Thread: Woodhill Ballot Results

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

No problem. PM replied to.

Originally Posted by Allgood

I agree, perceptions do matter..............
How is this for perception.
I have been a member of the Woodhill committee for well over 14 years.
I have given up at least 6 weekends each year to assist run the ballot, patrol, put out and pick up signs and numerous weeknights to attend meetings ballot draws and deal with situations that have arisen as a result of carrying out patrols. As I normally work weekends I have also suffered a considerable loss of both income and social opportunities.
I have averaged between 350-450 kilometres per day on patrol and normally use a full tank of gas. Patrol days start at 4am and dont finish until the last hunter leaves.......and on at least 4 patrols I have had to remain till well after midnight or the following day to find lost hunters.....( how the hell can you get lost in Woodhill??)
I have had to pay for my own repairs and punctures which, over this period has amounted to 1000's of dollars.
I have had some free hunts...........and all the meat has been given to the Take a kid hunting day so we could provide the young hunters with a 'taste of Woodhill'.
I have entered the ballot for the last 14 years and been successful on 2 draws and have been lucky enough to be included as a companion on 2 other hunts.
I have been congratulated, thanked, sworn at, assaulted and had my vehicle damaged by disgruntled hunters and illegal forest users including poachers.
By the same token I have met a lot of good blokes and blokesses, some of them have become good friends. I have also got tremendous satisfaction from watching and helping hunters enjoy the resource, especially young new hunters through the TAKH.
The only remuneration I have received is a petrol allowance of up to $70 per patrol day which only covers half my petrol. No recompense for attending meetings with other forest users, owners etc.

I have been privileged to work alongside other volunteers who shared the same passions as myself.

However I have now resigned from the committee as after 14 years I feel I have done enough to put something back into the sport I chose many years ago.

I dont expect a pat on the back or compliments by posting the above, I simply posted up to give you an idea of what its like being a volunteer............

What does piss me off is the 'perception' from those who believe the ballot is rigged.......And I have always extended an invitation to those who trot out that phrase, to come along to the ballot draw night and see for yourself. Some have taken up the invitation and some havent...Those that have are normally silenced.........as their perception has been altered. Those that havent, .........well, enough said.

And that statement matches volunteering across the board...


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I dont believe there is any favoritism.

Meh... could be a case of selling out to the highest bidder if you lot north of Taupo aren't careful.... Then it will be a case of a fat office worker getting in every time because he (or she...) is prepared to pay more than you.
The reality is that this has happened elsewhere - a ballot brings in F-All money for those volunteering (or being paid - it doesn't matter...)
You would be better getting out of the pig-pen that is Auckland and moving to where New Zealand is more like it used to be.... because it is only a matter on time before all our interests are either steamrolled by the politically correct, or consumed by those prepared to pay more than we are.
Apologies for the cynicism - don't shoot the messenger.

Originally Posted by Nickoli

Meh... could be a case of selling out to the highest bidder if you lot north of Taupo aren't careful.... Then it will be a case of a fat office worker getting in every time because he (or she...) is prepared to pay more than you.
The reality is that this has happened elsewhere - a ballot brings in F-All money for those volunteering (or being paid - it doesn't matter...)
You would be better getting out of the pig-pen that is Auckland and moving to where New Zealand is more like it used to be.... because it is only a matter on time before all our interests are either steamrolled by the politically correct, or consumed by those prepared to pay more than we are.
Apologies for the cynicism - don't shoot the messenger.

There's a trust that administer the ballot I believe and the iwi get the money


But you're not wrong about the other points

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

There's a trust that administer the ballot I believe and the iwi get the money


But you're not wrong about the other points

Doesn't matter who gets the money under the current system - as much as we detest a rigged ballot, at least there is a pretence of fairness. Reality is, there is more money to be made by leasing the resource out to the highest bidder....especially with a captive population of Aucklanders so nearby (hell - even going completely integrated and selling to the highest bidder overseas: pick the fat bastard up from the airport and aim the rifle for him - he'll pay more that than your entire hunting kit and more than you are ever willing to pay....as we have seen elsewhere). Enjoy whatever hunting opportunities you have - they are greater than your children will...that's a given.

Originally Posted by Nickoli

Doesn't matter who gets the money under the current system - as much as we detest a rigged ballot, at least there is a pretence of fairness. Reality is, there is more money to be made by leasing the resource out to the highest bidder....especially with a captive population of Aucklanders so nearby (hell - even going completely integrated and selling to the highest bidder overseas: pick the fat bastard up from the airport and aim the rifle for him - he'll pay more that than your entire hunting kit and more than you are ever willing to pay....as we have seen elsewhere). Enjoy whatever hunting opportunities you have - they are greater than your children will...that's a given.

I have been agreeing with you so don't worry.

Have you ever thought of it as a team sport?
You can take two other hunters in with you. If you all make a little pact, and agree to take each other should you win a ballot, then you triple the chances of "getting in"

I have never paid anything more than a entry ballot fee or a successfull ballot fee, I dont know a WMF person other than when I meet them on the day AND they kindly offer to drive you back to the car park.
The idea that its "rigged" is just a blight on the good work they try to do by managing the herd.

Using the above method has worked for our "team" and in the past we have managed to go there a few times, purely on an honest ballot! One guy has also "lucked in" on the take a kid hunting day.
Claims of dishonesty are just sour grapes.

We have a group that put in ballots every year with the understanding if one gets a ballot we all go on it.
Took 7 years for my name to come out and i had block 1 last year - it was over run with 4WDs, motorbikes, people shooting .22s at targets in the dunes and even someone camping on it with a fire going. Pretty busy busy place to be a deer.

The management committee members put in a lot of their own time at their own expense
The ballot used to be drawn under police supervision so no chance of being rigged
It has been a while since I last got a ballot but haven’t put in after the application fee skyrocketed

Anyone know If this is the last year before the council go in and remove the ‘pests’

Got a second chance draw , thought is have a go at stalking rather then bombing them up out the back of the mates farm at night.
they are thick as in there at the moment haven't seen many spikers lots of hinds and wieners stags, hind permit will be easy to fill

I'm just happy to put my hat in the ring every time I've applied and have this as a local resource for the 09 in the face of other shrinking opportunities - The money is more than fair in my opinion - and luck, well its just that... Luck.

Thanks to all those behind this ensuring it keep going...

Can vouch the ballot isn't rigged as my partner got in this year. Was his first time entering and we are just nobodies! Super excited and grateful to all those who do their part so we can have a fun day out! Any hints for Block 6?

I was lucky enough to score a spot first try, so i'm sure a believer in the system. I've got block 3 for early june, anyone got any advice?

Originally Posted by Louie

I was lucky enough to score a spot first try, so i'm sure a believer in the system. I've got block 3 for early june, anyone got any advice?

Hi,
I had block 3 late August last year, good block, fairly open bush, take water with you, my brother in law and I went in we saw 17 deer between us, no bucks or spikers seen. We took one doe a third of the way into the block towards the beach, just on the edge of the pines, there's a high point there good vantage point for glassing. Mob of 4 where we shot the doe, the rest of the deer were seen in the pines. Here's a map of the block if you haven't got one yet. Feel free to ask for more info if needed.
Cheers Bevan