Deerstalkers’ Assoc welcomes hunting agencies

25 September 2008                        

Media Release for general distribution

Deerstalkers’ Association welcomes two new hunting agencies

New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association (NZDA) is applauding United Future Leader Peter Dunne for gaining better representation for the big game hunting community by providing two national forums for addressing better management of big game animals (deer, chamois, tahr and wild pigs).

NZDA President Alec McIver says “This new recognition is a major step in giving back a voice to recreational hunters on public lands and big game animal management. The proposed Big Game Hunting Council (BGHC) will be a great help in achieving better co-ordinated big game management. This will benefit both recreational hunters and native biodiversity”.

“The proposed Wild Animal Control Advisory Committee (WACAC) is also a very sensible move.” Mr McIver said. “A previous national hunting advisory committee was abolished by the Department of Conservation (DOC) soon after DOC’s inception” he said. “It is very appropriate that the Minister and DOC will now recognise the recreational hunting community again.”

“The BGHC and WACAC were recommended to Government by the Minister’s Game Animal Management Advisory Panel in April this year. NZDA congratulates both United Future and Labour on adopting these recommendations” Mr McIver said. “They will provide an essential start to implementing DOC’s General Policy of encouraging recreational hunting, which so far has been virtually nonexistent.”

“NZDA applauds Peter Dunne for his tenacity over the last three years in gaining better recognition for recreational big game hunting” Mr McIver said. “NZDA, as the major advocate for recreational hunters, looks forward to working closely with United Future and other Parties in implementing these proposals.”

ENDS

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