CHARTERS • BLUFF
changes then this is something we will have to work on . There is still the need for fair contributions to GAC funding across all game animal interest groups . While the GAC was established in part to “ The Act does provide for administration fees , and when Herds of Special Interest
“ Voluntary contributions from the recreational sector are also something that need to be considered .”
He said that the first opportunity created by having permanent funding will be employing staff , starting with someone in a leadership role similar to a chief executive officer . This job is being scoped out and developed at present . “ Being able to employ staff is absolutely pivotal to achieving our aims , and it is exciting to know that at last we are about to be in a position to have staff that can complete various tasks enabling councilors to address governance matters .”
In addition to Council funding and defining the process for establishing Herds of Special Interest , other major issues for the GAC this year include a review of illegal hunting and a review of wild animal recovery operations ( WARO ). “ Remember , the GAC represents all game animal interests .”
Appointment of new Council members
In late 2016 , the Associate Minister of Conservation called for nominations for appointments to the GAC from 2017 . It is expected that the successful nominations will be announced shortly , with some changes around the table anticipated .
“ We fully accept that there are some frustrated hunters out there who believe the GAC should have achieved more in its first three years , but it has been a very testing time . We ’ ve been almost totally reliant on voluntary input and have had extremely limited resources . This has severely restricted what could be realistically achieved , but we have laid a solid foundation on which to move forward positively .”
Herds of Special Interest
Hammond said that Herds of Special Interest remained a high priority . “ There are proposals for three such herds – sika , wapiti and tahr – that are already at various stages of development . Before these can be progressed we need a detailed understanding of what acceptable management actually is , how this relates to other legislation and how to implement the required actions . Again , having in-house staff to ensure the necessary planning and consultation
$ 350k more through Outdoor Recreation Consortium
In its third year of funding , the Outdoor Recreation Consortium has another $ 347,000 up for grabs for improvement of huts , tracks and other outdoors facilities . A consortium of NZDA , Federated Mountain Club and Trail Fund NZ representatives oversees the use of the funds . Applications are now open for the latest funding round , and close on 14 April . For futher details go to http :// hutsandtracks . org . nz /
can take place will move these projects along much more quickly than has been possible to date .
Hunting licenses not on agenda
Hammond moved to scotch rumours that hunting licences were about to be introduced : “ While licences are one potential option , there are many other funding options ; and to be quite frank , establishing a licence system in New Zealand would be a long and involved process . This is not to say it could not happen in the future , but it ’ s not currently on the Council ’ s agenda . “ What the Council would welcome is ideas as to how recreational hunters in particular can contribute to the cost of supporting the GAC . Suggestions have included a levy on firearms and ammunition , a voluntary membership approach , and voluntary hunter certification schemes . With the necessary resources becoming available , these and other ideas can now be investigated . At this stage we have an open mind on all the options .”
“ Critical role ” of GAC
One of the most critical roles of the Game Animal Council is to ensure we continue to have the opportunity to hunt in this country , Hammond said . “ The GAC does not discriminate between recreational and commercial hunting : it has responsibilities to both groups .
“ We live in an increasingly connected and urban world so more and more people have no connection with activities like food production and hunting . Thus our continued right to hunt remains an issue that must not be taken for granted . This should be an issue to unite us , not divide us . It ’ s all about maintaining our ‘ social licence to operate ’.”
CHARTERS • BLUFF
Hunt Stewart Island
Scenic Trips • Fishing • Hunting • Diving • Tramping
47ft Morgan Hull charter vessel , 650hp V8 Fiat engine , cruises at 12-13 knots .
Bob Hawkless : ex commercial fisherman for 25 years plus 20 years hunting experience on Stewart Island .
Hire equipment : 12ft Stabi Crafts , 12ft dinghys , outboard motors , camping equipment , gas bottles & dive bottles .
Contact : Bob & Chris Hawkless Ph : ( 03 ) 212 7254 - Fax : ( 03 ) 212 8321 - Mob : 0274 335 801 Email : mana . charters @ xtra . co . nz Web : www . manacharters . com
NZ Hunting & Wildlife 196 - Autumn 2017 7