Hunting I enthused to Jeremy, doesnt get any better than this! Jeremy was rst over to him as I used the search for my empties to prolong the moment before looking him over. Hes got seven-points on this antler, Jeremy called excitedly and I
25
LocK, StocK and Barrel
DEfiniTElY a TwEnTiETH CEnTURY CaRTRidgE!

T he .260 Remington (aka .263 Express)
By C h a z Fo rsy t h
Lef t to right: .243 Winchester, 260 Remington, 7mm 08 Remington, .308 Winchester, .280 Remington
Introduction Ken Waters, a most well-informed writer of matters relating to rearms and ammunition reloading for at least a half-century, wrote that the appearance of the .243 Winchester (in 1955) led him into working on a cartridge for 6.5mm bullets. His quest was for a cartridge which offered better killing power than the .250 Savage, and the appearance of the Winchester Model 88 lever rie at the same time as the .243 cartridge was surely no coincidence. Jim Carmichel, another American rearm writer of long experience, also had a part to play in this saga, championing the chambering as long ago as the 1970s. This cartridge ts right in with an earlier denition of a mild cartridge, with minimal kick, yet with plenty of downrange performance for the humane hunting of wildlife. More history In 1996, A-Square, the company created by Art Alphin, (designer of the Hannibal series of hunting ries, and cartridges like the .338 '06 A-Square and the .577 Tyrannosaur), sought recognition from Small Arms Ammunition and Manufacturers Institute (SAAMI) for an apparently necked-down .308 Winchester case to be known as the 6.5-08 A-Square. Not long afterward, Remington reportedly indicated it wanted to standardise a 6.5 mm cartridge based on the .308W case, intending to call it the .260 Remington. Somehow, the latter name stuck. (A-Square got its name on the 6.5 '06 though). The present cartridge The .260 Remington was rst offered early in 1997. Three factory loadings were mentioned in 2009, a 120 grain (gn) Nosler Ballistic Tip with a velocity of 2890 ft/sec; a 125 gn Nosler Partition bullet leaving at 2875 ft/sec; and a 140 gn Remington PSP Core-Lokt bullet at 2750 ft/ sec, all of these advertised muzzle velocities all from a barrel length of 24 (610 mm). At present, only one bullet weight, the 140 gn, is offered in factory ammunition, which at approximately NZ$80.00 a box of 20, strongly suggests that the volume of ammunition sold is nowhere near that of its rival, the 7mm'08. Norma currently list unprimed brass, and this, I am advised (Paul Clark, pers comm) is in stock in New Zealand. Just as the .30'06 Springeld cartridge has spawned a host of sporting derivative cartridges, so has the .308 Winchester. A feature of these modern (meaning post-World War II) cartridges, is they are all designed for working through a so-called short action, meaning one intended for cartridges of the ilk of .243 Winchester, 7mm-08 Remington, .308 Winchester and .358 Winchester, so a cartridge maximum overall length of not more than 2.8 (71 mm) limits the length of bullet which can be accommodated. This makes for ries of overall weight of approximately 500 grams lighter than those designed for the cartridges borne of the .30'06. The .260 Remington works optimally with bullets of the 120 130 gn range, but the commonly-offered loading with a 140 gn bullet is all that is now offered by the factory and we can be sure that it works satisfactorily in the deer hunting eld. In contrast to the 7mm-08 Remington, which is available from at least
26
six manufacturers, the .260 Remington seems only to be available from Remington, although the products of other manufacturers may have escaped the attention of the present author. Ken Waters opined that it was easier to make .260 Remington handloads up from .243 Winchester parent cases because you did not have to worry about neck turning, a likely prospect from the use of necked-down .308 Winchester cases. Ballistics This cartridge yields exterior ballistics similar to those of the 6.5 x 55mm Swedish. Consider for deer hunting in New Zealand, a 120 gn Sierra ahead of a starting load of ADI 2209 will provide a velocity at the muzzle of approximately 2810 ft/sec, and the same bullet ahead of a starting load of Vihtavuori N560 offers a muzzle velocity of approximately 2770 ft/sec. Moving up to the 140 gn bullets, for ADI AR2217 powder, the starting load of offers a muzzle velocity of 2620 ft/sec, and for Hodgdon H 1000, 2590 ft/sec. For the 120 gn bullets, maximum loads offer approximately 150 ft/seconds more, the 140 grain bullets some 150 to 180 ft/seconds more velocity at the muzzle. These numbers may not mean much, but the 6.5 x 55 Swede delivers
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slightly more, particularly for the longer (heavier) bullet, even though it operates at lower chamber pressures than the younger .260 Remington. It has a slightly greater case capacity, which matters more with the heavier bullets. Think of approximately 45,000 copper units of pressure (CUP) versus more than 55,000 pounds per square inch (PSI): the units are not strictly comparable, but you get the picture? The Rifles The availability of only modern ries for which this cartridge is chambered ensures not only the close grouping characteristic obtainable from most ries of today, but also removes any concerns about action strength, or of steel quality, which may arise when some older rearms are encountered. In my view, modern ries almost always deliver groups of 40 mm or less with three shots at 100 metres. Only a handful of factory bolt ries are believed to be available in this chambering, notably those by Remington (M700 and Model 7), the Kimber M84, and the Colt M2012. (If you happen to have an Arisaka Type 38 lying around with a good barrel, the rechambering would be easy, but the cartridge feeding would be problematic unless you are familiar with altering magazine feed References
A-Square (2013), www.a-square.com, downloaded 12/11/2013 Barnes, F.C. (2009), L. Simpson, (Ed). Cartridges of the World 12th Edition A Complete and Illustrated Reference for over 1500 Cartridges. Gun Digest Books, Krause Publications, Iola, Wisconsin, USA. Cameron, M., and Jackson, B. (2013), ADI Powders Handloaders' Guide 6th edition 2013. ADI Munitions Pty, Mulwalla, New South Wales, Australia. Emery, N. (2012), Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading, 9th Edition. Hornady Manufacturing Company, Grand Island, Nebraska, USA. Nosler, J.R. (2011), Nosler Reloading Guide 7th Edition, Nosler Inc, Bend, Oregon, USA.
lips to ensure smooth feeding). Concluding comments This little cartridge available in factory loading only since the late 1990s, has been a wildcat chambering long enough for reloading dies to have been available albeit only from custom listings) for decades. Standardisation into factory form ensures less uncertainty about the version for which your particular rie is chambered, should you happen upon a custom rie. I have not used a .260 Remington, but from my experiences with the 6.5 x 55 Swede, the 7 x 57 Mauser and the 7mm08 Remington, the half-millimeter difference in bullet diameter makes for no perceptible difference in killing power when used on wild animals in New Zealand. It was Jack O'Connor who coined the term mild cartridge, and within this grouping were the .308 Winchester, the .257 Roberts and the .243 Winchester. The .260 Remington would have tted right in among these, had Jack (enthusiastic champion of the .270 Winchester) endured long enough to see its arrival as a factory loading. All of these cartridges will work if you do your bit, and attend to the appropriate bullet placement!
O'Connor, J. (1970), The Hunting Rie. Stoeger Publishing Company, South Hackensack, New Jersey, USA. Remington (2006), Firearms, Ammunition & Accessories Catalog. Remington arms company, Madison, North Carolina, USA. Remington (2013), http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/centerre/ rie-cartridges/core-lokt-centerre.aspx, downloaded 12/11/2013 SAAMI (2013), www.saami.org, downloaded 12/11/2013 Waters, K. (1984), Wildcat Cartridges the .263 Express. Handloader-The Journal of Ammunition Reloading, 110, Wolfe Publishing, Prescott, Arizona, USA, pp. 16, 17.
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BooK RevieW
HUnTing iS THE ART of LifE and DEaTH

