Thread: NZDA requires FAL number

Originally Posted by Bush Basher

If it was illegal why wouldn’t it be listed on the permit, next to the other activities that are not allowed? One could argue that part of hunting is checking your rifle is shooting correctly.

They had to draw a line somewhere if not wanting to list every single indiscretion that isn’t allowed. Otherwise there would be much more paper to carry with more writing that wouldn’t be read. I am going to go out on a limb here and suggest that the omission is a legacy issue from a time when permit holders were credited with the posession of common sense, insight and a degree of judgement, when it was not considered necessary to explicitly state the fact.

Originally Posted by longshot

They had to draw a line somewhere if not wanting to list every single indiscretion that isn’t allowed. Otherwise there would be much more paper to carry with more writing that wouldn’t be read. I am going to go out on a limb here and suggest that the omission is a legacy issue from a time when permit holders were credited with the posession of common sense, insight and a degree of judgement, when it was not considered necessary to explicitly state the fact.

Conservation Act
Every person commits an offence against this Act who, knowingly and without a permit in that behalf issued under subsection (1) or section 26ZZH, or knowingly and otherwise than in compliance with any conditions subject to which such a permit has been issued,—
(a)
discharges any hunting weapon on, into, or over any conservation area;

so the permit is for hunting not target shooting
this may be the most relavant

You can’t beat a bit of conjecture.
A useful alternative if you don’t know the rules is use your common sense. If you have none, ask your Mother.

About Hamish’s initial question, I don’t see that nzda holding your FA License number adds any vulnerability. Given that probably every member has a fire arm their data base already holds enough info to lead naughty people to where they are anyway.

Originally Posted by Tahr

You can’t beat a bit of conjecture.
A useful alternative if you don’t know the rules is use your common sense. If you have none, ask your Mother.

About Hamish’s initial question, I don’t see that nzda holding your FA License number adds any vulnerability. Given that probably every member has a fire arm their data base already holds enough info to lead naughty people to where they are anyway.

you are dead right Thar - hell of a difference putting up a target way back of beyond to quickly check zero to doing test loads in a 2 acre scenic reserve next to Waikikamukow school

I did some digging about our local as it's not illegal there. This was in a community news letter.

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

Conservation Act
Every person commits an offence against this Act who, knowingly and without a permit in that behalf issued under subsection (1) or section 26ZZH, or knowingly and otherwise than in compliance with any conditions subject to which such a permit has been issued,—
(a)
discharges any hunting weapon on, into, or over any conservation area;

so the permit is for hunting not target shooting
this may be the most relavant

Those rules appear to be for a conservation area, if you read the rest of the rules, no killing of any animal. ( ironically includes poisoning)

Every person commits an offence against this Act who, knowingly and without a permit in that behalf issued under subsection (1) or section 26ZZH, or knowingly and otherwise than in compliance with any conditions subject to which such a permit has been issued,—
(a)
discharges any hunting weapon on, into, or over any conservation area; or
(b)
molests or pursues any animal in a conservation area; or
(c)
captures, kills, poisons, tranquillises, traps, or immobilises by any means, any animal in a conservation area; or
(d)
has in possession in any conservation area any animal or animal product; or
(e)
whether or not any animal or animal product is taken, takes or uses in or over any conservation area any aircraft, dog, hunting weapon, net, trap, poison, ship, snare, or vehicle, for the purpose of molesting, pursuing, capturing, killing, poisoning, tranquillising, trapping, or immobilising, by any means, any animal; or
(f)
takes any animal product in a conservation area; or
(g)
whether or not any animal product is taken, takes or uses in or over any conservation area any aircraft, dog, net, trap, ship, or vehicle, for the purpose of taking any animal product; or
(h)
enters any conservation area with a hunting weapon, net, trap, or snare, or with poison; or
(i)
sets any net, trap, or snare, on any conservation area; or
(j)
allows any animal to molest, pursue, or kill, any animal, in a conservation area.

Originally Posted by Tahr

A useful alternative if you don’t know the rules is use your common sense.

Sadly, common sense is actually not that common these days and the dumbarses wouldn't listen to their mothers anyway ! This puts politicians in the position of trying to appease the masses who vote. They pass legislation that law abiding citizens will follow but the dickheads of this world don't. Dog attacks were not reduced because dogs had to be microchipped ! All we can do is try to make the those that make the laws see reason as far as possible. To that end, the more members any organisation has the stronger it's message will be.

