Coromandel kiwis benefit from hunting permit changes
Date: 01 December 2008
Kiwi population numbers on the Coromandel Peninsula are on the increase and DOC's Hauraki Area Manager John Gaukrodger, puts the change partly down to a well-established kiwi avoidance training programme for dogs.
'Over 1000 domestic, working and hunting dogs have been through the programme and kiwi numbers are on the increase, so we are making changes to how we manage hunting with dogs on public conservation land on the Peninsula as a result' says John.
The changes which take effect from January 2009 affect three areas:
- Pig hunting in public conservation land between the 309 Road and Whangapoua Road will be managed the same as for the Whangapoua Forest. Hunting within this area is undertaken by the Coromandel and Whitianga Pig Hunting Clubs and includes a requirement to have dogs branded. Hunters who are not members of either hunting club should contact the DOC office in Thames.
- Moehau, Otama and Whenuakite balloted hunting areas: All dogs will be required to be certified for kiwi avoidance. This requirement will be extended to cover all DOC managed public conservation lands north of the Kopu Hikuai road.
- Public conservation land south of the Kopu Hikuai road to the Karangahake Gorge: no change, i.e. kiwi avoidance training is not a requirement (but it is preferred) for obtaining a hunting permit.
Hunting Permits are available from the DOC Offices in Thames and Coromandel, the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre, and in a new initiative, permits for the last area will also be available from the Hunting & Fishing store at Kopu.
'Hunters need to have their kiwi avoidance certificate number with them when they come in for a permit so we can check it against our database' says John. 'It's up to them to provide the details before we can issue a permit'.
DOC has carried the costs of all the kiwi avoidance training so far, but that is also likely to change with the introduction of a small fee being considered after June 2009. The department will also no longer offer micro-chipping of dogs as an identification tool, instead leaving this to local vet clinics.
'We're keen to have feedback on the fee issue, and I'd like people to contact me' says John, an enthusiastic recreational hunter himself.
Hunters seeking to have dogs put through the kiwi avoidance training should contact Trudy Moody at the Coromandel Field Base, phone +64 7 866 1100.