Thread: Hand held thermal now legal on public land

Originally Posted by 30.06king

What is the NZDA position likely to be on this ?

I have no problem with this now being lawful. And agree in certain circumstances finding game with this tool is well justified.
I won't use one. My choice, personal. I enjoy too much the challenge of hunting and the sometimes uncertain aspect of whether game will, or will not, be found. Saying that, these days finding game is a bit easier than it was some years back.
No intention to cast aspersion here. Merely stating my view. I fully support anybodys decision to do any lawful activity they want to do.

I have mixed feelings. Myself Like you, I refuse to use them. I understand why people do, and right now with high animal numbers I feel more animals need shooting, so maybe this tool has a use.
But I also think its a retrograde step for our culture and one that once accepted, will be hard to undue and that it is another step away from hunting and towards just shooting.
Having taken alot of people hunting, Ive seen this tool arrive and have ben worried at the number already who do not know how to proceed without such devices.
Kind of like the young duck shooters who have grown up with semi autos and feel affronted with magazine limits etc.