By Dave Gousmett

This has been an exceptional year for bowhunting. There were 218 deer shot during the year and these included some very good trophy animals. Our number one Fallow deer record was broken twice and those two magnificent heads are both on display here tonight.

We also had a record number of Red stags carrying 12 points or more. The previous record was set last year when five heads of that size were shot. This year the total is eleven and includes our two best Red deer heads ever. As well as all those deer we had plenty of Pigs and Mountain game claimed including our best ever Chamois.

During the year I received a total of 940 claim forms from 173 members and I sent out 152 game awards.

Statistics from Big Game Animals (excluding Wallabies):

Distances:
The distance of the first hit varied from 3 to 73 metres, with an average distance of 21.6 metres. The distance the animal traveled after being hit varied from zero to 2 kilometres. The median distance traveled was 40 metres.

First Hit:
The location of the first hit on the animal was in the heart/lung area for 73% of all animals taken. Individual totals included: Lungs 221, Heart 76, Liver 36, Spine 31, and Neck 21.

Penetration:
The broadhead passed completely through the animal in 305 cases out of 410 (74%).

Broadheads:
Muzzies continue to hold a big lead, accounting for 132 animals this year. Rage broadheads moved up to second with 32 animals. Shuttle T made third place with 31 animals followed by Helix with 30.

Number of cutting edges:
Four 11, Three 274, Two 123

Bow Type:
Compound 397, Recurve 10, Longbow 4

Bow Make:
Mathew are still our most successful bow manufacturer and their bows accounted for 246 animals which is 60% of all big game animals shot this year. PSE (40 animals) and Hoyt (35 animals) were well back.

Bow Weight:
From 17 kg to 36 kg, average weight 29.2 kg (64 lb).

Wallabies:
28 members shot a total of 77 Wallabies this year. 54 of these were from the Bay of Plenty and the other 23 were from Waimate and the Hunter Hills in the South Island.

Big Game Fish:
11 members claimed big game fish this year. There were 1 Mako Shark, 1 Bronzewhaler, 1 Blue Shark, 8 Eaglerays and 3 Black Rays claimed.

Small Game:
148 members claimed a total of 9850 small game points. The individual game totals were: