Revamped Hunting Application in Fiordland Emphasizing Safety Measures
The Fiordland Wapiti Foundation (FWF) has launched a new app designed to aid hunters during wapiti deer hunting in Fiordland, New Zealand. The app, available via a website link, is free to use and open to those interested in hunting or conservation.
Primarily designed for wapiti hunters, the app includes a variety of features tailored to the unique environment of Fiordland National Park. It provides safety tips and alerts, offline maps, and education on native animals and birds. One of its standout features is the ability to record wapiti sightings, which will help with the breed's management.
The app also includes emergency procedures in collaboration with MSC, ensuring hunters are well-equipped to navigate the challenging terrain and conditions of Fiordland. It offers mapping and GPS tracking tools, hunting status updates, and reporting features to log kills and interact with the Foundation for population monitoring and compliance.
In addition, the app includes a quiz to help identify the age of a wapiti bull, information on how to ensure safe evacuation by helicopter, and a section for users to submit sightings of wapiti, native birds, predators, and rubbish. The app may also help sharpen hunting skills during the Roar, although the specifics of what "Roar" refers to are not specified.
The wapiti hunting area in Fiordland is one of the most unforgiving in the world, with rainfall measured in metres. During the hunting season across March and April, approximately 600 hunters take to Fiordland. Despite the potential dangers, evacuations due to underestimation of the area occur annually during the wapiti hunting season.
The FWF hopes that the app will attract a wider audience beyond just wapiti hunters, contributing to better hunter coordination, safer outings in remote areas, and reinforcement of conservation goals. The actions of these hunters have major effects on the Foundation's management projects, making the app a valuable tool for both hunters and conservationists.
While the app may not have been advertised extensively, it is clear that it offers integrated safety, mapping, and hunting management tools specifically for wapiti hunters in Fiordland to promote safe and sustainable hunting practices. For complete specifics, one might check with the Foundation or New Zealand hunting organizations directly.
This app, designed for wapiti hunters, offers not only safety tips and tools but also leverages technology to enhance sports experiences. Features include identifying wapiti ages, emergency procedures, and tracking tools, all aimed at promoting a responsible lifestyle in hunting and conservation efforts in Fiordland.