UPDATES FROM DOC

New hunting permits for small game

The Department of Conservation now has a new recreational hunting permit for small game animals.

The new permit is for small unprotected game animals on public conservation land (PCL). It includes animals such as Canada geese, feral geese, hares and rabbits.


Small unprotected game animals include Canada geese, feral geese, hares and rabbits

"The new permits replace earlier versions and restricts the hunting of unprotected game to specific areas and times," says DOC National Hunting Advisor Ian Cooksley.

"You need your own permit, whether you are by yourself or part of a hunting party."

Anyone wanting to hunt on conservation land requires a hunting permit from DOC. Hunting without a permit is a breach of the Wild Animal Control, Wildlife and Conservation Acts.

A permit can be obtained from DOC Area Offices. Some standard conditions apply and special conditions have been added relating to firearm calibre, ammunition type, dogs and anything else relevant to hunting particular species.

The special conditions will reflect the level of public use at a site, its conservation values, management activities, terrain, boundaries, time of year and the interests of neighbouring landowners.

Hunters are reminded that 'spotlighting' or hunting after dark is strictly prohibited on PCL as it is illegal and endangers others.

UPDATES FROM DOC

Mid-Pohangina swing bridge removed - A sign of things to come?

Trampers and hunters heading into Mid-Pohangina Hut in the Ruahine Forest Park will get their feet wet following the permanent removal of a swing-bridge crossing the Pohangina River.

During a regular structural inspection, a Department of Conservation Engineer found several structural defects and deemed the bridge to be unsafe. It was closed until it could be removed. Although options were explored, it has been determined that at present, replacement is not feasible.

Both ends of the bridge were cut on 14 March 2012. The fallen bridge was rolled up and flown out by DOC staff and local contractors.

Representatives from DOC have met regularly with local user groups to discuss repercussions of the removal. Safety is a primary concern, but the standard outdoor safety code applies.

DOC Area Manager Jason Roxburgh explains:
"The river can rise quickly and get to quite high levels following heavy rain, but there are lots of other river crossings further along on this route, so the removal of this swing bridge won't have a drastic effect. People should always use common sense when it comes to river crossings - if in doubt, stay put."

The decision not to replace the bridge came about as part of a review of the department's recreation investment practices.

"It is no longer sustainable to provide 50+ huts and extensive track networks in each forest park. We're changing the way we do things at DOC to make sure we spend public money the best way we can," says Mr Roxburgh. "Although it is dear to the hearts and minds of local trampers, at a national level Mid-Pohangina Hut and the surrounding tracks have low visitor use and provide a similar recreation experience to other facilities nearby."

UPDATES FROM DOC

DOC urges hunters to refrain from illegal spotlighting

The Department of Conservation is urging hunters to adhere to their permit conditions and refrain from illegal spotlighting on conservation land.

Hunting in darkness hours, or 'spotlighting', is prohibited on conservation land because of the serious risk it poses to other people using these areas.

"Hunting after dark is not permitted which is clearly stated on all DOC hunting permits and to do so is irresponsible and recklessly endangers others," says DOC National Hunting Advisor Ian Cooksley.

The approach of the Easter weekend and school holidays also coincides with the annual deer 'roar' or 'rut' which means an increase in the number of people using conservation areas for hunting, walking, hut stays and camping.

"Hunters are warned that if they are found to be breaking the rules and putting people at risk the Department will take action." Hunters are also reminded to follow the firearms safety code at all times.

The warning comes following a number of recent cases of illegal spotlighting that have been through the courts, including a recent incident near a campground in the Bay of Plenty region and the incident where Rosemary Ives was fatally shot at a DOC campground near Turangi.

DOC has been working closely with the NZ Police and undertaking operations in some areas to try to tackle the problem of illegal night hunting. However, DOC acknowledges that most hunters are responsible and abide by the rules.

Information on safe hunting practices around walks, huts and campgrounds and hunting permits is readily available on the DOC website at www.doc.govt.nz/hunting. There is also a detailed list of special conditions for specific hunting areas across the country.

Anyone who sees hunting activity at night on conservation land should contact the NZ Police immediately or call the DOC hotline on 0800DOCHOT.

UPDATES FROM DOC

Ruahine Forest Park

Coppermine Creek Track: The last section of the Coppermine Creek Track is closed as a substantial slip has made it impassable. The Wharite and Loop Tracks are not affected.

