HVNZDA Annual Club Competitons

The club’s annual competition closes at the August meeting. Any heads or photographs taken between the previous August meeting and the current August meeting are eligible for entry.

• All financial members of the HVNZDA at the time the trophy was taken are eligible to enter.
• All heads must be clean before measuring. The club has three, certified Douglas Scorers: Michael Guerin, Michael Mills & Peter Raven. Measuring can be done at any time prior to closing date. To have a head measured email: hvnzda.info@gmail.com
• Once the head has been measured the details should be sent on to the competition's coordinator, this is considered as an entry.  

      

We have the following categories for Antler Horn and Tusk entries.

The Wellington Branch Trophy: This is for the best Red Deer antlers taken south of a line east – west of Manawatu Gorge, and within the North Island, based on Douglas score. Antlers entered in this category are also eligible for entry to the De Lieu Trophy. The Antlers are automatically entered in the Tisdale Rose Bowl.

The De Lieu Trophy: This is for the best Red Deer Antlers taken anywhere in New Zealand based on Douglas score. The Antlers are automatically entered in the Tisdale Rose Bowl.

The Sika Cup: This is for the best Sika Deer Antlers taken anywhere in New Zealand based on Douglas score. The Antlers are automatically entered in the Tisdale Rose Bowl.

The Dick Farrell Trophy: This is for the best other deer species, Fallow, Rusa, Samba, Wapiti, & Whitetail, taken anywhere in New Zealand based on Douglas score. The Antlers are automatically entered in the Tisdale Rose Bowl.

The Goat Head Trophy: This is for the best goat head taken, Firstly by a Junior member under 20 yrs age, then by senior members, taken anywhere in New Zealand based on Douglas score. The Horns are automatically entered in the Tisdale Rose Bowl.

The Presidents Trophy: This is for the best Chamois or Tahr taken in New Zealand based on Douglas score. The Horns are automatically entered in the Tisdale Rose Bowl.

The Tisdale Rose Bowl: This is for the best Antler, Horn or Tusk taken by a member. All the heads entered in the various are ranked by the respective Douglas score equivalents (these values are taken from the Douglas score manual).

The Crystal Deer Antlers Trophy: This is for the best Deer Antlers taken by a Female Hunter of The Hutt Valley Branch of the NZDA

The Morrison Trophy: This is for the best Antler, Horn or tusk head taken by a junior member of The Hutt Valley Branch of the NZDA.

     

We have the following categories for Photography.

The H R MITCHEL TROPHY: Big Game Animals. This is for photographs of game animals in a free, wild, and unharmed condition. Game animals range from Chamois, Deer, Goats, Pigs, and Tahr. The Judging of the animals is made up of a degree of difficulty to capture the image, Presentation, and technical ability.

The HONG TSE Trophy: Other Wildlife. This is for photographs of other wildlife in a free, wild, and unharmed condition. Other Wildlife ranges from Birds, Insects Frogs Lizards, Rabbits, any living creature you can find. The Judging of the animals is made up of a degree of difficulty to capture the image, Presentation, and technical ability.

THE PETER OWLES CUP: Scenic. This is for scenic Photography, Covers everything from the valley floor to the wide open tops and between

The PESTON PHOTOGRAPHIC AWARD: Stalking interest. This is for anything that is of interest to stalking, or out in the outdoors. It is not necessarily a successful hunter but could be out in the weather, or human interest.

The BRIAN CULL CUP: Camp scenes. This is for thing’s you see or do around camp sites. Not just your overnight camp, it could be where you stop for a break during the day. May be the personality of those you encounter on you journeys.

The FLORAL & ABSTRACT Trophy: This is for flora & fauna that you encounter. Plants, flowers, spider webs or any unusual things that you may find. Like ice crystals, strange looking driftwood or logs, Patterns in rocks, Fungus and mushrooms. Imagination in abstract patterns is welcome.

The BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY Award: As this name suggests any photographs of any subject as long as it is in black and white. We will accept a photograph that has been converted from a colour photograph.

The BRIAN CULL MOVIE AWARD: This is for videos of your adventures. It should tell a story of the adventure. Not a slide show of photographs of the adventure.

  

The Douglas Scoring System

The Douglas Score was developed by Norman Douglas in the 1940s as a way to fairly and consistently measure antlers, horns, and tusks of New Zealand’s big game animals. Unlike overseas systems, which often emphasize symmetry, the Douglas Score uniquely accounts for the natural variations of wild New Zealand game.

The system is used to score animals like:

• Red deer
• Fallow deer
• Sika deer
• Tahr
• Chamois
• Wild goats
• Boars (for tusks)

It became officially adopted by the NZDA and remains the primary method of evaluating trophies at competitions, including those held by local NZDA branches and national hunting events.

Today, the NZDA continues to support Douglas Scoring through certified measurers, training courses, and national competitions, ensuring it remains a key part of New Zealand’s hunting heritage.

For more information or to enter a club competition email: hvnzda.info@gmail.com