Sunshine Bay resident Paul Mettmann, originally of Australia, wants to start a Queenstown bowhunting club to bring together those passionate, or curious, about the rare form of hunting.
"Really, what I wanted to do here is find a good bunch of like-minded people that enjoy the outdoors and can get together to practise, go hunting and share knowledge."
Sharing knowledge was the biggest challenge with bowhunting, Mr Mettmann said, with the internet often the only way of learning more.
"For someone who's coming into it, it's a bit difficult here as there's no-one to look to for advice." Mr Mettmann, a keen hunter and fisherman, has been involved in bowhunting since he was about 10 but had gravitated towards rifle-hunting until he moved to Queenstown about six years ago.
Although he still hunts with a rifle, Mr Mettmann is training to use his custom-made 160cm longbow, which arrived recently from the US.
One of the three bows he owns, the longbow requires a great deal of strength and practise to use properly, which he says is essential for accurate, humane shots at the quarry.
"The crux of it is that you have to get in close and you have to make certain and be committed to making a clean shot."
He said there was more stalking involved than with rifles, in order to get close enough to make the shot, but thought about 70% of the animals he had taken with a rifle could have been shot with a bow.
"It's a big commitment, but a lot of fun," he said of the pursuit.
"It's primal. There's something really enjoyable about walking through the forest with a bow.
"Whether you see an animal or not, it really takes you back to your roots."
• Those interested in getting involved can contact Mr Mettmann at fishsouthnz@gmail.com or phone him on (021) 946-204.
