It has been raising funds for the Waiau community since 1999, with many local groups benefiting, including the Waiau Pony Club, Scouts and Cubs, the playcentre, Waiau Rugby Club, Waiau Netball Club, the Waiau Volunteer Fire Brigade and the new Waiau Community Pool.
The community pool will be at the forefront of fundraising efforts again this year to help with running costs, while the local fire brigade will also benefit.
Hunters will head for the hills on Friday, October 25, until Sunday, October 27, before the weigh-in that afternoon at the Waiau Rugby Club grounds from 1pm to 4pm.
Entries close on October 23.
The hunt has major spot prizes, along with cash prizes, hunting apparel and dog food as prizes for the average weight pig, average weight stag, heaviest boar, heaviest sow, heaviest stag, best jaw, and heaviest junior boar.
The hunt has been a family affair for the last two decades, with plenty of children's competitions.
There will be a lucky draw for those aged 8 to 16 to take a friend and a chaperone on a hunting trip with former All Black Luke Romano.
Entrants have to enter the heaviest junior boar competition to automatically go into the draw.
They do not need to catch a pig, but must have entered and be at the weigh-in.
For those 14 and under there is a heaviest possum, hare, rabbit and best-dressed possum competition.
Last year there were record entries, with well over 230, compared to around 180 in previous years, says organiser Jo Moriarty who, with her husband Andy, has been helping organise the hunt since its inception.
All are welcome at the weigh-in. There will be a sausage sizzle and venison pies, a bar and tuck shop.
No BYO alcohol is allowed. There will also be 20-year commemorative hoodies for sale.
The hunt is held in association with Ridgeline Judging. Entry is $45 per person in the open section; and $25 in the junior boar (8-16 years). There is free entry for children 14 and under.
Entry forms and inquiries can be emailed to: waiaupighunt@hotmail.com.
