DEER-STALKING.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18332, 16 March 1925, Page 4

DEER-STALKING.

IN THE ASHBURTON 1 RANGES. Tho few May field'sportsmen who havo been fortunate enough to secure deersliooting licenses loojt forward with impatienco to the opening of tho season on April Ist. They entertain sanguine expectations of thrilling and succesefulsport. Herds of deer have been seen roaming the foothills, and on one occasion fifteen hinds were observed to debouch from tho Kangitata Go'rgo in a body and wander at leisure across the Montalto flat. Tho best deer country lies up the Ashburton Gorge, 40 miles distant from Mt. Somcrs, and embraces a rugged and primitive region, of which Lake Herou may be regarded as the centre and which fronts on to tho. Rakaia River. Mr Raymond Oakloy, one of the successful ballotcrs for a license, recently visited the locality and furnishos a graphic description of its leading and most impressive features. It is a tract of country that contains all the best requisites for exciting sport. Tho Ashburton ranges are the national habitat of the deer and far surpass in wild physical characteristics anything obtaining in Scotland or possibly in Europe. It is in part rough tussock downs with frequent and precipitous elevations of rock, intersected by deep ravines covered in many instances with bush; and towering hero and there to great heights are almost perpendicular ramparts of crag. These crag formations, found in altitudes of 5000 feet., represent the harder and more durable rocks that have resisted erosion. Ex.cessivo erosion and vast deposits of loose disintegrated rock are the most conspicuous features of the ranges. During tho winter months the deer congregate in herds of from 50 to 100; at other periods of tho year they break up into companies of six or eight. Tho experienced and skilful stalker knows where to locate his quarry. Ho will fi(|d it secreted in a deep recess in the hills, or gathered round a protruding and almost inaccessible rocky crag, or hidden in a dense and intricate tract of bush. "Where thero is an abundance of natural cover the animals emerge into the open to browse only at dusk when the light is too poor to distinguish their forms. They retreat again at break of day. Premonition of danger is furnished by their acute power of scent, and'if approached on the weather side the sportsman • frequently experiences the vexation of seeing his prey disappearing with agile speed into a region where pursuit is impossible. Pursuit is more or les? hazardous in any part of the country, and often leads to heights of nearly 6000 feet. Good, well-developed heads are said to j be scarce, due to tho interbreeding of the Scottish and German varieties. The j largo and'symmetrical bay tines of the j former disappear when crossed with the heavier and coarser German species and J give place to two small spikes, thus spoiling tho balance and reducing . tho size and spread of the antlers. Of the two types the Scottish has the lighter antler. The deer-stalking area, radiating from Manuka Point, where the first deer were liberated some years ago, is within a five hours' journey of Mavficld; and from some of the higher altitudes reached in pursuit of tho game magnificent views open out in all directions, . and with the aid of* glasses immense glaciers glistening on the slopes of the Southern Alps are discerniblu in tho far distance.