Swamp Comp
Congratulations to everyone who entered, see below if you are a winner...
2023 Winners
Ampro Sales
1x Bushnell Engage DX 10X42MM Binoculars ($599.99)
Garry Allan - MarlboroughBeretta NZ
2x Steiner Bino Predator AF 8x30 w/CAT ($699.99)
Nic James - Manawatu
Graham Gallaghan - KerikeriBernsport
1x Snowbee Classic Neoprene Chest Wader ($289.99)
Peter Dean - Taranaki, Ocean View ParadeBrittain Wynard
4x Watersnake Inflatable Lifejackets ($109.99)
Deklan Hodsell - Invercargill
Daniel Kiihfuss - Dargaville
Stacey Carter - Taupo
Rua Burger - NelsonC&M Marketing Ltd
1x ZEROPAK HV100 Vacuum Sealer ($249.99)
Coby Tilson - BallingersGarmin
1x Garmin GPSMAP 67I ($1149)
Adam Fisher - Manawatu1x Garmin INREACH MINI 2 ($829)
Kevin Mccowatt - CambridgeGladiator Sports Ltd
4x Core 1250 Lumen Rechargable Bluetooth Lantern ($119.99)
Rebecca Jelfs - Ballingers
Henry Cox - Taupo
Aluryn Bond - Cambridge
Sophia Trendall - WhangareiOutdoor Outfitters
5x Night Saber 6500 Lumens Rechargeable & Corded Handheld 120MM 65W LED Spotlight ($449.99)
Ian Jensen - Otaki
Stuart Taplin - Kaikoura
Marianne James - Taranaki, The Valley
Kristin Churchward - Manawatu
Malcolm Main, Ballingers5x Night Saber 810 Lumens Rechargeable Handheld 125MM 10W LED Spotlight ($99.99)
Ciaran Cullen - Timaru
Harmony Kupe - Wanganui
Rachael Mcmillan - Thames
Carl Sloss - Ballingers
Chris Post - Ballingers5x 30 CAL Lockable Ammo Box V2 ($39.99)
George Byssouth - Dunedin
Clinton Redington - Napier
Sue Baker - Tauranga
Trish Lowe - Whanganui
Quentin Oleary - Wairarapa5x 50 CAL Lockable Ammo Box ($49.99)
Lindsay Aitcheson - Dunedin
Mark Johnston - Rotorua
Debra Hasson - Ballingers
Charlie Bennett - Cambridge
Martin Moeller - Taranaki, Oceanview Parade5x Clay Thrower 3 Spike ($99.99)
Nigel Gowing - Whakatane
Neil Vickers - Dunedin
Wayne Nelson - Kaikoura
Keith Ross - North Canterbury
Lou Drage - Ballingers50x Leg Hold Trap ($499.99)
Stephen Oates - Cambridge
Ross Harwood - Taranaki, Oceanview Parade
Rocky Moratti - Taranaki, The Valley
Ken Mckinlay, Wairarapa
Fiona Close, Invercargill
Ron Wilson, Invercargill
Tony Watson - Franklin
Erana Motu - Dannevirke
BoydSteel - Warkworth
Dean Syme - Ballingers
Jamie Mcbey - Franklin
Nigel Philpott - Taupo
Kelly Scott - Wairarapa
Mary Edwards - Masterton
Robert Muraahi - Waikato
Jodeen Mclean - Rotorua
Matt Haddon - Hutt Valley
Texas Brewerton - Timaru
John Wells - Taranaki, Oceanview Parade
Lesley Vaigent - Kaitaia
Olly Johnson - Richmond
Dave Asphin - Whangarei, Okara
Bruce Craig - Ballingers
Lance Walker - Thames
John Steedman - Wanganui
Jock Mcnaught - Hutt Valley
Miranda Wells - Taranaki, Oceanview Parade
Josh Speeden - Tauranga
Sue Watts - Richmond
Ashleigh Field - Invercargill
Caleb Headley - Waikato
Honour Willcox - Ballingers
Edward Quigg - Thames
Bruce Marks - Ballingers
Noel Gallot - Richmond
Shane Smith - Cambridge
Graham Mcbride - Hamilton
Ian Buchanan - Waikato
Mateus Parker - Dunedin
Kieran Wilson - Dunedin
