From Pest To Pallet

Ben Bakalich

Q: How long have you been a hunter?

A: I've been hunting since I was 5 years old, so that makes it 30 years now, spanning both the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

Q: What is the hardest game to shoot or hunt?

A: Deer and pigs are generally considered the most challenging animals to hunt. Any animal that has reached an older age and developed its instincts becomes quite a formidable challenge.

Q: How much area do you cover in an average week?

A: On average, I cover between 5,000 to 10,000 hectares each week.

Q: What is your favourite thing about hunting?

A: My favourite aspect of hunting is being able to take my kids out with me. It's a great opportunity to teach them to respect animals and understand their importance as a vital source of income and food, both for pet food and human consumption.

Q: What dogs do you use for hunting?

A: I use heading dogs for goats at times and a Labrador for finding deer.

Q: What is the best thing about being part of the movement for Pest to Pallet?

A: The main reason I started working with pet food and recovering wild animals is that these creatures are the epitome of free-range and organic. They may be pests, and my focus is on culling any animals causing damage to farmland or forests. However, being able to utilise these animals instead of leaving them to rot on the ground is highly beneficial for both the landowners and myself. It also prevents other pests from feeding on them. Recovering these animals does come with its challenges, though; for instance, some deer weighed over 400 pounds on the hook this past summer.