Increased security in Tasman forests

Applications are now open for obtaining a public hunting permit to OneFortyOne’s forestry, and like last season this season has some changes too.

Last season, changes were made extending the hunting season and areas, state-of-the-art security cameras and high-tech magnetic alarms were installed, and applicants needed to have a minimum of third-party vehicle insurance.

This season, additional changes include monitored electronic lock systems on forestry gates and some blocks only having certain entry and exit access points.

“We have some electronic locks in place already in the south bank area near Blenheim, by the time public hunting opens in April we will have the north bank and Rai Valley areas completed as well, before moving on the Tasman region,” R&M Security owner/operator, who took over OneFortyOne’s forestry security a few years ago, Rob Crawford, explains.

The locks operate via a Bluetooth cellphone app.

“We are only a third of the way through our plan to have a better-secured forest and keep hunting exclusively for those who hold a permit, why should those who don’t pay or play by the rule get to use the forest, that’s not fair,” he adds.

Rob says that already they are seeing dramatically decreased unlawful behaviour as a result of security measures they have implemented.

He says that the likes of things being dumped in the forest, poaching, and theft or damage to forestry crews’ equipment and machinery have all decreased.

The majority of the land OneFortyOne manages is owned by local iwi Ngāti Toa, Te Ātiawa and Ngāti Tama.

“We work in close collaboration with our iwi landowners, who acknowledge and support safe and sustainable activities on their land, including hunting,” OneFortyOne NZ Forests general manager, Shaun Truelock says.

“The iwi are keen to build deeper connections with their land, and as part of this we are providing each iwi with their own hunting blocks on their land.  This is a trial for this year and these blocks are separate to the public hunting blocks.

“The hunting permits available for the public this season give the permit holder access to 45,000 hectares in our Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough forests, this is just over half of our estate. We are probably one of the largest private land managers that give this type of access.”

Public hunting permit applications are open now, with public hunting commencing on 13 April, subject to operational and weather conditions. Go here for information.