This eBook is a reproduction produced by the National Library of New Zealand from source material that we believe has no known copyright. Additional physical and digital editions are available from the National Library of New Zealand.
EPUB ISBN: 978-0-908327-43-0
PDF ISBN: 978-0-908330-39-3
The original publication details are as follows:
Title: New Zealand deer heads
Author: Forbes, J. (John)
Published: Country Life, London, 1924
NEW ZEALAND DEER HEADS
This edition is limited to five hundred copies of which this is No. jjy
SPYING THE QUARRY. Wills Valley, Westland. Mt. Brewster in the distance.
NEW ZEALAND DEER HEADS
By J. FORBES
Edited by
MAJOR R. A. WILSON, D.S.O.
With a FOREWORD by Hon. SIR JAMES ALLEN, K.C.B.
High Commissioner for New Zealand
1924
LONDON
“COUNTRY LIFE”
20 TAVISTOCK ST., COVENT GARDEN
NEW YORK : CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS
HUDSON & KEARNS LIMITED, PRINTERS LONDON, S.E. 1
FOREWORD
THE publication of “ New Zealand Deer Heads ” has been authorised by the New Zealand Government in the confident belief that it will prove a welcome addition to the publications of other countries which are available to deer-stalkers. It supplies, for the first time, standard information of the class of “ heads ” procurable in New Zealand, and essential facts regarding the sport there. The majority of the “heads” reproduced in its pages have adorned the walls of the New Zealand Pavilion at the British Empire Exhibition; and to the owners who have so kindly placed them at the disposal of the Editor of this volume I desire, on behalf of the Dominion Government, to express sincerest thanks. The work of compiling and editing the volume has been carried out by Major R. Wilson, D.5.0., purely as a labour of love during a holiday in London, and its pages testify, better than any words of appreciation that I can pen, to his keenness and enthusiasm as a New Zealand
sportsman.
J. ALLEN,
High Commissioner for New Zealand.
August ijth, 1924.
INTRODUCTION
MAJOR R. A. WILSON, D.S.O
THE sporting trophies collected for the Imperial Exhibition should prove of interest to sportsmen, as it is a representative collection of the heads shot in New Zealand. Since the Great War, and the consequent neglect of the chief European deer forests, these present-day heads probably rank first in the world.
Several species are represented, the most interesting perhaps being the Red Deer heads obtained in the middle portion of the South Island. This herd is best known as the Otago herd, though it now spreads into several Acclimatisation Societies’ districts, namely, Otago, Waitaki, Westland and Lake District. These are all descended from the pure Scotch blood introduced from Lord Dalhousie’s herd in 1870, as against the other herds in New Zealand, which are chiefly descended from park deer. In comparing the Scotch type with the park type, the former has been designated thoroughbred as compared with a draught horse, and the comparison is fairly apt, as quality is the main point in judging Scotch heads while weight of horn is the chief point in park heads.
It should indeed be interesting to Scottish deer-stalkers to see the development of the antlers when introduced into a new country with plenty of feed available ; the heads have increased in size and weight until they now equal the prehistoric heads found in Scotch peat bogs, the bearers of which roamed Scotland contemporaneously with the Irish Elk, and these heads far excel any obtained in modern days.
I have been asked which is the best head of Scotch type in the collection, but can only reply that so many points enter into the comparison—width and length, weight of horn, number of points, quality of horn, quality of points, length of points, evenness or balance of the antlers, general shape, etc. —that no head is pre-eminent in all, and the order in which a judge would place the heads depends on the quality he regards as the most important. There are probably six heads in the collection which would be placed first by different judges, and many others which would run them very close.
Perhaps the most interesting group to sportsmen is the first four heads, numbers one to four, and the two Wapiti, as these were shot last season, and so indicate what a sportsman may hope for if he takes up stalking, even if he could not expect to get one equal to them.
Few people realise what a beautiful object a first-class head is. The quality of its curves, the sweep of the horn, the balance of the antlers, make up a striking picture, and when seen on the living stag with the white tips flashing in the sunlight it is a truly thrilling sight. An examination of these examples will prove what a variety of beauties exist in deer heads.
THE DEER OF NEW ZEALAND
J. FORBES
PRIOR to 1861 there were no deer of any kind in New Zealand. In February of that year a draft of Red Deer arrived in Nelson from Lord Petre’s Thorndon Park, Essex. The draft, consisting of one stag and two hinds, have spread over practically the whole of Nelson Province.
They are purely park deer and retain the original type very strongly ; some very massive heads have been secured by sportsmen, but generally they are on the narrow side and prone to miss their bay tines. The next importation of Red Deer came from Windsor Park, and were liberated in the Wairarapa district, Wellington Province, N.I. From one stag and two hinds the herd increased to thousands and spread over a large area, and to-day there are so many that they are a nuisance to settlers. For many years the Wairarapa herd provided the best stalking in New Zealand and yielded some very fine trophies, but now good heads are rare, and many North Island sportsmen do their stalking in the South Island.
The next importation of Red Deer arrived in Otago in 1870, and came from Earl of Dalhousie’s Invermark Forest, Forfarshire. They are the only pure Scottish deer in New Zealand, and it is a great pity any other strain of Red Deer were brought into the country, as the type of antlers they grow are much more symmetrical than the English park deer.
Since their introduction these deer have increased to very large numbers, so much so that the controlling society have been unable to keep them in check, with the result that part of the forest has been eaten out by the deer and is now abandoned by stalkers looking for fine trophies. At the International Exhibition held in Christchurch, 1906, there were shown the best lot of heads ever got together in New Zealand. Since then many trophies have been shot that excel the best shown in 1906 in length, spread and number of points.
Next in importance to Otago is the Rakaia herd, formed from three stags and five hinds landed in 1897. They were bred at Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire, and are strongly park type and very heavy both in body and horns. The heaviest heads shot in New Zealand are from the Rakaia forest, the record weight of abjlb. being secured season 1923.
Warnham Court park deer were introduced in 1908, and turned out on Mt. White run, Upper Waimakariri country, Canterbury. They have done well in their new home, and heads of 45m. length and 22 points have been shot ; a nineteen-pointer shot in 1921 weighed 24|lb. Although these heads are generally of park type, some of them are very similar to heads of Scottish blood shot in Otago, viz., cupped tops and absence of palmation.
