Nth Canty branch’s role in community

Press, 25 July 1986, Page 19

Nth Canty branch’s role in community

By KARL SCHASCHING The New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association will end its three-day conference tomorrow. Conferences alternate annually between the North and the South Island and attract delegates and observers from most of the 60 branches within the association.

This year’s host branch, North Canterbury, has been active in the Christchurch area for the last 38 years. While the basic objective of the organisation is the hunting and management of large game animals, much time is devoted to associated activities of a training and community nature.

The association is a responsible body, with proper regulations, field rules, and ethics concerning the taking of game, and other people’s property. Members can be disciplined under the rules of the association which maintains high standards.

Newcomers to the sport are taught the essentials of bush-craft, safety with firearms, river crossing, shooting, skinning, care of game meat, first-aid, camping and care, and cleanliness of huts and biwies. Most importantly, the training programme tries to instil skills and self-reliance in those joining the sport.

In doing this, the Canterbury branch not only provides education for hunters, but fulfills a community need by introducing young people to outdoor recreation. In this way the forests and mountain ranges can be enjoyed safely. Many members are active with community work: providing help on search and rescue exercises; fire-fighting in the high country; instructing on mountain safety and firearm safety for the Mountain Safety Council; advising on Forest Park Advisory Committees; and promoting conservation and the minimum environment impact code. Many activities of the North Canterbury branch revolve around their hall in Lincoln Road which was purchased and extensively renovated by members over the years. It provides an ideal venue for monthly meetings, instruction sessions and socials.

Besides arranging hunting trips, the branch fosters interest in photography, fishing — both fresh and salt water, research into game populations, reloading and whatever else members wish to try. Another facet of deerstalking shooting strongly represented in the local branch is a 200 m rifle range and a smallbore

running range at McLeans Island next to the Commonwealth Games shooting complex. The branch arranges a number of shoots on a competition basis and opens the range to the public at least, once monthly, as well as provides instructors to promote safe shooting practice. In spite of declining animal numbers in New Zealand forests and mountain ranges, deerstalking has maintained its popularity, according to studies carried out by Lincoln College at Lake Sumner and Kaimanawa State Forest Park. The establishment of recreational hunting areas under the 1977 Wild Animal Control Act recognises hunting as a legitimate pastime, assuring continuation of the sport. Canterbury enjoys two recreational hunting areas at Lake Sumner and Oxford — Mount Thomas. A number of other proposals are under consid-

eration for recreational hunting area status. The setting aside of an area for thar is keenly pursued by Canterbury hunters. The North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association welcomes new members. The group has a wide membership base and is open to anyone willing to abide by the association’s rules.