Want to get into hunting?

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. It is all free - a public good provided by the Game Animal Council as part of our statutory education function.

Want to get into hunting?

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. It is all free - a public good provided by the Game Animal Council as part of our statutory education function.


Hunting Essentials


Hunting Essentials module screenshot
Lands
Hunting Essentials module screenshot
Plans
Hunting Essentials module screenshot
Sign

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 Create free account to view

Modules include:
  • Field dressing
  • Hunt planning
  • Knives
  • Navigation
  • Bushcraft
  • Survival
  • and more


Firearm Essentials


Firearms Essentials module screenshot
Parts
Firearms Essentials module screenshot
Sighting
Firearms Essentials module screenshot
States

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 Create free account to view

Modules include:
  • 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.

Essentials certificate screenshot


Public and free


Better Hunting 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:

"As a ‘new’ hunter found it very good, in fact the whole website is well worth a look"
"A goldmine of info for anyone starting out and also for anyone wanting to refresh their memory"
"The modules are slick and easy to use"


Specialised content


Beyond the Essentials, explore the Pig Hunting course, animal sign games, maps and planning resources and more.


Take a look!


Create an account to check out our courses.