Media Statement

25th September 2008

The Big Game Hunting Council Good News for Conservation and Recreation

Today’s announcement by the Minister of Conservation Steve Chadwick and UnitedFuture Leader Peter Dunne that a Big Game Hunting Council and a Wild Animal Control Advisory Committee will be established is great news for both conservation and recreation.

``Deer, chamois, tahr and wild pigs are important recreational, food, trophy and tourism resources and the hunting and farming of them needs to be managed accordingly,’’ said Tom Williams, Chairman of the Game and Forest Foundation.

A Wild Animal Control Advisory Committee to provide expert advice on specific animal control issues and A Big Game Hunting Council to manage hunting and farming interests will make major gains for the conservation of indigenous species and for game animals.

``Recognising our valued introduced species and giving hunting and farming interests a formal role in their management have been key objectives of the Game and Forest Foundation since our inception.’’

Establishing a Big Game Hunting Council will formalise and facilitate greater participation and the better coordination and management of the hunting and farming of our large game animals.

For example, over the last three years the hunting of wapiti and red deer in the Wapiti Area of Fiordland National Park has been coordinated by hunters. This has resulted in a greater reduction of overall deer numbers, but an increase in the quality of Wapiti. All at no cost to the taxpayer.

``We see the new Big Game Hunting Council building on this model and, being self funded, it will allow organisations such as the Department of Conservation to better direct its own resources to priority projects such as saving our threatened species,’’ said Mr Williams

``The Minister of Conservation Steve Chadwick and United Future Leader Peter Dunne are to be congratulated. This is a win/win for both conservation and the commercial and recreational hunting of deer, tahr, chamois and wild pigs.’’

ENDS

Game and Forest is an independent non-profit foundation representing New Zealanders who value our game and forests. Game & Forest promotes sustainable management of game animals as a valuable economic, social, cultural and conservation resource.

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