Shane Burton - Hutt Valley
Mike Dixon - Manawatu
Jenna Headley - Waikato
Bren Visser - Warkworth
Dave West - Manawatu
Jess Bligh - Whanganui
David Rye - Waikato
Richard Mchugh - Cambridge
Ray & Willow Port - Rotorua
Geoff Hay - ThamesSouthern Approach
2x Black Diamond storm 450 headlamp ($99.99)
Kelvin Sewell - Ballingers
Shona Edwards - Wairarapa3x Sealskinz All Weather Mid Length Sock w/Hydrostop (or similar) ($99.99)
Lisa Hagerty - Dunedin
Mark Horwell - Taranaki, The Valley
Tomas Clarke, InvercargillStoney Creek
1x Glaisnock Jacket TCA ($499.99)
Scott Jamieson - Manawatu1x Dream Bull Overtrousers TCA ($149.99)
Bruce Hamilton - Invercargill1x Microplus Balaclava TCA ($24.99)
Brendan Lyster - WairarapaTight Lines Ltd
4x H7R Core Headlamp ($259.99)
Russell Burr - Manawatu
Watson Grayburn - Waikato
Ian Rasmussen - Manawatu
Paul O'brien - North Shore2x Domex Black ICE Sleeping Bag ($179.99)
Marion Rutherford - Dunedin
Paul Calvert - InvercargillWarthog NZ
1x Warthog V-sharp Xtreme Knife Sharpener ($159)
Lachie Cornish - Central OtagoStyx Mill Clothing
1x Oilskin Sleeveless Vest ($194)
Hayden Cameron - TimaruOutfitters
1x Lowe Alpine Manaslu 55:70L Pack ($699.95)
Rach Legg - Invercargill1x Rab Ascent Pro 600 Sleeping Bag ($799.95)
Russell Varcoe - QueenstownZempire
2x Hangdome Light ($49.99)
Ross O'donnel - Whanganui
Kevin Stafford - Manawatu1x Mono Tent ($249.99)
Alvina Le cordier - WaikatoSpika NZ
1x Terra Puffer Camo ($399)
Clayton Mclnnes - Whangarei, Okara1x Terra Puffer Olive ($399)
Stuart Mcnie - Whanganui2x HighPoint Anorak ($199)
Hugh Faulkner - Richmond
Tyler Kerr - Dunedin10x Neoprene Ammo Belt ($49.99)
Murray Pilcher - Wairarapa
Mackenzie Brown - Invercargill
David King - Invercargill
Tiffany Hamlin - Invercargill
John Corbett - Thames
Peter Shaw - Cambridge
Luke Badford - Timaru
Shane Mcintyre - Franklin
Jason Berry - Franklin
Sam Moffitt - Taranaki, The ValleyGlobal Velocity Group
100x Huntech Various Hats ($24.99)
Angus Spence - Whakatane
Hamish Wright - Ballingers
Ian Gavin - Taranaki, The Valley
Leigh Richardson - Ballingers
Jon Colbert - North Canterbury
Les Sproull, Whangarei - Okara
Colin Mortensen - Kaitaia
Keiran Mccahon - Dargaville
Neil Brown - Whakatane
Pamau Kurei - Whakatane
Vanessa Christieson - Nelson
Ken Davidson - Timaru
David Johnston - Kaikoura
Jack Mckinnon - Manawatu
Wayne Berridge - Taranaki, Ocean View Parade
Robb Henry - Kerikeri
Ian Leighton - Ballingers
Euan Whitton - Dunedin
Jodi Gardner - Timaru
Chantelle Pieters - Kerikeri
Neville Manning - Gisborne
Logan Lyford - Waikato
Geoffrey Clark - Ballingers
Warner Cullen - Whangarei, Rust Ave
Deborah Mcnaught - Hutt Valley
Stu Poore - Ballingers
Gregory Chisnall - Whangarei, Okara
Libby Tosswill - Dannevirke
Max Kidd - Warkworth
Lachy Noble - Marlborough
Caleb Mitchell - Manawatu
Anna Bracey - Waikato
Peter Mcinnes - Whakatane
Norman Gorrie - Invercargill
Hayden Bell - Dannevirke
Josh Muller - Waikato
