By Hamish Clark
Kiwi hunters are upset with the Department of Conservation’s plan to allow heli-hunting on public land.
DOC wants to regulate heli-hunting operators and charge a trophy fee.
“The department’s view is it is not giving a free pass to heli-hunters,” says DOC spokesman Mike Cuddihy.
“We believe it is a valid recreational activity that should be catered for and is a valuable tourism activity.”
But some deer stalkers, like Shaun Moloney, are opposed to the practices.
“The heli-hunters that actually use the helicopters to herd or chase the animals, its basically cheque book hunting – they guarantee you an animal.”
DOC plans to close a loop hole that has allowed chopper pilots and guides to hunt for free, instead using permits and charging fees for heli-hunting over public land.
Blair Chapman of Mt Hutt Helicopters says overseas hunters lack the experience of local hunters.
“New Zealand hunters are the hardcore hunters – they understand the hills, they understand how steep it is. [Foreign hunters] don’t understand our terrain and they are on a short timetable,” Mr Chapman says.
“There is ample opportunity if you want to shoot out of helicopters, do it on private land. They can still do what they want, but stay off the public land of New Zealand – that’s what we want,” says Mr Moloney.
Both heli-hunters and traditional hunters will be competing for the same wild animals on the same public conservation land.
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