Game Animal Council
New Zealand Deerstalkers ’ Association Inc , formed July 1937
Co-founders : Dr G B Orbell MBE , Arthur Hamilton Patron : Ian Wright National President : Bill O ' Leary Immediate Past President : Tim McCarthy National Vice President : Graeme Steans National Secretary : Chaz Forsyth
North Island Members of the National Executive : Robert Howey , Stephen Shaw
South Island Members of the National Executive : Snow Hewetson , James Steans
National Treasurer : Steve Corlett Honorary Solicitor : Peter Barrett Auditor : Signal & Associates
Life Members : R Badland QSM , M St J , J Bamford , M Dunajtschik , A S D Evans MNZM , D Hodder , R McNaughton MNZM , W O ’ Leary , G Smith , I D Wright
NZDA recognised sponsors 2016 / 17 : Halcyon Publishing , Kilwell , Hunting & Fishing NZ , NZ Guns & Hunting , Stoney Creek ( NZ ) Ltd , Swazi Apparel
Affiliated to : Council of Licensed Firearm Owners ( COLFO ), NZ Mountain Safety Council ( NZMSC ), Sporting Shooters of Australia Association Inc ( SSAA ), Shooting Sports Pacific Forum ( through COLFO ), International Hunter Education Association ( IHEA )
Branches : Ashburton , Auckland , Bay of Plenty , Blue Mountains , Bush , Central King Country , Direct , Eastern Bay of Plenty , Golden Bay , Gore & Districts , Hastings , Hutt Valley , Kapiti , Malvern , Manawatu , Marlborough , Napier , Nelson , North Auckland , North Canterbury , North Otago , North Taranaki , Northland , Otago , Palmerston , Porirua , Rakaia , Rotorua , Ruahine , South Auckland , South Canterbury , South Otago , South Waikato , Southern Lakes , Southland , Taihape , Taranaki , Taupo , Te Awamutu , Thames Valley , Tutira , Upper Clutha , Waikato , Waimarino , Wairarapa , Wairoa & Districts , Wellington , West Coast , Western Southland , Whangarei
The Code of Ethics of the NZDA shall be , and any member expected to :
• Approach recreational hunting from the highest possible level of ethics , having due regard to the welfare of the animals hunted , and prevention of cruelty to the same .
• Not hunt or carry a firearm on property without the proper approval of the owner , occupier or controlling authority and shall strictly observe any conditions imposed upon him .
• Be a responsible firearms owner and abide by current firearms laws .
• Avoid unnecessary or deliberate damage to the environment , respect property and other users of the outdoors .
• Advocate sensible conservation practices at all times and promote New Zealand ’ s biodiversity in situ .
• Practice the Field Guidelines when out hunting .
• Be exemplary members of NZDA by promoting and abiding by its Rules , Field Guidelines and this Code of Ethics .
GAC makes progress with funding and new challenges
by the Editor
Real progress is being made with the problematic question of Game Animal Council funding . The government has approved a contribution of $ 375,000 in the 2016 – 17 year , followed by $ 225,000 in 2017 – 18 , with a primary aim of establishing a levy on exported trophies . The export levy consultation document circulated anticipated that an income of $ 1,600,000 may be collected from levies on around 5,000 trophies exported by hunters visiting from overseas .
The Minister has received submissions on the export levy , which is provided for in the Game Animal Council Act . The levy proposal and submissions are still under consideration . The next step is for the Minister to have the appropriate regulations drafted based on his final decisions , but GAC Chair Don Hammond says the proposed levy is a very good start towards the GAC being better funded to meet the many challenging tasks ahead . There is still a significant process to work through but he hopes the new regulations will come into effect in the second half of 2017 .
“ We are very grateful that Government has recognised the importance of the initial funding ,” he said . “ I should also acknowledge the support of DOC and the Minister , Peter Dunne , in getting this through the 2016 Budget process . It should be understood , however , that a key requirement that came with this funding was that we get the levy on exported trophies in place to give us a permanent revenue stream .”
There is still the need for a fair contribution to GAC funding across all game animal interest groups . While the GAC was established in part to represent the interests of all game animal sectors , at present no preferred mechanism has been identified through which the recreational sector can contribute . “ The Act does provide for administration fees , and when Herds of Special Interest are established , there will be the option to implement hunting fees for these herds ,” Hammond told Hunting & Wildlife . “ Obviously , over time , mechanisms for recreational hunters to contribute will have to be found . If this requires law
Tahr are a likely candidate for a Herd of Special Interest and are on the future agenda of the Game Animal Council . This photo by Gareth Hall was an unplaced entry in the 2016 NZDA photo competition .
‘ A particular virtue in wildlife ethics is that the hunter ordinarily has no gallery to applaud or disapprove of his conduct . Whatever his acts , they are dictated by his conscience .’
Aldo Leopold
6 NZ Hunting & Wildlife 196 - Autumn 2017