PRESIDENTS REPORT

May 2012

Gidday

Another hunter has lost his life this week to a firearm incident. We as a Hunting Organization continue to enforce safe hunting practices but every year we have these unnecessary tragedies. It all comes back to the one common denominator TARGET IDENTIFCATION

I hope everyone has had an enjoyable and hopefully a successful roar this year. I have seen a couple of good heads come in and heard of a few others and a good number of hard luck stories. Remember this year we are measuring the heads before the official competition night so the social night will run more smoothly. If you have a head for measuring give Mark Sarjeant a call to arrange to have it dropped off. Remember all heads presented must be in a clean, non smelly state.

Our condolences go out to John Voorend and family for the recent loss of Johns father.

Thursday 10th May is AGM time and we need you there. This is your chance to become a committee member and have your say on the direction the branch is to take in the upcoming year.

Kaingaroa is open now for hunting and permits for Big Game and Birds are available from Independent Security in Rotorua at a cost of $50.00

November 2010 PRESIDENTS RAMBLE

With the tragic shooting accident that occurred at labour weekend it is timely that we all reflect on our responsibilities as firearms owners and hunters with regard to observing the basic firearms safety rules and also particularly with regard to the circumstances around the accidental shooting, the ethics that we as hunters observe when out hunting. The issue of spotlighting off public roads in public areas and close to public facilities is a behaviour that I would expect NZDA members to condone and not participate in. Unfortunately because NZDA has such a "public" presence the members of the NZDA are tarred with the actions of a number of totally irresponsible "hunters".

As we move into the spring period where hunting activities increase let us all think about this tragic accident and the devastating personal consequenses and focus on our responsibilities as firearms owners and ethical hunters. So follow the rules and enjoy the outdoors.

October's social night had us all gathered at the Hunting & Fishing store in Te Rapa, where Gary, Shane and Richard gave us a run down on whats needed to successfully hunt geese and also bring us up with the latest fishing techniques using soft baits and slow jigs. Plenty of bargains available and with Xmass coming up a couple of "prezzies" such as a new fishing rod/reel for the wife certainly goes down a treat.

WAIKATO DEERSTALKER

May 2012

Monthly Publication of the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (Waikato Branch) Inc.

WAIKATO DEERSTALKER is published by: NZ Deerstalkers Assn.(Waikato Branch) Inc. PO Box 4065 Hamilton. Posted or emailed to members every month (except January). Opinions expressed in the Newsletter are not necessarily endorsed by the Branch, its Executive Committee or the National Association. Deadline for submissions - 20th of the month.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR 2012 - 2013
Patron: Du Bull
President: Pete Evans
Secretary John Voorend
Treasurer: John Wills
nzda@willsauto.co.nz

Newsletter Editor Paddy Curtin -- email: paddy@bicheno.co.nz

Coming Events

10th May AGM
24th May Have heads in for measuring
25th -27th May Club hunt, Clements Mill Rd.
31st May Measuring/Display night.

28th July Prize giving, Pot luck dinner.

A note from the editor:
Hi all.

I hope the roar has been kind to everyone as well as the opening weekend of duck shooting and that the freezers are starting to bulge under the pressure of all the meat recently harvested. This month is a busy month for the club with the AGM on the 10th and the Measuring night on the 31st.

October 2010 Presidents Report.

Over the last couple of months we have had two very good social nights, with Dion Patterson giving us an excellent presentation on his many trips to Fiordland providing us with some spectacular footage of the country down that way and also advising on various aspects on what and what not to take. All I can say about Fiordland is "Big Country - Big Challenge and Be Prepared". The ballot applications close 15th October so get in quick if your keen. The other social night we had Shaun and Bob over from Basecamp and they gave us a run down on how they produce their salami's, sausages, patties and other small goods. They also gave an extremely helpful butchery lesson on a set of hind quarters and I certainly learnt a few tips on how to do it properly without "butchering" the meat and learning about the various cuts.

Last weekend a number of us headed down to Taupo for the Sika Show to do our regular stint at measuring the heads. This year there was plenty of measurer's, so we all managed to get to see the show itself and pick up the odd bargain or two. Entries were down this year with the top sika head scoring 198 and the top red was the big one entered earlier at the NZDA Nationals scoring over 450. To me the best red head was a very even 14 red from Gisborne way scoring 390, certainly a top trophy and much better looking than the high scoring one.

2010 National Competition results
Waikato Branch.

Congratulations to the following Waikato members who achieved placings in the NZDA national competition.

Trevor Dobbs 3rd ‘Mel Larritt Trophy’ for Red Deer D.S. 329
Dion Patterson 1st ‘Cliff Marshall Memorial Trophy’ for Sika Deer D.S 160 3/8
Rusty Bird 1st ‘Dillon Shield’ for Drawn pig tusks D.S. 26 ¾
Blake Clinch 2nd ‘Poverty Bay Branch Trophy’ for best game animal by a junior D.S. 313.85
1st ‘Veronese Cup’ for best horned species by a junior D.S 313.85
Mark Sarjeant ‘Norman Douglas Memorial Trophy’ for promotion of the Douglas Score system.
Debbie Hartstone 1st ‘W H Robinson trophy’ for insect photography
James Alford 3rd ‘Gore & Districts branch trophy’ for human interest photography.

The Waikato Branch also scored 2nd place in the AHT (Antler, Horn, Tusk) completion with a total
score of 918.2, we were just beaten to the top spot by North Otago who scored 921.