Air search lor deer poachers

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33263, 28 June 1973, Page 3

Air search lor deer poachers

Fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters are being used by the Civil Aviation Division of the Ministry of t ransport in South W estland and Fiordland to track deer poachers, some of whom arc th ing with insufficient qualifications.

1 In Wellington jester- . ' day, Mr E. T. Kippenher- [ ger, the division’s assistant : 1 director of flight opera- ! tions, said deer poaching increased significantly i because the export price ! of venison had shot up. “Considerable profits can; ■ be made, and because of these high prices the indus-' ,| try has attracted a lot of ' fly-by-night operators with little or no financial backing who are simply in there for a quick return.” he said. Offenders faced fines of up ■ to $4OO or prison sentences! , of up to six months for each offence, said Mr Kip-

I penburger. The division was likely to seek an increase in the maximum fine, which had [been set about 20 years ago.

Between 30 and 40 helicopters are believed to be in use for deer hunting in [ the southern part of the i South Island. Some heli[copter pilots had been fly|ing with only a private pilot’s licence, when a commercial licence was required, said Mr Kippenberger. The division’s campaign [against illegal activities began several weeks ago. and already at least six prosecutions are pending against pilots and operators. Mr Kippenberger said catching poachers was timeconsuming. It involved following up complaints, checking [for aircraft in the area, [tracking down individuals 'for statements, and much routine “police” work before a prosecution could be considered.

Mr Kippenberger said the division had the full co-opera-tion of the Forestry Service, the Lands and Survey Department, the Marine Department, and the Fiordland National Park Board.