To n y O r m a n l o o k s a t a r e c e n t l y p u b l is h e d bo o kWi l d S o u t h b y C a n t e r b u r y o u td o o rs m a n Pe t e r Ry a n a n d t h e i n s i g h t s a n d p h i l o s o p h i e s b e h i n d h is h u n t i n g , f ir e a r m s a n d j u s t b e i n g o u td o o rs . A new book that has hit shop bookshelves is Wild South subtitled Hunting and Fly Fishing the Southern Hemisphere. Its a book with a big difference - thank goodness - from the many hunting books that are of countless animals shot and vainly reveling in the kills or clich-ridden descriptions of bullets barreling out blasting with ballistics. This is a down-to-earth book yet with reections and musings that thoughtfully explore the deeper meaning of hunting. Peter Ryan hunts mainly for food just as the prehistoric cave drawing art depicted shing and hunting. Yes trophy hunting is secondary, but you can do both, he says and then adds. Every time I chose to take an animal or bird, I know this is serious, this is literally life and death stuff. Im taking that life and I better put it to good use. Wild South is based around Peter Ryans shing and hunting adventures not only in New Zealand but in Australia, New Caledonia, Africa, Papua New Guinea, Zimbabwe and South America - hence the sub-title reference to the Southern Hemisphere. Theres New Zealand big game such as Red and Fallow deer, chamois and tahr and ducks, quail and pheasant and in other Southern Hemisphere countries warthog, buffalo, lion, impala, kudu,bushbuck, eland, sable, leopard and others. Peter Ryan grew up north of Brisbane in what was then a farming area. Small town down the road, shopped at the one and only general store, people said hello, thousands of acres of cultivation, pasture and small rivers. Paradise for a little kid. Warmer than where we live in north Canterbury...but much the same in the ways that count, he recalls. Today it no longer is rural.It all disappeared in a dozen years, subdivided. The outward sprawl of big cities is unbelievable. I took off when the rst surveyors pegs went in and have never gone back. Peter had a great tutor in his father, a hunter and sherman. Then as a young man, came his travels and more recently, nally settling in New Zealand. The reason for New Zealand? Peter loves New Zealand and in particular the South Island and especially the Canterbury high country. Somewhere on top of all the trips back and forth across the Tasman Ive lived here full time for a decade now, worked through the earthquakes etc. My heart is here and has been for a long time, he adds. In his hunting adventures, Peter Ryan hunts in a sportsman-like manner. For instance, Peter Ryan leans strongly to the German ethos of taking an animal that has reached its peak and is starting the decline rather than the American approach which values the statistics and wants the trophy, even if it is a virile, young young male. Im not saying which is right or wrong. Thats just my choice. It seems the best and therefore right one to me, explains Peter. But on other hunts Peter has taken ne trophies, be it animals that had reached their peak. In another place he muses over calibres. Some rank the 30/06 as a top allround calibre. The .270 is up there close too. For Peter the .375 has much to commend for truly big game hunting ie, African style. What Holland and Holland achieved in 1910 was an almost ideal balance between maximum power going down-range and modest recoil coming back at you. On another occasion, Peter Ryan is after a bull sable and after hours of hunting he and his guide nd a lone bull. Suddenly a swirl of wind alerts the bull. "Hes going to be gone. Those magnicent horns have come up suddenly. Hes going to be gone. This is it. Find a hole through that tangle and make it count right now. Peters ne writing skills capture the breathless moments. The shot is quartering through, the crosshairs swaying past the last of the right ribs but looking for the far shoulder. Peter res. Theres a crash then nothing --- theres a fast thudding of hoof beats ---- my hopes fade to nothing as the sound drifts off to the distance. Then there is a faint crash. The bull is down. Reecting Peter reckons the .270 would not have measured up to such a shot. That raking shot needed to travel through nearly a metre of tissue and a fast little projectile would have been much more likely
28
to blow up on the light twigs, scrappy vine and heavy bone rather than the slow, steady round. Its a matter of adjusting the size of calibre to the game being pursued. For instance he writes In New Zealand, a rie in the .243 class with fairly soft projectiles would make a dandy chamois specialist outt. Theres lots of things, some tangible and some intangible, that Peter Ryan cherishes. One is dogs and theres poignant prose when Peter writes of his aging dog Saxon. A few brief extracts convey the sensitive, soulful style. At my feet the old dog who has followed me from country to country, lies asleep by the last embers of the re ---hes grey now --- a slow, tottering walk in the elds leaves him limping and sore --- He runs now in the elds of memory. Sometimes he twitches in a dream. Perhaps it when we found all those quail up in the ranges of Central Otago ---- Maybe its the big swim in the Hurunui to bring back the mallard, or the cock pheasant that ran for so long through the bracken or that black boar in the long grass.----- sleep your dreams by the re, brother. There will be someone to stay and remember. Peter Ryan adheres to the well known Aldo
Leopold philosophy of A particular virtue in wildlife ethics is that the hunter ordinarily has no gallery to applaud or disapprove of his conduct. Whatever his acts, they are dictated by his conscience. I dont whether he knows of Aldo Leopold but he has a similar angle on the ethics. To hunt or sh is neither goodnor bad, except in how it is done. Thats why how is all we have and why the guys who ignore it are useless, even to themselves. And he offers some subtle advice for those useless types. If the only feeling they touch is vanity reducing beauty to a mere possession - its time to quit. Fishing is another passion and with that in his travels come big Rio Grande sea run browns, Argentine Dorado, New Guinea black bass, tigersh, sockeye salmon, brown trout and rainbow trout. If youre not a sherman fear not. Youll enjoy the tales such is the quality style of writing. Always near the surface whether it be shing or hunting is that the killing or capture of a sh is secondary. The climax in a hunt is not with the bullet. Its before with the anticipation, preparation and expectations. Peter Ryan
captures the magic and the real essence of shing and hunting. Peter Ryan writes of a family evening by a Canterbury high country lake as he sits with a toddler on his knee while his wife VJ shes. There is nobody around for miles. The mountains tumble down to clear water in a jumble of spurs and tussock like some great Scottish moor far from home, lost on the wrong side of the world, under strange stars. Geese y overhead. He and VJ take turns to sh and baby sit in the soft twilight. If there is a single moment, Id like to catch and hold before it slips away; it would be this one, right here, right now. Get the picture? This is one helluva book with a big, great difference. Why did Peter Ryan write a book that dees the run-of-the-mill shing and hunting books? I wanted to write a book for people who work for a living, but whose hearts belong in wild places. The key to that is to take the reader out there, to exactly how it feels, he replies and adds, There are people whose lives revolve around shing or hunting but who struggle to explain it. I wanted to give it a voice, to write a book you could hand to anyone that says that's why we do it, that's why we love it."
Wild South by Peter Ryan, published by David Bateman, price $39.99.
PO BOX 40401, UPPER HUTT, Fax: 04 527 9243 Email: [email protected] www.nzammo.co.nz
29
STORY
And THE dEER CaME RUnninga HUnTER BREaKS HiS 23-YEaR dRoUgHT!
By C h a z Fo rsy t h, O t a g o Bra n c h
This hunter has been hunting small, and then bigger game, since the early 1960s. He shot his rst Fallow deer while still at school, and got his rst Red soon after leaving. He struck a couple of dry patches over these periods, mostly through getting out of deer-hunting practice, that is successfully managing to forget the essential skills for nding deer. These include (a) going out, (b) hunting where deer are, (c) not moving around too much, (d) making sure you are doing a LOT more looking than moving, (e) keeping above the animals, and (f) moving slowly and ALWAYS hunting with the wind in your face. Then he found a much longer dry patch, which coincided with his buying a nice shiny Winchester Model 70 Standard weight in 6.5 x 55 mm after he graduated from the Christchurch College of Education in 1988. This deer little rie collected a fair few goats, saw one or two deer, but never had any shots red through it at deer. The hunter collected one or two more deer with other ries, even took young hunters out, who managed to nd deer. He even spooked several himself, but was either unable to get his rie onto them before they either itted off, or was standing in the wrong place, at the wrong angle (on the wrong foot?). No worries, hunting is always fun, especially when your cobber gets one. The years went by, he lost most of his hair, gained two new (vitaloy) hips. He decided that he needed a laminated rie stock for his 6.5 x 55. Nothing wrong with the original factory one, but he imported one from Boyd's of South Dakota, USA (who have since advised they can no longer export to New Zealand because of our changed arms laws!) and soon after, he whacked a goat in pretty solid bush, after a day wandering quietly looking for one: there are not many left in there after two aerial 1080 drops and some hunting by DOC animal control experts a few years ago. He was invited to take part in a Fallow hunt two years ago, but commitments to local young hunter training saw him involved with that, with snow showers and squalls the rst day (although one deer was heard as it moved away after a wind shift) and beautiful ne weather the next (when three deer were seen
30
on the access roads to the hunting block). A year went by and he was invited again to hunt elsewhere. This time he accepted, and visited a Fallow deer area in the McKenzie Country. His host was an experienced guide, who had undergone none of these droughts which yours truly knew about. The only consolation was that I had neither red at, nor missed a deer in all those 23 years! Getting up at 4.00am was slightly different, and we left the house soon afterwards, leaving the vehicle soon after 6.00am for a little stroll to see what we could see. Within minutes, a doe had succumbed to a very neat shot through intervening obstacles, my hunting companion being in front after I had fallen back to ensure I was placing my size 11s quietly. That was the meat angle sorted. Buck scrapes were to be found every 50 metres or so as we meandered through the scrubby broadleaf, and a handful of wallabies split the scene as we wandered down a leading ridge into the river. Half a dozen deer were sunning themselves in clearings, within careful rie shot had we not already gained the meat animal. Four bucks were croaking across the valley, and we decided to take a closer look at one half way up a ridge that began a few hundred meters downstream from our crossing. It had rained a few days before so the drought-hardened ground had a slippery layer which saw us slipping and sliding on the turf, so the bare earth beneath the tree canopy was treacherous. Carefully moving up the heavily tracked ridge line, still beneath a broadleaf marble leaf canopy, the croaking continued. We stopped for a lunch break at 11.30am, having been moving for an hour or so since our last stop, then continued moving slowly towards the source of the croaking. Creeping at less than a metre per minute, yours truly, who had only hunted a few times during the rut, took the lead and moved very slowly, looking hard for the legs, or whatever parts the buck might have exposed. The
tension was palpable as at rst ve minutes, quarter of an hour, and eventually half an hour elapsed, before a slight wind-shift silenced him. We had moved to within 30 metres of him before he went quiet, and he remained silent, so we decided to take a rest, lying in a sunny beneath the broadleaf canopy. After half an hour we awoke to hear hoof beats and a mewing sound, as two does and a young buck raced up the slope towards us, the does stopping less than ten metres from my guide, to the right, the young buck splitting and stopping approximately eight metres to my left, at the same level. I was lying on my back with my rie lying across me, so all I had to do was lower the bolt handle, shift the rie slightly to line up on his neck, and take the shot. Like the despised Hollywood shooters, I left the rie on its side when I red, and the buck collapsed. I immediately stood up, and after receiving the congratulations of my hunting companion who had watched the entire scene as it unfolded, the buck staggered to his feet, stopping about 30 metres away when I put another shot into the back of his neck. On closer examination, we felt the New Zealand Fallow deer record was quite safe, the buck being a three-year-old with nine points. He was in beautiful condition, but on eld-dressing him, we found evidence of an extensive back wound which had disrupted his pelvic bone and upper back ns. My rst shot had taken him high in the neck, passing through the dorsal 'blades' of his neck, temporarily paralysing him, before coming to rest in his shoulder, causing extensive bruising to his right lung. The Sierra 120 gn Pro-Hunter had traversed a bullet path of approximately 300 mm, its jacket
lodging beneath the skin, along with some core fragments. The second shot perforated his neck. Extracting a bullet from a dead deer removes all argument about how effective the bullet was the days of our complaints about improperly mushroomed bullets were long gone! After the obligatory photos (it had been a 23 year 'drought' after all), we dismantled the carcass, leaving just the bullet-damaged shoulder, and stealthily moved downhill. About
half an hour after we left, the croaking started up where we had been, so clearly the buck I had shot was an opportunist. On the way back to the vehicle I missed an opportunity for a last-light wallaby which had become bored waiting for me to shoot it. Arrival home at around 8.00pm meant we missed attending a meeting we had optimistically planned to attend, but the shower and meal was most welcome. It must be argued that for bush hunting, the
prone and of course the supine (lying on the back) ring positions are the least useful, and the offhand standing position is the most, but being able to quickly take advantage of an opportunity that presented itself, while not requiring any great feat of marksmanship, was certainly helped by my familiarity with rearm handling. That the deer found us, not the other way round, offers absolutely no testimony to my hunting skills! However, without my hunting guide, I would not have been there, so many thanks must go to him for a brilliant day.
NEw ZEaland DEERSTalKERS ASSoCiaTion inC PRizE SHooTing CalEndaR 2014

