Date:  04 March 2019

The annual ‘red deer hunting comp’, starting 18 March, is celebrating its 36th year of competitions. To celebrate DOC have included several exciting additions to this year’s agenda.

DOC will showcase the results of pest control efforts that have been undertaken in the local area and in surrounding regions in recent years. Data on various populations of native birds as well as the strong population of healthy deer in the area will be displayed. Pureora Forest Park is home to several native birds, including kākā, kōkako and kākāriki.

Hunting is a popular use of public conservation land, and the competition is a great way to tie that into a family-friendly event, with a free BBQ and games for the kids, promote responsible hunting, and provide valuable information on the native wildlife populations in the area.

Sponsors have again generously agreed to offer some fantastic prizes over a range of categories:

• the junior section of the competition is particularly popular with lots of young ones giving it a go
• the ugliest head category can always do with more entries, and each head entered goes into the draw for a mystery bag of prizes worth approximately $1000
• a subsidised helicopter trip is up for grabs in the hind jaw draw
• a youth prize will also be added this year for entrants who are 16 years and under.

The heads and jaws collected in the competition provides DOC with valuable information about local deer populations and forest ecosystems. Information indicates that deer populations in the hunting area are healthy and strong.

Competition opens 18 March, all heads must be entered by 12 pm 28 April at Pureora Workshop. Prizegiving to follow. To enter, hunters are required to have a valid hunting permit for Pureora. Terms and conditions for the competition are available on the DOC website.

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