New Zealand Deer Heads
17
In Southland Province the Red Deer were liberated first in 1898. The original lot coming from Nelson, later on an Otago stag was put with these, and no doubt improved the Nelson type. A further draft came from Werribee Park, Victoria, Australia, so that the Southland Red Deer are mainly of park stock. In Westland Province, South Island, there are two herds of Red Deer, one in the neighbourhood of Hokitika being of park stock from Werribee Park, Australia, and the other in Haast Country, South Westland. This herd was formed by Otago deer crossing the dividing range. Some very fine trophies have been shot in this wild mountainous region.
Fallow Deer were liberated in both South and North Islands, and for many years provided some very fine trophies. With the march of settlement the fallow became a nuisance, and protection was removed, so that now good fallow heads are hard to get.
Other deer introduced to New Zealand are as follows :
Virginian White Tailed Deer [ Japanese Deer, Sambur, Moose
Virginian Black Tailed Deer | and Wapiti.
Thar and chamois were put out some years ago at Mt. Cook, in the Southern Alps, where they are increasing satisfactorily, but no licences are issued for these animals. The control of the deer herds is in the hands of the various Acclimatisation Societies, who have divided their forests into blocks which, according to their size, are for one, two or three stalkers ; where there is more than one application for a block it is balloted for.
Any sportsman contemplating a stalking trip to New Zealand is advised to write at least twelve months ahead, to the secretary of the society in whose district he desires to stalk, at the same time saying if he can travel rough country or otherwise. The season opens on April Ist and closes May 20th (with some exceptions) for Red Deer, and in most cases the secretary can put the sportsman in touch with men who will undertake transport from rail, coach or motor termini to camp, and in Otago competent guides are available at 20 j- to 25 1~ a day. If the overseas sportsman decides to stalk in Otago, his procedure would be as follows : Advise the Secretary, Otago Acclimatisation Society, Dunedin, at least twelve months ahead, for a block of country, according to the number of rifles in his party ; ask him to engage a competent guide for the time he expects to stalk the forest ; also arrange for packing ; start from Dunedin, where camp outfit can be assembled ; go by rail to Cromwell, car to Hawea Flat or Pembroke, thence by motor boat to the head of Lake Hawea or Wanaka. The former, if intending to stalk in Hunter Valley ; the latter if the Makarora Valley. At the head of these lakes the packman will meet the boat and take the outfit to camp. As some of the blocks are too extensive to work from the base camp, a light outfit should be taken for what are known as flying camps, which, of course, have to be carried in as horses cannot be used. It is not necessary to bring out any camp gear except, perhaps, a featherweight tent, 7 by 7, and eiderdown bag for the flying camp ; but the sportsman should bring his rifle, cartridges, telescope and glasses.
A licence in Otago only entitles the sportsman to two heads. As visiting sportsmen would probably consider the two heads limit for Otago makes the trip not worth while, there is not much doubt that the societies would consider favourably issuing two licences to overseas sportsmen. This should be requested when notifying the secretary in the first instance.
New Zealand Deer Heads
18
Moose and Wapiti licences were first available last season, two for two Wapiti heads and two for one Moose : three Wapiti were secured but no Moose. For the season 1924 there will be five Wapiti licences and two Moose ; two of the former and one of the latter to each licence. As these animals are located well off the beaten track, a boat of some kind will have to be taken from Bluff for the Moose at Dusky Sound, also for Wapiti at George Sound, although part of the Wapiti herd may be reached overland from Te Anau.
Illustrations of the record heads of Red Deer shot in New Zealand are shown in this book—greatest length, greatest spread, greatest number of points, heaviest weight ; and types of heads from Nelson, Mt. White, Rakaia, Otago and Southland are also shown, which will doubtless interest students of antlers who look over the collection of New Zealand heads shown at the British Empire Exhibition and compare same with those obtainable in the old country, from which the progenitors of the New Zealand Red Deer were imported. Speaking generally, the climate during early autumn in the high country of New Zealand is bright and invigorating with a touch of frost at night and bright sunny days. With stags roaring in all directions, one climbs through the birch bush up towards the basin where the hinds congregate at this time of year, and after a good stalk and a good shot, the master head is brought back to the base camp.
New Zealand Deer Heads
XU.
NOTES ON WAPITI AND MOOSE
THE herd of Wapiti which is established in the Fiord country is descended from nine animals presented by President Roosevelt and turned out in George Sound in 1907. They have succeeded admirably, but the Moose liberated in the Seaforth Valley in the same year are only increasing very slowly, and no Moose bull has yet been shot or even certainly seen.
The country frequented by the Wapiti offers great difficulties to stalkers. The mountains are precipitous and densely wooded with thick undergrowth, and access by land is so difficult, that a launch is generally requisitioned to take sportsmen by sea from the Bluff to George Sound, and this trip in a small boat is often very uncomfortable.
The Wapiti are usually found in the dense forest and can only be located there by the bugling ; also it is very seldom that an opportunity is given to see what head the stag is carrying before he is shot.
However, when obtained, the trophies so far are magnificent, the best head, shot by Mr. E. J. Herrick in 1924, measuring jSJin. long, with a spread of qfijin, and a beam of yin. Other heads shot have measured from 47m. to 55m. in length. These measurements exceed those of present day Wapiti shot in America.
So far only eight Wapiti bulls have been shot, but the herd is firmly established, and when it spreads further eastward over the main range access will be much easier and conditions more favourable for stalking. Still the sport cannot be compared w'ith stalking the Red Deer in Otago, but the prospect of a Wapiti head always attracts sportsmen, so that the limited number of licences issued each year are keenly competed for and applications are always in excess of the number balloted for.
Appended is a report sent to the Southland Acclimatisation Society by Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Herrick and Mr. C. Kirkley on their trip in 1924, which will give an idea of the present state of the herd.
MOOSE
WE landed from the ketch “ Rakiura ” on the loth March at Supper Cove, Dusky Sound—the original place of liberation of the Moose. We hunted a great portion of the country in the Seaforth Valley on each side of the river, and also many of the valleys running into the Seaforth. We worked up to and above Loch Maree, making a pretty thorough search in every locality likely to hold a Moose.
xiii.
New Zealand Deer Heads
The Seaforth Valley contains some splendid flats and swampy pieces of ground, bounded on each side by more or less steep bush-clad mountainous country. The river can be crossed, when in summer condition and free of fresh, in many places by hunters on foot. We would here like to draw your attention to the fact that the season we hunted was exceptionally free of rain, and where we state that rivers or creeks can be crossed on foot, this must be taken into consideration.
