Categories & Rules
Adult & junior categories & Rules.
Read it, know it,
hunt accordingly.
Adult
Categories.
Open to anyone 15+, $50 entry per hunter.
Deer
Average Weight Deer
Heaviest Hind
Best Head
Ugliest Head
Heaviest Stag
Fallow Deer – Heaviest
Fallow Deer – Best Head
Chamois
Best Head
Average Weight
Pigs
Heaviest Boar – Doug Hawker Memorial Trophy
Best Jaw
Average Weight Pig
Heaviest Sow
Wallaby
Heaviest
Feral Cat
Heaviest Weight
The Most
Junior Categories.
The junior section exists to bring the next generation through. Dedicated prizes, a $10 entry fee, and the supervision of an adult at all times while hunting.
Deer
Average Weight
Pig
Average Weight
Goat
Average Weight
Possum
Heaviest Weight
hare
Heaviest Weight
Rabbit
Heaviest Weight
Goose
Heaviest Weight
Mallard Duck
Heaviest Weight
Paradise Duck
Heaviest Weight
Rat
Heaviest Weight
Stoat, ferret & Weasel
The Most
Feral Cat
Heaviest Weight
The Most
The Rules.
If you can’t agree to these, this isn’t the comp for you. Read them, sign at entry, and the head judge’s call is final.
General Rules
- All animals must be feral and killed humanely
- Deer, pigs, chamois, and goats must be weighed in less offal and throat, with head attached, ears (and Male animals – testicles) attached naturally
- All other animals (including Wallabies) must be weighed in whole
- Possums must have no joeys in the pouch
- Minimum pig weight is 25kg (55lb)
- Pen reared, domestic looking, rotten, excessively damaged, or frozen animals will not be accepted
- One entry per person in each category
- No barrows
Entries and Payment
- Entries close 11:59pm Wednesday 8 July 2026.
- Entry fees must be paid at the time of entry by direct credit. Unpaid entries will be withdrawn
- Junior Hunters must be 14 years old or under
- Junior Hunters can enter the open section. They must pay the open section fee and will only be eligible for Open prizes
- Late entries will not be accepted
Weigh-in
- Weigh-in is at the Rotherham Show Grounds, 10am–2pm, Sunday 12 July. All animals must be presented before 2pm. No exceptions
- Winners of weigh-in categories must be present at prizegiving to claim the prize
- Big Game must be left on display until after prizegiving, and removed once prizegiving concludes
- In the event of two animals weighing the same weight, the first animal weighed in wins the category
- Hunting commences 1am Friday 10 July 2026
Judging
- Judging will be carried out by the North Canterbury Hunting Competition Committee. Bill Westwood and his team will oversee scoring and animal quality
- The judge’s decision is final
Prizes
- All paid Open entries go into the draw for open spot prizes and major spot prizes
- Open winners do not need to be present to win major spot prizes. Winner of the ute must organise collection.
- The Ute is won strictly as is where is. The winner takes full responsibility upon completion of the competition
- Junior major spot prize winners must be present at prizegiving
- All paid Junior Hunter entries go into the draw for junior spot prizes. The junior hunter or their parent/guardian must be present to collect
Legal
- All hunters must comply with the Firearms Act 1983 and the Animal Welfare Act 1999
- All hunters must have appropriate permission to hunt on any private/public land
Feral Cat Rules
- Feral cats may only be hunted between 1 April and 12 July 2026 (can be frozen)
- Feral cats may only be hunted using box traps, allowing for humane capture and identification
- Feral cats must be killed using a minimum of a .22 rifle
- Hunting must take place at least 10km outside of any residential or lifestyle block areas
- Hunters must communicate with neighbouring properties before hunting to confirm boundaries and permission
- Every feral cat will be scanned for a microchip at weigh-in. Any animal found to have a microchip will be immediately disqualified
- If in doubt, do not kill
- All hunters must comply with the Firearms Act 1983 and the Arms Regulations 1992