DAT E
September 2014 Saturday 14th November 2014 TBA
BRANCH
Auckland Prize Shoot 3P x 5 shot @ 100m plus Rapid @ 25m No gear shoot Taupo Prize Shoot 20 Shot 4P @ 100m Graded, All equipment
Contact
Arthur Winterton Ph 09 846 1946 [email protected] Bill & Margaret Seal Ph: 07 378 9630 [email protected]
RANGE
NZDA Auckland Range Matariki Forest Riverhead, Auckland Jack Dillon Range Mountain Road, Taupo
NaTional SHooTing CalEndaR 2014

DAT E
January 2014 Auckland Anniversary Saturday 25th - Monday 27th February 2014 Saturday 22nd Sunday 23rd March 2014 Saturday 8th Sunday 9th April 2014 Easter Weekend Friday 18th to Monday 21st
BRANCH
South Waikato Branch North Island Benchrest Championships LV & HV Matches South Waikato Branch PRSC National Championships Sat - 120 Shot 3P R/F @ 50m Sun - 60 Shot 3P C/F @ 100m South Waikato Branch PRSC Ranking Match Sat - 120 Shot 3P R/F @ 50m Sun - 60 Shot 3P C/F @ 100m Nelson Branch National Benchrest Championships Sat 19th Rimre & LV 200 Sun 20th LV 100 & HV 200 Mon 21st HV 100 South Waikato Branch PRSC Ranking Match, Sat - 120 Shot 3P R/F @ 50m Sun - 60 Shot 3P C/F @ 100m Nelson Branch Zuppa Benchrest Shoot L.V. & H.V. Matches South Waikato Branch Waikato Regional Championships Sat - 120 Shot 3P R/F @ 50m Sun - 60 Shot 3P C/F @ 100m South Waikato Branch PRSC Ranking Match Sat - 120 Shot 3P R/F @ 50m Sun - 60 Shot 3P C/F @ 100m
Contact
Malcolm Perry Ph/Fax: 07 348 4473 Colin & Sandi Curreen Ph: 07 886 4090 Malcolm Perry Ph/Fax: 07 348 4473 Colin & Sandi Curreen Ph: 07 886 4090 Malcolm Perry Ph/Fax: 07 348 4473 Graeme Smith Ph: 03 544 7138 [email protected] Ian Owen Ph 021 221 1669 [email protected] Colin & Sandi Curreen Ph: 07 886 4090 Malcolm Perry Ph/Fax: 07 348 4473 Ian Owen Ph 021 221 1669 [email protected] Colin & Sandi Curreen Ph: 07 886 4090 Malcolm Perry Ph/Fax: 07 348 4473 Colin & Sandi Curreen Ph: 07 886 4090 Malcolm Perry Ph/Fax: 07 348 4473
RANGE
Tokoroa Shooting Sports Complex, Newell Road, Tokoroa Tokoroa Shooting Sports Complex, Newell Road, Tokoroa Tokoroa Shooting Sports Complex, Newell Road, Tokoroa Packers Creek Range Mitai Valley, Nelson
May 2014 Saturday 3rd Sunday 4th May - June 2014 Queen Birthday Weekend Saturday 31 May Monday 2 June July 2014 Saturday 26th Sunday 27th August 2014 Saturday 23rd Sunday 24th
Tokoroa Shooting Sports Complex, Newell Road, Tokoroa Taiko Range, Timaru
Tokoroa Shooting Sports Complex, Newell Road, Tokoroa Tokoroa Shooting Sports Complex, Newell Road, Tokoroa
These dates and formats were correct at the time of printing. Please check with the Branch concerned nearer the date for any changes that may have been made. NZ Hunting & Wildlife 183 - Summer 2013 31
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GREaTER aCCESSiBiliTY To pUBliC land infoRMaTion

Outdoors enthusiasts may soon have even more access to information about publicly accessible land, thanks to the release of the governments public access mapping information to website and app developers. The information, which includes public reserves, conservation land, Crown land, legal roads, marginal strips and esplanade strips, was released as a direct map feed by the New Zealand Walking Access Commission (NZWAC) recently. Developers and others wanting to use the information can plug into the map feed on the Commissions website, www. walkingaccess.govt.nz NZWAC Chief Executive Mark Neeson said the release would enable website and app developers to make use of the public access information for their own mapping projects. The mapping information available on the Commissions website feed is sourced from Land Information New Zealands Parcel Database and processed by the Commission. It is currently used on the Commissions free nationwide Walking Access Mapping System website (www.wams.org.nz) to help people identify land the public can access.
THE aRT of diSpUTE RESolUTion

In this article, New Zealand Walking Access Commission BoardMember Penny Mudford discusses dispute resolution as it related to the Commission's work. The Commission has about 60 access disputes under its watch at any one time. Some disputes are initiated by people who are prevented from gaining access along unformed legal roads, while others result from lack of clarity about boundaries, access rights and understanding of the law. The Commission also manages cases where the public seeks access across private land to areas such as public landmarks, rivers, beaches and national parks. In both instances the law is quite clear on public access. First, the public is entitled to access across public land including unformed legal roads, and second, private landowners are entitled to maintain closed boundaries to their properties. One of the challenges for the Commission is to nd ways to help the public maintain access to public land and to help landowners reach agreements on access over private land. Many landowners are generous and provide access willingly but there are others who like to keep their boundaries secure, and often for good reason. Landowners have no legal obligation to allow people access across their properties and this is often a point of tension and source of disputes in local communities. Negotiation, mediation and arbitration are common forms of dispute resolution. However, the use of these processes is voluntary and cant be imposed on the people involved. Negotiation and mediation are often favoured for resolution of access disputes because they are more collaborative, requiring people to buy into the process and to work together to nd a solution to access issues. This requires patience, respect, participation and cooperation from everyone involved. The Commissions regional eld advisors can play a vital role in access disputes by helping the individuals or groups involved to nd solutions that work for everyone. They spend a lot of their time talking to people, clarifying rights of access over land, and helping to negotiate access. Their local knowledge is vital in helping to nd fair and practical solutions. http://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/latestnews/show/the-art-of-dispute-resolution/197/
VolUnTEER RangERS foR HollYfoRd TRaCK

Volunteer rangers will be based at Martins Bay Hut, Hidden Falls and Lake Alabaster Huts, checking tickets, keeping huts clean and tidy, clearing vegetation from the tracks and undertaking minor maintenance on high use sections of track. While this track does not require fulltime Conservation Rangers, such as the Great Walks, it is increasingly popular and will benet from volunteer rangers when people are able to donate their time, said DOC ranger Ken Bradley. The project is an opportunity for volunteers to spend time working in and experiencing Fiordland, as well as providing additional support to DOC through helping to staff and maintain this popular walking track to a high standard. The project is a partnership project, supported by Ngai Tahu who own the Hollyford Guided Walks Operation. Ken Bradley - Department of Conservation, Visitor Assets tracks and heritage ranger, Te Anau area ofce (03) 249 0200, or email [email protected]
Martins Bay Hut, photo credit DOC Ever dreamed of living and working in a national park? Between December 2013 and April 2014 volunteer rangers will be stationed in huts along the Hollyford track, and the Department of Conservation is looking for candidates to ll these roles.
Hidden Falls Hut, photo credit DOC
Background information
More information on volunteer opportunities at DOC can be found on the website: http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/ volunteer-join-or-start-a-project/volunteer/ Or, head to www.doc.govt.nz and search volunteer programme by region
FoR MoRE infoRMaTion PlEaSE ConTaCT

Department of Conservation, Visitor Assets Tracks and Heritage Ranger Ken Bradley (03) 249 0245 or email [email protected]
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UniTEdFUTURE and PETER DUnnE UpdaTES:

As of 13th August, UnitedFuture has been notified by the electoral commission that the party is now again a fully registered political party. H eli-hunting: The prime minister has given his word that the supply agreement will be honoured and that heli-hunting will be stopped. There is a need to get this legislation in as soon as possible now that the court action taken by the heli-hunters has been dismissed and Peter Dunne is working hard towards this end. Monorail: UnitedFuture will oppose any plans to build the Fiordland Monorail and will seek to repeal any consents given by the department of conservation prior to the election. Game Animal Council: The Game Animal Council is slowly grinding its way though parliament and it should have its third reading within the next month. It will be a relief to see this legislation nally in place as this has been a dream of recreational hunters for nearly 75 years. In the early 1960s it was being advocated by the old stalwarts of the sport even then. We need to honour those years of lobbying by bringing the hunters voice to fruition.
NEw onlinE MoUnTain wEaTHER foRECaST SERViCE

Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith recently launched a new online mountain weather forecast service that will improve the enjoyment and safety of trampers, hunters, mountain bikers, skiers and shers using New Zealand's National and Forest Parks. "New Zealand's mountain environment can quickly turn from warm and calm to treacherous. We can improve the safety and enjoyment of users by providing more frequent and detailed weather forecasts on the internet," Dr Smith says. "We lose about six people per year in our mountains and often these deaths are weather related. We also have about 150 mountain search and rescue callouts a year. This improved weather service will reduce risk and save lives. "The new online mountain weather forecast service will provide standardised ve day forecasts updated every day for 24 mountain locations across eight of New Zealand's most popular parks. This compares to a previous service of eight locations with a mix of forecast lengths from two to ve days and from a frequency of twice daily to weekly. "It makes sense for an area like Fiordland to have a forecast for four different locations because the national park is so large that the weather can signicantly vary between east and west and north and south. "Another welcome addition is the inclusion of a specic forecast for the Tararua Forest Park. Trampers and hunters who use this area can now plan with more certainty given the ckle nature of the weather in this popular area. Other mountain areas will be covered in the brief and extended mountain forecast." "Our mountains are to be enjoyed but also respected. We lose the lives of too many people who do not take adequate preparation. I'm encouraging people to use this new tool to improve the safety and enjoyment of their mountain recreation." More information about the new-look mountain forecasts is available on the MetService blog (http://blog.metservice.com/).
GoVERnMEnT aBoliSHES GaME CoUnCil NSW