There are several valleys with passes of no great altitude running over into adjoining country, most of which —at any rate as far as we could see—seem to be steep bush-clad peaks and valleys. There is a negligible area of clear country free from bush, and this makes hunting extremely difficult and arduous work. The undergrowth is very dense, so that the prospects of approaching a beast of any description close enough to see what he is, is very difficult indeed. We undoubtedly found traces of Moose, more or less through the lower end of the valley, especially on the South side, and accurate observations were made in some of the valleys running into the Seaforth, and right up on to at least two of the lower passes. We found indefinite proof that Moose had used these passes to cross to adjoining country. The tracks are unmistakable, being larger than any of the deer tribe —the front foot-print, measured on a firm surface, gave length jfin., width 4Jin., so that we could not confuse the tracks with Red Deer, which also frequent the Seaforth country.
In many places the worn tracks did not seem to have been used for a considerable period. This was very noticeable at the mouth of the valley near the sea. There were no signs of trees having been rubbed or barked recently in this region, but the signs became fresher as we advanced three or four miles up the valley. All the fresh signs we found were in the bushy and swampy flats on the south side of the river.
In this locality there is undoubtedly a small band of Moose, the number of which is hard to conjecture ; but we were unanimous in our opinion that the number is small. We heard on one occasion a cow Moose calling and attempted to stalk, but we were only able to approach within about 20 yards without seeing her, when she made off. This cow was undoubtedly accompanied by a bull or bulls, as we discovered, close to the place where we surprised the cow, a small tree barked and thrashed by some large animal. The ground round about was torn up, and fresh signs could be seen in the vicinity. We endeavoured to come up with these Moose, but the task was impossible owing to their going away down wind and the density of the growth everywhere. Two of the hunters had a similar experience to the above.
Having pretty thoroughly investigated the flat portions of the valley and the lower foot of the surrounding mountains, we now decided to try to ascertain if the Moose had worked out of the valley in any numbers. We think possibly they have, wherever the country is not too steep and wherever a low pass crosses to the adjoining country, but we did not find definite traces of their having done so. The tracks were only indistinct, and we could not say that they had been used by but solitary beasts. Other localities were visited, namely, Fanny Bay, Wet Jacket Arm, and Breaksea Sound (Broughton Arm). We were absolutely unanimous in our opinion that these places, at any rate as far as we were able to penetrate the country, had never been occupied by deer of any description.
xiv.
New Zealand Deer Heads
We are inclined to believe that the country to the south of Dusky Sound in the Hauroko direction would be worth investigating—also the extreme upper end of the Seaforth Valley needs hunting thoroughly, but this is questionable as we found practically no signs in the upper part of the valley we hunted. This would take much more time than the ordinary hunter can usually spare, and could be better tackled by an organised party of bushmen accompanied by an experienced stalker.
The evidence of Moose having bred was conclusively proved when we picked up the shed antlers of two young bulls. The first was the antler of a two-year-old, the second being that of a four-year-old. The first was of recent shedding, but the other was very old and much bleached, and we cannot assume that the owners of these antlers are still in existence. It is possible there are larger numbers of Moose in localities other than the Seaforth Valley, but we are forced to the conclusion that this is unlikely. Of course there may be a much used track leading out of the valley which we did not discover. It is impossible to do much in the limited time most sportsmen have at their disposal, and we would strongly advise, if possible, a party as previously described, should search the outlets from the Seaforth Valley and all the surrounding country, in order to find out something more of the movements and approximate numbers of Moose before more licences are issued in the future.
The Seaforth Valley seems, as far as we know, to be admirably suited to these animals, and the feed seems abundant, but we do not know if it is altogether suited to them. The flax and ferns of all sorts seem to have received the attention of the Moose, and several small areas were completely eaten out. Trees were rubbed, and the bark stripped off very high from the ground, and much higher than the Red Deer in the same locality could reach. We found a tuft of hair caught in a stick of birch, which we definitely identified as the hair of Moose.
We are of opinion that Moose are not numerous, and it would seem a pity to allow shooting until more information is forthcoming. Useless animals, as far as trophies are concerned, will be killed, owing to the difficulty in getting a view of the quarry before shooting, because of the dense cover. There is no ground worth mentioning where the hunter could chance to come on a Moose in the open, at least in the country we hunted. Could the art of “ calling ” be mastered, the chances of securing a trophy would be considerably enhanced.
If the Moose are not thriving well, it would seem a great pity to allow the destruction of one of the noblest of Big Game Animals in the world.
We would like to suggest the 25th March as about the date to commence hunting Moose.
WAPITI
WE first explored the Wapiti ground at Caswell Sound, where we found evidence of Wapiti having frequented the country in this vicinity. Fairly well defined deer tracks were discernible all through the bush. We worked a good deal of the bush right up to Lake Marchant, and explored most of the country there, including a long,
New Zealand Deer Heads
22
low-lying valley which runs into the foot of the lake. Signs of Wapiti were seen everywhere, but the tracks did not show signs of recent use, nor were there other fresh traces.
The whole of the country in the Caswell Sound district is mountainous and thickly bushed, as far as we were able to see, in every direction. The rise to Lake Marchant is easy ; the track following the banks of the river which flows out of the lake. The track passes through heavy bush all the way, but is fairly easy to follow. The river is not navigable, being swift and very rocky.
At the foot of Lake Marchant there is a long swampy, clear grass flat, running nearly the full width of the lake and of considerable breadth, backed by low-lying foot-hills running up and away from the lake. The lake on the two sides and the upper end is bounded by steep and impassable cliffs. A large river, named the Ethne River by our party, forms the chief water supply to the lake, and flows in at the upper end finding its source in the dividing range. This river runs through some splendid flat country on its course to the lake, but is in the most part densely bushed on both banks. The valley containing the Ethne River can be reached by a small pulling boat from the foot of the lake, should the hunters possess one. It is only with much difficulty a boat can be floated and portaged from the sea up the river to the lake. A party of stalkers performed the task during our stay; the distance from end to end of the lake would be three miles roughly.
All the country described above we think admirably suited to Wapiti, and as mentioned before, we found the country to have been heavily travelled through at some time previous to our visit. During our stay we neither saw nor heard a single beast, but we are convinced that perhaps when the rut is in full swing this country, especially the long grass flat, and also the Ethne Valley at the head of the lake, should prove an admirable hunting ground. After having spent several days in the Caswell Sound country we were sure that we had arrived very much too early to catch the rut, and the chances of seeing Wapiti moving about were remote. We were at a loss to know if the Wapiti used this country at all during the summer and early autumn, as all the traces were very old, and the tracks did not seem to have been used for a considerable time.