Maria Bridson - Taupo
Whetu Apaapa - Tauranga
Peter Walker - Whangarei, Okara
Georgia Mcintyre - Franklin
Hayden Cameron - Timaru
Sylvia Lyster - Wairarapa
Clayton Cornelius - Tauranga
Robert Henderson - Dunedin
Nathan Smith - Invercargill
Graeme Tanner - Whangarei, Rust Ave
Henrik Jensen - Marlborough
Jenna Fisher - Manawatu
Anton Marais - Cambridge
Alex Flavell-Johnson - Warkworth
Becky Waghorn - Manawatu
Laurence Aitken - Ashburton
Daniel Voss - Rotorua
Robbie Allan - Ballingers
Julian Twiss - Ballingers
Shannon Meares - Marlborough
Carl Hine - Cambridge
Sara Smerdon - Thames
Bill Forward - Marlborough
Maia Gibbs - Taranaki, The Valley
Cam Rathe - Warkworth
Anna Park - Taupo
Emma Moffitt - Taranaki, The Valley
Darryl Butterick - Ashburton
Moira Mclaughlin - Ballingers
Oliver Gatland - Waikato
Earl Smith - Manawatu
Lucy Mchutchon - Invercargill
Philip Hilford - Taranaki, Ocean View Parade
Connor Henderson - Dunedin
Brooke Stevenson - Dunedin
Don Field Taranaki, The Valley
Ron Wilson - Invercargill
Donald Young - Central Otago
Jeremy Small - Invercargill
Jono Walter - Taranaki, The Valley
Wayne Storey - Waikato
Bradley Bromwich, Taranaki, The Valley
Sean Ellis - Ballingers
John Thacker - Ballingers
Vern Harvey - Dunedin
Becca Webb - Whangarei, Okara
Nina De Malmanche - Dannevirke
Michael Renall - Botany
Kylie Brown - Invercargill
Christine Koelemam - North Shore
Jared Parker - Taupo
Rob Bolbot - Masterton
Amelia Lowe - Taranaki, The Valley
Mary Masen - Cambridge
Dale Clark - North Shore
Koa Shanley - Taranaki, The Valley
Shane Wilson - Invercargill
Gena Potroz - Taranaki, The Valley
Francis Orr - Tauranga
Kai Matuschka - Kaitaia
Daryl Egarr - Taranaki, The Valley
Melissa Jensen, Taranaki, Ocean View Parade
David Challies, Dannevirke
Emma Mccowatt - Cambridge1x Huntech Mackenzie Anorak ($429.99 - $449.99)
Kage Cotman - Kaitaia1x Huntech Performance Sweatshirt ($39.99 - $44.99)
Lance Jensen - Taranaki, Ocean View Parade1x Huntech Performance Tee ($29.99 - $34.99)
Shannon Henare - GisborneKilwell
1x Meopta Meopro Optika Binoculars 8x42HD (MP0842HD) ($899.99)
Cameron Mcinnes - Whangarei, OkaraHFCO
1x Final Approach Last Pass Canada Goose Floaters - 6pk ($349.99)
Chris Annandale - Waikato1x Final Approach Black Duck Floaters - 6pk ($299.99)
Robert Taylor - Wairarapa1x Final Approach HD Full Body Canada Goose - 4pk ($379.99)
Anthony Mcneil - Waikato1x H&F Camo Waihi Chair ($69.99)
Margaret Egarr - Taranaki, The Valley1x Traverse Sleeping Bag ($149.99)
Ken Clark - Whakatane1x H&F First Aid Kit ($24.99)
Vanessa Kennedy - Waiwhakaiho11x 12ga Gun Cleaning Kit ($59.99)
Keith Donald - Thames
Jack Nathan - Dunedin
Paul King - Central Otago
Koby Gavin - Taranaki, The Valley
Lewis Shailer - Manawatu
Chris Steele - Dunedin
Peter Robertson - Ballingers
Ruben Hastings - Franklin
Tim Gilmore - Thames
Stephen Parker - Franklin
Rodney Price - Invercargill1x Safe n Dry Gun Safe Dehumidifier ($39.99)
