Updates from the Southern Lakes Branch

November Newsletter

Next Meeting

NOV

Join online via Zoom

Next Meeting

Agenda

6.30pm - Drinks and social catch up

7.30pm - Meeting and Updates

8.15pm - Drinks break

8.30pm - Guest Speaker - Retail shop expert on the subject of boots.

Bring your boots along to share what brands you like and why

CLUB MEETING VENUE

Arrowtown Bowling Club,

6 Hertford Street, (Next to Arrowtown Firestation)

Theme for the Meeting

We are looking at having a retail boot expert to talk about the various types around and care for your boots.

Bring your hunting boots to the meeting on Thursday for a "Show and Tell"

These sessions have been really helpful in the past for our newer members to see and hear what others use and why .

Editor/ Secretaries Note

It's been a really busy few months for the club:-

2 huge working bees in the Caples and Greenstone, Goat shoots arranged (then called off due to snow then re-arranged) where members successfully shot over 300 goats to do our bit for the goat competition. We ran a popular and successful HUNTS course, 2 separate tahr club shoots occurred up in Mt Cook, Andy arranged a management hunt in the Greenstone and of course there have been all the ballots coming up for next year to enter. The committee have also been busy with meetings with the Department of Conservation about access and potential 1080 in the Dart and Caples next year. And in the background the usual work continued on our stoat trap line.

It would take me ages to thank everyone that has helped with these trips/ projects/missions. There is some huge organisational work that goes on in the background - I know as I send all the emails out so thanks to you all.

We have gained a healthy number of new members including juniors so welcome them all to the local NZDA. Kids shoots are in the pipeline for next year too.
Hopefully we see many of you at the Xmas catch up and BBQ on the 10th Dec, this is the chance to come and meet everyone, sit back, chill and reflect on our busy but successful year.

There is one person I do want to acknowledge as you probably don't realise the work that goes on with the hut bookings. I see the many (stupid) questions that come through so want to acknowledge Rogers work on this. Without the huts income, we would not be in the favourable financial position we are in now.

As a club, we are always looking for more help - as much or as little as you want to give, there are no restrictions to helping on the committee if you are keen or with stoat traps or even with the admin and newsletters. Just mention it to any of the committee.

This Thursday is the last meeting for the year as we don't have one in December, so if we don't see you there or at the BBQ, have a great holiday break what ever you end up doing.

Your renewal membership invoices will be ready for you at the end of January as the new financial year starts 1st March.

It feels a bit early to say it but Merry Xmas !

Cheers Sharon

A & P Show Burger Stand Fundraiser

It's that time of year again already where we sell tasty venison burgers to raise awareness of the club and raise funds to subsidise fun stuff and hunting trips.

We do need around 13 volunteers to make the day go smoothly, its a great chance for new members to meet others and while flipping burgers, chat about hunting areas and all things deerstalking.

If you are available on the Sat 13th Jan, check out the website and sign up so we can organise who is doing what.

This is a long newsletter .........

If you are reading the newsletter on your phone, be sure to look out for the View Entire Message link at the end so you don't miss out on all the information, links and images.

Mt Dewar Goat Shoot #2

After the successful August shoot, where 114 goats were shot, we ran this again over the weekend of 18th & 19th Nov.

A total of 150 goats were taken over the weekend which greatly contributed to the goat competition tally. Prize giving will be on the 10th Dec at the BBQ (details below)

Coronet Peak Station/ Macetown Shoot

Andy Pearson arranged for the club to shoot on this station, staying overnight at the 8 mile hut site. A total of 79 goats were shot over the weekend of the 10th ,11th and 12th Nov.

Caples Hut Working Bee

A team went into the Caples Hut early October and did a whole heap of work replacing the lino on the floor, insulating under the hut, installing a new fireplace and new gas cooker as well as some painting and firewood

There is still some insultation work that still needs to be done if anyone is keen to head to the Caples before the New Year.

Greenstone Hut Working Bee

Paul had been in and replaced all the windows with double glazing so when the team arrived it was tidy up and firewood. Note the very large stack left outside the front of the hut

Wakatipu Youth Trust

Aaron Shaw made a great connection with the local Youth Trust and last weekend took a few teenagers and the youth workers to the Mid Greenstone hut. This is something we are keen to continue as it brings young people into the outdoors and each one becomes a junior member of the club.

They earned their keep by stacking all the firewood cut at the working bee - see below.

If you are keen to be involved - then contact Sharon or Aaron. They will have teachers with them, you only need to help with the walking in and showing them what you know

Ladies Tahr Hunt

Another successful ladies hunt over the long weekend. Thanks Katie for organising these trips.

Xmas Family BBQ/ Pot Luck Dinner

We are holding the annual Xmas function and having the prize giving for the Goat Competition at Lake Hayes Estate; 2pm - late

(Sharon and flatmate Katie have offered their house and garden again)

We've also invited members from Upper Clutha and Central Otago as we are neighbouring clubs.

Those that have been before, know there is plenty of room in the garden so bring the kids & dogs (bouncy castle planned) and the house is large enough if the weather turns out unfavourable.

Kids food at 4pm and adults food around 5.30ish. Prize giving at 6pm. Nathan is cooking on Frank the BBQ (pictured below) but bring a dish too to supplement the selection.

More detail on the website

Please RSVP for numbers (so we have enough plates and chairs etc)

RSVP here

NZDA Club Shirts for Sale

Mens* polo shirts (black)

Includes NZDA logo on the back, with the new logo on the chest and "Southern Lakes Branch" on the arm

Sizes S, M, L, (Sold out of larger sizes)

$45 each

Available for purchase at meetings or online

*Ladies and children's sizes are not yet available this is due to lack of bulk discounts.

Buy online here

Free online training

The Game Animal Council launched their FREE online hunter training modules at the recent Sika Show in Hamilton

Great for those wishing to brush up their skills from the comfort of a sofa

Reminders for All Hunters

As these items need attention every 3 or 4 months, I put the reminder out at every change of season so as it is officially summer next week (December) it's that time again

Open area hunting permits are not only important and a requirement for the public conservation areas you hunt in, they are a good way for us to show how many hunters there are out there.

Reminders for All Hunters

As these items need attention every 3 or 4 months, I put the reminder out at every change of season so as it is Spring it's that time again

Open area hunting permits are not only important and a requirement for the public conservation areas you hunt in, they are a good way for us to show how many hunters there are out there.

Renew Hunting Permit

The Animal Harvest Tally is a branch initative to gather a record of animals our club members have shot to show our contribution to conservation and animal management.
Please take 5 mins to enter your details/ shooting returns.

Thanks

Animal Harvest Tally

WildApricot App for members

We use a program to manage our membership and events and it is available as an app. Interact with other members and check out the events online

Download below and then use your email and password to log in – if you don’t know your password – just press forgot password and you will be sent a new one