NZDAs Simon Hickton MCs the event with the entries on display in the background – credit DOC
The increasing number of women who go hunting has been reflected in the results of this year’s annual Pureora Hunting Competition.
Elle Lamont took out the top Douglas Score head with a 12-pointer that scored 294.75 – the highest score out of the 47 heads entered. And in the junior deer category, Lucy Waghorn came out on top with a Douglas Score of 249.5.
Elle Lamont
Both women are from Te Kuiti.
The 6-week event was run by the Department of Conservation’s Maniapoto team, with support from the NZ Deerstalkers Association and has been a fixture for hunters for more than 30 years.
The event was open to any permitted hunter who took a wild deer from Pureora Forest Park during this period.
DOC Waitomo Principal Ranger Ray Scrimgeour says the competition had a field of 27 entrants in the deer category – including five juniors, 15 years old or younger.
“It’s great to see women doing well once again, after winning the deer competition in 2024 and 2019. We’re seeing more and more women getting into hunting and its great this is reflected in the competition results.”
Lucy Waghorn
He said most of entrants were locals, but there were others from Auckland and Tauranga.
“This is a real community event and relies on volunteers helping out, their time and effort is hugely appreciated.”
The fact the competition focusses on Pureora and is run by DOC makes it unique. DOC also runs the National Goat Hunting Competition, which has a broader nationwide focus and launched in 2023.
NZDAs Simon Hickton MCs the event with the entries on display in the background – credit DOC