Originally Posted by Hahn

I did some digging about our local as it's not illegal there. This was in a community news letter.

Attachment 227701

Yes that is quite a handy little range there and it's been there a while hasn't it? I guess it helps being away from a major population centre which would reduce the number of muppets abusing it ...

This thread has gone off track somewhat but I’ll put in doc response to a question regarding sighting in rifles at Teetotal reserve St Arnaud. “Yes that is correct – from 1st July. You will need to come to the Visitor Centre to obtain a permit. Please ensure you bring your Firearms Licence and current DOC Hunting Permit. The range is for
§ rifles up to 8mm in calibre (including ‘rimfires’ .17HMR, .22LR, .22WMR), black powder firearms up to 0.75 calibre and pistol calibre rifles up to 0.45 calibre

§ Shotguns, Bows and Crossbows are PROHIBITED


The Visitor Centre is open 9am – 4pm daily. Please note that we do close for lunch break between 12pm – 1pm.”
Maybe DOC could be more proactive in this regard in other areas. Would certainly make life easier.

Originally Posted by Bush Basher

Those rules appear to be for a conservation area, if you read the rest of the rules, no killing of any animal. ( ironically includes poisoning)

Every person commits an offence against this Act who, knowingly and without a permit in that behalf issued under subsection (1) or section 26ZZH, or knowingly and otherwise than in compliance with any conditions subject to which such a permit has been issued,—
(a)
discharges any hunting weapon on, into, or over any conservation area; or
(b)
molests or pursues any animal in a conservation area; or
(c)
captures, kills, poisons, tranquillises, traps, or immobilises by any means, any animal in a conservation area; or
(d)
has in possession in any conservation area any animal or animal product; or
(e)
whether or not any animal or animal product is taken, takes or uses in or over any conservation area any aircraft, dog, hunting weapon, net, trap, poison, ship, snare, or vehicle, for the purpose of molesting, pursuing, capturing, killing, poisoning, tranquillising, trapping, or immobilising, by any means, any animal; or
(f)
takes any animal product in a conservation area; or
(g)
whether or not any animal product is taken, takes or uses in or over any conservation area any aircraft, dog, net, trap, ship, or vehicle, for the purpose of taking any animal product; or
(h)
enters any conservation area with a hunting weapon, net, trap, or snare, or with poison; or
(i)
sets any net, trap, or snare, on any conservation area; or
(j)
allows any animal to molest, pursue, or kill, any animal, in a conservation area.

what this section is saying is you can do those things mentioned if you have a permit - if no permit it is then illegal under the act - it looks to me like to use the DOC Range one needs a open permit - DOC are then giving you permission and have issued a notice ( pictured ) which will form part of that permission i.e the conditions of use -but have no doubt it is specific to that range - these sections of Conservation act above cover all of DOC as many older acts are bound to it

Furthermore to my last post I have just been talking to security firm which manages Onefortyone forest hunting. Their opinion is that as long as firing zones and safety considered and common sense exercised they have no issue with checking where your rifles shooting. Just not full on load development etc. Like I’ve stated previously check with local management. Don’t make it hard for yourself and don’t be so fecking paranoid, not all authorities are out to get you even though it feels like it at times. I’ve found it easier to work in with them ( management, authorities ), as I have to on a weekly basis.

I am going to sign of this one - going round and round- it certainly seems to me now after some research that permission legally should be sought to be absolutely sure if zeroing on DOC land

Definitely a few grey areas, good conversation to have though.

Originally Posted by Cameron92

You’re trying to take that on another tangent. It’s not about the name of it, that wasn’t the point.

Thank you for the comprehensive appraisal on the inner workings of my mind. Not many accomplish that.

Further to my previous post I’ll paste some basic correspondence to/from DOC. It’s not hard to ask the question aye. Hello

We only issue permits to hunt with firearms. Any other firearm use (sighting in, clay target shooting, etc) is not allowed on Conservation land. Hopefully you will be able to arrange with a private land owner to allow you to use their property.

Best regards

Michael Smeaton
DOC Customer Service Centre



From: doc website <docwebsite@doc.govt.nz>
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2023 9:34 AM
To: Enquiries <enquiries@doc.govt.nz>
Subject: DOC General Enquiry - from DOC website

Enquiry field : What is DOC rules about hunters sighting in their rifle to recheck point of aim on conservation land. Not full on rifle range stuff but casual checking by way of firing 3-4 rounds at (safe) makeshift target to ensure ethical kill shots of animals.