It must be remembered that Wapiti in their native country make migrations annually in the summer, returning in the autumn. This must not be confused with the Caribou migration.
After several days of exploring we decided that the Wapiti were not to be found, at any rate in the country we actually hunted through, except perhaps a solitary beast. After completing the above investigations we left for George Sound.
The Lake Alice region received our attention first. To reach the head of the lake, where we decided to hunt as this seemed to be the only locality in which we could see any easy country at all, it was necessary to carry a pulling boat we had with us up a steep waterfall from the sea to the lake. This proved no easy matter, and had we not had plenty of man power we could not have succeeded in the task. Fewer men might succeed in getting a lightly constructed craft up this fall. We reached the head of the lake after a pull of some three miles, where we sighted our first Wapiti, a cow. The lake is bounded on both sides by steep, high bush-clad cliffs, but at the upper end there is some flat, heavily-bushed country
New Zealand Deer Heads
23
running up on either bank of the Edith River, which flows out of a long valley of easy grade, bounded on both sides by heavily bushed mountains. We were able to navigate the boat about three hundred yards up this river, where we pitched camp.
Again we found many tracks and signs of Wapiti, as before not of recent date. The only fresh signs we saw in the vicinity, and in fact all through the valley, seemed to have been made by solitary beasts only. We could not imagine that a few solitary beasts could have worn such well-defined tracks —however, we failed to see or hear a single beast but the one cow mentioned above.
Towards the head of the Edith Valley there were numerous mountain tops apparently covered with snow grass, and in some cases a low stunted scrub. These tops showed fine basins, where one would expect to find Red Deer, so we decided to keep a careful watch each day with our telescopes for evidence of Wapiti. We commenced to think that they had moved up to the higher levels, but after several days of careful watching we were unrewarded till we discovered four Wapiti cows feeding on an open top immediately above our camp, at an altitude of, say, 5,000 ft. These beasts were first seen in the evening and again early the next morning, when they passed out of sight over the crest of the mountain. That evening we heard the first bull bugle in the same locality. After this we climbed to the tops in several places, but we could find but faint traces of Wapiti anywhere. This leads us to believe that they do not frequent the high country except as a means of getting from one valley to another.
After a week had been spent in exploration without result, we decided to try the Lake Katherine country. This lake is easily reached from the sea by a bush track of fairly easy grade. There we found plenty of fresh Wapiti tracks, and soon sighted two cows feeding on the south shores of the lake. Undisturbed, these cows took to the water, swimming out some considerable distance, afterwards returning to the shore, and continued feeding. It was interesting to note that these beasts on ultimately being disturbed by us, took to the water, swimming across to the north shore of the lake as a means of escape.
We could find no traces of Wapiti having wallowed as Red Deer do, but apparently they take readily to the water.
The same day, at the head of the lake, we saw the first bull —a spiker. We continued hunting for several days without seeing or hearing anything more until we heard and saw our first matured bull. We attempted to stalk, but were unsuccessful. Spasmodic bugling was heard from now on, during which time we shot two bulls, one of which was holding two cows. The open tops were again drawn blank in this locality, but by the beaten tracks there was evidence of considerable traffic at some time.
However, we could find nothing to prove that Wapiti inhabited these tops permanently, but of necessity they had to cross these tops to get from one locality to another. We investigated the country up to and beyond Henry’s Saddle, over which the track to the middle arm of Te Anau passes. This track runs through dense bush, and is difficult to pick up in many places. The country lying round Lake Katherine is steep, heavily timbered, with the usual dense undergrowth. The track is easy from the foot to the head of the lake. The clearings, if any, are negligible. The country viewed from Henry’s Saddle and overlooking the
New Zealand Deer Heads
xvii.
Te Anau district, is of fairly easy grade apparently but densely bushed as far as we were able to ascertain.
After hunting the Katherine country and vicinity for several days, we came to the conclusion that the Wapiti were not plentiful there, so at length we decided to try a way over the high country to the South of Katherine, on information one of our party gave us from observations he had made. A start was made, and after a long and weary climb through dense bush we gained the tops, where we were able to look over the Ethne Valley described previously. It now became apparent that a low pass could be found from this valley into the South Arm of George Sound. This proved to be the case, and whilst on this exploration work one of our party secured a magnificent head on the banks of the Ethne River.
We were now able to realise that the carrying out of such a heavy trophy through such country as we were in, presented great difficulty, and but for the number of willing workers in our party, the task would have been almost beyond us. Had the season been a normally wet one the position could have been much worse. The head was eventually carried out over the pass to the sea. We cut a track over the pass whilst doing so which should be fairly easy to follow in the future.
The vessel was able to pick up the hunting party on their arrival at the South Arm and transfer them to the base camp ashore. We would like to draw your attention to the difficulty in blocking out the country satisfactorily for ballotting purposes in the future.
If it is correct that the Wapiti have migrated to other localities, the whole thing needs much investigation.
There is no doubt that fairly large bands of Wapiti have occupied these coastal regions at some time, but when they have or do remains a mystery, to us at any rate. A great deal of the country hunted seemed, at the time of our visit, to hold extremely few, if any, Wapiti at all. Is it not possible these coastal regions are mainly used during the winter ? More information is needed on the habits of these animals before any number of rifles can be placed on the country with any degree of success.
The hunters themselves cannot often spare the time to do this exploration work—especially a small party.
The right class of sportsmen only should be allowed to go into the country, or many useless animals (as trophies) will be destroyed. The map of the country needs revising, and places marked “ Hut and Boat ” should be erased, as the boats, and generally the huts, have completely disappeared. This might lead some party or parties into serious trouble. We would suggest about the 25th March as a suitable date to open the season for Wapiti.
To conclude, we would like to record our appreciation of the manner in which the expedition was conducted by Captain Hamilton, Mr. Thomson and George Cross of the ketch “ Rakiura.” We are certain that three more suitable men with the interests of the hunters absolutely at heart could not be found. Everything possible was done to ensure our safety and comfort, and the manner in which they assisted us in the pitching of camps, exploring, carrying loads, etc., cannot be too highly praised.
At the same time we would like to mention Ranger Evans who accompanied us. We found Evans a really first-class man in every way, always ready to tackle any position and
New Zealand Deer Heads
25
undoubtedly having the interests of his locality at heart. The information he gathered for both the Society and ourselves was of inestimable value.
