b'They also eat the eggs and youngWILD GOATSThere are many animaland attack the adults.WhileWhere to findand bird species to huntintroduced wild animals like goats,Goats were introduced to Godzone deer, pigs, tahr, and chamois eat andin the early days of European in Godzone that are nowdamage native plants and habitats.settlement for food, to establish a considered as pests butWild animals can change the typecommercial fibre industry, and for and number of plants present,weed control on developing land.are also good for the plate,prevent forest regeneration, andToday wild goats (Capra hircus) Matt Hewetson looks at themake land more vulnerable to slipsoccur on both main islands and a and erosion. This can have longfew offshore islands. Wild goats are options and where to hunt. term consequences for the healthclassified as wild animals under the M ost Kiwi huntersof native ecosystems and worsenWild Animal Control Act 1977.the effects of climate change. Wild goats are found in a wide like myself wouldHunters can help by targetingrange of habitats. They range from have started outanimals that are found year-round,sea level to the alpine zone, living with an air rifleand the following are speciesin introduced and native grasslands, as a teenager,outside of deer, which have highscrub, and forest.Because they are learning topopulations, can be challenging tobrowsers, their preferred habitat shoot targetshunt and make great dishes whenis forest or scrub-covered upland and commonturned into food for the plate. containing areas of grassland.introduced birds like sparrows and mynas.Once proven shots and showing competent gun safety after being mentored by family members, you then moved up to a .22 rimfire rifle and obtained your own firearms licence.Without the need for supervision and if you grew up like me in a small country town, I was allowed to take my .22 rifle and shoot many of the unwanted pests that farmers liked to keep their numbers reduced.Possum, rabbits, goats and birds like magpies were all on the hit list and this became my introduction to hunting and taught me the safe handling of firearms, while also learning how to stalk and hunt small game to get in close for a better shot.The New Zealand Governments DOC department has an active war on introduced species and protecting Godzones biosecurity.Animal pests and threats have a major detrimental effect on our environment. Controlling them is essential for the survival of our native plants and animals.Predators such as possums, ratsGoats are a problem for many farms, and stoats compete with our nativewith many deer hunters starting out learning to hunt on them, switching to birdlife for food and habitat. a bow requires more skill and stealth. /FISHINGINGODZONE65'