Newton McConochie Award - For the Most Outstanding Young Deerstalker of the Year
Proudly Sponsored by Hunters Element.
| Winner | Branch |
| Aimee Blackwell | Manawatu |
Recommendation from Manawatu Branch
Nomination: Aimee Blackwell, NZDA Manawatu Branch
The NZDA Manawatu Branch is pleased to nominate Aimee Blackwell for recognition as an outstanding young member whose commitment, capability, and character exemplify the values of the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association.
Aimee began her shooting journey at eight years old, learning to shoot a .22 under the supervision of her father, Ross. As her proficiency grew, she progressed to hunting rabbits and possums, accounting for a substantial tally over the years. Since joining the Manawatu Branch as a family member in 2021, she has been a regular participant in the Branch rabbit tail tally competition.
Aimee’s development as a target shooter has been exceptional. She has won the Junior Rimfire Trophy for five consecutive years, demonstrating consistency, discipline, and technical skill. She is also a reliable helper on range days, recording scores, marking targets, and assisting with target changes.
Her progression through calibres from .22 to .222 and then .308 was matched by her determination to hunt deer. Once Ross was confident she could reliably hit a 4 inch gong at 250 yards, he organised a surprise birthday hunt. Aimee listened attentively to all instructions and made a perfect, ethical shot on a Fallow doe. Since then, she has successfully entered a Fallow buck in the junior competition, followed this year by a 12 point Red deer. She attends Douglas scoring annually, assisting as a scribe or helping with measurements.
In 2024 Aimee completed the HUNTS course, becoming a competent and safety focused hunter. She has written articles for the Branch newsletter about her HUNTS experience and her hunting adventures. She has gained her firearms licence and has recently begun reloading her own ammunition, showing initiative and a growing technical understanding of ballistics and precision shooting.
Aimee has a strong affinity for the outdoors, nature, and photography. She has won the Branch Junior Photography Competition for five consecutive years.
Her achievements extend beyond NZDA. Aimee is a member of Target Shooting NZ and competes in her High School Representative Smallbore Rifle Team. In 2025 her team won the Manawatu Regionals, placed 6th at the National Secondary Schools competition, and won the Plate Final. She and her father also placed 3rd in the Family Rimfire event at the Taupo NZDA Prize Shoot. Recently, she achieved a personal best at a club gong shoot, successfully hitting targets at 550 yards.
Aimee is a visible and valued member of the Branch. She is regularly found on the range, at club nights, selling raffle tickets at prize giving, attending AGMs and working bees, or out hunting. Her enthusiasm, reliability, and positive attitude make her well liked by members of all ages.
