National Wild Goat Hunting Competition
Introduction
The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition is back for 2024. Compete for over $70,000 worth of prizes donated by the hunting and outdoor sector and help protect the environment.It’s wild goat hunting season! We have over $70,000 worth of prizes up for grabs kindly donated by the hunting and outdoor sector.
Competition details
Date: 1 August – 26th November. Entries close at midnight on 26 November 2024.
Location: Nationwide – on both public and private land.
All goat tails and goat heads entered must be wild and taken legally, recreationally, and humanely during the competition period. Wild goat heads can only be taken to an approved New Zealand Deerstalker Association (NZDA) entry point.
Entry locations: Find an entry location near you.
Competition rules: Read the competition rules.
Competition categories and prizes
We have over $70,000 worth of prizes up for grabs kindly donated by the hunting and outdoor sector.
| Categories | Entry criteria | Prize pack - approxiamte value $5,000-$7,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Got Your Goat |
Enter just one wild goat tail and go in the draw to win. |
One spot prize pack containing:
|
| Great Goat Round Up |
The more wild goat tails entered, the more chances to win. Win one of three epic spot prize packs. |
Three spot prize packs: Pack 1:
Pack 2:
Pack 3:
|
| NZDA’s G.O.A.T (Greatest of all Time) |
Wild goat head with the largest Douglas Score. Heads can only be entered at a NZDA branch. |
|
| Junior Goat Round Up |
For hunters 18 years or under – the more wild goat tails entered, the more chances to win. Win one of three epic spot prize packs. |
Three spot prize packs: Pack 1:
Pack 2:
Pack 3:
|
|
Junior G.O.A.T. |
For hunters 18 years or under – wild goat head with largest Douglas Score. |
One spot prize pack containing:
|
|
Monthly Spot Prizes |
Enter just one wild goat tail and be in to win.
|
Monthly spot prizes valued at approximately $800. Prizes include Huntech vouchers, Back Country Cuisine meals, InfiRay Optics NZ merchandise, and a Meater Plus Bluetooth Meat Probe. |
|
The Goat-Free Zone |
People who register their interest for land to be hunted go in the draw to win.
Note: NZDA members have full insurance, and this landowner and hunter agreement (PDF, 721K) can be used to give people who farm full assurance their property will be treated with respect. |
One spot prize pack containing:
|
NZDA branch entries prizes
If you enter at a NZDA branch you can win the below prizes from Hunting & Fishing NZ, on top of going in the national prize draw.
| Category | Entry crtieria | Prize pack - approximate value $100-150 |
|---|---|---|
| Goat your goat | Enter just one wild goat tail and go in the draw to win a prize pack from Hunting & Fishing NZ. | Medium rifle bag, 126-piece first aid kit, and carabiner mug |
| Great Goat Round Up | The more wild goat tails entered the more chances to win. | $100 gift voucher |
| NZDA’s G.O.A.T (Greatest of all Time) |
Wild goat head with the largest Douglas Score. |
Gerber Randy Newburg DTS, and a Lanksy Quick Fix |
| Junior Goat Round Up | 18 years or under more wild goat tails entered, the more chances to win. | Traverse TR5R Headlamp |
| Junior G.O.A.T. | 18 years or under wild goat head with largest Douglas Score. |
65L Barrel Bag |
Read about Douglas Score Trophy scoring.
2024 Sponsors
Founding sponsor Hunting & Fishing.
Major sponsors Huntech, InfiRay Optics NZ.
Supporting sponsors Traeger Grills, Backcountry Cuisine, NZ Hunter, Te Tari Pūreke Firearms Safety Authority, Bushnell, New Zealand Professional Hunting Guides Association.
Where to hunt wild goats
Talk to your local NZDA branch or local DOC office about hunting in your local area.
See the map for wild goat distribution and where the goat entry points are located across New Zealand – Wild goat distribution map (PDF, 5,993K)
You can use the hunting block search function to find hunting areas that have wild goats on public conservation land. Search for a hunting block that has wild goats.
For more information on hunting wild goats and for some hunting tips, see DOC’s wild goat webpage or visit NZDA’s website.
Know the area you are hunting in
Be aware of the boundaries of hunting areas – livestock may be present. Note that wild goats are often seen in places where you are not allowed to hunt like on road edges, train tracks, river, and road reserves.
Be visible, take appropriate equipment, check the weather, and let someone know where you are going. Identify your target beyond doubt, and make sure your shooting background is safe (not towards skylines).
Be careful in steep terrain or flooded waterways, if in doubt do not retrieve the goat and take a picture instead. Don’t take any risks with steep terrain or flooded waterways to retrieve goat tails.
Get permission to hunt each time you visit
To find out whether land might be private, check out the outdoor access maps.
Make sure you have permission to enter, and you have a clear understanding when and where you will be hunting with the landowner or land manager.
Follow these guidelines when asking for permission to hunt on private land. Ask if it is necessary to notify neighbouring properties so they are not concerned if they hear rifle shots or see hunters.
There is usually a reason why access is denied. Be aware of seasonal farming activities like lambing, be firesafe, take home any rubbish, consider others in the backcountry, and respect the wishes of landowners and facilities provided.
Any restrictions around hunting dogs should be followed. Hunters using dogs should be aware of DOC’s information about hunting with dogs. Bring a first aid kit for your dog as well as yourself.
Related links
The competition is brought to you by the Department of Conservation and the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association.
Supported by Federated Farmers of NZ, Hunting & Fishing NZ, and Te Tari Pūreke Firearms Safety Authority
Contact
For more information email: wildanimalmanagement@doc.govt.nz.
