By Dave Gousmett

For a change this has not been an exceptional year for bowhunting. The number of claims forms were well down this year and that is reflected in the number of animals shot. The only game species that retained its level were Pigs with 133 claimed, almost the same as last year. There were 144 deer claimed during the year which although an impressive total in itself was well down on the 234 claimed last year. Of the individual deer species only Sambar deer showed an increase.

However what we lost in quantity we made up for in quality with many trophy heads obtained including some very big Red and Fallow antlers, our second best Whitetail deer and our number two goat head.

During the year I received a total of 655 claims forms which is a big reduction on the 906 claims I received last year. 121 members claimed game and I sent out 71 game awards.

Statistics from Big Game Animals (excluding Wallabies):

Distances:
The distance of the first hit varied from 2 metres to 70 metres, with an average distance of 20.5 metres which is the lowest distance for several years. The distance the animal travelled after being hit varied from zero to 350 metres. The median distance travelled was 35 metres.

First Hit:
The location of the first hit on the animal was in the heart/lung area for 80% of all animals taken. Individual totals included: Lungs 171, Heart 74, Liver 15, Neck 15 and Spine 13.

Penetration:
The broadhead passed completely through the animal in 233 cases out of 308 (75%).

Broadheads:
Muzzies continue to hold onto their lead, accounting for 101 animals this year. Slick Trick moved into second place with 56 animals and they were followed by Grim Reaper (25) and Mechanical heads (20).

Number of cutting edges:
Four 64, Three 201, Two 38

Bow Type:
Compound 300, Recurve 5, Longbow 3

Bow Make:
Mathews are still our most successful bow manufacturer and their bows accounted for 157 animals. Xpedition bows are now second with 59 animals while Hoyt bows accounted for 25 animals and PSE 22.

Bow Weight:
From 14.5 kg to 34 kg, average weight 29 kg (64 lb).

Wallabies:
17 members shot a total of 83 Wallabies which is double the number of wallabies shot last year. 40 of these were from the Bay of Plenty and 43 from the South Island.

Big Game Fish:
Only 4 members claimed big game fish this year and they claimed 1 Blue Shark and 3 Stingrays. That is a huge drop from previous years.

Small Game:
96 members claimed a total of 6464 small game points. Some of the individual game totals were: