Not being anywhere near the area in question - I have tried in a few places up north to shoot on DOC-administered public land (excuse me be a bit stroppy but I do not wish to call it 'DOC land' - it's citizens' land).
I told the truth - I first wanted to practice again before I went hunting (and nowhere near the road and only at a place I'd looked at with a cliff backstop and good line-of-sight viz - and was issued a permit; but for hunting only and steadfastly told it was to hunt, no practising / sighting allowed. (The nearest range where I was living was 90 minutes' away). OK then. Can't win with City Hall. I said thanks v much and surrendered the permit.
My slight beef is - DOC spends gazillions (OK, millions) catering to people both locals and furriners who use our lands for purposes DOC likes. Just last year DOC spent a really large sum (they will not say how much) - and not counting evacs off the mountain - just cleaning up after those 125,000 visitors who walk / stagger / crawl the Tongariro Alpine Crossing; 60% of whom are foreign tourists. They hoover up tax money for that, but not for "non-approved" activity on public land by actual taxpayers.
Ah well - mods, thanks for permitting the rant - and if I overstepped, hit delete :-)
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