Last, but not least, we wish to heartily thank the Society and the secretary for the able manner in which they carried out and completed the arrangements for the expedition. Without such valuable assistance the trip could not have been brought to such a successful conclusion.
We do not pretend this to be an authoritative report, but merely an accurate description of the conditions as we found them.
Yours faithfully,
(Signed) (Mrs.) E. R. Herrick,
C. Kirkley,
E. ]. Herrick.
New Zealand Deer Heads
xix.
SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND. Shaded Areas Showing Distribution of Deer.
New Zealand Deer Heads
XX.
NORTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND. Shaded Areas Showing Distribution of Deer
New Zealand Deer Heads
No. 1.
No. 1.
Owner ; His Excellency the Governor General.
Species : Red.
Herd : Otago, 1923.
Points : 6 right+ 7 left.
Length : 44 inches.
Spread Outside : 47f inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 37 1 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : inches.
Remarks : This head is a fitting one to be the centrepiece of the Exhibition. It is of true Scotch type, the measurements are magnificent ; it was the best head shot in New Zealand in 1923 and it fell to the Governor-General's rifle in the Makarora Valley. It has that beautiful wide sweep portrayed by Landseer which so enhances the appearance of every good head.
I
No. 2.
No. 2.
Owner : Captain Curtis.
Species : Red.
Herd : Otago, 1923.
Points : 8 right+lo left.
Length : 40£ inches.
Spread Outside : 43 £ inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 33J inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 5I inches
Remarks : This is a fine heavy head which measures well but lacks the beautiful spread and sweep of No. 1. It also was shot in 1923 in an adjoining block to No. 1.
2
New Zealand Deer Heads
No. 3.
No. 4.
Owner : Mrs. E. J. Herrick.
Species : Red.
Herd : South Westland, 1923.
Points : right 6+left 6.
Length : 45J inches.
Spread Outside : 39£ inches.
Spread Inside Beam : inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 5I inches.
Remarks : This was shot by Mrs. E. J. Herrick in 1923 and is the largest head obtained in New Zealand by a lady stalker. It has a magnificent set of lower tines , but the tops do not spring from a cup as in the best style of Scotch heads.
No. 3.
Owner : E. J. Herrick.
Species : Red.
Herd : Otago, 1923.
Points : right 7+left 7.
Length : 45 \ inches.
Spread Outside : 45 J inches.
Spread Inside Beam : inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : inches.
Remarks : This is a fitting companion to No. 1, only slightly less in measurements, and is the second best head of Scotch type shot in New Zealand in 1923. It was obtained on an adjoining block to No. 1 and is probably sired by the same stag , which possibly was No. Ba.
No. 4.
No. 5.
Owner : R. G. Hill.
Species : Red
Herd : South Westland, 1922.
Points : 7 right+7 left.
Length : 42£ inches.
Spread Outside : 41 i inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 341 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : inches.
Remarks : This is a beautiful even fourteen-pointer shot in 1922 at the head of the Makar or a Valley, close to where the heads Nos. 1 to 4 were obtained.
No. G.
3
No. 5.
No. 6.
Owner : A. P. Cameron.
Species : Red.
Herd : Waitaki.
Points : 7 right+7 left.
Length : 41 £ inches.
Spread Outside : 441 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 351 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 5I inches.
Remarks : This magnificent fourteen-pointer was shot about twelve years ago in the Waitaki district and still remains one of the best heads of this type ever obtained.
New Zealand Deer Heads
4
No. 7.
No. 7.
Owner : J. Forbes.
Species : Red.
Herd : Otago.
Points : 7 right-f-7 left.
Length : 43 inches. 431 inches.
Spread Outside : 36 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez ; inches.
Remarks : Shot in 1914, Boundary Creek, Hunter Valley, Otago, a rather unusual fourteen, as instead of the tops having two double crotches, they are Royal.
No. 8.
No. 8.
Owner : J.M.Ross.
Species : Red.
Herd : Lakes District.
Points : 9 right+lo left.
Length : 38 inches.
Spread Outside : inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 291 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez ; 6 inches.
Remarks : This example shows a perfect forest of points, and stalkers can imagine what it must have looked like when seen through a telescope. So much of the substance has gone to the points that naturally it does not measure quite so well as other first-class heads. It was shot near Mount Aspiring. Compare this with No. 38 evidently a closely related stag shot in the same locality.
New Zealand Deer Heads
New Zealand Deer Heads
5
No. Ba.
No. 9.
No. Ba.
Owner : J. Faulks.
Species : Red.
Herd : Otago.
Points : 7 right+7 left.
Length ; inches.
Spread Outside : inches.
Spread Inside Beam : inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez :5I inches.
Circumference Burr ; 9! inches.
Remarks : This old head was shot about ten years ago quite close to where Nos. 1 and 3 were obtained in 1923 in the Makarora Valley. This example holds the record for New Zealand for width, measuring 50 inches wide when shot. Mr. Hill now makes it but it is a well-known fact that heads shrink in width with age. When the general similarity of shape of this head to Nos. 1 and 3 and the exceptional width of all three is considered, it seems probable this one was the sire of the other two.
No. 9.
Owner : J. M. Ross.
Species : Red.
Herd : Lakes District.
Points : 6 right+7 left.
Length : 47J inches.
Spread Outside : 39 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : inches.
Remarks : This head has magnificent tops and was shot in the same locality as Nos. 8 and 38, out of a small herd detached from the main body of deer located near Mount Aspiring in the Matukituki Valley. Mr. J. Faulks, who held the Makarora country, remembers about fifteen years ago a herd of four or five deer appearing in the Wilkin river, probably having come over from the Hunter Valley. His dogs chased them up the valley, and they were driven over the saddle towards the Matukituki Valley where this herd is now found. This is the only example of any herd becoming detached from the main body.
33
New Zeala7id Deer Heads
No. 9a.
No. 10.
No. 9A.
Owner : Captain Carlyon.
Species : Red.
Herd : Westland.
Points : 6 right-f-6 left.
Length : 44 inches.
Spread Outside : inches.
Spread Inside Beam : inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 6 inches.
Circumference Burr : io| inches.
Remarks : Captain Carlyon shot this example in the Landsborough Valley in 1921. It has truly magnificent tops and combines most of the qualities required in a first-class head.
No. 10.
Owner : H. Hardcastle.
Species : Red.
Herd : Otago.
Points : 7 right+7 left.
Length : 40J inches.
Spread Outside : 391 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 5 £ inches.
Remarks : This was shot about fifteen years ago in the Dingle some years after that valley had passed its best period. It is one of the most beautiful finished heads in the collection.
New Zealand Deer Heads
7
No. 11 .
No. 12.
No. 11.
Owner ; Major Wilson.
Species : Red.
Herd : Otago.
Points : 7 right+6 left.
Length : 401 inches.
Spread Outside : inches.
Spread Inside Beam ; inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 5I inches.
Remarks : This is very even and measures well and was the best head shot in the season in 1914. It came from the Hunter Valley.
No. 12.
Owner : T. Russell.
Species : Red.
Herd : Lakes District.
Points : 10 right+9 left.
Length : 41 £ inches.
Spread Outside : 42 £ inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 311 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez ; 6| inches.
Remarks : This stag was shot in the Matukituki Valley, Lake district. It has so many of the qualities of the Park type that it seems probable that it was bred in another herd and wandered to where it was shot. It was presumed to be a very large beast , the antlers weighing 23 \ lbs.
35
New Zealand Deer Heads
No. 13.
No. 14.
Owner : W. McLeod.
Species : Red.
Herd : South Westland, 1922.
Points : 7 right-}-7 left.
Length : inches.
Spread Outside : 40J inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 28J inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 6 inches.
Circumference Burr : 11 inches.
Remarks : Shot in 1922 in Upper Haast Valley , South Westland. This is a head of great length and beam from the pure Highland strain of Otago.
No. 13.
Owner ; J. S. StciTan.
Species : Red.
Herd : Waitaki.
Points : 9 right-}-7 left.
Length ; inches.
Spread Outside : 35 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 25 1 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 42 inches.
Remarks : This was shot about ten years ago in the Ahunri Valley, Waitaki district , and is a fine head with very long tops.
No. 14
New Zealand Deer Heads
9
No. 15.
Owner : W. McLeod.
Species : Red.
Herd : South Westland, 1923.
Points : 8 right-j-8 left.
Length : inches.
Spread Outside : 34 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 4I inches.
Remarks : Shot in 1923 in Upper Haast Valley , South Westland, same class as No. 14.
No. 16.
No. 15.
No. 16.
Owner : C. Studholme.
Herd ; Otago.
Points : 8 right+y left.
Length : 42 inches,
Spread Outside : inches.
Spread Inside Beam : inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : inches.
Remarks : This fine wide head was shot just over the boundary into Westland at the head of the Hunter River about twelve years ago before the deer were considered to have spread over the divide.
New Zealand Deer Heads
37
No. 17.
No. 17.
Owner : E. C. Studholme.
Herd : Otago.
Points : 6 right+ 6 left.
Length : 41 £ inches.
Spread Outside : inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 28]- inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 5 \ inches.
Remarks : This magnificent example of a Royal was shot in the Hunter Valley about ten years ago, and combines nearly all the essentials of a firstclass head. Its quality of horn is very fine, the pearling being very marked and the tines are all well finished, the tops being exceptionally long. It should, however, be a little wider.
No. 18.
No. 18.
Owner : W. S. Mitchell.
Herd ; Rakaia.
Points : 12 right+lo left.
Length : 42 inches.
Spread Outside : 45 1 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : inches.
Circumference Burr : io| inches.
Remarks : This magnificent head holds the record for New Zealand for the number of points and is a splendid specimen of the best Park type.
New Zealand Deer Heads
38
No. 19.
No. 19.
Owner : High Commissioner.
Species : Wapiti.
Herd : Southland, 1923.
Points : 7 right+B left.
Length : inches.
Spread Outside : 53J inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 37! inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez :6| inches.
Circumference Burr : n§ inches.
No. 20.
No. 20.
Owner : High Commissioner.
Species : Wapiti.
Herd : Southland, 1923.
Points : 6 right+s left.
Length : 48 1 inches.
Spread Outside : 40 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 34! inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez ; 7 inches.
Circumference Burr : n| inches,
Remarks : These are the first Wapiti trophies obtained south of the Equator, and the result of a very interesting acclimatisation experiment. They bid fan to produce heads quite equal to their native country.
New Zealand Deer Heads
39
No. 21.
No. 21.
Owner : Sir Heaton Rhodes.
Species : Red.
Herd : Rakaia.
Points : 8 right+B left.
Length : inches.
Spread Outside : inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 301 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 5I inches.
Remarks : This is perhaps the finest head of Park type obtained in New Zealand. It is more even than the usual Rakaia heads.
No. 22.
No. 22.
Owner : Dr. Neil Guthrie.
Species : Red.
Herd : Rakaia.
Points : 7 right+6 left.
Length : 44J inches.
Spread Outside ; inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 27 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 6| inches.
Remarks : Shot in 1923 in Rakaia Forest, Canterbury, a well grown head of Stoke Park blood.
New Zealand Deer Heads
*3
No. 23.
No. 24.
Owner : B. W. Henning.
Species : Red.
Herd : Rakaia.
Points ; 8 right+7 left.
Length : 44 £ inches.
Spread Outside : inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 32J inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez ; 6 inches.
Remarks : Shot in Rakaia Forest and is a head of good length and spread, Stoke Park blood.
No. 23.
Owner : T. Jessop.
Species : Red.
Herd : Rakaia.
Points : 8 right-)-7 left.
Length : 42J inches.
Spread Outside : 43 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : inches.
Remarks : Shot in 1922 in Upper Rakaia, Ashburton Forest, Stoke Park blood, weight 25 j lbs.
No. 24.
New Zealand Deer Heads
41
No. 25.
No. 25.
Owner : G. J. Johnstone.
Species : Red.
Herd : Rakaia.
Points : 7 right+ 5 left.
Length : 45 1 inches.
Spread Outside : 43 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 33 J inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 6| inches.
Remarks : Another Rakaia head of good length, spread and beam.
No. 26.
No. 26.
Owner : Major Wilson.
Species : Red.
Herd : Wairarapa (Wellington).
Points : 7 right+7 left.
Length : 36 inches.
Spread Outside : 365 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 29! inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez :6| inches.
Circumference Burr : iog inches.
Remarks : This head was shot in the Wairarapa district in the North Island about twenty years ago when the herd was in its prime. It is very heavy , comparing favourably with any head obtained elsewhere ; but like all Wairarapa heads , its measurements do not approach the best example's of the South Island heads.
