About this Event
Background
The New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA) Bay of Plenty Branch (BOP) conduct a Hunter Under National Training Scheme (HUNTS) course each year that usually runs from July to September. The course is run over a series of Monday and Wednesday evenings and several weekends. Please refer to the attached programme for the 2024 course.
The NZDA HUNTS programme is administered by the NZDA through its National office in Wellington.
It is designed to ensure that students receive a good background to most facets of the recreational sport of hunting in New Zealand. This ensures the continued safe practices encouraged by the NZDA, with respect to safe firearms handling, conservation and bush craft.
Curriculum
The course is intense and concentrates on the main topics associated with the recreational hunter under field conditions within New Zealand. The curriculum includes:
• Ethics and Ecology
Students will learn about NZDA hunting ethics to enable them to promote the sport within New Zealand as well as a presentation by qualified instructors on Ecology and the Flora and Fauna of New Zealand.
• Firearms Law and Safety, Marksmanship
A firearms licence is NOT required to attend this course.
Students will learn firearm safety and be shown the types of firearm used for hunting New Zealand game species.
Students will learn how to correctly apply the principles of marksmanship, the care and cleaning of firearms, as well as use of firearms under range and field conditions.
• Outdoor First Aid
Students will learn under qualified instructors, how to identify & treat the signs and symptoms of hypothermia as well as burns, fractures, and cuts, and to build stretchers out of what’s available in the bush as well as many other aspects of Outdoor First Aid.
• The Douglas Scoring System
Students will be shown how to measure their trophies correctly using the Douglas Scoring System adopted by NZDA. All game species of New Zealand will be included.
• Bush craft
Students will learn under practical conditions the many aspects of bush craft, taught by instructors with many years of practical experience.
• Planning
Students will be taught how to plan a hunting trip and what equipment may be needed.
• Navigation
Students will be taught how to navigate using a map and compass.
• River Crossing
Students will be taught safe and responsible river crossing procedures.
• Hunting Techniques
Students will be taught how to hunt safely and effectively and learn techniques from instructors who have made this their chosen sport for many years. The course consists of several evening sessions at the branch clubrooms, a range day and practical weekend, and culminates in a weekend hunt paired up one on one with an experienced hunter.
Eligibility
The course is open to all physically capable persons over the age of 16 years. Younger teenagers may be considered if their parents are also attending the course – please enquire via email. The course is restricted to 20 participants. The first 20 paid up will have priority. All course participants must have a current NZDA membership.
Equipment
A training manual is supplied to each participant as part of the course. You will need to bring a pen and paper (and enthusiasm).
Basic equipment will be required for the practical and hunting weekend trips. A list of essential equipment will be provided prior to these events to ensure students obtain the right type of equipment and come suitably prepared.
Fees
The 2024 course fees have been set at $500
This covers the cost of materials, resources, accommodation and food during the course. NZDA Bay of Plenty Branch is a registered charity and does not aim to profit from the HUNTS course. The course is offered as a public service for the benefit of aspiring hunters.
For insurance purposes, course participants must be financial members of NZDA. (Associate membership is inadequate as it doesn't include insurance benefits.)
Join here to become a member.
We will waive the $50 joining fee if you are attending the HUNTS course.
Please select “I want to enroll in a HUNTS course” as the reason for joining and the invoice will be amended accordingly.
Qualification
At the successful completion of the course, students will be presented with a certificate endorsing their achievement.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
617 State Highway 29A, 617 State Highway 29A, Tauranga, New Zealand
NZD 500.00
