The Common Good Hunters Trust is a registered non-profit organisation providing high quality red meat to charities in need. The Trust was established to achieve two outcomes: to help feed those in need by donating quality red meat to charities who provide meals, and to minimise the wastage of quality meat when feral deer culling is required.

How it works

The Trust’s small team of experienced hunters work with landowners and/or managers who need to reduce feral deer numbers on their property. The carcasses are retrieved, the meat is processed as required and delivered where needed.

How to get involved

If you are interested in finding out more about the initiative, contact the Trust and a member of the team will be in touch. Discussions are free of commitment. If after the discussion you would rather not take part in the initiative… no problem. You decide if you are happy to proceed or not. Furthermore, if at any time you’d like to modify, pause or end an agreement you can do so totally at your discretion.

Discussions with landowners or managers will include:

• Any induction requirements.
• Exactly when and where the hunting can be conducted.
• The number and types of deer you’d like culled.
• Vehicle access points.
• Property boundaries and limitations.
• Protocols for arranging a specific hunt and confirmation of your approval.
• Your advice about deer sightings and known movement patterns.
• Disposal of gut bags etc.

After the hunt

At the completion of any hunt the carcasses will be transported to the Trust’s partner homekill certified butcher to be processed into products requested by the recipient charity.

Costs involved

There are no costs to the landowner.

The cost of processing is covered through sponsorship.

At least 80% of the venison is donated to the charities. Up to 20% of the venison may be retained by the hunters.



No venison is traded, sold or bartered in any way.

The recipients

The Trust currently works with the Dunedin Night Shelter and St Vincent de Paul. As our network grows, we hope to grow the number of charities benefiting from our activities. You will receive an email from the Trust to say how many kilos the hunt yielded and the name of the recipient charity.

• Charities receive quality meat for free.
• Reduction in deer populations assists with regeneration on native bush.
• Culled deer don’t go to waste.
• Landowners receive support from experienced hunters to help control feral deer numbers on their property free of charge.