Hunters and conservation

Press, 18 October 1978, Page 11

Hunters and conservation

Sir, — Conservation implies management and my statement (October 12) “any time in the future,” is not short-term as I see it. R. M. Taylor’s apprehension of resource shortage will be overcome by the development of new and improved energy sources, given the rising level of knowledge and man’s ingenuity. The impact of civilisation disturbs the enivronment, but the effect can be controlled for the common good. Deer have been present in New Zealand for over 100 years and are accepted, by the majority of the people as part of our heritage. Hunters, many of whom have been active in conservation matters, see no gulf that cannot be bridged by a little tolerance. After all, the Takahe was discovered by the man who promoted the Deerstalkers' Association on a national basis —• Dr Orbell. —Yours, etc., W. H. CARTER, President, N.Z.D.A. (North Canterbury Branch). October 16, 1978.

Sir, — I wish to compliment Mr Tony Orman’s article on hunting and to express my opposition to the opinions offered by Messrs Taylor and Hall. Extermination is totally impracticable as a policy; so why not live with the animals? Then it gets down to management which takes into account the habitat and carefully regulates animal numbers in relations to the carrying capacity of the land. As to deer, Mr Orman quoted Thane Riney’s views. To this, I would add the 194-9 New Zealand-American fiordland Expedition, Dr Graf’s findings and some D.S.I.R. work such as Dr R. Taylor’S, and a study in the Nelson Lakes National Park, which found grasshoppers were the greatest devourers

of alpine tussock.- Messrs Taylor and Hall should read these. — Yours, etc., J. HARXTSY. October 16, 1978.