by SSAA NSW Executive Director Diana Melham SSAA members from around Australia, but particularly those in New South Wales, were recently left feeling betrayed by NSW Premier Barry OFarrell and his Liberal/National Government. In a clear attack on the rights of law-abiding, responsible and ethical hunters, Premier OFarrell announced that he would disband Game Council NSW and suspend all hunting on public lands. Hunters who have invested considerable time and resources into controlling feral pest populations in state forests, at no cost to the government, are no doubt left wondering where to from here? What led to this? In 2012, Premier OFarrell commissioned a report into the Game Council that would address a number of areas. And its true: the report did nd some areas relating to governance and administrative functions that needed to be improved on. But the Dunn Report also found a hardworking and dedicated staff at the Game Council who had recorded signicant achievements managing more than 20,000 conservation hunters. Dunn found that the Game Council had made good steps to the idea of responsible and orderly hunting of game and pest animals, describing it as a worthy goal. Dunn also noted some of the difculties the organisation faced, including the conicting challenges for scarce funding. Since the report was released and Premier OFarrell announced an immediate suspension to hunting on public lands, there has been considerable frustration and uncertainty expressed by hunters. What we do know? While there is very little information at this stage, we do know that all hunting on public lands in New South Wales has been immediately suspended, pending a risk assessment. What form this takes is at this stage unknown. However, as soon as more information is available, it will be posted on the SSAA NSW website. The NSW Government has also announced that a trial of hunting in 12 national parks will commence in October 2013. http://www.ssaa.org.au/notice-board/2013/2013-07-12_ government-abolishes-game-council-nsw.html#.Uhrz1CCN1g8
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BLAST FROM THE PAST
PARIAX PARADISE
By O R A (O r i g i n a l l y p u b l is h e d i n N e w Ze a l a n d Wi l d l i f e , A u t u m n 19 67, I ss u e N o. 18) Mid-November last year saw, for my 9-year-old son Wayne, the fruits of eight months pestering, reminding and plenty of please, Dad. He had previously been out hunting with me during the roar on several one-day trips, but this time we were off for the weekend. I had to work till noon on Saturday but after a quick midday meal, Wayne and I were off on our way up the Taupo road. Waving goodbye and wishing us luck was my wife and 6-year-old son Murray, who was quite upset because he was not included on this trip. The drive up in the car was very entertaining as I had a continual barrage of questions thrown at me and was hoping that by asking them in the car it may well allow us a quiet trip in the scrub. After an hour and a quarter drive, we parked the car and donned boots. With Wayne carrying his own sleeping bag, dry clothes and raincoat we set off up a steadily climbing ridge which we had surmounted three quarters-of-an-hour later. Dad by this time was pufng quite readily, but Wayne still had breath left for another barrage of questions. 3.45pm found us at the end of a large plateau and we spent a bit of time glassing the surrounding fern faces and open ridges. It was while we were sitting there quietly that we heard it! Yes, it was a squeal followed by a series of grunts. Moving quickly to the edge of the plateau we looked down a side ridge and saw two medium sized pigs moving quickly out of our sight at 40 yards. Wayne was very excited as it was his rst sight of wild pigs. Quickly raising my sporting .303 I slammed a cartridge into the breech, lined the trailing pig up in the cross hairs of my scope and squeezed off the shot. Very fortunately the pig did a fast side slip and rolled down through the fern. Waiting for a moment to pinpoint the spot, we saw the fern move and next moment the pig struggled over the ridge and out of sight. Quickly scampering down the ridge we found blood where the pig had crossed. Breaking down into the gut, Wayne shouted, There it is, Dad. Looking across I saw the pig making a break through an open patch in the fern. On my second shot the pig dropped. Moving over to it I found that my rst shot was one of those wonderful gut shots and my second through the neck. Wayne was extremely pleased and had his photograph taken alongside the rst wild pig he had ever seen. After dressing out the 50lb boar we made our way back to the packs. When the carcase was nicely covered in mutton cloth and hung securely on a stout manuka we moved on. While making our way down to a small stream, we glassed the opposite face and saw three Red deer feeding on some open grass clearings. We earmarked these for the mornings hunt and carried on to the stream, making camp under a polythene cover I had left there on a previous trip. By the time camp was laid out we did not have much daylight left so
The first wild pig he had ever seen
Straight rod and slack line
hurriedly assembling the shing rod we shed a couple of the larger pools. Wayne had done a fair amount of casting for kawhai in the river mouth at home, and though his casting was alright, his accuracy left much to be desired. Taking the rod from him I cast so that the atsh spinner would ease itself just below a rock in mid-stream. Passing the rod to Wayne he reeled in slowly. On the third attempt at this combination a trout struck hard. Wayne was full of excitement as he played the rainbow of an estimated 4lbs. The four piece breglass rod dipped and the reel hummed and for a minute everything was under control. Suddenly the trout made a dash down through the pool and into a fast rapid. Wayne tried to hold the sh too hard, and within seconds a straight rod and slack line foretold the start of another sh story. After explaining to my lad what he had done wrong and what he should have done we headed back to camp and baked beans, not trout as we had hoped.
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Wayne and the hind
I felt that night as we sat around the camp re that in the seven hours since we had left home we had certainly had it good. Wayne was talking excitedly as he consumed his second cup of coffee of what we would do in the morning and it was 11 oclock before he nally passed out. Whether it was the excitement of the day or the wonder or the worry of his rst night in the scrub, I would not venture to say. A 4.00am rise next morning and a prompt breakfast saw us heading steadily for grassy clearings that would soon be revelling in the rays of early morning sunshine. An hours climb saw us on a ridge glassing nine red deer on the opposite face at about 500 yards. After working out the best way to stalk the animals and explaining to Wayne the reasons for going about the stalk in this way, we headed around a small knob, and then I spotted a Red stag and hind in a break in the manuka. As my main purpose on this trip was a slinky, I quickly glassed the hind and though not sure I thought that she was in calf. One hind at 100 yards was far better than stalking the deer on the other face, so after letting Wayne get set up with the binoculars I settled down for a comfortable shot and dropped the hind with a shot through the shoulder. Making our way down to the beast did not prove difcult and 10 minutes later I was performing a caesarean operation, closely watched by Wayne. When I had the perfectly formed slinky laying on the ground, the questions my boy began asking me became very difcult to answer. After telling him all I could as best I could I found the best thing to stop him asking questions was a cake of chocolate, which unfortunately was not big enough. Packing the slinky in a our bag I then cut out the back steaks and hind quarters off the deer and headed back to camp. The one shot I had red had not disturbed the deer we had glassed earlier and as we made our way down to the stream it was pleasing to see them there. I hoped that next time I was headed this way it would be nice to see them there waiting to ll my fridge or produce for me a trophy worth hanging on the wall. We arrived back at camp at 9.00am and were surprised to be greeted by two pig dogs and were even more surprised when we found that their owners were not with them. After chasing them away literally with sticks and stones, they returned half an hour later just as we were packing our gear to head for home. As we set off we were resigned to the fact that we were going to be accompanied by the two dogs. Heading out of the valley proved to be quite a hard climb for me with meat, slinky, etc, but I was very encouraged to hear from above Come on, Dad. Cant you keep up? An hour and a half later saw us at our pig hanging in the tree. A short stop and off again with so much more weight,
though from here on it was downhill most of the way back to the car. We had not travelled more than ve minutes when the two dogs took off down the hill at top speed. Dropping our packs we hurried to the edge of the plateau and far below us we watched the dogs play round and round the manuka bush with a half grown pig. We watched for a moment and shortly the pig broke into a dirty gully and the dogs bailed. Now I was in a x. I had all the meat I could carry and someone elses dogs had a pig bailed for me. In all fairness to the dogs and owners I had to settle things one way or another, so off we went down into the gully. We scrambled through the fern and got to within ve yards of where the pig was bailed when Wayne yelled, Where is it. Dad? This was all the pig needed. He broke bail and steamed past us like an express train, but lo and behold, he was not the half grown pig the dogs were chasing 10 minutes earlier but a full grown boar. He broke down the gully then across, and the last we saw of him he was leaving both dogs well behind on his great uphill rush. As I expected to see only a small pig I did not have my rie loaded or even my scope covers off, so could not have an attempt at a snap shot. After waiting for the dogs to come back we headed back to our packs and then on to the car, which we reached at 2.00pm. We were surprised to nd parked alongside our car a vehicle containing two very dejected looking hunters, who brightened considerably when they saw the dogs at our heels. After talking to them we found that the dogs were theirs and they last saw them at 8.00am in the morning. They waited around in the scrub till noon and then made their way out to wait in the car. What a weekend. They were pleased to have their dogs back; I was pleased as I had a slinky and meat for the fridge. But mainly I was more than pleased that I was able to show my son the type of pleasure and fun you can have in the outdoors of New Zealand. Will I, in three years time, be able to show my younger son a weekend as fruitful as the one I spent with Wayne. Who knows? By sensible shooting and not wanton killing we may spend many years enjoying weekends as pleasant as our last one.
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DEVaSTaTEd:
A recent water sample collected by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Fish & Game conrmed the presence of the invasive freshwater algae didymo in Fiordlands Large Burn Valley. It is the rst time that a river west of the divide has provided a positive didymo sample and is a hugely disappointing result in the battle to keep Fiordland didymo-free. The Large Burn (which drains into Caswell Sound) is infrequently visited by shing and hunting parties. Were at loss to know how didymo got here, given anglers are strictly required to obtain a Clean Gear Certicate before entering Fiordland to sh, said Fish & Game eld ofcer Bill Jarvie. Fish & Game has worked hard alongside DOC, physically cleaning shing gear prior to certifying anglers to enter Fiordland. Hunters arent subject to the same strict requirements, but they too have been actively encouraged to Check, Clean and Dry their gear. The incursion into the Large Burn Valley is the rst positive didymo sample in Fiordland since 2010 where it was discovered in the lower reaches of the Iris Burn River. Together Fish & Game and DOC collect the samples from high risk waterways around Fiordland each year. Its pretty gutting really its the rst conrmed positive sample of a waterway west of the divide, said DOC. The geographic barrier of the mountains that helped keep it out of remote Fiordland has been breached.
Didymo confirmed in remote Fiordland

