HUNTING DISCIPLESHIP COURSE DETAILS
What does the Hunting Discipleship Course consist of?
The hunting discipleship course is a 3 week course offering you a unique mix of discipleship, teaching and hunting. It offers the opportunity to grow in your walk with Jesus while at the same time learning how to identify, hunt and harvest wild game with like-minded friends. As part of the course each student will complete a HUNTS training course qualification which is run in association with the New Zealand Deer Stalkers Association. Hunts modules will include:
- Ethics, Ecology and Regulations
- Equipment and Food
- Backcountry Travel
- Navigation
- Firearms Selection, Safety and Marksmanship
- Big Game Animals
- Hunting Techniques
- Meat, Skins and Trophies
- Outdoor Emergencies and Survival Techniques
The HUNTS module will take roughly 2 weeks of the overall course. It is concluded with a hunting experience where each student will be given the opportunity to encounter and harvest a wild fallow deer in some of New Zealand’s pristine backcountry.
Most mornings on the base (Mon-Fri) begin with personal time with Jesus, daily chores and then corporate worship/intercession/prayer/ministry time with other students and staff.
Evenings are generally free but some activities will be planned along the way.
One week of the 3 will have a more intensive discipleship focus with a guest speaker.
Two days per week will be allocated as day off ie free time. These may not fall on a weekend as the hunting experience and rifle range activities will be scheduled for weekends.
You’ll be trained and discipled by local Christian hunters who are solid in their faith and who possess some awesome local knowledge in terms of hunting in the top of the South Island of New Zealand!!
Also, after the course finishes, you’ll be offered an opportunity with local hunters to engage in a multiday hunt into one of New Zealand’s rugged wilderness areas.
As a student at YWAM Nelson you will be living in a faith community with other students and staff. This gives you a unique opportunity to grow in servanthood, have great discussions, be discipled, learn more about Him and be inspired in your faith. You will be living in dorm rooms with the same sex. Married couples have their own rooms. There are communal bathrooms. Meals are cooked for you from Mon-Fri lunch time. You will cater for yourself from Friday dinner through to the weekend. Breakfast is available 7 days a week.
YWAM Nelson is a smoke/vape, drug and alcohol-free environment. If you have any concerns about this, we are happy to have a chat.
Course prerequisites:
We have a two-fold screening process before students are accepted onto the course. There is a written questionnaire and verbal interview. A police clearance will also be needed.
From the discipleship side of things, we would like to know that applicants have a desire to grow in their relationship with Jesus!
If you are interested in taking up the offer to partake in a multiday hunt after the course, then we have compiled the below lists of gear requirements.
Compulsory Gear requirements:
- Binoculars
- 3-4 season sleeping bag (minimum 0-degree comfort rating)
- 3-4 season sleeping mat
- 60-90 litre hiking or hunting pack
- Quality hiking/hunting boots
- Warm hat
- Sun hat
- Two sets of thermal underwear (tops and bottoms)
- Fleece or Merino main layer jersey or hoodie
- Waterproof raincoat
- Gators
- Head torch
Non-compulsory Gear requirements
- Rifle
- Range finder
- Personal cooker/jetboil
- Personal tent (1-2 man)
- 4×4 vehicle (fuel costs will be reimbursed for personal vehicles used)
- Personal basic first aid and survival kit
- PLB (personal locator beacon) or similar
Please be aware that you may need/want to buy or upgrade equipment once on the course. Or you may need to cater for yourself if you have special dietary requirements. So having additional finances will be needed. If you have questions about gear and what to buy before the course starts, we are happy to talk with you and give advice.