Dawson Boyd - New Plymouth1x Safe n Dry Dehumidifier Pucks - 4pk ($29.99)
Shelley Grell - Nelson1x Cass Creek Electronic Deer Call ($139.99)
Barry Sharplin, Gisborne1x H&F Earmuffs ($39.99)
Ethan Benney - Whangarei, Okara1x Dead End Calls Single Reed Duck Call ($79.99)
Keri Jane - Manawatu1x H&F Swivel Bipod ($79.99)
Tawhirimatea Whyte - Timaru1x EK Archery Crusader Recurve Bow with Arrows
David Harris - Tauranga1x EK Archery Chameleon Recurve Bow with Arrows
Krysten Cottrell - Napier1x Duck Commander RDC100 Mallard Hen Call
Angus Alderton - Invercargill1x Duck Commander Limited Edition Cut Down Reacher Mallard Hen Call
Matt Blach - Central Otago1x Duck Commander Canada Goose Call
Maddie Van Derpast - Dunedin1x Gerber Fuse Folding Knife
David Mortensen - Whangarei, Okara1x Gerber Zilch Folding Knife
Peter Hobman - Franklin1x Gerber Truss Multi-Tool
Alex Field - Invercargill1x Wildgame Game Camera
Dave Wynyard - TaupoNZ Sock co
2x Camo Superfleece Socks ($26.99)
Rachael Mcmillan - Thames
Shane Everett - Botany4x Ultimate Quarter Socks ($24.99)
Corey Carston - Invercargill
Tessa Edwards - Wairarapa
Leslie Bell - Central Otago
Bjorn Doherty - Taranaki, The Valley3x Light Hiker ($29.99)
Wayne Johnston - Timaru
Dallas Templeton - Invercargill
Joanna Crawford - North Shore2x Performance Plus ($39.99)
Shona Cooling - Hutt Valley
Meg May - Kerikeri1x Merino Traverse Sock ($29.99)
John Wallace-Thexton - NelsonCupped Wing Walls
15x Engraved Cupped Wing Call ($159.99)
Bill Templeton - Ballingers
Eric Johnson - Richmond
Wayne Sheehan - Ballingers
Hannah Waghorn - Manawatu
Robert Bellaney - Dunedin
Angus Kelsey - Dunedin
Gemma Worth - Waikato
Philip Morrison - Cambridge
Brendon Anderson - Dunedin
Brett Christopher - Waikato
Jade Dickson - Dunedin
Paul Fawthrop - Central Otago
Kit Mccowan - Taranaki, Ocean View Parade
Mae Lewis - Kerikeri
Cameron Chambers - Taranaki, The ValleyBanded Avery
6x Banded Arc Welded Backpack ($199.99)
Keoni Ewington - Dunedin
Dale Coulter - Ballingers
Joy Campbell - Central Otago
Brian John Stallard - Taranaki, Ocean View Parade
Kelvin Holdaway - Marlborough
Josh Murray - Manawatu1x XD Mallard Decoys - Harvested Pack ($219)
Kevin Bond - Thames1x NZ Shoveller - 6 Pack ($249.97)
Martin Pearce - Rotorua1x Avery GHG Groundforce Blind ($599.99)
Jo Williams - Botany1x Banded Avery prize pack ($699.99)
Dave Dittmer - Timaru1x Avery GHG Spitter Drake Decoy ($279.99)
Stan Wing - Taupo1x Avery GHG Finisher/ Swimmer Drake Decoy ($329.99)
Phil Chalmers - WhakataneNZ Asia
2x Leupold McKenzie 8x42 Binos ($479.99)
Harold Robinson - Dargaville
John Alker - Whangarei, OkaraHutchwilco Ltd
2x Classic V170N Manual Inflatable Lifejackets – CAMO ($139.99)
Ryan Cleghorn - Dunedin
Rhys James Vickers - Taranaki, Ocean View ParadeSwamp Comp Photo Comp Winner
1x Hunting & Fishing NZ Clothing ($250.00)
Paula Griffin - WestgatePrizes will be distruibuted in the month of March, this could take up to two weeks to arrive after dispatched.