The suspicious algal bloom was alerted to DOC and Fish & Game by a local helicopter operator who had heard a report from a client that they had dropped in to the area that they believed Large Burn was affected. Everyone is thankful to the helicopter operators who have helped advocate and keep the Check, Clean, Dry message in clients minds. In the past, reports from observant anglers have come to DOC and Fish & Game regarding nds of suspicious algae from other rivers. Although these reports have generally come back negative, DOC and Fish & Game appreciate the vigilance shown by users. Western Fiordland remains one of the last frontiers of rivers to remain free of didymo in the South Island, despite it being so close to the Waiau River, where didymo was rst discovered in 2004. This could be attributed to the fact that didymo managers in Fiordland have implemented additional controls to prevent the spread of didymo, such as the Clean Gear Certicate for all anglers wanting to sh in backcountry Fiordland, as well as cleaning stations at lakeside huts. Up until now it was thought that these controls were working well. A review of the controls implemented for didymo control in Fiordland is currently taking place as a result of the Large Burn discovery. This positive sample serves as a harsh reminder that if someone neglects to follow the protocol, this is the potential outcome. While it is devastating that didymo has been found west of the divide, it is no excuse to give up on preventing its spread. Strictly following the Check, Clean, Dry methodology must be undertaken when you are using or crossing waterways, and if you are moving up or between different catchments. Check Clean Dry, simply follow these steps:
Check: Before you leave a river or lake, check items and leave debris at site. If you nd any later, treat and put in rubbish. Do not wash down drains. Clean: Detergent: soak or spray all surfaces for at least one minute in 5% dishwashing detergent or nappy cleaner (two large cups or 500mls with water added to make 10 litres); OR Hot water: soak for at least one minute in very hot water kept above 60 C (hotter than most tap water) or for at least 20 minutes in hot water kept above 45 C (uncomfortable to touch). Dry: Drying will kill didymo, but slightly moist didymo can survive for months. To ensure didymo cells are dead by drying, the item must be completely dry to the touch, inside and out, then left dry for at least another 48 hours before use. If cleaning or drying is not practical, restrict equipment to a single waterway.
TaRanaKi KindERgaRTEn iSSUES `gUn liCEnCES

By Matt Rilkoff and Sam Scannell/FairfaX NZ At Stratford's Avon Kindergarten kids can pick up a gun and shoot a possum any time they want - if they have a licence. Head teacher Lynsi Latham-Saunders has introduced the gun-use policy after some of the 3- to 5-year-olds began using sticks as guns and pointing them at each other. "They were using guns for what they see guns used for on cartoons and television. Children weren't too keen on guns being pushed in their faces," she said. Now, if any of the kindergarten's 73 pupils want to play with guns they must rst attain a licence. Getting one is as simple as knowing they must never point their gun at a person, point it at the ground when walking around with it and can shoot only at targets and only once they have clearly identied what it is. Some of those targets are pictures of possums, pigs and deer taped to trees and
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fences around the kindergarten. Latham-Saunders said the licence was part of a wider lesson on how to treat people properly. As many as half the children at the kindergarten were from farms where gun use was often part of life, she said. About 15 students had successfully sat the licence exam and so far none have been revoked. "Forbidden fruit is often much more tempting. I think making rules and normalising it, it no longer has that mystique," Latham-Saunders said. "We have guns and they have a purpose and they are all right for that purpose. It's when people use them in an unsafe way that is becomes an issue. It's important for kids to learn when we use things in a safe and purposeful way it's okay."
'GUN' LAWS: Avon Kindergarten head teacher Lynsi Latham-Saunders has introduced a 'g un' licence which children must sit if they want to play with toy guns at school.
The gun policy has been in place for one month and kicked off with a visit from Stratford Police Community Constable Jono Erwood who talked about gun safety. Avon Kindergarten is not the rst to introduce gun licences. In 2011 Wellington's Ngaio Kindergarten and Auckland's Te Atatu Village Kindergarten instituted similar schemes.
SWAZI JUNIOR SHOOTS
JaYMES FiRST GoaT

By: Jayme Edwards, (10 years old), T hames Valley Branch On July 26th, 2013 I went on a trip with some shooters and bow hunters from Thames Valley Deerstalkers Club to Waihi Station at Panekiri in Wairoa. Early Saturday morning after breakfast we had to meet at the woolshed for a brieng and designated areas to shoot. Jono took us up to our area to shoot. He showed us where the mob of goats were and left us to it. The rst mob we snuck up on spooked and ran away. We sidled around the ridges and came upon another mob of goats. Dennis Hayeld was leading, and snuck up on the ridge line and peered over and spotted two goats feeding. He waved me up so I could have a go at shooting my rst goat with my bow. I knocked up my arrow, and drew my bow back to full draw and aimed just behind the front leg and red! I was so wrapped - I had got my rst goat.... Yes! Dennis and my dad, Mark, were so proud of me. What an awesome trip that was. I had got my first goat.... Yes!
T hames Valley NZDA Branch

A very special thank you once again from us all up here at Thames Valley Branch for your awesome donation of three items of clothing for our recent Kids Swazi Shoot. As always the kids had a great day on the range - we had them shooting a 100m target from the 50m mound so they all thoroughly enjoyed their day and the prizes were very keenly anticipated. Logan Clark was our HOA shooter so he got the pick of the prizes and then the other two lucky shooters had their names drawn out of the hat so there was plenty of dgeting and planning as they all had it worked out what they wanted if their names were called out. Just seeing the anticipation was priceless. The photos of the kids in the clubrooms with their prizes and the smiles say it all.
EddiES GoaT HUnTing WEEKEnd

By: Eddie Richards, (Aged 11), T hames Valley Branch Dad andIwent to Waihi Station at Panekiri on 25th-28thJuly. It was a warm Saturday night, we were on our way back to the shearers quarters when over the ridge line a 2 year old Billy goat wasstrolling along the top. So I lay down and got mydad's Tika .308ready for that perfect shot. With a bang and a thud the Billy hit the ground. We raced over to it looking for the bullet hole. Wherewas it,I asked myself? Only afterwards when my dad was taking his head off did we nd it - blood seeping out of the holebehind his shoulder blade. I amazed myself that weekendwith my rst ever goat kill and a total of 4 goats shot. WhenI got homeI opened the black plastic bin bag and put the 4 heads on the bench outside for my mum!!!! She was in for a real treat. Now my heads are sitting in the river being eaten away by the eels. What agreat weekend. Thanks Maureen for such an awesome photo. Eddie with his rst billy
TVDA Swazi Prize Winners: Stella Clark, Logan Clark HOA, Erin Lesley
37
HERITAGE
HERiTagE UpdaTES
b y Tr e vo r D y k e , Tr u s t e e
The NZDA National Heritage Trust was very grateful last October to have a multifunction printer donated. Bill Cowan a founder member, decided that it was time to upgrade his printer to a wireless model and asked if the trust would like to have his old printer. Having a multifunction printer will now give us a bit more independence.
Lef t to right: John Riley, Trevor Dyke, Bill Cowan and Bob Badland
Books a nd mag az ines

Since the Trust was formed it has been the recipient of many books and magazines. The majority of these items are in good to fair condition with some in very good condition, especially when taking their age into consideration. Amongst the books in particular we are starting to identify titles that are valuable and not cheap to replace if the need were to arise. In other words they are becoming rare. The photos that accompany this article are some examples of early editions that we have identied. British Deer and Their Horns by John Guille Millais FZS etc. Published by Henry Sotheran & Co, 1897. Hard cover 320 x 400mm. (Fig 1) Game Birds and Shooting Sketches by John Guille Millais FZS etc. Published by Henry Sotheran & Co, 1892. Hard cover 320 x 400mm. Illustrating the habits, modes of capture, stages of plumage, and the hybrids and varieties which occur amongst them. Covers four species of the grouse family with both coloured and sepia toned illustrations. (Fig 1) Records of Stag-Hunting on Exmoor by Hon John Fortescue with illustrations by Edgar Giberne. Published by Chapman and Hall Ltd, 1887. Hard cover 210 x 150mm. (Fig 2) In Haunts of Wild Game, a hunter-naturalists wanderings from Kahlamba to Libombo by F Vaughan Kirby, FZS (Maqaqamba). Illustrations by C Whymper and A Map. Published by William Blackwood and Sons, MDCCCXCVI (1896). (Fig 2) The Art of Deer-Stalking by William Scrope, Esq. Illustrated FLS. Published India, London and New York 1897. Illustrated by engravings and lithographs after paintings by Edwin and Charles Landser, Esqs and by the author. Illustrated by a narrative of a few days sport in The Forest of Atholl with some account of The Nature and Habits of Red-Deer and a short description of The Scottish Forests. Legends; superstitions; stories of poachers and freebooters, etc. etc. (Fig 3) Days of Deer-Stalking in the Scot tish Highlands by William Scrope, Esq. Illustrated by Sir Edwin and Charles Landseer. Published Glasgow: Thomas D Morrison. London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co. 1894. Includes an account of the nature and habits of the Red deer, a description of the Scottish forests and historical notes on the earlier eld-sports of Scotland. With highland legends, superstitions, traditions, folk-lore and tales of poachers and freebooters. (Fig 4) Besides the books listed above we also have bound copies of Field and Stream magazines from 1939 to 1947. (Fig 5)
Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
38
Fig 5
Fig 4
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You can use your voucher to buy the knife youve always wanted, to update your outdoor wardrobe, or to bring the price down on a heavy duty purchase. Vouchers - the perfect excuse to visit your outdoor store - again!!
NOTE - We have moved into the 21st century - if possible, please send your stories on disk or email them to the editor. Prints are still preferred over emailed images, to ensure quality reproduction
39
PLACES TO HUNT
WEST CoaST HUnTing

