Aerially-assisted trophy hunting (heli-hunting)

Update on aerially-assisted trophy hunting in wilderness areas

A legal challenge in April 2012 by six aerially-assisted trophy hunting (AATH) operators over the decision on their permits has resulted in the roll-over of their 2011 permits for wilderness areas until the High Court can consider their claim. This means that these permit holders can start operating in the Olivine, Hooker/Landsborough and Adams wilderness areas from 1 June 2012, which is different to what was recommended through the public process currently underway.

For the Olivine Wilderness Area it was recommended that AATH companies could only operate if wild animals exceeded the Department of Conservation's guidelines, while for the Hooker/Landsborough and Adams wilderness areas, the season was recommended to start on 14 June.

Other AATH operators, not part of the legal challenge, must await a decision by Associate Conservation Minister Peter Dunne on their 2012 permits once the public process is complete. A public hearing of submissions on the permits was held on 1 and 2 May and a report is now being prepared for the decision maker.

Decision on long-term aerially-assisted trophy hunting applications

On 9 Feburary 2012, Associate Minister of Conservation Hon Peter Dunne made a decision on the 16 long-term AATH applications.

His decision is to issue two-year permits, subject to conditions, for the activity on specific areas of public conservation land, excluding wilderness areas.

AATH in wilderness areas

The Associate Minister's intention is also to approve AATH over some wilderness areas. This intention is being publicly notified to seek further information on the effects of the activity in specific wilderness areas, particularly on the intrinsic values associated with these areas.

If the final decision is to approve AATH in these wilderness areas, this will be managed by way of separate AATH concession permits. The permit expiry will coincide with the expiry of permits for other non-wilderness areas of public conservation land, that is 9 February 2014.

What is proposed:

• Adams Wilderness Area - allow AATH from 14 June to 31 August.
• Hooker/Landsborough Wilderness Area - most of this area will also be available from 14 June - 31 August. Three small areas, WA01, 02 & 03 (map of areas (PDF, 3556K)) are considered inaccessible to ground based recreationists and are proposed to be available from 10 February - 31 August.
• Olivine Wilderness Area - AATH will only be allowed in this area in situations where animal numbers exceed levels considered acceptable according to Department of Conservation guidelines. This determination will be made by the Otago Conservator.

The decision letter and DOC report on the concessions can be viewed below:

Decision letter (PDF, 250K)
DOC Concession Officer's Report (PDF, 2934K)
Aerially-assisted trophy hunting permit (PDF, 928K)

Appendices to DOC Concession Officer's Report:

Appendix 1 - Individual applicant details template (PDF, 51K)
Appendix 2 - Areas under application (PDF, 34K)
Appendix 2 - Aerially-assisted hunting blocks, 2011 boundaries (PDF, 1006K)
Appendix 3 - Consultation comments (PDF, 4853K)
Appendix 4 and 5 - Legislation and policies (PDF, 460K)
Appendix 6 - Information about national parks and wilderness areas under application (PDF, 390K)
Appendix 7 - Proposed West Coast Tai Poutini mapping changes (PDF, 139K)
Appendix 8 - Final report on 2011 heli-hunting operations (PDF, 1707K)
Appendix 9 - Draft officer's report sent to applicants for comment (PDF, 813K)
Appendix 10 - Summary of applicants' comments on draft officer's report (PDF, 812K)

What is aerially-assisted trophy hunting (AATH)?

Aerially-assisted trophy hunting (AATH) - also known as heli-hunting - involves flying recreational hunters and their guides into high country areas by helicopter in search of trophy animals.

The name aerially-assisted trophy hunting is in line with the New Zealand Conservation Authority's preference to distinguish it from other forms of hunting assisted by helicopters (for example live deer capture and wild animal carcass recovery).

The animals most frequently hunted are introduced Himalayan tahr and Austrian chamois.

Commercial AATH on land other than public conservation land is already an established industry, with clients paying a trophy fee of around $5,000 per animal.

Final report - 2011 season

Final heli-hunting report - 2011 season (PDF, 958K)

This report provides information on AATH/heli-hunting operations in 2011. It will be used to inform the decision-maker on the long-term heli-hunting concession applications currently with DOC.

More 2011 season information

Read 2011 season information including:

• Information about permits
• Maps showing approved areas
• A summary of the 13 September 2011 public meeting to discuss 2011 heli-hunting operations

Contact

Canterbury Conservancy Office
Phone:	+64 3 371 3700
Fax:	+64 3 365 1388
Email:	canterburyco@doc.govt.nz
Address:	Administration Building International Antarctic Centre 38 Orchard Road Christchurch 8053
Postal Address:	Private Bag 4715 Christchurch Mail Centre Christchurch 8140

back to top