PETER DUNNE’S lobbying is set to score a big win for hunters at the expense of hardline environmentalists.

The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society warns the proposed national hunting council, negotiated by United Future NZ’s Mr Dunne in his power-sharing agreement with the Government, will harm our native flora and fauna and benefit only a small group of wealthy hunters.

Forest & Bird advocacy manager Kevin Hackwell says a game council would focus on sustaining pest numbers – in conflict with the Department of Conservation, which has a focus on eradicating pests.

Mr Dunne says the council will redress the balance between conservation and hunting and not conflict with DoC.

An establishment committee has been working towards setting up the New Zealand Game Animal Council and has now asked the public to comment on its plan to manage deer, thar, chamois and pigs on conservation land for their benefits to recreation and commerce.

Mr Hackwell says hunters are being lulled into supporting the council by the idea it will end up managing the habitat for the benefit of the pests, rather than managing the pests for the benefit of the habitat. “It’s one of our fears, to be honest,” says Mr Hackwell.

He thinks hunters will face new restrictions.

“If [hunters] look carefully at this document, they will go ‘whoa – why would I be paying $60-$100 a year for a licence to be managed and have restrictions put on me, and to pay salaries for people in an office in Wellington, driving four wheel-drives – when I can get all this stuff for free right now?’”

The council would generate income and members would be drawn mainly from hunting organisations, he says. “There is a huge, huge element of self-interest here.”

The Deerstalkers’ Association, a key member of the establishment committee, says there will be no increase in licensing fees for hunters in the near future.

President Alec McIver says there could be ballots for prized hunting grounds and an opt-in register, which would require a donation.

“At the moment hunters spend a lot of money on hunting and I can see that they wouldn’t mind paying a small fee for certain areas where it’s going to be value-added for them,” he says.

“I think what Forest & Bird are saying about the game animal council causing problems for access … is totally wrong. It would just improve access for the hunters.”

The council would ensure New Zealand’s internationally renowned deer herds were enhanced rather than killed indiscriminately by DoC, says Mr McIver.

He also dismisses Forest & Bird’s criticism that the establishment committee is setting up jobs for members of hunting lobbies.

“I have had indicators from all the people on the establishment committee, that they were there just to do their job under the establishment committee criteria and they do not want to see themselves on the game animal council.”

Peter Dunne, leader of United Future, says that while the establishment committee may propose members from their own hunting organisations be on the game council, their appointment could only be approved by the minister of conservation.

“If the allegation is that there’s an establishment committee out there working to establish a council in its own image and that they are all going to be looked after in the process, then I deny that absolutely.”

He says the council is necessary to redress the balance between conservation and recreational hunting. “I think you’ll find that there’s actually, rather than competition between them, I think a lot of co-operation would ensue.”

The council was part of United Future’s confidence and supply agreement with Labour but, after a 2007 review of the management of game/pests, Labour said it wanted only a ministerial advisory group and not a council.

Under United Future’s current agreement with National, a big game hunting council could be set up with statutory authority similar to DoC.

Consultation on the discussion paper ends on November 23, and could see legislation in Parliament early next year.

DoC animal pest control spokesperson Herb Christophers says the department cannot wade into the politics of the day, but hunters are essential to pest control and it strives for a strong relationship with them.

PHOTO by vancityAllie via Flickr