Part II - KokatahiToaroha Valleys
The Kokatahi-Toaroha Valleys
The Kokatahi-Toaroha Valleys are popular areas for hunters and trampers. The two rivers are linked by a track through Zit Saddle and the upper Toaroha has a saddle with the Mungo River. There are gorges in the lower reaches of both valleys but the middle and upper valleys are more accessible with small river ats in places. There is a good track up the Toaroha Valley. The Lower Kokatahi track to Crawford Junction is not maintained and the going is rough. These two moderate sized catchments have steep forested hillsides, dense alpine scrub near the bush line and tussock tops. Access: The Kokatahi and Toaroha road end is reached by taking a sign posted right-hand turn off the upper Kokatahi Road. The Kokatahi Valley access starts just before the Kokatahi River Bridge is reached. A track through farmland leads to the river which is followed for several kilometres up until the lower gorge is reached and the very rough route starts.The Upper Kokatahi Valley and Crawford CreekValleyare accessible by track. Access is via Lathrop or Zit Saddles.Obtain permission from the road end farmer to cross his land. Continue along the road across the Kokatahi River Bridge 2 km to the Toaroha Track car park near some sheds.Follow the track down onto the river ats and the marked track starts at the top end of these ats. It is 3 hours to Cedar Flats and another 3 hours to top Toaroha. There are four tracks that provide access to the open tops. Alternatively use local helicopter services for access. Landholders: The landowner at the Kokatahi road end is Terry Sheridan phone +64 3 755 7967. Access into the Toaroha Valley passes through farmland but foot access is allowed. Hunters should seek permission from the landowner S M Wallace 03 755 7442. Please do not disturb stock in either place. Map information: NZTopo50 BV19. Hut information: There are several standard or basic DOC huts in the area: Boo Boo Hut, Crawford Junction Hut, Top Kokatahi Hut, Top Crawford Hut, Pinnacle Bivvy and Top CrawfordBivvy in the Kokatahi Valley. Cedar Flat Hut, Yeats Ridge Hut, Mullins Hutand Top Toaroha Hut, Adventure Ridge Bivvy, CrystalBivvy and Toaroha SaddleBivvy in the Toaroha Valley. Dogs: All conservation land areas are prohibited to dogs except where authorisation has been granted byDOC. People wishing to take a dog into this area should seek authorisation from the Area Ofce. To take dogs across private property you must get permission from the landowner Hunting information: Red deer can be found throughout the area at any time of the year however spring hunting on the grass ats and the roar is most popular. There is some good hunting on the front faces and accessible streams near the road ends.Chamois are found mainly in the alpine areas in reasonable numbers. Hares are found throughout. Possums are controlled by AHB in the lower parts of both valleys. Feral pigs and goats are uncommon.
http://doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/hunting/where-to-hunt/west-coast/hokitika-hunting/
Otira-Deception
The Otira, Deception, Rolleston and Kelly Creek Valleys are very accessible places for hunters. They are all fairly small catchments with generally open river beds, steep forested hillsides and tussock tops. The upper valley of the Deception Riveris most popular for hunting and is open all year round. It is also a popular tramping route to Canterbury. Access: Access to these places is from State Highway 73. There is a footbridge a few kilometres up the road from Aickens Corner that provides access across the Otira River to the Deception Valley. The route up the Deception takes you to Goat Pass. There is foot access up the Rolleston, witha track that leads into the head waters.A track up Kelly Creek directly off the highway leads across a low saddle into the upper Hunts Creek. A steep track from Kelly Creek car park takes you to Carroll Hut and the Seven Mile tops and continues into the Taipo Valley. Note: The Deception River can be dangerous to cross if in ood. Landholders: There is private land at the mouth of the Deception near Aickens.Phone J and E Evans03738 2818 for access permission. Map information: NZTopo50 BV20. Dogs: The whole area is part of Arthurs Pass National Park and no dogs are permitted. Hut information: There are several standard or basic DOC huts in the area: Carroll Hut, Top Deception Hut, Hunts Creek Hut, Pfeiffer Bivvy. Hunting information: Red deer can be found throughout the area at any time of the year however spring hunting on the grass ats and the roar is most popular. Chamois are found mainly in the alpine areas in low numbers. Hares are found throughout. Possums are controlled by AHB and DOC in the lower parts of the valley only. Feral pigs and goats are uncommon.
Styx-Arahur
The Styx-Arahura is a popular area for hunters and trampers. The two rivers are linked by Styx Saddle and the upper Arahura continues through the Browning Pass to Canterbury. There are several gorges in the Arahura but the Styx is a far gentler gradient stream.The upper reaches of the two valleys are a mix of river terraces, clearings and narrow sections but are quite accessible. The Styx and Arahura are fairly small catchments with a few large side streams, steep forested hillsides and tussock tops.Styx Valley Track is now very rough with numerous slips to be negotiated.
Safety
DiSCoUnT REMindERS
Department of Conservation Annual backcountry hut pass
Hassle free use of over 900 huts Available from DOC visitor centres to NZDA members. $85 (normally $122.00), youth (11 17) $42 (normally $61). Please present your current NZDA membership card.
Follow the Outdoor Safety Code: 1. Plan your trip 2. Tell someone 3. Be aware of the weather 4. Know your limits 5. Take sufficient supplies
40
These slips are moving after each rain event and can be difcult to cross by inexperienced people. The alternative via the Arahura Track has a major slip south of Snowball Creek. Caution is advised when crossing this slip. Access: Access to these valleys is fromgravelled roads. The Arahura road end is reached by taking the Milltown turn off at Lake Kaniere to the start of the walking track immediately across the Arahura Road Bridge. This track crosses private land initially then after the Cesspool footbridge follows a cut track the length of the valley. There is a side track that leads to Newton Hut. The Milltown Road continues for about 8 km past the Arahura Track start and provides access to areas near the Kawhaka Pass. Access to the Styx Valley is off the upper Kokatahi to Lake Kaniere Road 500m past the upper Styx Bridge. Through the gate there is a rough farm track that crosses several grassed ats to the start of the markedtramping track that follows the true
right of the river to Grassy Flat. Styx saddle is one hour's walk beyond Grassy Flat. From Grassy Flat a steep track leads to BrowningRange Bivvy and Lathrop Saddle. Warning 15 February 2013: The Styx River has cut into a vertical gravel cliff 20 minutes from the Styx car park. To continue up the valley be prepared to cross the river at normal ow below and above this slip. Parties or individuals that are not condent with river crossing should travel through via the Arahura Valley. The alternative via the Arahura Track has a major slip south of Snowball Creek. Caution is advised when crossing this slip. The Styx Valley Track is now very rough with numerous slips to be negotiated. These slips are moving after each rain event and can be difcult to cross by inexperienced people. Landholders: The landowner at the Arahura road end allows foot access along the farm track to the Cesspool Bridge, but permission to hunt on the freehold landmust be obtained from him. The lower Styx Valley is grazed by cattle but foot access is allowed. Please do not disturb stock in
either place.Contact Mike Milne 027 371 4360. Map information: NZTopo50 BV19, BV20. Dogs: All conservation land areas are prohibited to dogs except where authorisation has been granted byDOC. People wishing to take a dog into this area should seek authorisation from the Area Ofce. To take dogs across private property you must get permission from the landowner. Hut information: There are several standard or basic DOC huts in the area: Lower Arahura Hut, Newton Creek Hut, Mudats Hut, Harman Hut, Mid Styx Hut, Grassy Flat Hut, Olderog Bivvy, Campbell Bivvy, Browning Bivvy. Hunting information: Red deer can be found throughout the area at any time of the year however spring hunting on the grass ats and the roar is most popular.Chamois are found mainly in the alpine areas in low numbers. Hares are found throughout. Possums are controlled by AHB in the lower parts of both valleys. Feral pigs and goats are uncommon.
Taipo
The Taipo is a popular area for hunters and trampers. The river passes through a gorge lower down but the access road by-passes this and joins the river on some large ats which extend several kilometres up the river. There is private land below 7 Mile Creek and a grazing licence covers the river ats from the top of the rst gorge to the bottom of the gorge below Mid-Taipo Hut. The upper reaches of the valley are a mix of river terraces, small clearings and narrow sections but is quite accessible. The Taipo is a fairly small catchment with a few large side streams with a generally open river beds steep forested hillsides and tussock tops. The upper valley ispopular for hunting and is open all year round. It is also a popular tramping route. Access: Access into the valleyis from State Highway 73. There is a sign posted but rough formed 4WD track 2 km east of the Taipo Bridge. This 4WD track takes you to an area of river ats and eventually to 7 Mile Creek. There isprivate land to be crossed before 7 Mile Creek and access permission is required. Beyond here there is a marked tramping track upstream to Mid Taipo and Julia huts. There are also marked tracks up Dunns Creek and to the Kellys Range. Access to Hunts Creek is via Kellys Creek from State Highway 73. Landholders: The landowner in the Valley is P & J Fitzgerald. Phone 03 736 9109for permission to cross or hunt on it.The Fitzgeralds also hold the grazing licence. You should ask if there are cattle on that area before going hunting and ascertain what precautions should be taken. Map information: NZTopo50 BU20, BV20. Dogs: All conservation land areas are prohibited to dogs except where authorisation has been granted byDOC. People wishing to take a dog into this area should seek authorisation from the Area Ofce. To take dogs across private property you must get permission from the landowner. Hut information: There are several standard or basic DOC huts in the valley:Dillons Hut, MidTaipo Hut and the two huts at Julia.Dunns Creek Hut is located at the headwaters of that Creek. Hunting information: Red deer can be found throughout the area at any time of the year however spring hunting on the grass ats and the roar is most popular. Chamois are found mainly in the alpine areas in low numbers. Hares are found throughout. Possums are controlled by AHB in the lower parts of the valley only. Feral pigs and goats are uncommon.
Taramakau
The TaramakauRiver extends from the Tasman Sea to 962 m Harper Pass, a route to the upper Hurunui River. The lower valley can be accessed from State Highway73. The upper valley from Aickens is mostly wide gravel or grassed riverbed with mixed beech forested hill slopes and extensive tussock tops. The Otehake Valley is a heavily forested large tributary on the true left. There are many smaller side streams. The upper valley is most popular for hunting and is open all year round. It is also a popular tramping route to Canterbury. There are several large section of private land in the upper valley. Access: Access to the upper Taramakau is from State Highway 73 at Aickens Corner. There is a signposted car park where the foot track access commences. This crosses the Otira River then follows a rough vehicle track for a few km then travel is via river bed and short sections of track to Harper Pass. There is rough 4WD access up to about the Otehake conuence. To use this track permission is required to pass through private land between thehighway and the Otira riverbed and beyond. Note: The Otira can be dangerous to cross if in ood and there is an alternative route
by crossing a footbridge4.5 km up the road towards Otira and then a track which returns to the Taramakau Valley. The Otehake Valley can be accessed by arough track that starts on the true left 2.5km upstream from the conuence with the Taramakau. There is a marked track that starts at Pfeifer Creek, loops past Lake Kaurapataka and returns to the Taramakau via the Otehake River. There is also a marked track that starts opposite Michael Creek which provides access to Townsend Hut and the open tops. Landholders: The landowner at Aickens is J and E Evans. Phone 03 738 2818 - check if OK with them. Map information: NZTopo50 BU20, BU21, BY20 Dogs: All conservation land areas are prohibited to dogs except where authorisation has been granted byDOC. People wishing to take a dog into this area should seek authorisation from the Area Ofce. To take dogs across private property you must get permission from the land owner. The TL of the upper Taramakau is part of Arthurs Pass National Park and no dogs are permitted. Hut information: There are several standard
or basic DOC huts in the valley: Kiwi Hut, Locke Stream Hut, Townsend Hut (subalpine), Otehake Hut and Koropuku (Big Tops) Hut. Hunting information: Red deer can be found throughout the area at any time of the year however spring hunting on the grass ats and the roar is most popular. Chamois are found mainly in the alpine areas in low numbers. Hares are found throughout. Possums are controlled by AHB and DOC in the lower parts of the valley only. Feral pigs and goats are uncommon. Additional information: Please report any goat sightings in the upper Taramakau to DOC.
FoR MoRE infoRMaTion ConTaCT

