HUNTING CODE OF ETHICS

1.                   All members must carry their signed membership cards for presentation when required.

2.                   No member is to hunt or stalk on property without the permission of the owner or occupier.

3.                   No member is to carry a bow on Crown Lands or National Parks or any other reserves without a permit from the appropriate authority.

4.                   All members are to see that camp fires are properly extinguished, and are to observe the greatest caution against starting accidental fires.

5.                   All huts are their contents must be left in a clean and orderly condition and a plentiful supply of firewood should be left for the next occupier.  If possible liquid or gas fuels should be carried and used instead.  On leaving, perishable foods and scraps should be buried and not left to encourage vermin.  Any supplies found in a hut must not be used except in the case of an emergency.

6.                   Care must be taken not to disturb stock.  Members are requested to assist stock in distress.  In serious cases the owner should be notified.

7.                   Members should become familiar with boundaries so as to avoid trespassing on land for which consent has not been obtained.

8.                   All gates should be left as they are found, whether open or shut.

9.                   In the desire to be sportsmanlike, all members shall endeavor to obtain a quick, clean kill and refrain from using equipment not suited to the game being hunted.  In the same vain, members should ensure that they have the necessary shooting skills and accuracy before beginning to hunt.

10.               Any animal, which is wounded, must be hunted down and killed.  All members in the area must cease their own operations and give assistance.  Only after the most sincere efforts have been made to trace the wounded animal should the chase be abandoned.

11.               In the event of more than one member shooting an animal the first arrow to strike shall decide the claim.

12.               All members must abide but he judicial laws of New Zealand as they apply to bow hunting.

HUNTING

Only truly wild/feral animals that are not being held in a reserve, sanctuary or farm situation may be considered fair game and taken as part of the various hunting activities of the club.

Only animals taken and activities taking place in New Zealand will be considered for inclusion in the Club’s structure.

The Club’s rules of fair chase and hunting code of ethics must be adhered to at all times.

Hunting in general is an area of sensitive public debate and members should ensure that they uphold the highest possible standards and behaviour at all times so as not to bring either the Club or the sport into disrespect.

CLAIMS

All game taken and claimed as part of the Club’s various hunting activities comes under the jurisdiction of the Club Hunts Master who has responsibility for the administration of the Club’s whole hunting structure.

Game taken must be claimed on the official Club claim forms. Click here to go the Game Claim Form These must be filled in accurately and correctly or they may be disallowed.  They must include full details of the person making the claim, the species taken, the area hunted, the date taken and any other relevant information.  Both the member making the claim, and a witness who can verify the game was in fact taken appropriately must sign all claim forms.  In the case of big game claims, a photograph of the claimed game taken as soon as possible after the kill must also accompany the form.

In the case of junior members it must be noted that a senior club member must be with them at all times during hunting activities and that that senior member is solely responsible for the junior throughout the hunt and for ensuring that claims are made accurately and appropriately.

For all claims intended for entry in the Record Register an effort should also be made to provide an appropriate photograph.

The Hunts Master will present claims for new records to the Committee for verification and acceptance.

Claims must be made within 30 days of the kill.  They should be posted directly to the club’s contact address, with the postal date stamp providing the 30-day deadline.

FRANKLIN COUNTY ARCHERS RULES OF FAIR CHASE

1.                   Game must not be restricted in any way that gives the bow hunter an unfair advantage.  (EG:  Mud, snow)  Dogs may be used for small or large game as an indicator, but must not be used for holding bailing or restraining.

2.                   Big game shot with the use of projected artificial light can only be claimed as small game.

 3.                   Game, other than fish, must not be shot from a powered vehicle, boat or aircraft.

4.                   Game must not be taken through the use of herding, driving or directing.

5.                   Game must not be protected nor held in game reserves, sanctuaries or game farms.

6.                   Game shall not be taken by the use of poison, explosive arrowheads, tranquilizers or the direct assistance of firearms.

7.                   The code of ethics applies at all times.

HUNTING AWARDS AND COMPETITION

Small Game Award

The Small Game Award structure will be based on the small game points table.  Members must shoot the required number of points to gain each award.

For each award, only 20 points maximum may be gained from any one species of animal, bird or fish.  Extra points may go towards the next awards.

The award will be in the form of a printed certificate showing a field head against a coloured background.

First Award (White)                              20 Points

Second Award (Black)  an additional      30 Points

Third Award (Blue)       an additional     50 Points

Forth Award (Red)        an additional      70 Points

Fifth Award (Gold)        an additional   100 Points

Big Game Award

The big game Award structure will be based on the species shown in the big game points table, however it will not be shot for on a points basis.  For a Big Game Award only one kill is needed however each award must be claimed on a different species.  Of the five species taken to gain the five awards at least two must be mammals.

The awards shall be colour coded in the same was as the certificates as the Small Game structure and take the form of a printed certificate showing a broad head against the appropriate coloured background.

First Kill Award

This award shall be in the form of a certificate depicting a silhouette of the species taken.  It shall be awarded on the first occasion that a member claims any particular species.

Trophy Award

This award shall be presented on each occasion a trophy class species is claimed which falls within the trophy criteria for that species.  This award may be won more than once.  It shall be in the form of a certificate bearing a set of antlers on a gold background.

This award may also be awarded to those members gaining entry to the club record register.

Trophy Criteria

(All points shall be as per the Douglas scoring system)

Annual Competition

There shall be three basic annual competitions for which appropriate annual trophies will be sought and presented.  The first 3 place getters will also receive annual certificates.

The Big Game Trophy

This will be competed for each year on a point’s basis according to the Big Game point’s table.  Only those species appearing on the point’s table are eligible for inclusion in the competition.  Any number of animals or species may be taken with the highest number of points winning.  In the case of a tie in points, the member taking the greatest range of species shall be deemed the winner.

The Small Game Trophy

This will be competed for each year on a point’s basis according to the Small Game point’s table.  Only those small game mammals and birds appearing on the point’s table will be eligible for the competition.  Any number of animals or species may be taken with the highest number of points winning.  In the case of a tie in points, the member taking the greatest range of species shall be deemed the winner.

The Fish Trophy

This shall be competed for each year on a point’s basis according to the Small Game Fish point’s table.  Only those species classed as small game fish appearing on the table will be eligible for the competition.  Any fish whose weight classes them as big game will not be counted in this competition but will be entered only in the Big Game Trophy.  Any number of fish or species may be taken with the highest number of points winning.  In the case of a tie in points the member taking the greatest range of species shall be deemed the winner.

GAME POINTS TABLE

Other species of fish 250mm and over 1 Point

Note:  Fisheries regulations for catch limits and minimum length apply at all times.