Thread: NZDA requires FAL number

Originally Posted by HNTMAD

Not to add confusion.....but if we need to ask land owner permission on public land who do we ask..... being public means it's ours doesn't it? So I ask myself?, I know it's managed by DOC but they are not the owners......or is it the govt in power at the time......

I'm getting really confused

Is there actually a law that states we can or can't or is it a whole lot of interpretation on all of the above

H

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It’s owned by the crown and administered by DOC on behalf of the crown. The crown having delegated to DOC the right to give permission to hunters to enter the land to hunt.

As hunters we are must obtain permission from the owner/administrator or both before hunting on any land other than that which we own and fully administrate, in which case permission is implied.

The permit process on the DOC website is literally a tick box excercise that allows hunters to seek and gain permission, and DOC to give that permission.
In this way the formalities are covered off.

Think of it like the bottom of the Mukamuka valley. It is owned by Wharekahu but the tramping and cycling public have free access. If someone wants to hunt there, permission can be sought from a guy who is an employee of Wharekahu, he does not own the land to my knowledge but he can give permission.


As for sighting in a rifle or target shooting on crown land administered by DOC, thus this thread has discussed two different factors
1. The actual legality
2. The chance of anyone knowing/pursuing prosecution.

It is important not to conflate the two as being the same even though they are linked.

Looking at 1. In isolation, while the permit does not explicitly state that target shooting within the permit area is verboten, neither does it say it is permitted. Clause 5 of the permit applies as it states;

‘No firearm shall be discharged:
In the vicinity of huts, tracks, campsites, road-ends or other public places.
Within 500m of a Great Walk Hut or track. See Great Walks
In a manner that endangers, frightens or annoys members of the public, or that endangers any property.’

Target shooting on DOC administered land, could be construed by a prosecution lawyer as breaching the above, which is also a breach of the arms act.
This is just my opinion, but I wouldn’t bet the contents of my safe that I am wrong.



Looking at 2.
This will vary depending where we are, it’s a bit like the age old question of a tree falling in the bush. But by the time you do enough to be sure that no one is around to hear you, it would have been easier to just drive to the local range. Where there is probably a bench to shoot off and frames to put targets on. And no concerns about other people in the area when you are trying to concentrate on putting crosshairs in the 10 ring.
When you consider the inconvenience and the hassle of setting up targets in the DOC administered crown land, the consideration of getting caught becomes pretty much moot.