HokitikaArea Ofce. Phone: 03 756 9110. 10 Sewell Street, Hokitika 7810. Email: [email protected]
41
REVIEWS
securing a top trophyhead of every one of the wild big game animals available in New Zealand. His telling of the various deer species was excellent particularly as I remember his Rusa from the Whakatane headwaters. absorbing and beguiling read. Alain explained to me that he believes being passionate about something is healthy. "I love the sea in its many moods. A storm is beautiful and a calm day is restful. I love the experience of being there and doing it. Its no good always talking about doing it. You have to get out there and enjoy it as many times as you can." He has some wisewordsabout the need forunityamongstrecreational shers. "Unity is vital. I would love to see all recreational groups unite and pull together because anything less is a recipe for failure.Divided we have no teeth to counter the might of the wealthy commercial sector especially the 'fat cat' corporates. A united recreational shing sector would politically be an almighty force because we have the numbers, in other words votes. New Zealand has one million recreational and sustenance shers - a potentially powerful bloc at election time." And the need for unity applies to hunting too! I highly recommend Alain'sbook. Wellproducedby the publishers, at $29.99 it's excellent value for a top read! for me the use of expletives doesn't wash well. She occasionally lapses into the macho world of expletives in her writing such as describing a struggle through undergrowth as "there was no other way but to struggle through the mess of trunks and branches, pufng and swearing 'F---, f--' and --", except she spelt the expletives in full. The two four letter words were unnecessary. The word swearing was enough. We all know the words and use them to varying degrees in times of struggles. There are other such examples too. Just digressing for me some hunters think in the 4WD driving to a spot or in the hut, "f---" words are the norm. I'm not sure what they're trying to prove probably only that their vocabulary is limited! Back to the book. It's well illustrated and a good read. But I did inch at her husband shooting a Red deer hind, virtually a no-no for ten months of the year to any sporting hunter. Nevertheless the book is highly readable and recommended.
BOOK
Since the hunting grand slam, Alain turned to a grand slam in sea shing. He's been a sherman since as a toddler so it was inevitable. He set the goal and did it thus becoming the rst New Zealander to capture the grand slam of game shing ie, catch a top trophy of each of the game sh comprising the billsh slam of black marlin, blue marlin, striped marlin, short-billed spear sh and broadbill swordsh plus the tuna species (blue n, yellow n, big eye, albacore and skipjack). To those who know Alain - and a number in NZDA will - he's a chap of disarming candour and enthusiasm. Theres no attention-seeking and nothing to do with a self styled guru narcissism that aficts some in the hunting/shing scene. The grand slam in both cases was not about a wish to be hailed as a champion. The grand slamswe'rejust Alainspersonal challenges. Thisopenness, passion and earnestness shine throughbrightlyin his writing. The book is an dared to enter the rugged, macho world of pig hunting. Not surprising I guess as her husband is Max (Maco) Lyver, former Wellington NZDA Branch member. She has written three excellent previous books, the venison recipe one being a beauty and regularly consulted by me running amok in the kitchen. It was back in 2004, that Andy Lyver brought two pig dog pups home. Since then she and her husband have been breeding and training a succession of pig dogs. Hunting is now an essential part of her life and therapy. She writes that her hunting has become so precious to her. It's not just the pigs (hence the title) but "a sense of ownership of the warm brown hills and the forest and a sense of kinship with the animals that live there. -- -nor can I see life without dogs. Indeed some of my best mates are mutts." With her writing and editing experience, Andy Lyver naturally writes well in an easy, relaxed style making for enjoyable reading. But I must say
Title: The New Zealand Grand Slam of Fishing Author: Alain Jorion Publisher: David Bateman Ltd ISBN: 978-1-86953-838-5 RRP: $29.99 Format: Softcover, 200 pages, colour and black and white Reviewed by: Tony Orman Direct Branch NZDA memberAlain Jorion iswellknown as both a deerstalker and sherman. In 1994 he wrote a book about his "Grand Slam Hunting" in which he recounted
BOOK
Title: It's Not About The Pigs Author: Andy Lyver Published by: Halcyon Press. RRP: $39.99 ISBN: 978-1-877566-45-5 Format: Size 232 x 153 mm, 206p pages, soft cover, Colour photographs Reviewed by: Tony Orman Andy Lyver, former editor of NZ Hunting & Wildlife
Format: Plays in any multiformat DVD player; single layer; zone free, 16:9. RRP: $35.00 Available from: www.videosouth.com or South Coast Productions, PO Box 58, Riverton, Southland.
deer culling and live recovery and focus around small South Island rural towns. The anecdotes and tales related are lled with early New Zealand South Island history and told with a bit of humour. The topics are supported with old movie footage of the activities being related. The deer cullers interviewed are Noel Jack, Ian Thyne and Mick Davison while live capture features bulldogger Jeff Carter. Timber milling features Gordon and Cyril Hayes. I found the interviews with the high country station holders/workers very interesting; especially their comments on the high country erosion debate. If you are into New Zealand history then this DVD will be one that you will want to add to your library.
DVD
Reviewed by: Trevor Dyke From the very beginning of Back Country Tales I felt that this was going to be something that I would enjoy as it is made up of stories from iconic Kiwis. The very rst story tellers, Jack McKenzie and Jack Anderson relating some of the mischief that they used to get up to, were to set the standard of what was to follow. Topics covered are early farming, timber industry, station life, the sheep dog, small rural town doctor,
Title: Back Country Tales Produced by: South Coast Productions Directed by: Running time: 60 minutes
42
POETRY
BOOK
Blazing TRail
By Greig Caigou 2nd place Bush Poet ry - H alcyon Publishing Trophy
Title: Molesworth: Stories from New Zealands Largest High Country Station Author: Harry Broad with photographs by Rob Suisted Published by: Craig Potton Publishing Format: Hardback with jacket, 250 x 310mm, 200 pages, ISBN: 9781877517167 RRP: $69.99 Reviewed by: Raewyn Davies The name of Molesworth has huge national recognition, not only because it is our largest high country station, but also because of the remarkable story of how, from the late 1940s, the legendary manager Bill Chisholm rebuilt a ruined landscape and turned it into a ourishing and protable farm. Molesworth covers an area greater than Stewart Island, and is in every sense a working farm, home to one of the countrys largest cattle herds. For many years it was virtually closed to the public, which is one reason for its mystique, but that is in the process of change. Now managed by the Department of Conservation, vehicle access is allowed during the summer months and the public are able to experience this unique environment. Molesworth: Stories from New Zealands Largest High Country Station tells the stories of those who have contributed so much over the years to this highly successful station. Just as importantly, it explains the importance of recreation and conservation in the running of a modern high-country farm. Richly illustrated with the sweeping and evocative photography of Rob Suisted, this book is not only an amazing biography of one of our best love high country stations it is also a visual delight. What most New Zealand visitors really love to see, as they travel through this vast landscape, are the stockmen in action, drifting cattle with all their dust, grit and grime through the endless golden and grey landscapes, and hearing the barking of the dogs working frantically alongside them. Nobody wants to run the cattle drives to a demandfed tourist schedule, but in a very real way they represent the heart and the heritage of what Molesworth Station means to us as a nation. Molesworth: Stories from New Zealands Largest High Country Station includes: Fantastic photographs by one of New Zealands leading nature photographers Rob Suisted. The story and proles of those who have worked this farming landscape and restored it back to health Chapters on recreation and conservation reecting the much wider portfolio of Molesworth as it increasingly opens its doors to the public. Molesworth is the big one and in this book its story is all there. The history goes right back to the beginnings in 1850 and tracks through to 2013. The rst book that attempts to explain the mystique of Molesworth.
The ancient ones laid them down Travelling bushland to mountain crown Animals discovered paths that were best Forging routes that have stood times test Trails - are they telling me where to go, Or saying where something has been. The old ones set the trails Stout of fortitude and hobnails Many followed these trusted ways ahead Yet some hunters strayed to places untread Trails - are they telling me where to go, Or saying where something has been. The latest ones hunt and track Following spoor with rie and pack Landmarks plotted by global sat. code Instinct of Nature or bush craft outmode Trails - are they telling me where to go, Or saying where something has been. When I scout for trusty trails so thin Oftentimes I seem not to win Now overgrown and unused they hide On mountain paths fewer creatures preside Trails - are they telling me where to go, Or saying where something has been. Let me be the one to set out the stride Travel paths not often plied Join hoof with boot and life in wild space And lay down trail . . . to someplace!
An amazing story of triumph and the whole story of a place most Kiwis dream of visiting one day (my hubby is one of those) Molesworth has three main elements in terms of its mystique -distance & size, connections and timing and patience. This book brings all the elements together in text and stunning imagery while telling the story of a place that still holds fascination for many.
NZ Hunting & Wildlife 183 - Summer 2013 43
POINTS OF ENVY
Winning HE adS naTional anTlER,

MEL LARR ITT MEM ORI AL TRO PHY RED DEER
I a n McBr id e, A sh bur to n Bra n ch. DS: 357 he stag at about Stalking up through DOC land from 5.30am, spotted t se quarters. o l c m o r f d a e h 10.0 am up high and shot the st ag in the
HoRn and TUSK CoMpETiTionS 2013
DILL ON SHIE LD DRAWN PIG TUSKS

Gl e n n R a l s to n, A sh bur to n Bra n ch. DS: 29 . I took the dogs I spotted the boar from a distance in scrubby tussock him. ( I cracked t o h s I d n a p u m i h d e over to the area, where they bail . ) n i k c a b t i t e g t o n n a c d n a t u o t i g n i t t e g the tusk
44
MCG OWA N SHIE LD - FAL LOW

Pe t e r Fa ir ba ir n, S o u t h C a n t e r b u r y Bra n c h . DS: 240 ou t 15 0 ya r ds I was walking up the bush edge when the stag popped away. I shot him from the prone position.
MOU NT COO K TRO PHY - TAHR