2023 Overview
The stunning take-out from Swamp Comp 2023 has been the increase in participation and consequently, results. You participants collectively removed a staggering 4395 mustelid predators! That’s huge! It was made up of 1898 stoats, 1116 ferrets, and 1381 weasels. As you all know, you also accounted for a good number of feral cats, hedgehogs, rats and even possums as a by-kill bonus to the biodiversity in the area you protect. We as organisers are blown away and be sure it has encouraged us to dig deeper in getting even more prize sponsorship for 2024. In 2023 our prize pool totalled 304 prizes, but an amazing 394 of you entered kills. For the first time nearly 100 participants missed out on a prize. Watch this space for 2024! The Hunting & Fishing New Zealand website from August and Spring Catalogue will list what promises to be an amazing 2024 prize pool. Meantime, carry on trapping and freezing tails.
What started it all! Our particular focus on protecting wetland habitats came about because we learned that predators were rife where gamebirds nested. To the extent that Fish & Game research showed predators were having a huge toll on the success of gamebird recruitment. A bonus to removing predators from wetlands is that bitterns, crakes, rails, brown teal, dabchicks, grebes, stilts, dotterels, fernbirds and many other fully protected species also benefit. These days the Swamp Comp has morphed into protecting many other habitats and are we are 100% OK about this as its useless eliminating predators from one area, if they can move in from another. Hunting & Fishing New Zealand is the driving force behind the Swamp Comp, arranging prizes, promoting the event, being the drop-off points for entries, then administering the entries, draws and the shipping of the prizes. It’s staff and customers enjoy all this county’s wild habitats so the Swamp Comp name may remain, but the event has become nationwide and most likely the biggest private initiative in the goal for NZ to be predator free by 2050. To the team at Hunting & Fishing New Zealand, its great to be able to showcase to the general public, the fantastic environmental contribution hunters are making. We all know that the public get a distorted view of legitimate gun ownership, and as a hunter led project, we hope the Swamp Comp helps in demonstrating with action rather than words, another positive side to hunting.
Mustelid predators, (stoats, ferrets and weasels) have been described as killing machines, so even those entered in the Swamp Comp made one kill per day we can anticipate annually over 1.6 million eggs, young or even nesting adults would have been taken out. All wildlife enthusiasts owe you a vote of thanks, but your real prize is in seeing the numbers of valued species increase in the habitats you have chosen to help protect. Lastly keep supporting the prize sponsors and Hunting & Fishing New Zealand, without them there would be no Swamp Comp!
Share your trapping photos with us on social by hashtagging #2023swampcompphotocomp and go in the draw to win $250 of Hunting & Fishing NZ clothing!
For a bit of history, the Swamp Comp idea was born after a Fish & Game New Zealand research project published how vulnerable hen mallards, their eggs and their young were during nesting and brood rearing. In NZ we have around 40,000+ gamebird hunters. We figured if they understood the gravity of the problem, the hunting gene they possessed could be broadened to include targeting predators, especially at times of the year ground nesting birds are so vulnerable. Hunters have always been doers, not talkers when it comes to conservation, so we believed there could be a veritable army of volunteers with the smarts, enthusiasm, and motivation to out-wit even the most cunning stoat, ferret or weasel.
We say every predator removed is a reward in itself, but we knew the event would have a higher profile if it also offered prizes. We reached out to the hunting supply industry, their amazing response has been rock solid support ever since.
Ten years on with Swamp Comp and an official tally of over 22,000 stoat, ferret and weasel kills is all thanks to all the hunters who have particpated! If you haven’t participated as yet then make this the year. Just get out trapping stoats, ferrets or weasels, remove and freeze the tails when you catch them, then simply bring the tails into a Hunting & Fishing NZ store in November for counting.