Thread: Better Hunting - free online NZ hunter training programme by the Game Animal Council

Perhaps some hunters in NZ need to be slapped with some consequences for their actions.
Kiwis seem to have a it's all about me attitude, and they don't give a rats arse about anything but themselves.
The Game Animal Council may not be perfect in some eyes, but it's a start.

i repeat my question:

what have they done, or what do you perceive them to have done that warrants such a strong reaction?

If you are poaching, spotlighting or shooting native birds on DOC land that's away's going to be a problem.

plus (and this is a problem to me) and a number of hunters are guilty of this one, hunting too close to tracks or along hunting excluded river flats next to a track etc. This could be very easy to get tripped up on.

We still have to have our Licence, DOC permit and Dog permit for viewing if required when hunting on DOC land.
https://www.theeducatedhunter.com/po...uncil-chairman
Interview with the chairman of the GAC.
This is worth a listen. noting that its now 3 years old.
Z

Originally Posted by STC

i repeat my question:

what have they done, or what do you perceive them to have done that warrants such a strong reaction?

we as NZ hunters have free and unrestricted access to the public Conservation estate - its is yes a privilege but it is also a legal right - why do we need a quasi semi govt organization to tell us what we can and cannot do on public land and yes under the act they work under they can do just that - ask overseas hunters who have to endure all sorts of bloody rigmarole to hunt - they are damn jealous of what we have -why change it - this GAC came about because the govt of the day after an election needed more numbers in parliament - they imported an MP and this GAC was the bargaining chip - we do not need it

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

we as NZ hunters have free and unrestricted access to the public Conservation estate - its is yes a privilege but it is also a legal right - why do we need a quasi semi govt organization to tell us what we can and cannot do on public land and yes under the act they work under they can do just that - ask overseas hunters who have to endure all sorts of bloody rigmarole to hunt - they are damn jealous of what we have -why change it - this GAC came about because the govt of the day after an election needed more numbers in parliament - they imported an MP and this GAC was the bargaining chip - we do not need it

And a lot of overseas hunters also think it's crazy that we can shoot what we want, when we want, with no regard to game management.

Well I feel a bit disappointed my post about sector-involved free hunter training I spent two years building to support NZ hunting has turned to re-legislating the GAC and calling me a prick.

Here are the GAC's legislated functions. I think it's fairly clear the GAC exist to support hunting and hunters.

In Better Hunting, if you complete our Game Animal Management module (in Hunting Essentials) you'll see we explain why hunters need to manage populations and just suggest you shoot hinds if you have the luxury of choice - hardly the gestapo behind every bush!

Can we please keep this thread focused on hunter training? Create a new one about the existence of the GAC, it'd be interesting.

I had a look at it @LarryB thought it looked like a great initiative. Sent the link to my 16year old son and a couple of his mates.

After all 'hunter training' has to a good thing, especially amongst the younger lads.

Well done I say

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"An enforcement officer or honorary enforcement officer may seize—
....
(b)
any animal or other thing that the officer believes on reasonable grounds is evidence as to the commission of an offence under this Act:...."


Does this mean they can seize your firearm?

Had a quick run through a couple of the modules. I think these are well put together, and a testament to the work that @LarryB has put into this.

I've sent links to friends looking at getting into the sport, as this is going to be a fantastic resource for those new to the sport.

I'd also suggest for those that know everything about everything, that they sign up, and skip straight to the test at the end to quantify that they are indeed the masters of their sport. If the final score is not 100%, then it might be a good time to sharpen up on some of the skills outlined in the courses.

It looks like a great initiative to me so far from what little time I have had to look through it.

If having rangers stops the dicks who shoot up road signs in the back country or ripping off gates that are in place to save areas getting damaged in winter as happened last year in the St James then I'm all for it, those dicks should have their firearms and vehicles crushed in front of them

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

And a lot of overseas hunters also think it's crazy that we can shoot what we want, when we want, with no regard to game management.

yes thats true but for most their deer are endemic to their country ( largely some exceptions eg muntjac sika in England ) how would you like to work by USA rules and only be allowed to shoot a few each year and only in a season - not nice at all - sit and polish rifles for a lot of the year - no we have it really great - lets keep it that way

Originally Posted by Happy Jack

If having rangers stops the dicks who shoot up road signs in the back country or ripping off gates that are in place to save areas getting damaged in winter as happened last year in the St James then I'm all for it, those dicks should have their firearms and vehicles crushed in front of them

And those spotlighting on conservation land in the middle of the night in areas where others may be present !!

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Originally Posted by Happy Jack

It looks like a great initiative to me so far from what little time I have had to look through it.

If having rangers stops the dicks who shoot up road signs in the back country or ripping off gates that are in place to save areas getting damaged in winter as happened last year in the St James then I'm all for it, those dicks should have their firearms and vehicles crushed in front of them

that is the job of the police - warranted Officers of DOC and this GAC have very limited powers on private land or public roads -the exceptions on private land is shooting of protected species under the Wildlife Act and little else - they do not have powers in respect to shooting up signs or ripping gates of - thats vandalism and its a police matter -

Originally Posted by 6x47

"An enforcement officer or honorary enforcement officer may seize—
....
(b)
any animal or other thing that the officer believes on reasonable grounds is evidence as to the commission of an offence under this Act:...."


Does this mean they can seize your firearm?

yes definetly - but- not if you are hunting legally ( thats with permission ) on private land only if you commit an offence on Conservation estate eg no permit - the exception is duck shooting without a license and shooting of protected wild life on private land then firearms can be seized - some can shoot game birds on their property without a license and that is spelled out under wild life act - another exception is if you were hunting without permission on private land a DOC Warranted Officer could bring charges under the Wild Animal Control Act if they were feral deer - then they have the power to seize search stop--

Not going to wade into the Game Animal Council discussion, just giving my perspective having worked through a fair bit of the material now.

I think the online course fills a big need for new hunters and provides an accessible way for anyone to learn the basics. There's a lot of information out there, much of which assumes some prior knowledge, or isn't focused on NZ conditions -- which is natural, but can catch new hunters out. Nothing beats practical knowledge or learning from others, but this kind of material is important because it works from the ground up and you can do it at home when the weather is mud. Yeah there is some stuff I already knew, but there's heaps I didn't. And presenting it in context makes all the difference.

As someone who's done a hell of a lot of "distance learning" over the last couple of years the modules are also a lot slicker and easier to use than some of the clunky polytechnic stuff I've had to deal with.

Overall great job @LarryB and cheers for sharing it