David Ke e n, Sout h C a n t erbury Bra n ch. DS: 45 n Josh and mate I s p o t t e d a gr o up o f b ull s a r o un d 13 0 0 me t r e s . M y s o quick work of M ar tin had both shot bulls earlier in the day. I made de my shot closing the distance. We got to 360 yards where I ma xt catchment. just as they were about to make their way into the ne ide a mountain s e b d a e d d e p p o r d d The bull ran straight toward us an stream.
45
ON TARGET
On TaRgET
WoRld BEnCHREST CHaMpionSHip
B y I a n O we n , What are the World Benchrest Championships (WBC)? This competition was the result of the dreams of Walt Berger who started thinking of a World Benchrest competition back in the 70's. It was several years before it happened but in 1989, at the Supershoot, Walt Berger (USA), Skip Gordon (USA), Carlos Pacheco (France), Herve Du Plessis (France) and Peter Hammerich (Germany) worked out most of the details about the format for the rst World Benchrest Championship which was to be held in Frejus France in 1991. The WBC is held biannually, and the hosting country, through the World Benchrest Shooting Federation (WBSF) invite member countries benchrest governing bodies to submit competitors names to attend. The focus of the World Benchrest Competition is a four person team competition comprising of Light Varmit (LV) and Heavy Varmint (HV) classes where the results from both of these classes make up the two gun. This year the 12th WBC was held in Australia, on the Silverdale range, which is in the Blue Mountains near Penrith. Two New Zealand teams took part in this prestigious event. The teams consisted of Graeme Smith, Tony Titheridge, Mike Peacock and Peter Haxell in one team and Ian Owen, Judy Peacock, Malcolm Perry and Sue Gavin in the other team. We arrived at the range 4 days before the competition commenced so we could tune our ries and try and learn what the range was like. One thing I learnt was that every practice day the conditions were different. On the Friday the conditions were readable, but on Saturday afternoon the mirage was running and at 200yds sometimes the lines on the target disappeared......which made shooting groups interesting. While driving back from the range one evening we could see the glow of a big re on the ridgetop in the distance. There were over 700 re-ghters in close proximity to the Hotel and the marshalling area for the re appliances was just out behind the Hotel, it was a very impressive sight to see. Finally the rst day of competition came around, LV 100. The conditions were light but very switchy. It seemed some had gured out the range as Freddie Botha from South Africa just couldn't do anything wrong, his record groups were 0.151, 0.197, 0.179, 0.171 and a 0.270 giving him a 0.1936" aggregate. He was followed by Todd Tyler (USA) 0.2258 and Wayne Campbell 0.2464, and then came our own Peter Haxell with a 0.2484. The rest of the NZ team members were Ian 0.2928", Mike 0.3166", Graeme 0.3346", Sue 0.3556", Judy 0.3882", Malcolm 0.4112", and Tony 0.4472". The second day of competition was HV 100. Some competitors changed barrels for this while some used another rie which was heavier. The winds were a bit lighter today and some of the groups reected this. Tony Boyer is probably the most successful Benchrest shooter in the world and he certainly showed how it should be done with the following record groups, 0.138, 0.113, 0.172, 0.207 and 0.157, giving him a wining agg of 0.1574", Charles Huckeba (USA) was second with a 0.1722" aggregate, Craig Whittleton (AUS) 0.1872". In fact the top 9 shooter had sub 0.2" aggregates. The NZ competitors were as follows, Peter 0.2056", Ian 0.2788", Judy 0.2880", Graeme 0.3150", Sue 0.3514", Mike 0.3834", Tony 0.3870", and Malcolm 0.4152". One of Peters groups was exceptional, a 0.064" which was a new WBSF imperial record. The WBSF has 2 sets of records, an imperial set and a metric set, as some competitions are competed on a metric range and others on an imperial range there is a need to keep these records separately. For the 3rd day of competition it was LV200, and just to make it interesting the wind blew pretty hard (I heard 60kph + mentioned). I think quite a few got a surprise at how far that bullet went in the wind, there were quite a few competitors with a 1 in front of the point and even some had a 2, 3 or 4in front of the point but the winner that day was a South African, Jan Hemmes his winning groups were 0.619, 0.716, 0.513, 0.579 and
0.512 giving him a 0.2939" aggregate, second was Gert Le Roes (SA) 0.2962, and Roland Thomsen (SA) 0.2978". For NZ Peter was very consistent, a 6th place nish with a 0.3548, Mike 0.4515, Ian 0.4600, Tony 0.5127, Judy 0.5182, Graeme 0.6056, Sue 0.7436, and Malcolm with a 0.8464 Upon the completion of the LV 200 the LV grand aggregate was worked out and it was Gene Bukys (USA) 1st with a 0.2796, second Todd Tyler (USA) 0.2817 and third Roland Thomsen (SA) with a 0.2952. Peter had performed very well at his rst WBC and nished 4th with a 0.2971 aggregate, Ian 0.3764, Mike 0.3841, Judy 0.4532, Graeme 0.4701, Tony 0.4800, Sue 0.5496, and Malcolm with a 0.6288. Most competitors didn't know this but part way through the day it was touch and go as to if everyone would be evacuated from the range due to a re in close proximity. Thankfully the wind didn't do a major shift in direction and kept blowing the re away from us. The second last day of competition which would decide the HV and the two gun event was HV 200, the wind today was a bit less than the previous day but it came from almost every direction at once at times. The USA B and C team suffered a setback as one member of the B team on his rst target had a rie failure and didn't get any record shots on his target, suffering a 10" penalty, then in the 3rd relay the USA C team member who was leading the aggregate up until then red his whole group on the wrong target and he
had a 10" penalty added to his group.......one of the things with benchrest it doesn't take much to fall down the leader board. The winning nationality was being spread around, this time it was Ivan Piani from Italy that won the HV 200 with the following groups 0.246, 0.913, 0.502, 0.476 and a nal group of 0.649 giving an aggregate of 0.2786, Ed Adams (USA) 0.2869 followed closely by Bob Scarbrough Jr (USA) 0.2897 For NZ it was once again Peter the top placing team member with a 0.3762, Graeme, 0.4143, Ian 0.4357, Mike 0.5297, Judy 0.5352, Sue 0.5529, Tony 0.5626, and Malcolm 0.6022. The results for HV grand aggregate were Ivan Piani (ITA) 1st 0.2398, Bob Scobrough Jr 2nd (USA) 0.2399 and Charles Huckeba 3rd with a 0.2424. For NZ Peter with a 0.2902, Ian 0.3573, Graeme 0.3646, Judy 0.4116, Sue 0.4522, Mike 0.4566, Tony 0.4748 and Malcolm 0.5087. The 2 gun individual winners were Charles Huckeba (USA) 0.2804, Gene Bukys (USA) 0.2863, Bob Scarbrough Jr 0.2881". Peter Haxell did NZ proud with a 5th place nish 0.2940, Ian 25th 0.3668, Graeme 47th 0.4147, Mike 48th 0.4203, Judy 53rd 0.4324, Tony 61st 0.4774, Sue 67th 0.5009 and Malcolm 0.5687 for 74th. For the 2 gun teams it was USA A team 1st, South Africa A 2nd and Australia A 3rd, New Zealand A was 10th and the B team was 15th. Well the nish of the competition was nearing with only one competition left a 200yd 10 shot match. If you think it's hard getting 5 shots into
a group try 10, but some seemed to nd it easier than others, Kobus Viser (SA) was the winner with the following groups, 0.508, 0.620, 0.845, 0.640 and 0.938 for a 0.3551" aggregate, Wayne Campbell (USA) was 2nd 0.3934, and Bob Scarbrough Jr 3rd 0.3972" The NZ competitors that shot this match nished as follows, Ian 0.5576, Graeme 0.5804, Mike 0.6327, Malcolm 0.6666, and Sue 0.8091" I have heard some people say that benchrest is easy (obviously they haven't tried it), groups are measured from centre to centre of your two worst shots, so after your rst recorded shot your next four recording shots will make the group worse......never better. WBC was almost over with just the task of packing up and the prize giving function. This was an opportunity to thank those that organised the competition, volunteered their time and helped make the competition a success as well as congratulate and recognise those that did well, have a relaxing chat with friends (who you most likely wouldn't see for another two years or more) and say your goodbye's. During this competition the WBSF AGM was held and one of the things decided was where the World Benchrest Championship event would be held in 2017.........it is going to be held in New Zealand, to be precise, the Nelson range. This will be a fantastic opportunity for New Zealand competitors and also those who want to come along and help, as well as an opportunity to meet a lot of friendly International competitors.
47
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SUMMER IssUE 183 - JANUARY TO MARCH 2014

Editorial Working with Communities T he Gold Card Buck Jeremys year

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Book and DVD Reviews...............................................................................28, 42, 43

NZ Hunting & Wildlife 183 - Summer 2013

PRESidEnTS REpoRT - SUMMER

se e n . e b e f Be sa Meat o N r Bet te Mate o N n a th

WoRKing wiTH CoMMUniTiES

NZ Hunting & Wildlife 183 - Summer 2013

CHARGES FOR BALLOTED HUNTING ON PUBliC LANDS

NZ Hunting & Wildlife 183 - Summer 2013

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

To Kill oR NoT To Kill

NZ Hunting & Wildlife 183 - Summer 2013

NZDA HUNTS REPORT

THE WaRRanT CaRdS aRE oUT!

Hunt Stewart Island

Bill OLeary National Coordinator, NZDA HUNTS

Letter to the editor

Jim Monk's float plane on Lake Monk 1957

YES: These ARE a pistol grip

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO ARMS ACT Check your rie/shotgun

NO: These are NOT a pistol grip

For more information go to:

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

OLD VERSUS NEW WHICH IS BEST

Letter to the editor

NZ Hunting & Wildlife 183 - Summer 2013

THE GOLD CARD BUCK

Inquisitive Rankleburn Fallow doe

NZ Hunting & Wildlife 183 - Summer 2013

Kannad, McMurdo, GME, Fastfind Sales and Service

NZ Hunting & Wildlife 183 - Summer 2013

A ll th e b est Ch a ir, COLFO Micha el Dowlin g,

NEw ZEaland DEERSTalKERS ASSoCiaTion CoMMEndS PoliTiCianS.

THE Big DaY

NZ Hunting & Wildlife 183 - Summer 2013

Hamish Sinclair with a 100 pound Otago sow

Olly Higgins, 14yrs, Upper Clutha Branch with her wallaby.

LL PRIZE PACK OF T HE KILLWE

NZ Hunting & Wildlife 183 - Summer 2013

NATIONAL HUNTING ADVISOR

WHY iS THE anSwER SoMETiMES no.

CATTLE RIDGE HUT

CaTTlE RidgE HUT HiSToRY

2 NZFS classication courtesy Joe Hansen (Dept of Conservation) 17

Hope to see you on the range (or in a hut).

NZ Hunting & Wildlife 183 - Summer 2013