Thread: Commercial vs Recreational Hunting in NZ

Haven’t really posted in this pub, before. But this topic is a bit of an interest to me, having had to battle with DOC over this very issue. (through the Lower North Island Red Deer Foundation) With the current revival of WARO due to the price increase, its an issue that isn’t going to go away, and in fact in a year or two, hunting in many public lands might be quite different. If that isn’t whats happening already

The “rights” of recreational versus commercial on Conservation lands is interesting. In deer control, commercial permits are provided for under the wild animal control act (WAC act). Permits to hunt are likewise issued under that act.

The act doesn’t give any precedence to recreational of commercial. Generally, commercial (WARO) and rec hunters are competitors, for the same animals (mostly) But WARo does have an advantage over foot hunters and can ruin the chances of success of foot hunters. But that’s not an issue, as far as he WAC act is conserned

But, the departments main legislation, the conservation act, does recognize the obligation to “foster” recreation. DOC now acknowledge that this includes rec hunting

The same act does not recognize any need to “foster” commercial use, only “allow” tourism.

So hunters do have a precedence over commercial use on conservation lands

But because WARO permits are issued under the WAC act, DOC chooses to ignore the rights of recreation. This is mainly due to DOC maintaining the policy of Only Good deer is a Dead one, and openly favour WARO, often at the expense of rec hunting

As has been stated here, the forests have evolved since the days of deer population explosions and the massive impacts on vegetation. Not, while being mainly unpreferred species, the forest now are unrecognizable from what existed in the 1950s, 60’s. And in these new forests, palatable species are reappearing. It isn’t known how much deer populations need to be reduced to restore the most preferred species, but exclosure plots suggests near zero population is needed. This is never going to happen over nearly all of NZ.

So theres a legitimate argument that rec hunting needs can be accommodated in many areas, without jepordising conservation. To do this would need more restrictions over WARO

In fact, other than to “control” deer, WARO have no statutory right to a business that has negative effects on public use.
The term “Control” is not ever understood by DOC. It doesn’t mean the lowest possible deer population.

But DOCs propping up of the WARO industry is preventing any logical discussion about this. (a major review of the sustainability of WARO versus recreation was planned by DOC this year, but was canned by DOC after nearly 2 years of saying it would happen. This decision coincided with the recent revival of WARO. It wasn’t long ago it was doom and gloom in DOC. WARO reps objected to this review, and seems DOC bowed to their wishes. Despite the review being not only about commercial but also recreation.

DOC has seen the revival of WARO as their saviour, and for the time being, are happy. Its just more of the Boom and Bust. And we will see a repeat of the past decline. But neither DOC nor the WARO industry seem to have any strategic understanding of how deer control could be better managed.

That’s an issue that DOC is still being challenged over, as DOC gave commitments to the High Court (during the legal challenge of Lower North Island WARO permits ) or other commitments made by DOC

So my own view , is that unless conservation is not put at risk by inadequate recreational hunting, commercial hunting has no rights that effect hunting.
Having said that, the reality is that WARO need to be viable to be able to do the control job where its needed. And in places only WARo is capable of achieving deer control

But often, a mix of WARO rec hunting can achieve deer control, while still accommodation recreation needs. Ie mainly hinds harvest, limits on period of operating, harvest levals for waro, etc etc

But as a general rule, if recreation can manage deer, they should have priority.

But to get DOC to think about this has failed for the last 30 years or whatever. To a fair extent, also with the NZ Forest Service before. (except NZFS did create RHAs and some Closed areas.)

The Games Animal Council has been promoting a more managed WARO industry but seems DOC is ignoring them
What is a problem, is the complacent attitude of rec hunters, “its never been better” or “they don’t get them all”. So DOC have taken the view that theres no need fore change.

Our national hunting body, the NZDA do not appear to be making much noise about this situation, despite having the much awaited WARO review taken away, to pander to the commercial hunting sector

Realise this is a bit of a rant, for a 1st time post. Its something that occupied a fair bit of time of the LNIRDF, and our battles locally over the Ruahines, tararuas etc are still not over


I better post a trip report soon, don't want to just do the soap box thingy
Off on a 3 week walk next week down south