Page 12 Advertisements Column 3

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 21033, 8 December 1933, Page 12

Total extermination of the Virginian deer on Stewart Island is advocated by the Stewart Island County Council. In putting its case before the Southland Improvement League the council stated it was proved that the damage done by deer on the island was getting more serious each year. Although the undergrowth is of no commercial value, it is a thing of beauty, and its destruction, especially when it mcludes any shrub of special interest to botanists, is a national loss, especially on a scenic reserve. Besides this, the destruction of the natural shelter belt, both along the seashore of coastal scrub and of other vegetation inland, exposes the larger forest trees to their worst enemy, the wind. Apart from being a menace, the Virginian deer is really of no value to Stewart Island on account of its elusive nature. It seldom comes out of the bush. Once it becomes man-shy it is almost 1171possible to stalk, and as it does not roar and good stags are seldom seen, it is not an attraction to visiting hunters. The Commissioner of State r orests is entirely with the county council in urging the extermination.