Our 2025 HUNTS Course is starting on the 4th of August and we still have a few spots left!

NZDA promotes hunting as a lifetime outdoor activity through our Hunter National Training Scheme - known as the “HUNTS” course. Our volunteer network proudly trains new hunters.

The HUNTS syllabus covers the knowledge and skills necessary to operate safely as a hunter in the outdoors, teaching the ethics of fair chase and principles of managing a sustainable game resource.

The theory aspect of the course generally occurs over eight 2-hour evening sessions covering 9 learning modules.

The practical training consists of 3 weekend sessions, made up of:

1 full day of practical training in range shooting.
1 full weekend covering equipment, food, bushcraft skills, travel, navigation, survival & river crossings.
1 full weekend completing an overnight camping/hunting trip.

The topics covered by HUNTS include:

Ethics, Ecology & Regulations
Equipment & Food
Backcountry Travel
Navigation
Firearms Selection, Safety & Marksmanship
Big Game Animals
Hunting Techniques
Meat, Skins & Trophies
Outdoor Emergencies & Survival Techniques