He has been a member of the Deerstalkers' Association since 2001, first in Nelson, then the Southern Lakes branch since 2005, becoming president this year.
"I got involved because I wanted to meet like-minded people who enjoy the outdoors and enjoy getting out in the back country," he said.
The engineering geologist and partner Paula run a consulting engineering company, Green Being, which specialises in green building and environmentally sustainable design. Being self-employed gave him the flexibility to donate more time to the association and volunteer work.
Much of his work was advocacy and promoting conservation values, he said.
"I try to help New Zealanders retain access to their own back country. It's not just about hunting. It's about advocating for continued access to the back country."
He also helps train hunters in firearms skills, safety, animal husbandry and ensuring animals do not suffer.
He helps fundraise for the association, cooking hundreds of venison burgers for sale at community events like the Winter Festival and A and P shows.
During his presidency, the association has started the Steele Creek stoat control programme in the Greenstone Valley, near Glenorchy.
Since April last year, he has helped maintain 65 traps over 14km of the track, returning every three months to check and rebait them.
He also promoted the traps for corporate sponsorship. Businesses could sponsor a trap for $100 or $150.
The programme's long-term goal was to help the Conservation Department re-establish the whio, or blue duck, population in the Greenstone Valley.
The association has the concession for the Mid Greenstone Hut, about four hours' walk from Greenstone car park.
"We look after the hut and rent it out. It's not a money spinner, but it is breaking even at the moment," he said.
He helped fix the hut to make it more habitable.
Mr Rider, and two other association volunteers Andrew Pedley and Paul Mcleod, spent five days in June renovating the Steele Creek Hut which is free for use by trampers and hunters.
• To join the club or sponsor a trap, email daveride@ihug.co.nz or call 021 969-350.
