The Essentials programme
Learn the essential skills of NZ hunters.
Our Essentials courses are perfect for new and aspiring New Zealand hunters. Complete both Hunting Essentials and Firearm Essentials to receive official certification from the New Zealand Game Animal Council - proof for yourself (and anyone else) that you know your stuff.
Our essentials programme is made up of two courses: Hunting Essentials and Firearm Essentials.
Learn the essential skills of NZ hunters.
Our Essentials courses are perfect for new and aspiring New Zealand hunters. Complete both Hunting Essentials and Firearm Essentials to receive official certification from the New Zealand Game Animal Council - proof for yourself (and anyone else) that you know your stuff.
Our essentials programme is made up of two courses: Hunting Essentials and Firearm Essentials.
Hunting Essentials
Learn the skills needed to execute a solo hunt with success. By the end of hunting essentials you'll be able to get around the backcountry off-track, plan a safe and legal hunt, find an animal (and know what to do with it), and know what's expected of responsible hunters in New Zealand.
- 18 modules (about 20 min each)
- Approx 7 hours learning time
Read the full learning outcomes View course (requires log in)
- Field dressing
- Hunt planning
- Knives
- Navigation
- Bushcraft
- Survival
- and more
Firearm Essentials
Firearm essentials covers key safety and technique topics contextualized for bolt action rifles in the New Zealand big game hunting context.
- 8 modules (about 15 min each)
- Approx 2 hours learning time
Read the full learning outcomes View course (requires log in)
- Firearm selection
- Safety
- Best practice
- Sighting
- Cleaning
- Transport
- and more
Certification
Each module summarises the learning with a five question quiz. Both courses end with 20 question assessments, so you can be assured you know your stuff.
Complete both Hunting Essentials and Firearm Essentials and be rewarded with our Hunting Essentials with Firearms certificate. Our certificate is proof you've learnt the theory behind being an ethical, responsible, safe and successful firearm hunter in New Zealand, and it can be verified right here on Better Hunting.
Public and free
Our Essentials programme is a public good provided free by the Game Animal Council. Just learn, share, come home safe and successful and raise the bar for hunters and hunting in New Zealand.
Work around your schedule
Use the mobile website on any device, or download the courses on our free mobile app to complete offline (e.g. on a commute or during lunch). The app automatically syncs your progress when you're next online. With Better Hunting you can learn to hunt anywhere, anytime, on any device.
Well regarded
Experts and novice hunters alike approve of the quality and value in completing the Essentials programmes: