Crackdown on wild goats

The Department of Conservation (DoC) is increasing wild goat control on public conservation land and has partnered with the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA) to run a national wild goat hunting competition. The competition is also supported by Federated Farmers and retailer Hunting & Fishing Ltd.

Wild goats are known to cause severe damage to New Zealand’s native plants and habitats. They are also a problem for many private landowners, damaging and destroying fences, pasture, new trees, and riparian plantings. Wild goats are becoming increasingly widespread, with significant numbers in some places.

DoC national biodiversity monitoring shows that the faecal pellet index of deer and goats, a measure used to estimate numbers of animals, at monitored sites across public conservation land rose by 48% between 2013 and 2020.

Ben Reddiex, director national programmes at DoC says the competition provides an excellent opportunity to bring together hunters, farmers, and conservationists to work towards a common goal.

NZDA national vice president Callum Sheridan agrees.

“Hunters spend a lot of time in New Zealand’s remote areas and think looking after the backcountry is important.”

The competition will have a national spot prize pool with over $30k worth of prizes up for grabs, and local prizes with a range of categories. Prizes have been kindly donated by the hunting and outdoor recreation sector.

Competitors will be able to hunt anywhere they have permission through landowner consent or the local authority by permit for public conservation land, forestry, farms, or regional council land.

Competitors need to enter at a NZDA branch open day or at an official recording point. The competition promotes safe, ethical, and humane hunting. Participants are also urged to follow the seven rules of firearms safety and the Animal Welfare Act 1999.

For information on how to enter, the rules, conditions of entry visit: www.doc.govt.nz/wild-goat-hunting-competition