The call of the wild

Press, 28 August 1979, Page 4 (Supplement)

The call of the wild

New Zealanders are renowned for their love of the outdoors and there will be many fathers who enjoy reading about hunting, shooting and fishing.

There is a wealth of literature available on the subjects, but A. H. and A. W. Reed have recently published a number of first-rate books on deerstalking which will appeal to both the hunter and the nature-lover.

“Call of the Wapiti,” by Ray Tinsley, tells how the

author “grew up” as a hunter, graduating from a boy who shot at “just about anything that moved” to a mature, selective deer-stalker. The book has an informal, down-to-earth narrative, backed by excellent photography of some of New' Zealand’s most spectacular scenery. “The Venison Hunters” is an authoritative account of the exploits of author Mike Bennett, who began as a Government deer cul-

ler then went into business on his own as a meat hunter. He eventually bought his own aircraft, flying deep into the wilds of South Westland in search of venison. "The Venison Hunters” is a readable and often humorous story which looks nostalgically at the great days of deer hunting in New Zealand.

Tony Orman is a deerstalker who thinks deeply about his sport. “Reflections of a Deerstalker” is

a book with a message — a plea for a return to the days of careful and selective shooting. Orman himself has turned to deershooting with a camera rather than a gun. and the beautiful photographs in the book are proof of his ability. Ir a more practical vein, a . 3v:sed edition of “Hunting in New Zealand” has recently been published. Rex Forrester, a veteran hunter,, gives advice on what, whereand

how to hunt. For the beginner or those not used to New Zealand condi-

tions, “Hunting in New Zealand” provides an excellent starting-point.