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New Zealand Deerstalkers Association Bay of Plenty Branch
Our mission statement is to retain, enhance and create opportunities for the enjoyment of legitimate recreational hunting and the sport of shooting, for the members of the Association. Founded in 1950, the Bay of Plenty NZDA is a branch of the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association.
Hunter Training Course
2019 course starts 22nd July
The HUNTS program covers the knowledge and skills to operate safely as a hunter in the New Zealand outdoors and teaches the ethics of fair chase and the principles of managing a sustainable game resource. The course is designed for new hunters who are aged 16 yrs or over, but younger hunters are welcome with guardian approval. A firearms licence is preferred but not mandatory
The course is delivered over 7 nights of theory and 4 weekends in the field including a 1 on 1 weekend trip with an experienced hunter. The core modules cover the following topics:
- Equipment and clothing
- Bush travel and navigation
- River safety
- Game animal species and hunting techniques
- Firearms safety in a hunting context
- Care of meat and trophy
- Preparing for when “things go wrong”
- Range shooting and setting up a hunting firearm
Interested?… contact Bob Tatton on 07 571 8442 or huntscourse@deerstalkersBOP.org.nz
Recent Hunts and News
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Firearms Safety and Licensing
The NZ Police are responsible for issuing firearms licences and are in the process of implementing a new 2 step process for firearms licensing.
Up until the end of June 2018, the existing licencing system remains in place, and in Tauranga this is run by the Tauranga branch of the NZ Mountain Safety Council on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month (last dates are 7th and 21st of June 2018). These courses are held at the NZDA BOP Branch clubrooms at Tauriko.
Starting from July 2018, the new system will be implements, with a theory test will be delivered by Police using the same system used for computerised driver licence theory tests. Firearm licence applicants will be able to sit the firearms theory test at all Automobile Association (AA) driver licensing outlets; including all AA Centres, AA Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agents and the AA’s Rural Mobile Units, as well as all Vehicle Testing New Zealand branches that offer driver licensing throughout the country.
Applicants must pass the theory test before they can attend the firearms practical training course.
The practical course and training on safe-handling of firearms will be delivered by firearms instructors from the Mountain Safety Council across the country at venues and date/times yet to be announced.
Further inquiries should be addressed to:
NZ Mountain Safety Council
PH: 0800 GUN SAFE
email: firearms@mountainsafety.org.nz