Rimu Track: The Rimu Track is closed from Takapari Road.


Kaweka Forest Park

Lakes Carpark: Access to Lakes Road and carpark (off Kuripapango Road) in the southern sector of the Kaweka Forest Park is closed to the public from 28 February to 1 April 2011 due to forestry operations in the nearby Pan Pac Douglas Fir Block.

Makahu Road: Caution is required at the Makahu Road ford which is 8 km before the roadend, and before you get to the Kaweka Forest Park boundary. The Hastings District Council has placed a marker pole in the stream to indicate the safe crossing level. Logging is taking place at Makahu Station on Makahu Road. Expect to encounter delays, rough road conditions and logging trucks.

Charlie Brown Road: Charlie Brown Road, behind Robson's Lodge, is closed to walkers and vehicles until mid May 2011 due to logging operations.

NZ HUNTING PERMITS NOW ONLINE

Hunters can now go online at any time from any computer and apply for a hunting permit on conservation land anywhere in the country, says Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson.

The Department of Conservation’s (DOC) National (online) Hunting Permit System is now up and running, simplifying the application process and ensuring hunters have access to all the relevant information they need.

All permits will be valid for four months. A current firearms licence is required to validate a permit to hunt on public conservation lands.

Permit website: http://huntingpermits.doc.govt.nz/start

NZ TOPOMAPS NOW AVAILABLE FREE ONLINE

Merging the official LINZ topo maps with the Google Maps interface everyone knows and loves makes this service a breeze to use. Both the Topo250 and Topo50 map series are made available for New Zealand, Stewart Island and the Chathams.

Topomap Website: http://www.topomap.co.nz/

WALKING ACCESS MAPPING BETA UP AND RUNNING

The Walking Access Mapping System (WAMS) is an online system using geo graphic information system (GIS) technology to provide a view of the legal boundaries of public land. This boundary information (known as the cadastre) can be viewed against topographical maps or aerial photographs. WAMS has been designed to assist the public to identify land in New Zealand open to recreational access on foot.

WAMS website: http://wams.org.nz

NATIONAL TB STRATEGY REVIEW

The National Bovine Tuberculosis (Tb) Pest Management Strategy is currently being reviewed, and your views are sought on amendments proposed by the Animal Health Board. The Tb Strategy is the legal basis for controlling Tb in cattle and deer herds, and also in populations of wild animals that can spread the disease, such as possums.
The strategy has an annual budget of $82 million per year. The amendments, which will apply until 2025, include new targets to reduce the size of areas where Tb is found in wild animal populations, and assessing the feasibility of completely eradicating the disease from wild animals.

Submissions close on 30 November 2009.

Send them Attn: B Pereira, Minister of Agriculture, C/o
MAF Biosecurity NZ, PO Box 2426, Wellington 6140, email
belita.pereira@maf.govt.nz For hard copies telephone 0800 4 824 636.

The proposal is also at www.tbfree.org.nz

WALKING ACCESS NEW ZEALAND

A draft national strategy on Walking Access, and a draft Outdoor Access Code have been published for comment by the NZ Walking Access Commission (NZWAC). NZWAC was set up to support practical, guaranteed walking access to the outdoors that the public can enjoy at no cost. Its strategy is to promote, encourage and where appropriate, negotiate public access on foot to rivers, lakes and the coastline, and to forests, mountains and countryside, NZWAC's Outdoor Access Code sets out the need for people to behave properly and to take responsibility for their actions in the outdoors, and it also asks landholders to contribute to the traditions of NZ, which have seen it as customary for landholders to give access to people wanting to cross their land. Submissions close on 18 December 2009.

Email them to contact@walkingaccess.org.nz or post them to NZWAC, PO Box 12348, Thorndon, Wellington 6144.

Copies of the draft documents are available at http://www.walkingaccess.org.nz/page/7/Latestnews.html or
telephone 04 894 0549 or email contact@walkingaccess.org.nz for copies

LIST OF REMOVED BACKCOUNTRY HUTS

Backcountry huts removed and not available for accommodation

Published:
September 2009

This is a list of DOC huts that have been removed and those not available for accommodation. These huts may still appear on maps and in other visitor information.

Download the publication:

Backcountry huts removed and not available for accommodation (PDF, 38K)