New Zealand Deer Heads
1.5
No. 27.
No. 27.
Owner : Wellington Club.
Species : Red.
Herd : Wairarapa (Wellington).
Points: ii right+ll left.
Length : 36 inches.
Spread Outside : 31 1 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : inches.
Circumference Burr : 10 inches.
Remarks : This example for many years held the record for the number of points. It is supposed to be the original stag sent out from Windsor Park and was shot by Mr. Nat Grace.
No. 28.
No. 28.
Owner : R. G. Hill.
Species : Red.
Herd : Wairarapa (Wellington).
Points : 7 right+6 left.
Length : 351 inches.
Spread Outside : 391 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 321 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez ; 5J inches.
Remarks : This is a good example of the best heads of the old days , but such heads are unobtainable in the Wairarapa at the present time.
New Zealand Deer Heads
16
No. 29.
No. 29.
Owner: L. Murrell.
Species : Red.
Herd : Southland.
Points : 7 right+7 left.
Length : 46 inches.
Spread Outside ; inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 30 1 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 6£ inches.
Remarks: Shot in 1922 at Manapouri , Southland, good length and beam, from Park stock.
No. 30.
No. 30.
Owner : W. R. McKay.
Species : Red.
Herd : Manapouri.
Points : 7 right+7 left.
Length : 40 1 inches.
Spread Outside : 41 £ inches.
Spread Inside Beam : inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 5! inches.
Remarks : Shot in 1918 in same district as No. 29 and is also of same blood. It is more like the Scotch heads of Otago.
New Zealand Deer Heads
i 7
No. 31.
No. 31.
Owner : R. Levin.
Species : Red.
Herd : Rotorua.
Points : 8 right+7 left.
Length : 40£ inches.
Spread Outside : 36 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : z6f inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 5I inches.
Remarks : This is the best example on record of all the heads shot in the Rotorua district. This is a comparatively new herd.
No. 32.
No. 32.
Owner : G. H. Whitehead.
Species : Sambur.
Herd : Manawatu.
Points : 3 right+3 left.
Length : 35 inches.
Spread Outside : inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 23 1 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez ; 6| inches.
Remarks : This is the heaviest sambur head on record , and was obtained in the Manawatu district, where these deer were liberated.
New Zealand Deer Heads
18
No. 33.
Owner : R. G. Hill.
Species : Sambur.
Herd : Manawatu.
Points : 3 right+3 left.
Length : 401 inches.
Spread Outside : inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 32J inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 6£ inches.
Remarks : This is the largest sambur head on record in New Zealand and rivals the good heads obtained in India.
No. 33.
No. 34.
Owner : Major Wilson.
Species : Sambur.
Herd : Manawatu.
Points : 3 right+ 3 left
Length : 331 inches.
Spread Outside : 372 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 27 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : inches.
Remarks : This example was killed with a knife by Mr. A. Sexton with the help of his dogs, and recalls the exploits of Sir Samuel Baker in Ceylon.
No. 34.
New Zealand Deer Heads
46
No. 35.
No. 35.
Owner: J. W. Cunningham.
Species : Fallow.
Herd : Otago.
Points: 13 right +l4 left.
Length: 25 \ inches.
Spread Outside : 35 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez :4J inches.
Circumference Burr: inches.
No. 38.
No. 38.
Owner : J. M. Ross.
Species : Red.
Herd : Lakes District.
Points: 10 right+lo left.
Length : 44 inches.
Spread Outside : inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 25£ inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 5I inches.
Remarks : This is the third example from the Matukituki Valley near Mount Aspiring , and though inferior in spread to Mr. Ross's other head {No. 8), is a very fine trophy.
Heads Nos. 36 and 37 belonging to A. Stewart have unfortunately had to be omitted from this book. Ed.
New Zealand Deer Heads
20
No. 39.
No. 39.
Owner : J. Holmes.
Species ; Red.
Herd : South Canterbury.
Points : 8 right+9 left.
Length : 37 inches.
Spread Outside : 34 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 25 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 5 1 inches.
No. 40.
No. 40.
Owner : G. R. Humphries.
Species : Red.
Herd : Otago.
Points : 10 right+9 left.
Length : 37 \ inches.
Spread Outside : 39 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 29 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : inches.
Remarks : Shot in Young River, Makarora, Otago.
New Zealand Deer Heads
48
No. 41.
No. 42.
No. 41.
Owner : C. McLean.
Species : Red.
Herd : Otago.
Points ; 9 right-f- 10 left.
Length : 41 £ inches.
Spread Outside : inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 27J inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : inches.
Remarks : Shot in Upper Makar or a Valley. Rather unusual type for Otago.
No. 42.
Owner : Dr. Smith Morton.
Species : Red.
Herd : Lakes District.
Points : 7 right+B left.
Length : inches.
Spread Outside : inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 25 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 5£ inches.
Remarks : Shot in 1923 in Wilkin Valley , Lake Country, Otago.
New Zealand Deer Heads
22
No. 43.
No. 44.
No. 43,
Owner : J. Forbes.
Species : Red.
Herd : Westland.
Points : 8 right+6 left.
Length : 45f inches.
Spread Outside : 43 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 35 1 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez :5I inches.
Circumference Burr : io| inches.
Remarks : Shot 1919, Wills Valley , South Westland. It is of great length , good spread and beam, and a perfect set of lower titles. The head of the season. A very heavy stag, estimated weight, 38 to 40 stone.
No. 44.
Owner : H. B. S. Johnstone.
Species : Red.
Herd : Otago.
Points : 8 right+lo left.
Length : inches.
Spread Outside : 37! inches.
Spread Inside Beam : z6| inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 6| inches.
Remarks : Shot in 1923, Upper Hunter Valley , Otago. Weight , 21 i stone. Record Beam measurement for Otago.
New Zealand Deer Heads
23
No. 45.
No. 45.
Owner ; Dr. McKellop.
Species : Red.
Herd : Westland.
Points : 6 right+6 left.
Length : 39 1 inches.
Spread Outside : 37! inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 31 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : inches,
No. 46.
No. 46.
Owner : W. R. Twigg.
Species: Red.
Herd : Otago.
Points : 6 right+6 left.
Length : 41 inches.
Spread Outside : 36| inches.
Spread Inside Beam : inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 5I inches.
New Zealand Deer Heads
51
No. 47.
No. 47.
Owner : A. Edie.
Species : Red.
Herd : Otago.
