Wellington Deerstalkers

WELLINGTON BRANCH COMPETITIONS

Each year at the September club night we hold the annual Branch competition, including Antler, Horn & Tusk ("AHT Comp."), photographic, film and literature. The annual prize giving is held at the December club night. Note that the NZDA National level competitions are held each year at NZDA Conference in July. Refer to the NZDA website for terms and conditions. The following Wellington Branch competitions are indicative only. Please refer to full Branch Rules and Constitution.

Competition Shooting Awards 

Currently no active range card.

Literary Competition

Hugh Mattheus Literary Award – Awarded for the best written piece by a member of the Wellington Branch over the previous year. Submit your stories, including those published in magazines. 

Video Competition

Jim Jones Memorial Cup – Awarded for the best non-professional film between 10-20mins in length. Content must meet NZDA standards.

Photographic Awards

Five competition categories, with NZDA Certificates for 1st, 2nd & 3rd in each category. Winners are chosen by popular vote at the September Branch meeting.

  1. Game Trophies (i.e hunter with quarry, etc)
  2. Live Big Game Animals
  3. Live Wildlife (other than big game animals)
  4. Scenic in Stalking Country
  5. Outdoor, Artistic, Abstract or Flora

Antler, Horn and Tusk Trophies

NZDA Certificates for 1st, 2nd, 3rd for each New Zealand big game species. First place receives a trophy with their name engraved.

Name Species Description
L.O.H. Tripp Memorial Trophy Any deer species Antlered game shot anywhere in New Zealand (discretionary)
John Savage Trophy Any deer species North Island Antlered Game
South Island Antlered Head Any deer species Antlered head shot in the South Island and Stewart Island
Royal Cup for Antlered Trophies Any deer species Biggest “Symmetrical” and “Typical” head
Kevin Brown Trophy Any big game species Awarded to a person over the age of 60 years (discretionary)
Alex Sutherland Ngaipu Trophy Red deer Red Deer (discretionary)
Lawrence Shield Red deer North Island Red Deer taken south of Manawatu Gorge
Mount Cook Trophy Tahr Best Tahr
Chamois Trophy Chamois Best Chamois
Bukholt Trophy Goat Best Goat
Best Horned Game Animal Tahr, chamois or goat Best horned animal shot anywhere in New Zealand
Wilkinson Trophy Pig Undrawn and in a full jaw pig tusks
Best Sika Head Sika Best Overall Sika
Sika Trophy Sika Best Typical Sika
Ladies Trophy Any big game species Best head shot by a woman
First Big Game Animal Any big game animal (includes females) Novice award for the best first big game animal taken by a member. Bring a photo as evidence.


NZDA's 'Fair Chase Rules' apply to all competition entries

Fair Chase Definition: Fair Chase is the ethical, legal and sportsman-like taking of any free-ranging feral animal that has an unimpeded avenue of escape on both private and public lands.

Eligibility for Competitions in relation to Fair Chase, entries will not be eligible if:

  • a fee has been paid; or
  • taken by any of the following methods or scenarios:
    • in an enclosed area i.e., behind deer wire or any such fence or fixture that impedes the animal’s unrestricted chance of escape
    • restrained i.e. snare, trap, fence, etc
    • with the aid of a spotlight, night vision or heat detection equipment
    • from an aircraft, powered vehicle or vessel
    • coursed by dogs, with the exception of wild pigs

The trophy: Is of a feral game animal taken legally under Fair Chase conditions as defined above. 

Club Night - Non-members are very welcome

Club Nights

Held every second Tuesday of the month, except January and April.

Doors are open from 6.30pm. From 7:00pm onward BBQ, Drinks, Tea and Coffee provided.

Formal proceedings and presentations commence 8:00pm sharp.