"Critters" in the Catlins beware - the hunt is on for you this weekend.
An annual community fundraising event, the Catlins Critter Hunt is slowly developing into a popular event in the region, organisers say.
Five compulsory "bounty" must be secured by participants over the weekend.
The fauna were randomly picked at last night's registration night and competitors will have until Sunday afternoon to collect them.
Children will be asked to collect items like worms, crabs and moths, while adults will be asked to go out and find everything from possums and rabbits to deer and eels.
Event spokeswoman Anna Davidson said the hunt last year raised funds for the Owaka Playcentre, while the Catlins search-and-rescue group would benefit from money raised this year.
Teams of four had to register at the Owaka Rugby Club by last night. They then have until Sunday at 2pm to present their bounty.
Ms Davidson said organisers were pleased with the turnout last year and anticipated record entries for the 2009 hunt.
She was encouraging friends and families to enter and take part in the special community event.
Tourism Catlins projects co-ordinator Kim Dodds said the hunt was new for the Catlins and had the potential to grow.
"New events in the Catlins are being developed to attract visitors to the area and for local communities to participate in."
