Hunters tempted to ''farm'' wild deer or pigs before hunting competitions are likely to be out of luck at the Upper Clutha Deerstalkers Association competition later this month.
The association, which is holding its popular annual competition for the third time, has changed its rules, mainly to encourage more interest in hunting among women and children.
But the changes also aim to sideline hunters who manipulate the competition process by allowing wild deer or pigs to graze crops on farmland over the winter.
That improves the animal's chances of winning competitions where prizes are awarded for the heaviest animal.
Organiser of the Upper Clutha competition Russell Duff told the Otago Daily Times the issue had led to the association's recent rule change.
As a result, the top prize at this year's competition, on August 28, will go to the animal closest to the average weight of those shot, and a ''judges' choice'' prize would be awarded for what they considered the ''best animal'' in each category.