Fiordland Wapiti Foundation

Top of the morning everyone - 

The Fiordland Wapiti foundation (FWF) sent out their annual report a couple of weeks ago, made for some interesting reading. I have attached a link bellow for those of you who didn't get a copy, spread it around. 

Kuran and I regularly refer to the work these guys have done over the last 10+ years on the podcast. Their approach to management of this population of introduced game species in New Zealand is one of it's kind and in my opinion the shinning light of hope in going forward for hunting and our game animals in New Zealand. 

Why? It shows a clearly effective model that we could (should) reproduce in other areas with other species in New Zealand. There is a 10 year partnership agreement between a group of organized and logical hunters (FWF) and the Department of Conservation (DoC). FWF members assist with stoat trapping, projects within the national park, and remove a set number of deer from the area annually. 

What a brilliant model, everyone is happy, hunters get what they want, DoC get what they want. Imagine what we could achieve as a group (hunters) if we didn't piss around winging about 1080, fighting within ourselves, talking smack on social media, or worrying about what everyone else is doing! 

If we all got off our asses and actually concentrated that passion on something practical (like the FWF have) we could make a huge impact on the management of our introduced game species and the conservation of the wilderness we love. 

Imagine a similar programme for Sika, Tahr, Rusa, Sambar, etc - wouldn't that be great?

To all involved with the FWF, keep up the good work! 

Catch you on the clearing,

Matthew Gibson