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

Summary of Proposed Changes to Photography Competition Caterogies

A Duncum Cup - Big Game animals
Proposed changes - Split to best colour print
A/ Cup - Best big game – Deer, Chamois and Thar Photo.
B/Certificate – Other feral big Game – Goat, wild sheep, wild Pig, wild cattle.

Betty Keller Cup
Currently - B&W print or colour slide Scenic and other wildlife.
Reallocate – Champion Photo.
Best Colour or Black and White print all sections – judges choice from all first 3 place getters in all sections.

R. Monteith Cup
Currently - best colour slide big game
Reallocate – Best Colour slide any subject matter relating to hunting and outdoors.
Reasoning – leave 1 section for those competitors who wish to take slides , but reallocate current slide trophies to appropriate colour print sections.

H Lock Shield
Proposed - Best scenic colour or Black and White print by junior.
Currently any subject matter colour print.

Chris Coyle Memorial
Proposed – Best wild life colour or Black and White print by junior.
Currently any subject matter black and white print.
NB. Juniors can enter in equivalent senior competition as well.

Proposed Rule Changes. Napier Club Photography Competitions

1. Maximum print size 6”x 4” (100x 150 mm) Currently unclear, some rule books say 10”x8”
2. Entrants Christian name must be in full not just initial.
3. Change rule 5 to include - digital enhancement / trick photography are not permitted.
4. Any image can only be entered in one section, except the first 3 places for each section will automatically judged for Champion print or slide trophy. Note Juniors can enter both the junior and senior equivalent sections.
5. No one may comment or endeavour to influence judges, nor will any discussion between judges be allowed while judging is in progress.
6. No Entrant may judge or advise judges on any section they or a family member has an entry in. They must declare their conflict of interest and stand down from judging that section; if appropriate the scribe or coordinator may judge in their place.
7. Where there are doubts over an entries validity or eligibility , the entry will still be judged, but results for that section with held until investigations have been completed.

HAWKES BAY PRIZE GIVING

Hawke's Bay Prize giving is to be held at Tutira on the 26th June - accomodation available.

Any enquiries regarding the Hawkes Bay club please phone Neil Scott on (06) 8565875.