Preservation for hunting

Press, 5 August 1980, Page 16

Preservation for hunting

Sir, — It would appear P.A. G. Howell (August 2) like many other armchair critics of our sport has not progressed past the text book stage of environmental knowledge. The Big Game Hunters’ Association to my knowledge has never asked for 'deer in areas, outside their feral range, or in numbers that may be considered by the more learned as detrimental to environmental qualities. If Mr Howell can show me a single area, in this country where wild animals have caused as much damage . as humans then he would be the first. Mr Howell must be.very upset that deer farmers have successfully lobbied to get deer in Northland, and that the Minister of Forests is showing wisdom in protecting the Sambar deer. His attention would be better directed at the use of poisons if he is really, concerned about, .tha

environment. — Yours, etc., R. B. CANDY, Ashburton. August 2, 1980. Nature conservation Sir, — Eric Bennett could stop worrying and cheer up for Conservation Week. He could give West Coast people , a hearty pat on the back for their achievements in conservation. Their natural environment is still the most beautiful in New Zealand even after 100 years of occupation. There are more reserves per head than anywhere else, some of them having been given by the people to protect what they love, while a feature of the farmland is the amount of ground the farmers will leave for groves of totara and kahikatea. There is something special which brings people to the West Coast and keeps them here (when they can get a livelihood) and turns them into practising conservationists. Mr Bennett should also be cheered to know that the biggest conservation challenge is on his own back doorstep — Canterbury. — Yours, etc.,

ANNETTE KERR. August 2, 1980.