Thread: St Arnaud sighting in area.

Originally Posted by 19Badger

It seems you have a different perception of NZDA than I do.
Why shouldn't target/range shooting be part of what NZDA does?
Are you inferring NZDA won't need ranges if more ranges are built on DOC land?
Where is NZDA spending time on target shooting instead of "hunter advocacy"

In fact, from what I see via my own NZDA membership is that NZDA has substantially upped it's game to our ( Kiwi hunters ) benefit in recent years. A result of strong refocusing on the core task of hunter advocacy and bringing on board the necessary talent to get the push through. I appluad NZDA for it's new momentum. This is quite aside from any attention given to the ranges to keep them up to speed which I'm sure is quietly ongoing. All the more reason that more Kiwi hunters should be getting into and supporting NZDA, at a greater rate than the memberships current growth rate.
OK, this is getting a bit off-topic, sorry, so in relation to shooting ranges on DOC ( public ) land and re the now certified St. Arnaud range I think this: It's positive, a step forward and hopefully sets a useful precedent for potential future ranges. I believe we need more ranges in NZ than we currently have. One of the reasons many shooters don't use them is simply distance between where they live and ranges are located. Many existing ranges are on private land and I would think under present laws, regulations and circumstances it would be very difficult now to establish a new range from scratch on private land. Just too many hoops for a landowner to bother with for one, particularly farmers I presume. But there is an abundance of DOC ( public ) land around, suitably isolated but conveniently located that could be utilised with, I would guess, fewer obstacles. I think with enough pressure DOC would probably have to come to the party. After all they cater for other user groups like boaties, mountain bikers etc so could hardly justify excluding shooters despite any reservations.