Hunting Knowledge Hub

 It also allows an accurate count of shot birds to be kept so that bag limits are not exceeded.

Retrieve shot birds and dispatch wounded birds efficiently by:

• Only shooting when confident the shot bird can be recovered.
• Retrieving birds immediately – do not wait until the end of the hunt to recover birds.
• Using a trained gun dog or having another means ready to retrieve birds when hunting around water.
• Dispatching wounded game birds quickly and humanely by rapid dislocation of the neck or using specially designed game bird dispatching tool.

Respecting the resource means:

• Use appropriate ammunition for the species and size being targeted.
• Storing game birds in a cool shady place away from direct sun and making appropriate preparations to store dressed carcasses/meat so that it does not spoil.
• Avoiding waste and never discarding any harvested game birds

Fish and Game New Zealand set and enforce regulations to manage our game birds and the quality of the hunting experience. Regulations safeguard the sustainability of the hunting population by placing limits on harvest, season length and methods.

Understanding and observing all hunting regulations means:

• Obtaining the required licence and permits, carrying it at all times when hunting, and producing it if requested by a Fish and Game Ranger
• Becoming familiar with Fish and Game’s regulation guide, including both the First Schedule for regulations generally common to all regions, and the Second Schedule for regional hunting regulations
• Checking the bag limit and season length regulations of the targeted game bird before commencing hunting
• Ensuring we can accurately identify and distinguish game birds and protected species
• Reporting any illegal game bird hunting activity or inappropriate behaviour to the local Fish and Game office

Support efforts to manage our game birds and their habitat by:

• Cooperating with the collection of harvest and hunting effort data
• Reporting any banded game birds harvested
• Participating in research, educational and enhancement projects
• Participating in public processes concerning matters involving game birds and their habitats
• Participating in Fish and Game elections and submitting on consultative and long-term planning processes

When hunting game birds taking no more than our immediate needs means:

• Only killing game birds we intend to eat, and not taking more than we need
• Treating bag limits as limits, not as targets.

We share our knowledge and foster ethical attitudes by:

• Being generous sharing our knowledge, skills, and hunting opportunities with novice hunters
• Being a good example of a safe and competent hunter, obeying all regulations and always behaving in an ethical manner, even when there is no one else there to observe our behaviour
• Promoting ethical game bird hunting practices and choosing not to hunt with unethical companions

Rubbish and pollution can affect the health of the environment and wildlife and can degrade the outdoor experience of others. 

Removing rubbish and caring for the environment means:

• Taking all rubbish and gear away from hunting sites including decoys, empty cartridges, where possible remove plastic wads and all personal litter
• Dispose of game bird offal and carcasses responsibly – offal and other waste must not be left at the hunting site or dumped in public areas. Bury or discard discretely out of sight.
• Report pollution of waterways to the local council or Fish and Game office
• Preventing the spread of aquatic pests when moving between waterways: CHECK, CLEAN, DRY all hunting equipment, including dogs

There is no known level of lead exposure that is considered safe for humans.  Using non-toxic shot means:

• Complying with all regulations regarding the use of non-toxic shot
• Using appropriate non-lead ammunition for hunting waterfowl

The introduction of a fully biodegradable wad for shotshells opens a new door for sustainability in hunting.  Care about the environment and the impact of plastics in nature.

• use biodegradable products such as wads where ever possible.

Using established tracks and roads means:

• Using designated access points and roads, and avoid straying from established tracks
• Sticking to marked tracks on riverbeds or parking and walking to the hunting site
• Using established fords when crossing rivers where possible
• Avoid obstructing access when parking vehicles
• Never shooting on or across any public road

Public access to our rivers and waterbodies is at the heart of our Kiwi way of life and hunting traditions.  However sometimes access over private land is required and this privilege is given at the discretion of the landowner.  As a hunting community we all have a responsibility to behave appropriately while on private land to ensure continued access into the future. 

Respecting private property means:

• Asking the landowner for access
• Never shooting onto or across private property without permission from the property owner
• Never shooting in a direction that will place or cause shot fall on the roof or any part of a dwelling or neighbouring buildings
• Leaving gates as they are found
• Not disturbing stock, crops, machinery or other property
• Ensuring our dogs are under control at all times and vaccinations and worming are up to date

Be aware that for some people the presence of firearms, hunters wearing camouflage or dead animals may be intimidating or uncomfortable. Ensuring the ongoing acceptability of hunting will be determined by the views of hunters and non-hunters alike.  It is important that we are respectful and considerate of the perspectives and feelings of non-hunters and remember that our behaviour will reflect on people’s opinion of all hunters.

Being considerate of non-hunters means:

• Being thoughtful about displaying (including social media posts of large numbers of harvested birds), transporting and disposing of hunted birds and/or carcasses 
• Keeping firearms stored safely and out of sight when travelling
• Communicating respectfully with people who have different views to our own
• Respecting the rights of all outdoor users even if their activity is not ideal for our own hunt
• Being respectful about what we post on social media

Caring about safety means:

• Checking the weather and being prepared for the conditions
• Notifying someone about your intentions, particularly if hunting remotely or from a boat
• Wearing a life jacket when using a boat or other flotation device.
• Wearing appropriate high visibility clothing, particularly when upland game hunting

Comply with the Arms Act 1983 and always follow the 7 Firearms Safety Rules:

1. Treat every firearm as loaded
2. Always point firearms in a safe direction
3. Load a firearm only when ready to fire
4. Identify your target beyond all doubt
5. Check your firing zone
6. Store firearms and ammunition safely
7. Avoid alcohol and drugs when handling firearms