Points : 7 right+B left.
Length : 42 inches.
Spread Outside : 35 } inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 291 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez ; 5J inches.
No. 48.
No. 48.
Owner : G. Penlington.
Species : Red.
Herd : Rakaia.
Points : 6 right+6 left.
Length : 391 inches.
Spread Outside : 41 i inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 31J inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 5I inches.
Remarks : Shot on Double Hill, Ashburton Forest, Stoke Park blood.
New Zealand Deer Heads
No. 49.
No. 49.
Owner : A. Secular.
Species : Red.
Herd : Waitaki.
Points : 7 right+6 left.
Length : inches.
Spread Outside : 39J inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 32J inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : inches.
2 5
No. 50.
No. 50.
Owner : A. Secular.
Species : Red.
Herd : Waitaki.
Points : 8 right+B left.
Length : inches.
Spread Outside : inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 29 1 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : inches.
Remarks : These two are of somewhat similar type from the Waitaki district.
New Zealand Deer Heads
53
No. 51 .
No. 52.
Owner : J. Spiers.
Species : Red.
Herd : Waitaki.
Points : 7 right+7 left.
Length : 42J inches.
Spread Outside : 35 inches.
Spread Inside Beam : inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 5I inches.
No. 51.
Owner : J. G. Mayo.
Species : Red.
Herd : Manawatu.
Points : 6 right+ 6 left.
Length : 36 inches.
Spread Outside : 35 j inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 28i inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : Left, 6\ inches ; right, inches.
No. 52.
New Zealand Deer Heads
27
No. 53.
No. 53.
Owner : J. Smaill.
Species : Red,
Herd : Otago.
Points : 7 right+7 left.
Length : inches.
Spread Outside : inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 20 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez ; inches.
Remarks : Shot in Hunter Valley , Otago.
No. 54.
No. 54.
Owner : J. L. Arnold.
Species : Red.
Herd : Nelson.
Points : 7 right+B left.
Length : 381 inches.
Spread Outside : inches.
Spread Inside Beam : inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : inches.
Remarks : This is an example of Nelson heads and shows the characteristics of this herd. They are descended from South of England deer and generally lack width.
55
New Zealand Deer Heads
No. 55.
No. 56.
No. 55.
No. 56.
Owner ; H. McConochie.
Owner : A. Rodgers.
Species : Red.
Species : Sambur.
Herd : Nelson.
Herd : Manawatu.
Points : 6 right+7 left.
Points : 3 right+3 left.
Length : 41 £ inches.
Length : 36 inches.
Spread Outside : 34£ inches.
Spread Outside ; 40J inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 28f inches.
Spread Inside Beam : inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 5 1 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 6 inches.
Remarks : This is an example of Nelson heads and shows the characteristics of this herd. They are descended from South of England deer and generally lack width.
New Zealand Deer Heads
56
No. 57.
No. 57.
Owner : J. G. Mayo.
Species : Sambur.
Herd : Manawatu.
Points : 3 right+3 left.
Length : 29J inches.
Spread Outside : inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 22 \ inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 5I inches.
No. 58.
No. 58.
Owner : W. Scott.
Species : Sambur.
Herd : Manawatu.
Points : 3 right+3 left.
Length : inches.
Spread Outside : 33 J inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 25J inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez : 6| inches.
3°
New Zealand Deer Heads
No. 59.
No. 60.
Owner : W. E. Twigg.
Species : Fallow.
Herd : Otago.
Points: 12 right+ 11 left.
Length : inches.
Spread Outside : 30] inches.
Spread Inside Beam : 23 inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez :3J inches.
Circumference Burr : 5| inches.
No. 59.
Owner : J. Holmes.
Species : Fallow.
Herd : Otago.
Points : 9 right+lo left.
Length : 29 inches.
Spread Outside : inches.
Spread Inside Beam : inches.
Circumference between Bez and Trez :3? inches
Circumference Burr : 6| inches.
No. 60.
New Zealand Deer Heads
3*
NEW ZEALAND DEER HEAD. Illustrating type. Nelson Forest.
NEW ZEALAND DEER HEAD. Record for the greatest weight of horns, 26} lbs., with lower jaw. Shot by Mr. Geo. Gerard.
RED DEER HEAD from Mt. White Deer Forest, Canterbury, N.Z. Original stock came from Warnham Park, England.
NEW ZEALAND RED DEER HEAD (Otago.) Record for the greatest length. 49} inches Shot by Mr. J. Forbes.
32
14-POINTER SHOT BY J. McLEOD, AT THE TOP OF ALFRED BURN Near Mi ASPIRING Length, 41} inches. Span, 38} in. Beam, 5} inches
New Zealand Deer Heads
THE FIRST WAPITI STAG SHOT IN NEW ZEALAND—By V. E. DONALD, 1923. Points, 14. Length, 53 inches. Spread, 47 inches. Beam, 7 inches. Weight, 34 lbs.
New Zealand Deer Heads
33
THE BLUE RIVER STALKING BLOCK, OTAGO.
THE DIVIDING RANGE BETWEEN OTAGO AND WESTLAND AT THE HEAD OF THE BLUE RIVER.
New Zealci7id Deer Heads
34
CAMERON'S FLAT, MAKARORA VALLEY, OTAGO.
TWO BIG HEADS SHOT IN THE BLUE RIVER BLOCK. OTAGO 1923 BY MR. AND MRS. E. J. HERRICH. 46 and 43J inches long.
New Zealand Deer Heads
35
MAIN CAMP. LANDSBOKOUGH VALLEY. WESTLAND.
UPPER LANDSBOKOUGH VALLEY. WESTLAND.
New Zealand Deer Heads
3 6
DEER STALKING IN NEW ZEALAND. A Pack Horse Outfit in Otago.
A 14-POINTER SHOT IN THE WILLS VALLEY, 1922. Length, 37 inches. Width, 37 inches.
New Zealand Deer Heads
37
CARRYING THE PACK.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/books/ALMA1924-9917502363502836-New-Zealand-deer-heads
Bibliographic details
APA: Forbes, J. (John). (1924). New Zealand deer heads. Country Life.
Chicago: Forbes, J. (John). New Zealand deer heads. London: Country Life, 1924.
MLA: Forbes, J. (John). New Zealand deer heads. Country Life, 1924.
Word Count
9,728
New Zealand deer heads Forbes, J. (John), Country Life, London, 1924
Using This Item
Out of copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, copyright in this book has expired.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.