Course Objectives

 

  • Ethics and Ecology

 

    1. Identify stakeholders and recognise their interests:
  • DOC, landowners, iwi, forest owners, other recreational users
      1. Demonstrate knowledge of ethics in relation to other stakeholders, the environment and harvestable wildlife
      2. Demonstrate awareness of the principles of conservation and management of wildlife

 

  • Equipment and food

 

      1. Demonstrate knowledge of and use suitable clothing and equipment for hunting below the snowline
      2. Demonstrate awareness of suitable food for hunting trips below the snowline

 

  • Travel and Navigation

 

    1. Navigate in the outdoors in good visibility:
  • route selection from a map, map orientation, following a bearing, establishing position from back bearings
    1. Demonstrate understanding of river dynamics and hazards
    2. Demonstrate competence in river crossing:
  • solo, groups
      1. Demonstrate knowledge of route finding in untracked terrain

 

  • Big Game Species

 

    1. Demonstrate knowledge of at least two species:
  • physical characteristics, habitat and range, seasonal variations, local availability
      1. Measure representative heads using Douglas Score
      2. Identify footprints, droppings and other sign for representative game and other species

 

  • Firearms and marksmanship

 

    1. Demonstrate knowledge of laws relating to firearms and observe the seven basic rules of firearms safety contained in the Arms Code
    2. Demonstrate cleaning and maintenance of a hunting rifle:
  • home/field
    1. Zero a scoped rifle with hunting ammunition
    2. Demonstrate knowledge of and apply the principles of marksmanship:
  • position and hold, alignment, sighting, trigger control
      1. Demonstrate knowledge of bullet placement to achieve clean dispatch

 

  • Hunting techniques

 

    1. Demonstrate knowledge of basic hunting techniques for a specified game animal:
  • knowledge of target species range, habitat and hunting area; stalking, use of wind and air currents, positive identification, tracking wounded animals

 

 

  • Trophy and Meat

 

    1. Demonstrate field dressing
    2. Describe appropriate meat recovery techniques in specified situations
    3. Demonstrate a knowledge of meat cuts and cooking methods
    4. Describe care of a trophy in the field:
  • Head/skin
    1. Identify good practice in photographing a trophy animal

 

 

  • When things go wrong

 

    1. Demonstrate survival skills in outdoor environments below the snowline
    2. Manage simulated emergencies in outdoor environments below the snowline:
  • ill or injured person, missing person, overdue party, fatality