Thread: Spotlighting on DOC Land

As we all know , spotlighting on doc land is not a legal practice . and in my eyes for good safty reasons!

But is it legal to spotlight in DOC land with out a gun???

I ask this because a mate and i shoot wallibies with a bow. and are also on the mission to shoot a ferrit / stoat. these are most easly found on doc land at night and are pests.

You cant realy shoot log distance or up in the air because arrows are between 30 and 50 dollars a pop

As far as i can seee there is nothing illegal about it ???? is this correct????

Where can i find out if it is or not???

And whats your views on it?

According to the small print on the DOC permit -

"9. Absolutely no spotlighting. Hunting wild animals during the hours of darkness (1/2hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise) is prohibited."

Doesn't say anything on the method, just hunting in general, so I'd assume bow is off-limits too..

Spotlighting doc land is illegal
Pretty simple really.

It's unlawful to discharge a firearm on public land in the hours of darkness. I'm not sure whether the no hunting at night rule is actually written into legislation or whether it is a DOC policy/condition of your permit. Maybe they weren't thinking of bows. I don't know but would be interested to know what the LAW says.

Originally Posted by Beavis

It's unlawful to discharge a firearm on public land in the hours of darkness. I'm not sure whether the no hunting at night rule is actually written into legislation or whether it is a DOC policy/condition of your permit. Maybe they weren't thinking of bows. I don't know but would be interested to know what the LAW says.

Exactly my thaughts.. but i had never read the fineprint on the permit so strikers comment i think may have answered my question.
I think i will have to investigate further .

Found this in the permit conditions.

•If you wish to hunt in a manner that isn’t covered by this permit, contact the nearest DOC office for information on how to apply for a permit for your intended activity.

Best you contact DoC and ask to be safe 2SK

doc do have permits for spotlighting small game, but they ARE NOT very forthcoming with them.

Twoshot, here's two words for you : Andrew Mears

As a frequent user of DOC campsites, I would really appreciate if you do not spotlight (rifle, bow, whatever). Just saying...

trust me ebf i know twoshotkill well and he is not a fuck wit who shoots at headlamps. he has merely asked a question as to the technical wording of doc spotlighting policy.

Tussock, look I have some strong views on spotlighting, and let's just say that I am concerned with what is around and behind the "target". In daylight, you hopefully have a reasonable chance of confirming a safe firing zone. You know, the where does the bullet go if I miss part. At night, using a spotlight, unless you are EXTREMELY familiar with the area you are shooting, personally I would not pull a trigger or let rip with an arrow. People camp all over the place on DOC land...

Bottom line is you need to evaluate the risk and ask yourself if it is worth it. In my book it is not...

Comparing your house (? in a rural area) where you know exactly where your neighbours are etc, to public DOC land is two very different situations...

Originally Posted by StrikerNZ

According to the small print on the DOC permit Hunting wild animals during the hours of darkness (1/2hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise) is prohibited...

I am sure I have read this on a permit.
As well. I have personally broken this rule as it is written God knows how many times, without a light.
I would think that anyone else out there that has done a bit of hunting has done so as well.

Food for thought?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. So please forgive my sausage fingers!!!

Originally Posted by Tussock

How is he any threat to you or anyone else ebf?

Pisses me off when you stay in a hut or a campsite and there are wall to wall possums. DOC should be giving permits so guys can go in there and clean them up, if they are not going to.

Its not dangerous, if your as sensible as with any other shooting activity. Im out every night cleaning up possums around the house.

They sure to like congregating around buildings

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

They sure to like congregating around buildings

Possums or people ?

Its perfectly safe if 7 basic rules are followed