Hunters Flown Into Back Country

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30109, 18 April 1963, Page 10

Hunters Flown Into Back Country

(New Zealand Press Association)

INVERCARGILL, April 17. Since the beginning of the roaring season for deer at tlfe beginning of March, about 500 hunters have been flown into an area ranging from the Haast to about Dusky Sound Some days there have been more than 100 aircraft movements under the control at the private radio operated by Southern Scenic Air Services. Ltd., at Frankton aerodrome. The company has had a busy six weeks, with two Cessna 180 float planes operating from Te Anau and Manapouri. four Cessna 180 land planes and one Cessna 185 operating from Queenstown, besides four Dominies involved in passenger services and supply dropping. The planes have a selection of 70 water landing areas and 30 landing strips in the back country. Some of the lakes where the float planes land are at an altitude of 3000 feet

It is expected that this busy time of transporting hunters will continue until the end of the roaring season about mid-May.

An average of about 10 tons of venison a week is being brought out to Frankton for firms which are processing the meat for export. This is in operation throughout the year. There are firms at Cromwell, Wanaka, Invercargill, Oamaru and further north. Most of the firms take delivery of the venison at Frankton, but Southern Scenic Air Services sometimes takes the meat nearer its destination where it is picked up by refrigerated vans.

The meat is exported to Germany and the United States and the antler* in velvet and the tail* are sent to China.