Hunter National Training Scheme (HUNTS)
The Hunter National Training Scheme (HUNTS) course is delivered by Thames Valley Branch of New Zealand Deerstalkers Association instructors
and is designed to introduce new hunters to the skills necessary to hunt game animals successfully
and is designed to introduce new hunters to the skills necessary to hunt game animals successfully
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In 1987 Thames Valley Deerstalkers was one of the initial branches of the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association to formally launch HUNTS as an educational pathway for hunter training in New Zealand, under the umbrella of NZDA.
Today we are very proud of the longstanding connection we have with this excellent hunter training scheme. This is further endorsed by the fantastic response and feedback we have to the courses that we hold annually. Our branch has several fully qualified HUNTS instructors. These instructors are very well supported by the branch, as well as having a great network of trainee and provisional instructors. In addition to this team, we are also blessed with a wealth of experience in our midst from dedicated mentors that work alongside the team of instructors. Our courses are run over four weekends - two weekends are based at the clubrooms and ranges, with the other two weekends being in the hills hunting goats, deer and pigs. This training is ideal for anyone wishing to learn about hunting. Experienced hunters may also find value in some sections of the course.
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Course Contents:
Cost per person is $450.00 (incl GST). HUNTS courses are required to cover the core subjects as shown below and TVDA also expands on these, in various ways, to ensure that a complete and well-rounded learning experience is available to all trainees. Ethics, Ecology & Regulations: Laws, hunting ethics, game animal ecology and sustainable harvesting principles. Firearms Safety & Marksmanship: The Seven Basic Rules of Firearm Safety, rifle selection, ballistics, sighting in and target identification. Bushcraft & Navigation: Map and compass use, GPS skills, route planning, weather forecasting and setting up a campsite. Backcountry Travel & River Safety: Safe backcountry travel and river dynamics, including practical, safe methods for river crossing. Hunting Techniques: Game animal identification, tracking and stalking specific New Zealand big game. Meat, Trophy & Field Care: Shot placement, field butchery, caping, preserving skins/meat and trophy photography. First Aid & Survival: Hypothermia treatment, lighting damp fires, building emergency shelters and search and rescue procedures. Equipment & Food: Suitable clothing, equipment and food for hunting below the snowline. |
Course Fee Includes:
The list above may change due to supply and sponsorship outcomes. |
Extra components of a HUNTS course at TVDA
HUNTS packs – each trainee will be given a comprehensive HUNTS pack with the compliments of the branch, but also a range of items from our valued sponsors as part of undertaking the course. We also encourage trainees to NOT go out and buy a heap of gear before the course. These courses are an excellent way to learn tips and tricks on things to look out for when buying gear, and we also have a range of items that can be borrowed or tried out as part of the course. While the course has a key Firearms Safety and Marksmanship component we are able to offer a wider range of training in this subject as we have our own rifle ranges at the Club. Trainees will have the opportunity to have ongoing use of the ranges for practice to further hone their skills. Use of the TVDA ranges is in accordance with the branch RSOs. |
Hunting Trips
The goat hunting weekend is a core part of this course where we are able to cover a wide range of essential hunting and stalking skills “in the moment” as well as learning first hand so many of the other outdoor and hunter safety requirements. It is a wonderful introduction for many and is an excellent step prior to the mentored hunt that is the finale of the course. Animals will be harvested ethically by the trainees and a field butchery session will be a forerunner to a hands-on butchery session with the meat that has been harvested the day before. This shoot is on private land with one mentor/trainer to a maximum of three trainees. For our final mentored hunting weekend we focus our hunt on DOC land as this is a key aspect for hunters to learn about. They will also learn about our way as hunters of assisting conservation on a wider scale. For this weekend, we have a base camp where all trainees and their mentors stay, and all hunting is undertaken each day in designated hunting areas. There is one on one mentoring for each trainee on this hunt. |
Dates & Course info: (generally held August-November)
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WEEKEND 1:
Friday - Sunday - Clubrooms and Range Commence with dinner at the Club with all other trainees, instructors and assistants. Staying overnight at clubrooms for full day sessions on Saturday and Sunday. WEEKEND 2:
Friday - Sunday - National Park Goat Hunting Weekend Goat hunting, navigation, butchering, game animal species, meat processing and hide care |
WEEKEND 3:
Saturday - Club rooms and Karangahake Gorge River safety Outdoor safety WEEKEND 4: Thursday night through until Sunday One on one mentored Hunting Weekend |