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